Sightseeing & Attractions
Philadelphia and its countryside offers many experiences for visitors of all ages. Tour historical homes built before the U.S.A. was founded. Enjoy the colours and scents of some of the finest botanical gardens and parks in the world. Tour the United States' first zoo, first bank, first post office and first art museum, and the first school of fine arts. Board naval ships which served in 19th and 20th-century battles. And marvel at three centuries of architectural masterpieces.
The information below highlights some of Philadelphia's most popular attractions.
Search a full list of attractions in the Philadelphia region.CityPass
CityPass is a pay-one-price-ticket which includes a trolley tour of the city and a day's admission to The Franklin, Adventure Aquarium, the Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia Trolley Works, the National Constitution Center, and the Academy of Natural Sciences or the Eastern State Penitentiary. Admission to all six attractions is $54 for adults and $37 for children ages 3-11. CityPass can be purchased at the participating attractions and at the Independence Visitor Center, or on the Internet at www.citypass.com.
CITY CENTRE
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Ben Franklin Pkwy.
Exhibitions and activities centreing on the environment and its diverse
natural species will educate and entertain visitors of all ages at the
region's premier natural history museum. Stroll among live butterflies,
pet a live snake, and dig for dinosaur bones in the Dinosaur Hall. Open
10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. weekends and
holidays. Admission.
City Hall
Broad & Market sts.
The
largest and most elaborate city hall in the country features a 548-foot
tower, topped by a 37-foot bronze statue of William Penn,
Philadelphia's founder. Exhibits of the tower and observation deck are
open and tours are offered 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. (every 15 minutes) weekdays.
The interior tour begins at 12:30 p.m. weekdays and includes the
restored Conversation Hall and City Council chambers. Admission.
Eastern State Penitentiary
22nd Street & Fairmount Ave.
Constructed in the 1820s as part of a radical movement to rehabilitate
criminals through solitary confinement, Eastern State has held some of
the United States' most famous criminals in its vaulted, skylit cells,
including Willie Sutton and Al Capone. Abandoned in 1971-142 years
after it opened-the prison is now a lost world of crumbling cell blocks
and empty guard towers. Open May-November. Admission.
Elfreth’s Alley / Mantua Maker’s Museum House
126 Elfreth’s Alley (off Second St. between Arch & Race Sts.)This is the oldest continuously occupied residential street in the U.S. and a National Historic Landmark. This streetscape of 33 Colonial and Federal-style homes was once occupied by artisans, including blacksmith Jeremiah Elfreth. Two homes are open to the public for guided tours showcasing the alley's 300-year history and 18th-century life. Tours of private home take place twice a year in June and December. Museum houses are open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon- 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission.
The Franklin
20th Street & Ben Franklin Pkwy.
One of Philadelphia's popular attractions, The Franklin's hands-on
exhibits and programmes promote interest in science and strengthen
science education. The Franklin has something for everyone, including
the walk-through heart, the Train Factory with its Baldwin 60000 steam
locomotive, Kid Science - designed for ages 5-8, Sports Challenge,
Space Command, The Tranklin Airshow, and more. The museum also features
a planetarium and IMAX® movies. Open 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.; IMAX® movies
Friday-Saturday until 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission.
Independence Seaport Museum
211 Columbus Blvd. at Walnut St., Penn's Landing
Explore Philadelphia's maritime heritage with family-oriented,
interactive exhibits, magnificent ship models, and more than 14,000
artifacts. Climb aboard Admiral Dewey's 1892 cruiser Olympia, tour the
World War II submarine Becuna, both National Historic Landmarks, and
search for treasures in the nautical gift shop. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission.
Italian Market
9th St. between Wharton & Christian sts.
This colourful corner of South Philadelphia is the world's largest
outdoor market, rich in history and traditions dating back 125 years to
the Italian immigrant founders. Fine imported and domestic products,
kitchenware, fresh pasta, cheeses, spices, meats and dry goods are
available. There is also a large variety of fresh fruits and
vegetables. Free.
Lights of Liberty Show
Only in Philadelphia can you experience this high-tech walking sound-and-light show which immerses visitors in the drama of the American Revolution on the land where it all happened. Five-story projections on historical buildings and wireless headsets make it all seem real. Shows take place throughout Independence National Historical Park beginning at dusk, from April through October. The show is offered in English, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and a special children's version. Admission. Listen to an excerpt.
