Philadelphia attractions

While visiting one of America’s most historic cities, take an opportunity to shop for unique and collectible antiques along Philadelphia’s Antique Row. The heart of this downtown district is a stretch of Pine Street from Ninth and Eleventh streets, where collectors can find shops packed with colonial-era wares and hard-to-find antique furniture. You can stop in at M. Finkel & Daughter to find needlework and silk embroideries from the 17th century. Visit Chelsea Plating Company to peruse expertly restored sterling silver table settings. Or get lost as you browse the eclectic offerings at Blendo, which offers everything from knick-knacks to priceless jewelry, making it the perfect spot to find souvenirs or gifts for friends and family.

First opened during the bicentennial year of 1976, Franklin Court is an indoor-outdoor museum dedicated to Benjamin Franklin, located on the site of the Founding Father’s home. Demolished in 1812, only the foundations of Franklin's home remain, but steel "ghost structures" mark its location and that of his grandson's printing business.

Situated in the heart of historical Philadelphia, the Dolley Todd House was the 18th-century home of Dolley Madison—future First Lady of the United States. Built in 1775, it offers an authentic glimpse into Dolley’s and middle-class life in Philadelphia at the time.

The USA’s oldest art museum and art school, the 1805-opened Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts—PAFA for short—houses American art from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Occupying a striking historical building, it beckons with works by luminaries such as Edward Hopper, Thomas Eakins, and Gilbert Stuart.

Independence Mall is a three-block stretch of Independence National Historical Park that includes several of Philadelphia’s most visited historic sites. This is where you’ll find the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, and the President’s House Site—a remarkable collection of buildings that has earned the mall the nickname “America’s Most Historic Square Mile.”

Formerly the Philadelphia Maritime Museum, Philadelphia’s Independence Seaport Museum spotlights the city’s and Delaware River’s maritime past. Centered on a 2-story exhibition space, its attractions also span two National Historic Landmark vessels—the cruiser Olympia and submarine Becuna—alongside model ships and historical displays.

Surely one of the strangest museums in the United States, the Mütter Museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of medical oddities. Affiliated with The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, it’s named for Thomas Dent Mütter, a 17th-century pioneer of reconstructive surgery and medical education who was fascinated by human anomalies and collected them in a wide variety of forms.

One of the oldest Quaker meetinghouses in the city, Arch Street was built atop a burial site deeded to the Religious Society of Friends by Pennsylvania founder, William Penn. Now a National Historic Landmark, the Georgian-era building—which bears a simple design, characteristic of Quaker meetinghouses—is open to the public.

When people think of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, they usually think of the WWI monument in Arlington National Cemetery. However, Philadelphia’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honors the many fallen heroes from the American Revolutionary War. It was established in Washington Square Park in 1957, and the monument includes an eternal flame and a bronze statue of George Washington. Inside the tomb are the remains of a soldier found in the park, which was formerly used as a cemetery. Also found in the park is a clone of the original Moon Tree, a sycamore grown from a seed that was taken to space by astronaut Stuart Roosa on Apollo XIV.

This park was one of five green squares in Philadelphia planned by William Penn, the founder of the colony of Pennsylvania. Having served as a site for cattle grazing as well as a burial plot, the park now fulfills its original purpose as a recreational space, with people coming here to sunbathe, stroll, and picnic.

Famed for its atmospheric cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and tree-lined green spaces, Society Hill is one of Philadelphia’s most upscale residential neighborhoods—first settled in the 1680s, it’s also one of the oldest. Non-residents are also drawn here for its eclectic mix of restaurants, stores, and historic attractions.

Philadelphia was once home to some of the Mid-Atlantic’s most wealthy and influential elite. Travelers who make their way to the Powel House will venture back in time as they wander the elegant and ornate halls where Elizabeth and Samuel Powel once lived.Close friends of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, the Powels were one of the original power couples in the City of Brotherly Love. Visitors can check out the historic home that’s furnished with all of their personal effects, including Powel portraits, handmade clocks and other family heirlooms. There’s even a letter sent by George Washington himself.Travelers can see the Powel House on its own, or include it as a stop in a historic walking tour of Philadelphia. Whether it’s a once-off exploration or part of a history-themed trip, the Powel House is worth a stop for history lovers and families.

The Avenue of the Arts is a swath of central Philadelphia where most of the city’s major performing arts venues are located, and the name Avenue of the Arts was designated in the early 1990s. This 4.5-mile-long stretch of Broad Street is the perfect place for a highbrow night on the town. You can catch a show at the recently opened Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, home to the Philadelphia Orchestra. Visit America’s oldest art school, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Or see the Pennsylvania Ballet at the historic Academy of Music, the oldest opera house in the country. There’s also plenty of fine-dining and upscale nightlife nearby to create a full and fun evening rubbing shoulders with Philadelphia’s finest.

This popular museum showcases the captivating stories of freedom fighters, movement leaders, and politicians through interactive exhibits and contemporary art pieces. One of the museum’s main mediums is glass—a reminder that freedom is as fragile as this delicate material. It’s a theme that’s woven throughout the entire museum.Travelers can explore the numerous galleries, which include Liberty Hall, Heroes from Around the World, Coming to America and the Inspiration Exhibit. Interactive displays and colorful works of art convey the stories of famous fighters and encourage civic responsibility, leadership and integrity in all those who visit. The National Liberty Museum is an ideal stop for history lovers and travelers with families and children, since many of the exhibits cater to the younger set.Visitors can explore the comprehensive and expansive museum on its own, or enjoy it in conjunction with other nearby attractions like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

The only museum of its kind in Philadelphia, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum has been designated the best car collection in the world. Built up over 50 years, the collection contains more than 75 historically significant cars including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, and Corvette.

