The city of Philadelphia has one of the most celebrated histories of any city in America. Visitors will love exploring America’s past through the numerous museums and historical buildings. The city also has much to offer in the way of art, gardens, and markets.

1. The Top Attractions in Philadelphia
The city of Philadelphia has one of the most celebrated histories of any
city in America. Visitors will love exploring America's past through the
numerous museums and historical buildings. The city also has much to
offer in the way of art, gardens, and markets.
Here's a few our favorites things to do in Philadelphia:

2. 1. Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the third largest art museum in the
United States, and it resides in a beautiful Greco-Roman building on a hill at
the end of Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Go for the wonderful collection of
art, or go to reenact the scene from Rocky on the front steps. The museum is
comprised of the main building, the Perelman Building, the Rodin Museum,
plus a few others. Together, they hold more than 227,000 works of art are
housed in over 200 galleries. Plan to spend at least a few hours here. Open
late on Fridays with music and drinks - read more here (Photo
by cometstarmoon)

3. 2. Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market is the place to go when you’re hungry and in
Philadelphia - the enclosed public market has over one hundred merchants
selling food, produce, pottery, crafts, and more. The market originally opened
in 1859 as part of the new train station and was located under the train
platform. It was one of the first facilities in the country to feature refrigerated
storage. The building is no longer used as a train station, but the market lives
on. Food merchants include: Beiler’s Bakery (Dutch Amish baked
goods), The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company, Carmen’s Famous
Italian Hoagies and Cheesesteaks, DiNic’s Roast Beef and
Pork, Kamal’s Middle Eastern Specialties, and Bassetts Ice Cream. Tours
are available - read more here (Photo by Jeremy Thompson)

4. 3. Independence Hall
Independence Hall is the centerpiece of Philadelphia’s historic
Independence National Park. The building was the principal meeting place of
the Second Continental Congress, and it was where both the Declaration of
Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and
adopted. It was designed by Andrew Hamilton and Edmund Woolley and
constructed between 1732 and 1753, and , at the time, it was the most
ambitious building project in colonial America. Abraham Lincoln made a
speech at the Hall on the way to his inauguration in 1861. In 1865, after his
assassination, his body lay in state in the Hall as his funeral train made its
way from DC to Springfield, Illinois, where he was laid to rest. Tour tickets
are free and can be reserved online or picked up at the Visitors Center - read
more here (Photo by Pablo Sanchez)

5. 4. The Barnes Foundation
The Barnes Foundation is a renowned art museum with a collection
includes 181 paintings by artists such as Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso,
Soutine, Rousseau, Modigliani, Degas, Van Gogh, and Seurat. The collection
is one of the best collections of Impressionist art in the world and is estimated
to be worth about $25 billion. The museum was originally founded in 1922
by Albert C. Barnes, a chemist who collected art after amassing wealth by co-
developing an early anti-gonorrhea drug. The museum recently endured some
controversy when it was decided to move the museum and its collection from
the suburb of Merion to the Center City’s museum district. The new building
is a modern, 93,000-square-foot, glass and limestone architectural wonder
with a glass canopy that glows at night - read more here (Photo by Naquib
Hossain)

6. 5. Rodin Museum
Philadelphia’s Rodin Museum holds the largest collection of the sculptor’s
works outside of Paris. Auguste Rodin was a French sculptor who lived from
1840 to 1917 and is considered by many to be the father of modern sculpture.
The museum originally opened in the late 1920’s and recently underwent a
renovation that was completed in 2012. The collection at the Museum
includes a cast of his most famous work, The Thinker, which sits in the
courtyard just outside the museum. About 28 monumental-sized bronze casts
of the sculpture exist around the world. Other well-know works at the
museum include The Gates of Hell, which used to be used for the
entryway, The Kiss, and The Burghers of Calais. The Gates of Hell took 37
years to complete, and many of Rodin’s famous sculptures originates as
pieces on The Gates of Hell. Admission to the Museum is included with
tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art - read more here (Photo
by bobistraveling)

