The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is a premier pediatric hospital located in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since its founding in 1855, CHOP has been dedicated to providing world-class medical care to children from around the world. Today, CHOP is consistently ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the United States, and is renowned for its expertise in a wide range of specialties, including cancer treatment, cardiology, and neurology. The hospital has a family-centered approach to care, which means that it is committed to providing not only the best medical care, but also emotional and practical support to families.
In addition to its exceptional medical care, CHOP is located in a vibrant and exciting area of Philadelphia, which offers families plenty of places to relax and get away during the difficult time when their child is receiving treatment. The University City neighborhood is home to several universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, which means that there is always something happening in the area.
The summer of 2022, Jacqui and Earnest Key’s daughter was a patient at CHOP for almost two months. Due to her prolonged stay in the hospital, Jacqui became very familiar with the area and all the local stores and restaurants. Here are her pro-tips and recommendations for parents and families while their child is receiving care!
One of the great things about the area is that there are a number of essentials within walking distance of CHOP. CHOP has a café within the hospital itself that serves coffee and treats, and is a great place to go if you don’t want to walk far. Through her time over the summer, Jacqui discovered that there is a Starbucks right across the street from the hospital (3400 Civic Center Blvd), and a well-stocked CVS just a couple blocks away (3401 Walnut St). There are two Wawas, a local convenience store chain, within walking distance, (3724 Spruce St and 3604 Chestnut St) and a grocery store called Giant Heirloom Market (3401 Chestnut St) where you can grab food and essentials.
Jacqui and her family often met at Board and Brew (3200 Chestnut St). They are a board game café, and have a library of over 750 games! Board and Brew is known for their excellent selection of craft beers and unique espresso drinks, and they serve breakfast all day, making it a great place for both adults and kids to enjoy. Other favorites of the Key family include a bubble tea place called Boba King (3200 Chestnut St), and getting meals from Gio Pronto Kitchen (3400 Civic Center Blvd), Shake Shack (3200 Chestnut St), Sabrina’s Cafe (227 N 34th St), White Dog Cafe (3420 Sansom St), and CM Chicken (3180 Chestnut St).
The University of Pennsylvania’s campus is a beautiful place to walk around outside and get some fresh air. In totality, Penn’s campus spans 299 acres, mostly across the neighborhood of University City in West Philadelphia. The portion of campus that neighbors CHOP has a mix of bustling city streets and beautiful tree-lined pathways, making it a great place to get away from the hospital atmosphere for a bit. Drexel’s campus is also a few blocks further up, and is another beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors if you’re looking for a longer walk.
On nice days, Jacqui walked up from CHOP through campus to the Penn Bookstore at 3601 Walnut Street. Penn Bookstore is a great place to browse, and they have an excellent selection of kids books too! If you’re on the hunt for more books, the Barnes and Noble at Drexel University is just a few blocks further down at 3250 Chestnut St.
For families who want to enjoy the outdoors, the Schuylkill River Trail is a great option. The trail is a 10-mile stretch of paved path that runs along the Schuylkill River and is perfect for walking, running, or biking. The trail also features several parks and playgrounds along the way, making it a great place for families to spend some time outdoors.
Overall, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the surrounding area offer plenty of activities and attractions for families who are visiting the hospital. Whether you want to relax at a café or enjoy some time outdoors, or need to run errands, there are a variety of options close by. Having a child in the hospital is such a stressful time, and taking time for yourself to visit a few local spots can help bring families comfort while navigating this challenging time.