Home to the USA’s oldest learned society, the American Philosophical Society (APS) Museum lies in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, close to its sister institution, the APS Library. Housing the APS’ collection of manuscripts and artifacts; it works to spotlight American history from the 18th century to today.

Since 1998 the Hard Rock Café Philadelphia has been offering travelers a true taste of classic Americana in the City of Brotherly Love. Visitors can tuck into juicy burgers and sip on chocolaty milkshakes in an lively environment that pays homage to tons of musical greats. Relax in a cozy booth and gaze out at memorabilia from Elton John, The Beatles and Jim Morrison. It’s almost like dining with the stars!Travelers can get an up close look at Hard Rock items like Van Halen’s guitar, a mic stand from Guns N ‘ Roses and even one of Elvis Presley’s colorful capes. Sip on craft cocktails and take in a show at the restaurant’s live venue, or continue a night of music and fun with a post-dinner trip to the nearby Electric Factory—another Philadelphia entertainment hot spot.

Enjoy the view from the top at Philadelphia's One Liberty Observation Deck. Located on the 57th floor of One Liberty Place, the observation deck features sweeping 360-degree views of the city from 883 feet (269 meters) above street level. Interactive touch screen technology lets you zoom in for a closer look at the city below.

The country’s only amusement park dedicated toSesame Street, Sesame Place is one of the Philadelphia area’s top family-friendly attractions. Located in Langhorne, Penn.—roughly 20 miles (33 kilometers) northeast of Center City—its offerings including water rides, meet-and-greets with popular characters such as Elmo, and more.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is a still-functioning historic church in the Society Hill area of downtown Philadelphia. First built around 1760, the building itself is on the National Register of Historic Places, and its unique design has the altar on the one end and an elevated pulpit on the other, so there’s is no front or back to the church. The church was built as an expansion to the nearby Christ Church, and many founding fathers worshipped in both locations, including George and Martha Washington.

Philadelphia’s larger-than-life memorial to Benjamin Franklin sits on a white marble pedestal in the rotunda of The Franklin Institute. Crafted between 1906 and 1911, the 20-foot-high (6-meter-high) statue is the centerpiece of the famed Memorial Hall. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about Philadelphia’s favorite founding father.

The University of Pennsylvania is one of the United States’ most historically significant universities. Founded by Benjamin Franklin, one of the nation’s Founding Fathers, between 1740 and 1750, it was one of the nine original colonial colleges founded prior to the Declaration of Independence.

The largest and grandest of Philadelphia’s transit hubs, 30th Street Station—which now goes by William H. Gray III 30th Street—serves numerous train routes, including Amtrak lines that connect the city with other destinations on the east coast. Renowned for its neoclassical design, the station is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Schuylkill River Trail is a riverfront path for joggers, walkers and bikers that runs more than 26 miles, from downtown Philadelphia and through the Valley Forge Historical Park to the town of Phoenixville. This stretch of scenic path offers a perfect way to get outdoors and enjoy the riverfront when the weather is nice. And along the city center section of the trail, the newly built Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk is an extension to the trail that includes four scenic overlooks that offer great views of the city. The trail is also a great option for visitors interested in alternative transportation as they sightsee—you can rent a bicycle to explore along the river from the Rocky Statue and the Art Museum to the cafes of Manayunk.

For visitors looking beyond the historical attractions of downtown Philadelphia, the hip and vibrant Manayunk neighborhood is a must-visit. Situated along the Schuylkill River and the Manayunk Canal, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, this formerly industrial area is now a trendy neighborhood packed with waterfront bars, cafés and art galleries. One of the biggest draws to Manayunk is the Philly Cycling Classic, an internationally renowned bike race that winds through the neighborhoods notoriously hilly streets, including the Manayunk Wall, a stretch of Levering Street with a challenging incline. As you explore the area, you can stop in at Orbit Gallery, which features local artists, or join a kayaking trip.

Founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthon J. Drexel, Drexel University is a private research university with three campuses in Philadelphia, as well as another one in Sacramento. It is most famous for offering cooperative education program and is regularly ranked as one of the top co-op programs in the United States. The university is also known for its impressive online efforts.In terms of tourist attractions, Drexel University is home to the Academy of Natural Sciences (which hosts a sought-after and complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil), as well as the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery. The university is also regularly referenced to in popular culture, such as in General Hospital and All My Children. Additionally, nearby Drexel Park offers fantastic views of downtown Philadelphia.

Give enough time between visits to Philadelphia's Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), and no two will be the same. The edgy and contemplative museum located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania is one of the few in the country without permanent collections. Rotating installations of everything from improvisational performance art to experimental music to miniatures have recently populated its cavernous blank space.Visiting and local art-lovers will appreciate the museum's reputation as a magnet for the creative and its ability to identify emerging artists. Home to Andy Warhol's first solo showing in 1965, the museum continues to house popular installations, and can be easily visited on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour around the city.