PHOTOS: Rittenhouse Square and more
Philadelphia General Attractions
Old City
DESCRIPTION: Your exploration of America’s heritage continues north of Market Street in the city’s first commercial district. Check out Betsy Ross Flag House home and Elfreth’s Alley, America’s oldest continuously residential street; Old City is known for the largest concentration of art galleries on the East Coast with more than 50 galleries and small museums. On the First Friday of every month, all galleries stay open late and it’s very crowded, but you can often catch the artists exhibiting.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: roughly bounded by Market, 4th, Vine & Front Streets, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 2nd Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 800-555-5191
WEBSITE: https://www.oldcityarts.org
Independence National and State Historic Parks
DESCRIPTION: Much of the nation’s Colonial, Revolutionary, and Federal-period heritage is preserved in this park; the park centerpiece is Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed; the park also includes Carpenter’s Hall, the Liberty Bell Pavilion and Christ Church; there are no restrooms in Independence Hall; for security reasons, restrooms are located at the Independence Visitor Center at Independence 6th Street & Market Street.
ADMISSION: Free, but for entrance into Independence Hall, you must have a timed-tour ticket. So make a reservation via their website.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 9a-5p, Fri-Sun 9a-6p
ADDRESS: bounded by 6th, Chestnut, 5th and Race Streets and contiguous with 6th, Chestnut, Walnut & 3rd Streets, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 5th Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: National Park Service 215-597-8974
WEBSITE: https://www.nps.gov/inde
Liberty Bell Center
DESCRIPTION: An American symbol of liberty that originally resided in Independence Hall, has an updated home across the street from where it originally was rung. A bell for the Pennsylvania State House was cast in London, however, it cracked soon after it arrived in Philadelphia. Local craftsmen, John Pass and John Stow cast a new bell in 1753, using metal from the English bell. Their names appear on the front of the bell. This roomier chamber for larger visitor crowds offers a better view of the Liberty Bell in relation to Independence Hall and an interpretive exhibit. Ironically, the Liberty Bell sits on a former slave compound and many signers of the Declaration of Independence were slave owners. Perhaps its poetic justice is that the bell has a crack in it; today, however, the bell has come to symbolize the freedom and the best of humanity, as evident by the many human rights activists who visit for inspiration. There are no restrooms in the Liberty Bell Center. For security reasons, restrooms are located at Independence Visitor Center.
ADMISSION: free, but to save hassles, you can reserve a ticket online for a small per ticket surcharge
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 5th Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-965-2305
WEBSITE: https://www.nps.gov/inde/liberty-bell-center.htm
National Constitution Center
DESCRIPTION: This family destination is the first national-scale museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. It includes many thoughtful interactive exhibits and a theater that will have to cite chapter and verse in no time. Arguably, America’s most interactive history museum hosts a number of timely political exhibits. Its located 2 blocks north of Independence Hall in Independence Mall.
ADMISSION: $12 adults, $8 ages 4-12, $11 ages 65+
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:30a-5p, Sat 9:30a-6p, Noon-5p
ADDRESS: Independence Mall, 525 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid
RAPID TRANSIT: 5th Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-409-6600
WEBSITE: https://www.constitutioncenter.org
Library Company of Philadelphia
DESCRIPTION: Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, it is the nation’s first cultural institution providing thorough reference collections of rare books, manuscripts and prints; Afro-Americana Collection features rare and unique documents concerning the issues of slavery and race from the 16th through the 19th century.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-4:30p
ADDRESS: 1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: Walnut-Locust SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-546-3181
WEBSITE: https://www.librarycompany.org
Gallery at Market East
DESCRIPTION: The equivalent of our suburban shopping mall in Center City. It features multiple levels, a sky-lit atrium, 170 shops, two anchor department stores, plus something suburban malls never have — access to abundant rail transit.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: Sun Noon–5p, Mon-Tue, Thu & Sat 10a-7p, Wed & Fri 10a-8p
ADDRESS: 9th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: Garage and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 8th & Market and 11th Street SEPTA Stations
PHONE: 215-625-4962
WEBSITE: https://www.galleryatmarketeast.com
Chinatown
DESCRIPTION: Chinese Friendship Gate at 10th and Arch Streets is the perfect way to enter this bustling ethnic community that is an established center for fine art, culture, and culinary delights for more than a century.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: bounded by Arch, 7th, 12th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: Paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: Chinatown SEPTA Station
PHONE: N.A.
WEBSITE: https://www.phillychinatown.com
Philadelphia Walk of Fame
DESCRIPTION: Stroll the city’s walk of musical legends and see bronze plaques of native and immigrant Philadelphians who composed, sang, or produced Jazz, Blues, R&B, Rock, Classical, Opera, Hip-Hop, Country, Big Band, and Gospel music. The honoree list currently includes Marian Anderson, Pearl Bailey, Thom Bell, Boyz II Men, Solomon Burke, Chubby Checker, John Coltrane, The Delphonics, Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, Phyllis Hyman, Patti LaBelle, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergras, Bessie Smith, The Stylistics, McCoy Tyner, Grover Washington Jr., and Ethel Waters. Check their website for new ceremony dates.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: 24/7 outdoor access
ADDRESS: South Broad Street between Walnut & Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: Paid lots nearby
RAPID TRANSIT: Walnut-Locust SEPTA Station
WEBSITE: http://www.philadelphiamusicalliance.org
Betsy Ross House
DESCRIPTION: Born in 1852 as the daughter of Quakers, Betsy Ross created the first American Flag in 1776. When presented with a draft design of the flag, she convinced George Washington to change from 6-pointed to 5-pointed stars. See her artifacts and a glimpse of 18th century life.
