clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
N. American Street at Christ Church in Old City is one of the shortest historic streets in Philadelphia.
Courtesy of Shutterstock

15 of Philly's shortest historic streets, mapped

Tiny thoroughfares everywhere

View as Map
N. American Street at Christ Church in Old City is one of the shortest historic streets in Philadelphia.
| Courtesy of Shutterstock

Philly is known for its many charming side streets that cut through neighborhoods like Fitler Square, Society Hill, Old City, and other idyllic areas around the city. There are the most-visited ones, like Elfreth’s Alley—the oldest inhabited residential street in the U.S.—or Camac Street, one of the only remaining wooden streets in the country. In fact, more than 200 of these iconic Philly streets are certified historic, listed under the city’s Historic Street Paving Thematic District.

But who has the time to walk down 200-plus tiny streets? That’s why in honor of Micro Week on Curbed, we’ve compiled the 15 historic streets that offer the shortest stroll.

Using the city’s handy map of historic places and streets, we were able to measure out the shortest historic streets all around the city, shown here from west to east. These streets range from 0.02 to 0.03 miles long. Did we miss your favorite? Leave a comment if you’d care to share.

Interested in learning more about Philly’s iconic streets? Don’t miss Curbed readers’ picks of the five most beautiful streets in Philly.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Gates Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

We start off in Manayunk, where plenty of historic streets line the neighborhood along the Schuylkill River. Gates is a dead end, red brick street that’s sandwiched by a city parking lot and a residential building. It’s not to be confused with the nearby 300 block of Gates Street, which is a tad more picturesque and lined with yellow brick.

via Google Maps

Ring Street

Copy Link

0.02 miles

Just off Manayunk’s Main Street, you’ll find the historic Ring Street hiding between a restaurant and a nail salon. The 0.02-mile street is lined with granite block.

via Google Maps

Lofty Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

This historic block of a street is lined with charming two-story rowhomes and ends right on the edge of Boon Park. According to public records, the street was opened and paved with red brick in 1924.

via Google Maps

N. Chang Street

Copy Link

0.02 miles

Moving down to just the edge of Brewerytown is N. Chang Street, yet another dead end street lined with red brick. This residential block is a short walk from the historic Girard College, and no doubt may see some new neighbors in the coming years as Brewerytown continues is building boom.

via Google Maps

Leland Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

In Francisville, you’ll find this short granite block street set between a row of homes and a small triangular park.

via Google Maps

Pearl Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

From this tiny granite block street in Logan Square, one has a perfect view of the 32-story Alexander rising across the street. Otherwise, Pearl Street simply functions as an alley behind Hahnemann University Hospital.

via Google Maps

S. Darien Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

Just a couple of blocks from the restaurant hub of East Passyunk Avenue is S. Darien Street, another dead end street that’s lined with buildings covered in colorful murals. The 0.03-mile stretch is paved with orange brick.

via Google Maps

Fulton Street

Copy Link

0.02 miles

In Bella Vista is the historic Fulton Street, which was once a cobblestone street until it was removed and replaced with red brick in 1914. It is also lined with granite slab gutters.

via Google Maps

S. Randolph Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

Society Hill is filled with plenty of historic streets, but the 200 block of S. Randolph Street is one of the shortest. Paved with granite block, S. Randolph Street dead ends with St. James Place and is lined with the low-rise St. James Court homes.

via Google Maps

S. Reese Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

The 300 block of S. Reese Street in Society Hill has undergone a number of cosmetic changes over its history, but today it features red and yellow brick and granite block. It meets up with the stately Delancey Street on one end and the equally picturesque Cypress Street—also lined with granite block—on the other.

via Google Maps

S. Leithgow Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

Also in Society Hill is this short street paved with red brick. You can enter this dead end street via Locust. The short walk will take you past brick rowhomes and a couple of carriage houses and garages.

via Google Maps

Salter Street

Copy Link

0.02 miles

Salter Street in Queen Village is lined with granite block and, according to the Historical Commission’s records, is in “moderate” condition. It’s a quiet street that cuts through what’s now a rowhome development and meets up with Shot Tower Playground.

