Italian Market (9th Street)

The Italian Market on 9th Street in South Philadelphia is the oldest continuously operating outdoor market in the United States, with vendors selling food and goods on this stretch since the 1880s. It's not a curated tourist experience — it's a working market where South Philly residents shop for groceries, and that authenticity is exactly what makes it worth visiting with kids.

The market stretches along 9th Street roughly from Wharton to Fitzwater, with outdoor stalls selling produce, cheese, olives, and dry goods spilling onto the sidewalks. Indoor shops include butchers (with whole animals in the windows — educational or traumatic, depending on the kid), cheese shops, bakeries, and specialty grocers. The signature stop is Isgro Pasticceria, an Italian bakery operating since 1904 that makes some of the best cannoli in Philadelphia.

The market has diversified significantly — Mexican panaderias, Vietnamese restaurants, Korean grocers, and Middle Eastern shops now operate alongside the Italian originals. This multiculturalism is part of what makes the market interesting for families: you can walk one block and sample flavors from four different countries.

The cheesesteak connection is unavoidable. Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks sit across from each other at 9th and Passyunk, two blocks south of the main market. They're tourist attractions at this point, and the cheesesteaks are good but not the city's best (that honor usually goes to John's Roast Pork or Dalessandro's).

But for families, the experience of ordering a cheesesteak at one of the rivals is fun and the sandwiches are enormous — one can easily feed two kids.

Practical notes: the market is best on Saturday mornings when it's at full energy. Most shops are closed Monday. Street parking is available but competitive on Saturdays. The Broad Street Line (Ellsworth-Federal station) puts you a 5-minute walk away.