Fishtown welcomes you

During my first real hike through Fishtown, I was surprised at how cozy it felt. It has the feel of a small town somewhere in suburbia. As I walked down Norris street, I spotted a small cafe with people chatting outside and sipping coffee. This neighborhood has the vibe of something that is often missing from Center City. It feels friendly. The sounds of angry taxi drivers and honking motorists are replaced by casual conversation and the sound of neighbors greeting each other.

As I continued down Norris street, I noticed there were benches outside of almost every home. It was as if the sidewalks themselves were welcoming you to the neighborhood and inviting you to sit down and relax for a bit. The neighborhood scenery is unlike anything I have ever seen in Philadelphia. There were homes with driveways, backyards, and swimming pools. It's often hard to imagine these luxuries within the city of Philadelphia, but here they are in Fishtown.

Several buildings along Girard avenue were decorated with art, not the graffiti I was used to seeing. Even the sidewalks were decorated, as if making a statement. Walking through Fishtown felt like a trip back home, where people bike in the streets and strangers greet each other while crossing paths, and I felt welcomed into the neighborhood.

Jenn Matusiak and Melanie Menkevich

Group 09 - Fishtown