OUR HISTORY

Pre Colonization

The diagonal road of East Passyunk Avenue likely began as a trail used by the region’s original inhabitants, the Lenape tribe, who cared for the land for thousands of years before European settlers arrived.

The word Passyunk is derived from the Southern Unami dialect, where the term “pahsayunk” meant “in the valley(ies).” The Northern Unami dialect of the word “Pachsegink” appears on the earliest maps.

Without the Lenape community, East Passyunk Avenue would likely not exist today. More information about the tribe can be found here.

1800s – 1900s

As Europeans settled here, the road linked the developing city with a trading post, village, ferries, and farms along the Schuylkill River.

Several immigrant groups including those with Swedish, Irish, Eastern European and Italian heritage established communities and commerce on and around East Passyunk.

As the area developed, the Avenue became the main corridor and resource for daily life.

Today

East Passyunk has continued to grow thanks to the involvement, influence, and contributions of generations of immigrant communities both old and new, including Latino and Southeast Asian groups. We are a diverse and dynamic business community; a diagonal avenue paved with possibility. We stand together as a band of businesses, a feast of flavors, an Ave for all.

EAST PASSYUNK BY THE NUMBERS

160+

Independent Businesses

Top 10

Foodies Streets in the US

Dozens

of Events, Festivals, and Pop Ups

1-mile

walkable corridor

40% +

women owned businesses

60+

Restaurants

50+

Shops

90+

Service Businesses

GETTING HERE

Walk / Bike

From Center City, head south on Broad Street through the Avenue of the Arts and past homes and churches over a century old. Jog over to 13th Street to have a more intimate experience through traditional South Philly neighborhoods, or take 9th Street to pass through the bustling Italian Market.

Bike Rentals

There are also Indego Bike Share stands at 11th & Reed Streets and East Passyunk & Mckean Streets if you want to grab a bike share.

Suggested Routes

From Center City

View Map

Bus

Take the Route 4 or Route 23 Bus from Center City (North/South) or Route 29 (East/West), which all cross East Passyunk Avenue and run every 5-15 minutes depending on the route.

Bus Routes 2, 37, 47, and 47m also stop within a few blocks of East Passyunk Avenue.

Visit septa.org for schedules and maps or use their trip planner.

Suggested Routes

From City Hall

View Map

Subway

Take the local Broad Street Line (BSL) from Center City toward NRG Station and get off at the Tasker Morris Station. Walk east on Tasker until you hit Passyunk Avenue.

Visit septa.org for schedules and maps or use their trip planner.

Suggested Routes

From City Hall

View Map

Drive

Metered parking is available on the Avenue and in a municipal parking lot between Tasker and Morris for $1 per hour with a three hour maximum and free two hour parking is available on side streets.

There is also a parking garage at Constitution Health Plaza on the NW corner of Broad and McKean Streets which offers secure parking just a short walk from the Avenue.

You can reserve parking at Constitution Health Plaza here.

Suggested Routes

From Center City

View Map

From 30th Street Station

View Map

Latest News

Sponsor the Ave

Invest in the East Passyunk community and sponsor a marquee event. Sponsorships for Flavors of the Avenue due Thursday,...

Read More

EPABID Seeks New Executive Director

The East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) is one of 15 Business Improvement Districts in Philadelphia.  Founded in...

Read More

EPABID wants your feedback!

Your voice matters! The EPABID is in the process of crafting its five year strategic plan, and we want your...

Read More

© 2024 EPABID