Get To Know Feltonville

Feltonville, a neighborhood in North Philadelphia, was once a Philly suburb known for its farmlands and elegant houses. Previously nicknamed “Wyoming Villa,” the neighborhood sits between Hunting Park, Olney, Lawncrest, and Juniata Park. It's roughly bordered by Roosevelt Boulevard to the north, Rising Sun Avenue to the west, G Street to the east, and Hunting Park Avenue to the south.

Feltonville gets its name from the Felton family – Samuel Morse Felton and his son Samuel Morse Felton II were prominent Philadelphians in the late 1800s with careers as civil engineers and railroad executives. One landmark of Feltonville’s storied past is the now shuttered Felton Theatre, a 1,300-seat movie house founded in 1919 by Samuel Shapiro that screened films from stars such as Shirley Temple.

Although much has changed since the Feltons' time, the neighborhood is still anchored by a multicultural community. Here’s some local businesses and neighborhood institutions to check out in Feltonville.

☕ Food & Drink

If you want a taste of Colombia, visit Café Tinto. The bakery offers sweet and savory treats from classic Colombian hot chocolate to beef empanadas. My personal favorite? Guayaba pan – a sweet bread filled with guava and cheese.

Cabarete Restaurante is a newer addition to the neighborhood. Opened in October 2024, the Dominican establishment serves traditional food such as tostones (fried plantains) and arroz con dulce (rice pudding).

Another Dominican restaurant, La Tierra de Chicharron, has had different owners and names through the years, but the food has yet to falter. Serving Caribbean comfort food, it's known for its chicharrones, a fried pork skin dish. My go-to order is mofongo, which consists of mashed fried plantains with garlic, oil, and pork cracklings. And the portions of mofongo are far larger than I’ve had elsewhere.

📚 Learn & Explore

The Wyoming Library is the last library in the world built with funds from philanthropist and industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Opened in 1930, the branch has since become not only a place to access books but also a hub for movie nights, a chess club, and even a seed library for gardeners.

🎨 Public Art

The neighborhood has a few public art pieces portraying the colorful fabric of the community.

Outside of Feltonville Recreation Center is the vibrant, botanical mural entitled "Blossoming Diversity," by Carlos Lopez Rosa (Calo). The 2017 mural depicts the diversity of Feltonville blooming into beauty while maintaining strong roots, just as different flowers in a single environment can come together with the right support.

Another mural representing the neighborhood is "The Pride of Feltonville" by Michael Schwartz, outside the Feltonville School of Arts & Sciences. The mural tells the story of the transformation of the neighborhood from what was once farmland to a place for industries like textiles. The mural also pays homage to the neighborhood’s past as a Jewish enclave that ultimately became a multicultural center with residents from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Outside the Police Officer Lauretha Vaird Boys & Girls Club is Cesar Viveros' mural "Cops and Kids: Daring to Cross the Waters," which was made in partnership with Philadelphia police and at-risk youth.

🌳 Enjoy the Outdoors

If you need a break from city life but can’t go to the Poconos, explore Tacony Creek Park. The 30-square-mile park extends between multiple Philly neighborhoods into Montgomery County. The Whitaker Avenue and Loudon Street gateway takes you down a paved path where you can participate in group walks, birdwatching, and annual events such “Birds of a Feather,” which every April celebrates local artists and ecosystems under the Whitaker Bridge.

The Feltonville Recreation Center is the neighborhood’s central meeting space. With a swimming pool, basketball court, wall ball court, and playground, there’s plenty for residents to do outside while still accessing indoor amenities like a computer lab.

🚏 How to Get There

SEPTA’s bus routes 57 and 75 run through the neighborhood. Feltonville is located in proximity to Roosevelt Boulevard.