ADMISSION: $5
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 2nd Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-686-1252
WEBSITE: http://www.betsyrosshouse.org
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
DESCRIPTION: The society contains documents relating to African-American history and the abolitionist movement, including documents by William Still, one of the most successful African-Americans in Philadelphia’s history and author of The Underground Railroad.
ADMISSION: $6
DAYS & HOURS: Tue & Thu-Sat 12:30p-5:30p, Wed 12:30p-8:30p, Fri 10a-5:30p
ADDRESS: 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: Walnut-Locust SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-732-6200
WEBSITE: https://www.hsp.org
South Street
DESCRIPTION: Though often described as a Bohemian hangout for years, this tree-lined, hard-to-categorize eastbound one-way street is famous for its eclectic shops, diverse restaurants, and dynamic nightlife. There’s no better place to people-watch on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night – so many refer to it as the heart of Philadelphia. Among its shops, you’ll find antiques, art galleries, bars, body art, garments, electronics, jewelry, music, flowers, restaurants, and books.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily and nightly
ADDRESS: South Street from 8th Street east to Front Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: Headhouse Market parking garage
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: N.A.
WEBSITE: https://www.south-street.com
Manayunk
DESCRIPTION: Nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River northwest of Center City, Manayunk; Flat Rock was the original name, but in 1824, the town name changed to “Manayunk”, derived from the Lenape Indian word “manaiung” meaning “where we go to drink”; ultimately, it was absorbed by Philadelphia; designated a National Historic District in 1983, Philadelphia’s Main Street boasts more than 65 chic boutiques and galleries, and dozens of restaurants; its distinction is having the largest concentration of furniture stores on one street in the entire East Coast; today Manayunk attracts many energetic yuppie residents and is at nightlife hot spot where many still come to drink.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily and nightly
ADDRESS: Main street between Green Lane and Pennsdale Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: Manayunk SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-482-9565
WEBSITE: https://www.manayunk.com
Rittenhouse Square
DESCRIPTION: Curtis Institute, Art Alliance, a 4-star hotel, other architecturally distinct buildings, upscale shops, and restaurants surround the park. As a result, the park is often filled with artists, art patrons and events making it one of the best intimate public spaces in America.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: bounded by Walnut, 18th and 20th Streets, Locust and Spruce Streets MAP
WEBSITE: https://www.ushistory.org/districts/rittenhouse
Bartram’s Garden
DESCRIPTION: Visit 44 acres of the botanical garden, wildflower meadow, and recreational park; large selection of natural toys in the gift shop.
ADMISSION: see website
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-5p, Sat-Sun Noon-4p
ADDRESS: 5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PHONE: 215-729-5281
WEBSITE: https://www.bartramsgarden.org
Morris Arboretum
DESCRIPTION: A 92-acre garden containing many of Philadelphia’s newest, rarest and largest trees in a romantic Victorian landscape setting; owned by the University of Pennsylvania.
ADMISSION: adults $3, children $1
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-4p, Sat-Sun 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 100 Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PHONE: 215-247-5882
WEBSITE: https://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum
Museum of Archeology & Anthropology
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1887 at the University of Pennsylvania, this museum, library, and archive are one of America’s foremost repositories of world cultural heritage objects. Explore priceless artifacts of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, West African, and Chinese cultures that resulted from over 400 expeditions. you will get a moving sense of how mankind evolved.
ADMISSION: $6, a guided tour is included
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 10a-4:30p, Sun 1p-5p
ADDRESS: 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: garages and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 34th Street and 33rd Street SEPTA Stations
PHONE: 215-898-4000
WEBSITE: https://www.museum.upenn.edu
Chester County History Center
DESCRIPTION: This regional center features many programs and exhibits that uncover the richly textured heritage of the area, including contributions by African Americans. A complete museum shop is on the premises.
ADMISSION: $5; special events have a separate admission fee
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 9:30a-4:30p
ADDRESS: 225 North High Street, West Chester, PA MAP
PARKING: lots nearby
TRANSIT: N.A.
PHONE: 610-692-4800
WEBSITE: https://www.cchs-pa.org
Valley Forge National Historical Park
DESCRIPTION: Scene of the winter encampment of 1777-78 with approximately 3,000 acres to explore; biking and hiking trails.
ADMISSION: free while portions of the parking lot are closed
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: North Gulph Road and Route 23& 160, Valley Forge, PA MAP
PHONE: 610-783-1077
WEBSITE: https://www.nps.gov/vafo