7. 6. Liberty Bell Center
The Liberty Bell has resided in a glass pavilion near Independence Hall
since 2003. It dates back to 1753, when it was originally hung in the belfry
of Independence Hall. The bell cracked upon its first use and was recast twice
in unsuccessful repair attempts. It cracked again in 1846 when it was rang in
honor of the birthday of George Washington. In order to avoid further
cracking, the decision was made to stop ringing it and to move it indoors to
avoid exposure to the weather. In 2003, it was moved to its current
location. The Liberty Bell weighs 2,080 pounds and is 70% copper and 25%
tin, plus a smattering of other metals. It was cast by the London firm of
Lester and Pack in 1752. The yolk is made from American elm and is
believed to be the original yolk. It was not called the Liberty Bell until a
group trying to outlaw slavery adopted the Bell as a symbol of their
cause. The Center offers video presentation and exhibits explaining the
history of the bell. There is no admission fee - read more here (Photo
by Shinya Suzuki)

8. 7. Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary operated from 1829 to 1971 and considered to
be one of the world’s most famous prisons. It is also considered to be the
country’s first true penitentiary. The prison was inspired by the local
Quaker buildings and was designed to resemble a church. The building was
noteworthy for its innovative wagon wheel design, and it was revolutionary
in that it emphasized separate incarceration for prisoners and reform over
punishment. To that end, each cell contained a Bible and a skylight, which
was meant to represent the “eye of God.” Eastern was the first prison to use
solitary confinement, with the idea that isolation would lead to reflection and
rehabilitation. Notable residents included Al Capone and bank robber Willie
Sutton. The Penitentiary features beautiful architecture, crumbling cellblocks,
and empty guard towers. A variety of tours are available, and the main tour is
narrated by actor Steve Buscemi. In the Fall, “Terror Behind the Walls” tours
take place at night and feature 6 Hollywood sets and 200 actors - read more
here (Photo by Sakeeb Sabakka)

9. 8. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Kimmel Center For the Performing Arts is a world-class facility located
on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts that is the home of the Philadelphia
Orchestra. It opened in 2001 and is holds 2 concert halls and a rooftop
garden. The huge vaulted glass canopy of the main lobby seems to open up to
the sky and city skyline. The facility is named in honor of Philadelphia
businessman and philanthropist Sidney Kimmel, who gave the largest
individual gift toward its construction. The main stage is in Verizon Hall,
which holds 2,500 seats and is shaped like a cello. The 650-seat Perelman
Theater features a rotating stage and can be rotated for either music or a stage
presentation. Both concert halls at The Kimmel offer stunning acoustics, and
a liberal use of wood adds warmth to the graceful architecture. See web site
for schedule of performances. Guided tours are available and provide a
history, along with architectural information and visits to the Kimmel
Center’s key venues - read more here (Photo by Bob Jagendorf)

10. 9. Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is a small gem of a park is in the midst of downtown
bustling Philadelphia. It is one of the five original open-space parks planned
in the late 17th century by William Penn and his surveyor, Thomas
Holme. Today, Rittenhouse Square is full of huge trees, shaded benches,
public art, musicians, and dancers. It is a great spot for resting, people-
watching, and eating a snack or lunch. The neighborhood surrounding the
park is full of great restaurants and shops. There are also festivals and
concerts in the warmer months - read more here (Photo by Ross Griff)

11. 10. National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center can be found in a modern building of
glass, steel, and limestone on Independence Mall. Groundbreaking on the
Center took place on September 17, 2000, which was exactly 213 years after
the original document was signed. Ironically, the Constitution is not kept here
- it is housed at the National Archives and Records Administration in
Washington, DC. The purpose of the NCC is to explain the document and its
significance in the country’s history. At the Kimmel Theatre, there is a film
and live-action presentation called Freedom Rising about the Constitution.
Signers’ Hall contains life-size bronze figures of the signers of
the Constitution. Other exhibits at the National Constitution Center include a
copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and a collection of Pulitzer Prize
photographs - read more here (Photo by Hazel Estrada)

12. 11. Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute dates back to 1824 and is one of the oldest science
museums in the United States. In addition to being a science museum, it also
houses The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, and one of the main
attractions here is a 20-foot marble statue Ben Franklin. The Electricity
exhibit showcases Franklin’s discovery of electricity and its use in the
modern world. The large number of interactive exhibits make it fun for kids
and adults, including The Giant Heart and The Joel L. Bloom Observatory.
The Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion is a huge 53,000-square-foot
expansion that hosts both permanent and special exhibitions. Inside, the
new Your Brain exhibit leads visitors through a seven-gallery exploration of
the human brain with more than 70 interactive experiences, the highlight of
which is a two-story climbing structure that simulates the brain’s neural
network with lighting and sound. Outside, the Shimmer Wall is made up
of 12,500 clear anodized aluminum squares and moves with the wind - read
more here (Photo by angela n.)

