Geography 101 - A quick guide to the Philly Region

The Greater Philadelphia area has a population of around 5 million people.  The region is referred to as South Eastern Pennsylvania, and with New Jersey and Delaware it is the Delaware Valley or sometimes the Tri-State Region (PA, NJ, and DE).   There are many townships, municipalities and counties, and even natives have difficulty keeping track.  For example, less than 10 miles to the West of Center City is Springfield (Delaware County) and 15 miles to the North West is Springfield (Montgomery County).

It helps to have a little grasp of the geography before heading out into it.

Inside Philadelphia

Philadelphia is both a city and a county.  It has several sub-regions.  Some of the main ones are:

Center City.  As the name suggests, the center of it all.  Founded by William Penn, between the mighty Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, includes the main business district, convention center, Independence Hall, museums, and lots of other old stone.  Sub-regions include Olde City (around Independence Hall), the Art Museum district (around the Art Museum), Society Hill, and South Street.  William Penn sits atop City Hall at the junction of Market St and Broad St.  It's useful to know that streets are numbered from the Delaware River West and named after trees from Market St. South. 

University City. Home to the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, the University of the Sciences, and probably others.  Runs from 30th St to about 48th St, West of Center City.  Lots of student housing.  West of University City is...West Philadelphia to 69th St..

Germantown, Mt Airy, Chestnut Hill.  These three communities are in Northwest Philadelphia, linked by Germantown Avenue.  Both the distance from Center City and property values increase along the Avenue.  Chestnut Hill is a somewhat ritzy and largely unmalled shopping area.  To the South East of Mt Airy and Chestnut Hill is Fairmount Park, the green jewel of Philadelphia, and a great place to mountain bike.

Manayunk and Roxborough.  Manayunk and Roxborough are linked by Ridge Avenue, North West of Center City.  They form the South East boundary of Fairmount Park.  Manayunk is trendy, nightclubby, and shoppy, with lots of restaurants.  Roxborough is mostly housing.

NorthEast Philadelphia.  The great northeast!  Includes basically everything along Roosevelt Blvd, also known as Route 1.  Famous because Roosevelt Blvd has three of the top 10 most dangerous intersections in the U.S.  Lots of people live (and die) here...and not much else.

South Philadelphia.  Basically the whole region South of Center City, anchored by Broad Street.  Includes the Italian Market and Sports Stadiums (Spectrum).  Cultural center of the mummers.

Why no East Philadelphia?  Because that's over the Delaware River in Camden, New Jersey.

Around Philadelphia

Philadelphia is surrounded by several counties, each with its own character.

Bucks county.  A great area for riding with many quiet roads.  The area along the Delaware River is a favorite, (although River Rd along the river can be quite busy, and leaving the river is always a climb).  Road surfaces in Bucks can be bad either due to potholes or chip-and-seal.  The terrain is hilly.  Typical rides are 5,000+ ft of climbing per100 miles.

Montgomery county.  Surrounds Philly to the North and West.  Close suburbs include the Main Line communities of Brynn Mawr, Paoli and Exton.  This area is built up with no rural roads although there are quiet, often hilly routes past old stone majestic houses.  To the West of the county is Elkins Park, Jenkintown, Glenside, Springfield, Flourtown, and Whitemarsh.  This is mid-to-affluent commuter housing with few opportunities for quiet rides.  Further out from Philly is Doylestown.  There are lots of nice places to ride to the far West of the county.  The terrain is not quite as hilly as Bucks county, but there are some short but steep stinkers.  Road surfaces are generally bumpy but rideable.

Chester county.  Another great area for riding, with lots of quiet roads and manicured farms.  Terrain is mostly short-sharp hills but there are also great roads meandering along rivers, including the Brandywine.  Road surfaces are generally bumpy but good.

Lancaster county.  Lancaster county is to the West of Berks and Chester counties (not labeled on the map).  Despite the tourism (along Rte 30) there are lots of very quiet roads.  The terrain is mostly steep rollers in the North and steep hills in the South, near the Susquehanna River.  The countryside is exposed (think windy, no shade) and intensively farmed by the Amish community.  Road surfaces are often rutted by steel carriage wheels and horse manure can be a problem, particularly in the rain.

Delaware county.  Very built up, with few places to cycle near Philly but some nice spots towards Chester and the State of Delaware.

New Jersey.  East of Philly and just over the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges is Camden, one of the poorest cities in the U.S.  Further East are the commuter communities of Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, and several others.  You either live there or pass through there on the way to the Atlantic Shore.  Terrain is as flat as a pancake so wind can be a problem.  Do not make the mistake of thinking all New jersey is flat.  Hunterdon, Warren, and Somerset Counties, to the North East of the Delaware River, have some of the steepest hills in the region.