Manayunk

Manayunk is a neighborhood in the section of Lower Northwest Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania. Located adjacent to the neighborhoods of Roxborough and Wissahickon and also on the banks of the Schuylkill River, Manayunk contains the first canal begun in the United States (although not the first completed, due to budget problems). The area's name is derived from the language of the Lenape Indians (later called the Delaware Indians by Europeans). In 1686-dated papers between William Penn and the Lenape, the Lenape referred to the Schuylkill River as "Manaiung", their word for "river", which literally translates as "place to drink"; the word was later altered and adopted as the town's name.

Although historically a working class community, in recent years the neighborhood has been substantially gentrified. While there is still a working class population within the neighborhood, the population has shifted to younger, upper middle class professionals and families. Additionally, the nightlife in Manayunk draws visitors from all over the Delaware Valley, as well as international visitors.

Manayunk's main commercial district lies along Main Street with over 60 shops, galleries, boutiques, bars, and restaurants. There is also a weekly farmer's market at Pretzel Park that runs from May through November. An independent bookstore, The Spiral Bookcase, is active in promoting community events including readings by local authors as well as exhibitions by local artists.

Manayunk is central to Philadelphia's arts scene, and since 1989, the neighborhood has hosted the annual Manayunk Arts Festival, the tri-state's largest outdoor, juried arts festival. Taking Place in late June on Main Street, the festival attracts around 200,000 collectors, buyers, and designers. The Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center (MRAC) provides "a meeting place for the artistic community and to connect those engaged in creative endeavors with one another and the general public."

source: wikipedia.org