13. 12. Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens is located in the Brandywine Creek Valley, which
is about a 45 minute drive from Philadelphia, and it is widely considered to
be one of the premier botanical gardens in the US. The grounds stretch over
1000 acres and feature 20 outdoor gardens and 20 indoor conservatory
gardens full of over 11,000 types of plants and trees. Because of the vast size,
plan to spend at least a few hours and up to an entire day here. Be sure to see
the 10,000 pipe Longwood Organ, The Fountains, and the Italian Water
Garden. For kids, the Indoor Children’s Garden has a Rain Pavilion and a
Bamboo Maze that provides a great place to play and explore. Longwood
Gardens’s ownership dates all the way back to William Penn in 1700. The
property was owned by Pierre S. du Pont for a time during the early 20th
century. Check the web site for a current listing of plants in bloom and a
listing of musical performances. During the holidays the gardens are
decorated with Christmas lights. Dining is available at the Terrace Cafe - read
more here (Photo by Robert Bolton)

14. 13. Mutter Museum
Mutter Museum is a fun and interesting medical museum containing a
collection of medical oddities. It’s like Ripley’s Believe It or Not, but more
authentic. The museum is actually part of The College of Physicians of
Philadelphia and was started after Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter donated his
collection of medical specimens in 1858. The original intent of the collection
was that it be used for medical research and education. Exhibits include
anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models, and antique medical
equipment. Oddities at the Mutter include: Abe Lincoln’s autopsy
report, A wax model of a woman with a horn growing out of her
forehead, Slides of Einstein’s brain, The tallest skeleton in North
America, The Chevalier Jackson Collection of objects swallowed and
removed, The Thorax of John Wilkes Booth. Teenagers will likely find The
Mutter fascinating, but younger kids may find it too scary and clinical. The
Mutter is small, so it doesn’t take too long to visit, and their gift shop is full
of unusual and creative gifts - read more here (Photo by Terry Robinson)

15. 14. World Cafe Live
World Cafe Live is a combination music listening space and bistro.
Downstairs is the 300-seat, three-tiered main performance hall where both
upcoming and nationally-known artists perform for the syndicated World
Cafe Live radio show. The show itself originated in 1991 and was broadcast
from WXPN, a non-commercial station licensed to the University of
Pennsylvania. Since 2005, the show has been distributed by NPR. On the
show, host David Dye introduces artists and interviews them before they
perform live. Musical genres represented include folk, indie rock, alternative,
and Americana. The World Cafe Live venue was established in 2004 and was
designed to be a place that made musicians feel welcome and created a great
listening experience for visitors. The 40,000 square-foot Art Deco factory
building was refurbished and redesigned for music – structural columns that
were blocking sight lines were removed, sound insulation was added, and top
notch sound and lighting systems were installed. There’s not a bad seat in the
house – even the bar seats are good for listening. A small bite menu is
available and is customized for each show by Chef Joe Deamer. The Upstairs
Live Cafe features a 100-seat listening room where patrons can enjoy drinks
and well-prepared bar food while enjoying music - read more here (Photo
by Vladimir)

16. 15. Masonic Temple
Philadelphia’s Masonic Temple is one of the world’s largest and most ornate
Masonic temples and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Construction of the exterior was completed in 1873, but the interior was not
completed until 1888. The original cost of building the facility was an
amazing $1.6 million. The temple was later one of the first buildings in the
city to be lighted by electricity. The Philadelphia Masonic Temple figures
prominently in US history is significant because many of America’s founding
fathers were Masons. The seven lodge halls in the temple pay homage to the
seven “ideal” architectures, which are Renaissance, Ionic, Oriental,
Corinthian, Gothic, Egyptian, and Norman. The porch is considered one of
the most outstanding examples of Norman architecture in America. Tours of
the Masonic Temple last about 1 hour. Before 2006, visitors were not allowed
to enter the temple through The Grand Entrance – they had to enter from a
side entrance - read more here (Photo by Paul J. Everett)

