Things To See And Do In The City of Brotherly Love
Historic Sites
Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence was written and signed in the summer of 1776. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets. For more information on admission and tickets: https://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm.
The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American freedom. It was originally in the bell tower of the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) where it was rung to let citizen know that important announcements would be read aloud. 6th and Market Street. Free admission. https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/libertybellcenter.htm
Betsy Ross House is a museum devoted to Betsy Ross who sewed the first American flag. While not her actual house, she lived in a similar house on this block of Arch Street. Admission: adults – US$5; children: US$4. http://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/what-to-see/
Elfreth’s Alley is the oldest continually-inhabited street in the U.S. Off of 2nd Street between Quarry and Arch Streets http://www.elfrethsalley.org/
Christ Church was founded in 1685 and is the birthplace of the American Episcopal Church, and where Ben Franklin is buried. 2nd and Market Streets http://www.christchurchphila.org/history/
Museums
Museum of the American Revolution https://www.amrevmuseum.org/
Philadelphia Museum of Art (run up the steps like Rocky!) https://www.philamuseum.org/
Rodin Museum http://www.rodinmuseum.org/
Franklin Institute https://www.fi.edu/
National Constitution Center https://constitutioncenter.org/
Philadelphia Zoo (first zoo in the USA) http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/
Barnes Foundation https://www.barnesfoundation.org/
Eastern State Penitentiary (check out the nighttime haunted house) https://www.easternstate.org/
African American Museum in Philadelphia http://www.aampmuseum.org/
National Museum of American Jewish History http://www.nmajh.org/
Mütter Museum http://muttermuseum.org/
Battleship New Jersey http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts https://www.pafa.org/
Academy of Natural Sciences http://www.ansp.org
Independence Seaport Museum http://www.phillyseaport.org
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/
Theater
Walnut Street Theatre (oldest theater in the U.S.) 9th and Walnut Streets https://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/
Kimmel Center Broad and Spruce Streets https://www.kimmelcenter.org/
Merriam Theater 250 S. Broad Street (across the street from the DoubleTree Hotel) https://www.kimmelcenter.org/plan-your-visit/venues/merriam-theater/
Philadelphia Theatre Company Broad and Lombard Streets (down the street from the DoubleTree Hotel) http://philadelphiatheatrecompany.org/
The Wilma Theater 265 S. Broad Street (next to the DoubleTree Hotel) https://www.wilmatheater.org/
Arden Theatre Company 40 N. 2nd Street http://www.ardentheatre.org/
Tours
Independence After Hours Tour includes dinner at the historic City Tavern, after hours visit to Independence Hall, and a visit with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Ben Franklin. Adults: US$85; children: US$55 http://historicphiladelphia.org/independence-after-hours/?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=visit_philadelphia&utm_campaign=visit_philadelphia_2017&utm_content=sponsored
City Food Tours offers many types of food tours of Philadelphia https://www.phillysfoodtour.com/
Chew Philly Food Tours offers 6 different walking food tours. https://www.phillyfoodtours.com/
Grim Philly Twilight Tours offers a twilight tour of the city with stories about the founding fathers, pirates, and more. http://www.grimphilly.com/
Mural Arts Philadelphia was founded in 1984 as a way for graffiti artists to use their talents in a positive fashion. As a result, Philadelphia now has the most outdoor murals of any city in the world. https://www.muralarts.org/tours/
Day Trips from Philadelphia
Lancaster County is the home of one of the largest Amish communities in the U.S. The Amish are a religious group with origins in Switzerland who first immigrated to the U.S. in the 18th century. The Amish do not drive cars, and they do not use electricity, telephones or other forms of technology. Travel time about 1.75 hours by car. http://www.discoverlancaster.com
New Hope, Pennsylvania is a quaint town on the Delaware River north of Philadelphia with antique stores, restaurants and shops. Travel time about 1 hour by car. http://www.visitnewhope.com/
Cape May, New Jersey is a town of Victorian houses at the southern end of New Jersey. It has a beautiful beach and boardwalk, along with restaurants and shops. Travel time about 1.75 hours by car. http://www.capemay.com/
Jersey Shore. When people from the Philadelphia area say they’re “going down the shore”, they mean they’re going to any one of the numerous beach towns on the Atlantic shore of New Jersey from Sandy Hook or Cape May. Visit the casinos in Atlantic City, the boardwalks in Wildwood or Point Pleasant, or the 11 lighthouses along the shore. Travel time varies, depending on the destination, about 1.25 to 2 hours by car. You can travel to Atlantic City via New Jersey Transit from 30th Street Station in Philadelphia for $10.75 (hourly departures). http://www.visitnj.org/trip-idea/jersey-shore-trip-all-seasons
Longwood Gardens is a botanical garden on the former estate of Pierre du Pont. It offers music concerts and a spectacular show in its main fountain garden. Travel time about 1 hour by car. https://longwoodgardens.org/
Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Travel time about 40 minutes by car. https://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm