Architecture for Students

Heads up! We don't want you to miss some of Philadelphia's best scenery. With original buildings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries standing alongside modern buildings, our varied streetscapes create a rich architectural backdrop to the city's past. As you travel from Philadelphia's eastern edge along the Delaware River (where colonial buildings dominate), toward the west (where the elaborate influences of Victorian architecture rule), you travel through time and history.

City Hall
Tour the largest and most elaborate city hall in the country, which features a 548-foot tower, topped by a 37-foot bronze statue of William Penn.

Eastern State Penitentiary
See the actual cell of some of America’s most notorious criminals, including Willie Sutton and Al Capone at this architectural and historically significant prison. 

Fairmount Park Homes
Located along the banks of the Schuylkill River, these 18th- and 19th-century homes are one of a kind.

Laurel Hill Cemetery
One of the few cemeteries in America to be named a National Historic Landmark, this is one of the most distinctive cemeteries for its sculptures and interesting horticulture.

Masonic Temple
This National Historic Landmark, which lists George Washington among its members, features guided tours through seven ornate lodge halls, each one representing a different architectural style.