via Google Maps

N. American Street

Copy Link

0.02 miles

Perhaps the most-visited street on this list, N. American Street juts up against the historic Christ Church in Old City. The granite block street also meets up with Cuthbert Street. It’s easy to imagine the country’s founding fathers walking up and down this thoroughfare on their way to church.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

N. Bread Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

Also in Old City is N. Bread Street, which was repaved with granite block in 1916. Today, it’s lined with large brick warehouses-turned-condos and apartments, and meets up with the Ben Franklin Bridge.

via Google Maps

Romain Street

Copy Link

0.03 miles

Romain Street in Frankford rounds out this list of the shortest historic streets in Philly. It’s not known what the street was originally paved with, but today it’s lined with red brick.

via Google Maps

Gates Street

0.03 miles

We start off in Manayunk, where plenty of historic streets line the neighborhood along the Schuylkill River. Gates is a dead end, red brick street that’s sandwiched by a city parking lot and a residential building. It’s not to be confused with the nearby 300 block of Gates Street, which is a tad more picturesque and lined with yellow brick.

via Google Maps

Ring Street

0.02 miles

Just off Manayunk’s Main Street, you’ll find the historic Ring Street hiding between a restaurant and a nail salon. The 0.02-mile street is lined with granite block.

via Google Maps

Lofty Street

0.03 miles

This historic block of a street is lined with charming two-story rowhomes and ends right on the edge of Boon Park. According to public records, the street was opened and paved with red brick in 1924.

via Google Maps

N. Chang Street

0.02 miles

Moving down to just the edge of Brewerytown is N. Chang Street, yet another dead end street lined with red brick. This residential block is a short walk from the historic Girard College, and no doubt may see some new neighbors in the coming years as Brewerytown continues is building boom.

via Google Maps

Leland Street

0.03 miles

In Francisville, you’ll find this short granite block street set between a row of homes and a small triangular park.

via Google Maps

Pearl Street

0.03 miles

From this tiny granite block street in Logan Square, one has a perfect view of the 32-story Alexander rising across the street. Otherwise, Pearl Street simply functions as an alley behind Hahnemann University Hospital.

via Google Maps

S. Darien Street

0.03 miles

Just a couple of blocks from the restaurant hub of East Passyunk Avenue is S. Darien Street, another dead end street that’s lined with buildings covered in colorful murals. The 0.03-mile stretch is paved with orange brick.

via Google Maps

Fulton Street

0.02 miles

In Bella Vista is the historic Fulton Street, which was once a cobblestone street until it was removed and replaced with red brick in 1914. It is also lined with granite slab gutters.

via Google Maps

S. Randolph Street

0.03 miles

Society Hill is filled with plenty of historic streets, but the 200 block of S. Randolph Street is one of the shortest. Paved with granite block, S. Randolph Street dead ends with St. James Place and is lined with the low-rise St. James Court homes.

via Google Maps

S. Reese Street

0.03 miles

The 300 block of S. Reese Street in Society Hill has undergone a number of cosmetic changes over its history, but today it features red and yellow brick and granite block. It meets up with the stately Delancey Street on one end and the equally picturesque Cypress Street—also lined with granite block—on the other.

via Google Maps

S. Leithgow Street

0.03 miles

Also in Society Hill is this short street paved with red brick. You can enter this dead end street via Locust. The short walk will take you past brick rowhomes and a couple of carriage houses and garages.

via Google Maps

Salter Street

0.02 miles

Salter Street in Queen Village is lined with granite block and, according to the Historical Commission’s records, is in “moderate” condition. It’s a quiet street that cuts through what’s now a rowhome development and meets up with Shot Tower Playground.

via Google Maps

N. American Street

0.02 miles

Perhaps the most-visited street on this list, N. American Street juts up against the historic Christ Church in Old City. The granite block street also meets up with Cuthbert Street. It’s easy to imagine the country’s founding fathers walking up and down this thoroughfare on their way to church.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

N. Bread Street

0.03 miles

Also in Old City is N. Bread Street, which was repaved with granite block in 1916. Today, it’s lined with large brick warehouses-turned-condos and apartments, and meets up with the Ben Franklin Bridge.

via Google Maps

Romain Street

0.03 miles

Romain Street in Frankford rounds out this list of the shortest historic streets in Philly. It’s not known what the street was originally paved with, but today it’s lined with red brick.

via Google Maps