Masonic Temple
1 N. Broad St.
Dedicated in 1873, this National Historic Landmark is home to the Grand
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and the Masonic
Library and Museum of Pennsylvania. There are guided tours of the seven
ornate lodge halls and the museum's collection of rare Masonic
artifacts. Tours: 11 a.m., 2, and 3 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 and 11 a.m.
Saturday. Closed from July-August and holidays. Free.
National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut St.
This "home for heroes" on the Liberty Trail celebrates the U.S.'s
ideals of freedom by honouring more than 700 outstanding individuals of
all ethnic backgrounds. Eight galleries of exhibits, interactive
displays, videos and art include Dale Chihuly's 20-foot glass "Flame of
Liberty," a White House china display and much more. Open 10 a.m.- 5
p.m. daily late May through early September. Closed Mondays for the
remainder of the year. Admission.
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Ave.
The United States' first zoo is home to more than 1,800 exotic animals.
Dedicated to conservation, education, and recreation, the zoo offers a
wide-range of wildlife experiences. Rare and endangered species
represent the zoo's commitment to conservation. Anteaters, cheetah,
leopards, warthogs, giraffe, hippos, and polar bears amaze and amuse
visitors. Visitors can get a bird's-eye view of the City in the Channel
6 Zooballoon®. Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily from March-November ;
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily from December-February. Admission.
Reading Terminal Market
One of the most interesting places to visit in Philadelphia, this historical indoor farmers' market houses more than 80 merchants selling a large selection of fresh produce and prepared foods. Enjoy foods from the Pennsylvania Dutch (Amish), famous Philadelphia cheesesteaks, and selections from across the U.S. and around the world. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Some restaurants close at 4 p.m. PA Dutch vendors are present Wednesday 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Entrance free.
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
33rd & Spruce sts.
Featured as one of the "10 great" science museums in Discover Magazine,
the museum's many highlights include a 12-ton sphinx and monumental
architectural remains from the ancient Egyptian palace of Merenptah;
mummies; Sumerian cuneiform texts; and materials from Alaska and the
American Southwest. Open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m.
Sunday; closed Sundays from late May through early September. Admission.
WATERFRONT
Battleship New Jersey Memorial and Museum
Camden, New Jersey, Waterfront
The Battleship New Jersey is the United States Navy's most decorated
warship earning 19 campaign and battle stars for service in World War
II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and the Middle East. The battleship
offers guided tours through simulated operations areas spanning five
deck levels. Open Friday-Monday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. January-February; 9:30
a.m.-3 p.m. daily March-April; 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily May-September;
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. daily September 2-December 31. Admission.
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey
Visitors to Adventure Aquarium will be delighted as they explore a West
African River featuring hippopotami, free-flying birds and crocodiles;
surround themselves with sharks in a 40-foot walk-through tunnel;
experience the wonders of the deep sea as they see and feel the
underwater world in a 4-D theater; and even have the opportunity to
swim with the sharks in an immersive experience of a lifetime. Open
9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Admission.
COUNTRYSIDE
Hagley Museum
Rt 141, Wilmington, Delaware
This is where the duPont story begins in the Brandywine Valley with the
original duPont mills, estate and gardens. Open daily 9:30 a.m.-4:30
p.m. from March 15-Dec. 30 and Jan. 1; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday from Jan. 2-March 14. Admission.
Longwood Gardens
Rt. 1, Kennett Square
The world's premier horticultural display offers 1,050 acres of formal
gardens, fountains, meadows, woodlands and nearly four acres of heated
greenhouses. There is something happening every day of the year, from
flower shows, gardening demonstrations, courses, and children's
programmes, to holiday concerts, carillon recitals, musical theatre and
fireworks displays. Open everyday and many evenings. Admission.
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Rt. 52, Winterthur, Delaware
This country home of Henry Francis duPont now houses a collection of
American decorative arts made or used between 1640 and 1860. There are
almost 1,000 acres with native and exotic plants, ponds, woods and
meadowlands to view and explore. Open Museum and Garden 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday-Sunday; Library 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Closed the
last Thursday in November, Christmas and New Year's Day. Guided tours
are available. Admission.