17. 16. Penn Museum
Penn Museum is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest archaeological
and anthropological museums. Their collection includes nearly one million
artifacts and is comprised of the spoils from more than 400 expeditions made
by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and
Anthropology. The artifacts from ancient Egypt, China, Iraq, Japan, the
Americas, Rome, and Greece, among other places. The prize of the collection
is a 13-ton Egyptian Sphinx. Other noteworthy artifacts are
Egyptian mummies and Sumerian cuneiform clay tablets. In addition to the
artifacts, the grounds feature beautiful gardens and sculptures by Alexander
Stirling Calder. The Harrison Rotunda and Auditorium boasts the largest
unsupported masonry floor-dome in the world. A visit to the Penn Museum is
a must for fans of ancient history - read more here (Photo by Ryan Neuls)

18. 17. Please Touch Museum
Please take the kids to the Please Touch Museum – they will love it. The
interactive, rambunctious museum is in a huge and spacious historic
building within walking distance of The Franklin Institute and the Academy
of Natural Sciences. It was originally designed for children 7 and under, but
has expanded and now is entertaining for kids from toddler age to 12-year-
olds. Attractions at the Please Touch Museum include the refurbished
Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel, a River Adventures wet-play area,
Roadside Attractions, Wonderland, and a Playhouse Theater. The building
that houses the museum, the historic Memorial Hall, is the last building still
standing from the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia - read more
here (Photo by sikeri)

19. 18. Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,651-seat baseball park has been home to the
Philadelphia Phillies since 2004. It’s not too big, and there are great seats
everywhere with great views of the skyline at night. With a seating capacity
of 43,500, it is plenty roomy, yet retains a cozy, nostalgic aura. For fans and
players alike, the new ballpark was a huge improvement over the previous
ballpark, Veterans Stadium, which was a multi-purpose stadium that was
shared with the Philadelphia Eagles football team and was known for being
too large for baseball and having horrible artificial turf. In addition to just
being a better facility, Citizens Bank Park is known for having some of the
best food options in Major League Baseball. In true Philadelphia fashion,
Citizens Bank Park serves authentic cheesesteaks and hoagies at the food
stands. Also, be sure to visit ex-Phillie Greg Luzinski at Bull’s BBQ. For
kids, the Phanatic Fun Zone has one of the largest play areas in the Major
Leagues - read more here (Photo by Geoff Livingston)

20. 19. Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is one of the world’s largest municipal parks at 9,200 acres,
and it provides vast swaths of greenspace for Philadelphians. Miles of trails
offer opportunities for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Outdoor concerts
take place in the summer. Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-
serve basis. Fairmount Park is home to many Philadelphia
attractions: Philadelphia Zoo, Centennial Arboretum, Horticulture
Center, Fairmount Water Works, Memorial Hall, Please Touch
Museum, Belmont Plateau, Japanese House and Garden, Bartram’s
Garden, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Boathouse Row Azalea
Garden. Kids will enjoy the 6.5 acre Smith Memorial Playground and
Playhouse. If that’s not enough, there’s also the Rocky Statue. Around the
perimeter of the park, the Charms of Fairmount Park are a string of 7
beautiful mansions that served as the rural summer villas for well-to-do
families during the eighteenth- and early-nineteenth century - read more
here (Photo by Kristine Paulus)

21. 20. Italian Market
Philadelphia’s Italian Market dates back to the 1880’s and is the oldest
open-air market in America. The Market is also known as 9th Street and was
the landing place where immigrants from Italy settled upon arriving in
Philadelphia. The market became a destination for visitors in the 1960’s. The
area was outside of William Penn’s original outline for the city, The Italian
influence has yielded a bit to other ethnic influences over the years, and the
Market offers a wide range of grocery shops, cafes, restaurants, bakeries,
cheese shops, butcher shops, and more. The “outdoor” market is often in
name only, as many shops features brightly colorful metal awnings that cover
the sidewalks where vendors of fruit, vegetables, fish, and housewares.
Restaurants and cafes offer Italian fare, plus authentic Mexican, Korean and
Vietnamese cuisine. Tours of 9th Street are available. An Italian Market
Festival takes place on the 3rd weekend in May and features live music and a
Procession of the Saints - read more here (Photo by Chun-Hung Eric Cheng)

22. Featured photo by R'lyeh Imaging. All photos CC-BY-2.0.
See our list of the 49 best things to do in Philadelphia here.