Race Street (Philadelphia)

Race Street

Race Street in Chinatown with the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in the background
Interactive map of Race Street
Maintained by	PennDOT
Postal code	19102, 19103, 1904
West end	36th Street in West Philadelphia
Major junctions	PA 611 (Broad Street) in Center City
East end	Christopher Columbus Boulevard in Old City
North	Vine Street
South	Arch Street

Race Street is a major east–west street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that runs parallel to Cherry Street. It was one of William Penn's original gridded streets from the 1680s, although named Sassafras Street then. Race and Arch streets are listed by their original names, "Sassafras" and "Mulberry," on the map in Birch's Views of Philadelphia, published in 1800.

History

The name "Race Street" was originally a nickname given to the street, since the street was used for horse racing in Philadelphia in the early 1800s. The name became official some time in the mid-1850s.

Points of interest

Center City

From east in Center City near the Delaware River to west near the Schuylkill River:

• Elfreth's Alley
• National Constitution Center
• Franklin Square
• Philadelphia Police Department Headquarters
• Chinatown, Philadelphia
• Pennsylvania Convention Center
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
• Race Street Friends Meetinghouse
• Friends Select School
• Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
• Embassy Suites by Hilton
• Franklin Institute

West Philadelphia

Drexel University Campus, from 32nd to 34th Streets:

• Steinbright Career Development Center
• Design Arts Annex
• North Hall
• Tower Hall
• Race Street Hall (rear)
• Calhoun Hall (rear)

Gallery

• 
  Race Street at night
• 
  Logan Circle
• 
  The modern Franklin Square station under construction as viewed from Race Street. It was opened in 2025.
• 
  National Constitution Center as viewed from Race and 6th Streets