It begins at the Delaware River and proceeds west to 20th Street, where it merges with the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

It was part of Philadelphia's original street plan, laid out by William Penn and Thomas Holme in 1682, and remained the northern border of the City of Philadelphia until 1854.

[1] It forms the northern border of Franklin Square and Logan Circle.

Parkway Central Library, the main branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia system, and the now-vacant Family Court Building both have their main entrances on Vine Street.

Vine Street is referenced in the song "Beat Up Guitar" on Zig Zag, a 1989 album by The Hooters.