Gallery at Market East

For those who enjoy both the suburban convenience of mall shopping and the vitality of urban life, Philly [2] offers the Gallery at Market East. Stretching out over three blocks above its eponymous train station, the Gallery holds over 170 stores on four levels, a food court, gym, and even a fish market.

Unlike the smaller, upscale Shops at Liberty Place [3], both the Gallery’s shops and clientele better reflect the racial and economic diversity of the city. In addition to the typical mall chains like Foot Locker and Old Navy, the Gallery has a K-Mart and a Burlington Coat Factory, and vendor booths selling spray-painted T-shirts, watches, jewelry, cell phone paraphernalia, and edible treats.

While often crowded and loud, the Gallery is a perfectly convenient place to shop. And with the regional rail line underneath the mall, it’s easy to make a quick getaway from the urban bustle.