Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia: history, what to eat, how to get there and hours

Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia is an indoor food market in Center City, at 12th and Arch Streets next to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It has been in the same building since the early 1890s, and that building is a National Historic Landmark. More than 80 merchants sell meat, seafood, produce, cheese, baked goods and ready-to-eat food. Entry is free, and the market is open every day from 8 am to 6 pm. People come for lunch, for Pennsylvania Dutch baking and to see a market that is more than 130 years old.

Reading Terminal Market history

Philadelphia's markets are far older than this one. The market's own timeline says informal trading went on at Front and High Streets by 1680, and local government agreed to a formal market in 1693. By 1790 market sheds lined High Street, which was renamed Market Street in 1858. In 1859 the city had the outdoor market structures removed after complaints about health and streetcar traffic. Two indoor markets at 12th and Market, the Farmers' Market and the Franklin Market, were the forerunners of today's market.

In 1890 the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad bought the 1100 block of Market Street to combine its four Philadelphia terminals into one. The merchants refused to move, so the market was built under the train shed of the new Reading Terminal. The market's history page dates its opening to February 22, 1893, its timeline to 1892; the National Park Service's National Register nomination dates the terminal and train shed to 1891-1893. The new market covered about 78,000 square feet, with, nearly 800 merchant spaces and a cold-storage plant of 52 rooms, each kept at its own temperature.

In 1913 the market had 250 food dealers and 100 farmers. In 1931 a Reading president called it the largest market under one roof in the country. In 1935 it had 400 phone lines for call-in orders, and even in 1944, during the war, 97 percent of its stalls were occupied.

Then came the hard years. The Reading Company went bankrupt in 1971 and stopped investing in upkeep. In 1976 it leased the market to a management firm that raised rents dramatically, and by 1979 the market was only 20 percent occupied. In 1980 the Reading Company bought out the lease, and new management brought in new merchants, Amish farmers among them. The last train left Reading Terminal in 1984, and in 1985 the new Market East Station opened underneath the market.

When a convention center was planned next door, merchants and shoppers rallied to keep the market. The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority bought it in 1990, the convention center opened in 1993, and in the mid-1990s the Authority created the nonprofit corporation that still runs the market. The National Park Service's landmark list shows the building as Reading Terminal and Trainshed, dated December 8, 1976. About 100,000 people pass through every week, and the market says two of today's merchants descend from its original standholders.

What to see and eat at the market

With this many stalls, start with the market map, which also marks the ATMs in red.

The merchant directory sorts stalls into bakeries, meat and poultry, seafood, produce, confections, ice cream, flowers, drinks, gifts and crafts, and a large group of eateries. Many visitors come just for lunch.

One section is Pennsylvania Dutch: bakeries with pies and sticky buns, hand-rolled soft pretzels, doughnuts, milk and cream, deli counters, farm meats, homemade fudge and Pennsylvania Dutch breakfasts and lunches. These stalls are closed on Sundays.

The market says many merchants offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and nut-free food; tell the staff about allergies when you order. Guided tours run through the market's partner, listed on its tours page with a link to the schedule.

How to get to Reading Terminal Market

For GPS the market gives 51 N 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107; the mailing address is 1136 Arch Street. Trains, buses and subways are run by SEPTA, with schedules on septa.org.

From Amtrak's 30th Street Station, the market suggests SEPTA Regional Rail to Jefferson Station. SEPTA lists Jefferson Station as ADA accessible and 11th St as not. Buses 17, 23, 33, 38, 44, 45 and 48 stop at or near 11th St.

Driving: two partner garages, at 11th and Arch and at 12th and Filbert, give two hours for $6 and $7 respectively with a $10 market purchase and a merchant's validation. Details are on the directions and parking page. Both garages and the surrounding streets have accessible spaces.

Hours and admission

Hours and prices checked November 5, 2026 on readingterminalmarket.org.

The market warns that merchant hours vary and posts the exact holiday closing dates on its visit page. If you are going for one stall, check its directory page first.

Tips before you go

The market says weekdays before 11 am or after 2 pm are least crowded. Merchants take cash, major credit cards and market gift cards; Apple Pay and other digital payments are up to each merchant. ATMs are throughout the market, some merchants accept SNAP/EBT (see the EBT Accepted category), and Wi-Fi is free with no password.

Pets are not allowed, except service animals, and there is no bag or coat check. Because of the city's plastic bag ban, most merchants do not hand out plastic bags (butchers and fishmongers are exempt), so bring a bag. All entrances are at street level except Door 3; Doors 6 (12th Street) and 9 (Filbert Street) have automatic openers. The market does not lend wheelchairs or scooters. For more sights, see places to visit in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia city guide.

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee at Reading Terminal Market?

No. Entry to Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia is free, and you pay only for what you buy from merchants. The market is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm, though individual merchant hours may vary, and it closes on several major holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Are the Pennsylvania Dutch stalls open on Sunday?

No. The market says its Pennsylvania Dutch merchants are closed on Sundays. That section includes bakeries, soft pretzels, dairy, farm meats, deli counters and Pennsylvania Dutch breakfasts, so if those are why you are going, pick a day from Monday to Saturday.

Which SEPTA station is closest to Reading Terminal Market?

The market points riders to 11th St on the Market-Frankford Line, City Hall on the Broad Street Line and Jefferson Station for SEPTA Regional Rail. From Jefferson Station signs lead to the market; from 11th St it is a two-block walk.

When is Reading Terminal Market least crowded?

The market recommends weekdays before 11 am or after 2 pm, when the aisles are calmer. On Sundays the Pennsylvania Dutch stalls are closed, so a weekday also gives the widest choice of merchants.