StayAreasIs Fishtown a good place to stay in Philadelphia?
Yes, if you're coming for food, bars and concerts. Frankford Avenue's restaurants and the Fillmore are on the doorstep, though the sights are a subway ride and hotels are few.
Stay here if
- Food lovers
- Concert-goers
- Return visitors
Look elsewhere if
- You want to walk to the historic sights
- You want lots of hotel choice
- You're travelling with young kids
Hotels in Fishtown
All Fishtown hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in Fishtown
Fishtown is a good base if your trip is about food and music. It sits on the Delaware River north-east of Old City, the Market-Frankford Line reaches City Hall in about 15 minutes from Girard station, and the Route 15 trolley runs along Girard Avenue.
The area is built around Frankford Avenue. Old row houses and factories now hold some of Philadelphia's most talked-about restaurants, as well as cafés, breweries and bars, and the Fillmore and Johnny Brenda's put on concerts most nights. Penn Treaty Park has views down the river to the Ben Franklin Bridge.
The downside is that it's away from the sights. Independence Hall, the Art Museum and Rittenhouse Square all mean a subway ride or a rideshare, some streets between the main avenues are quiet after dark, and there are only a couple of hotels.
What makes Fishtown special is its energy. You can have dinner at one of the city's best restaurants, catch a band at Johnny Brenda's and stroll home along Frankford Avenue. For food lovers and return visitors, it shows a side of Philadelphia most tourists miss.
Getting around
- Elfreth's Alley16
- Liberty Bell Center17
- Museum of the American Revolution19
- City Hall20
- Independence Hall21
- National Constitution Center21
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)50
Fishtown questions
Is Fishtown a good area to stay in Philadelphia?
Yes, if you're coming for food, bars and concerts. Frankford Avenue's restaurants and the Fillmore are on the doorstep, though the sights are a subway ride and hotels are few. It suits food lovers, concert-goers and return visitors.
How much does a hotel in Fishtown cost?
A typical double is around $190 a night at a budget hotel, $215 mid-range and $760 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Fishtown?
About 50 minutes door to door: SEPTA Airport Line to Jefferson Station, then the Market-Frankford Line.
How far is Fishtown from the main sights?
Door to door from Fishtown: Elfreth's Alley 16 minutes, Liberty Bell Center 17 minutes, Museum of the American Revolution 19 minutes and City Hall 20 minutes.