Sights & Attractions in Philadelphia

Philadelphia attractions listed by popularity
The historic Independence Hall was built between 1732 and 1756 as the State House of the province of Pennsylvania. In this building, the US Constitution was drafted in 1787.
Philadelphia's City Hall is the largest, tallest and most expensive of all city halls in the United States. The immense building was completed in 1901 after 30 years of construction.
The Liberty Bell is one of the most famous symbols of the American struggle for independence. The bell hung originally in the steeple of the Independence Hall, but it is now located in a separate pavilion.
Philadelphia's Museum of Art is one of the largest museums in the country, with a collection of more than 300,000 works of art. It is housed in an impressive Neoclassical building.
Philadelphia's most famous street is bordered by cultural and educational institutions. It connects the city center with the expansive Fairmount Park.
30th Street Station is Philadelphia's main railway station. The monumental Neoclassical train station was built between 1929 and 1934, during the Great Depression.
Logan Square, a public square on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is surrounded by several important institutions. The centerpiece of the square however is the beautiful Swann Memorial Fountain.
Betsy Ross reportedly owned this house when she made the first American flag. The historic Georgian style house was saved from demolition thanks to a group of local Philadelphians.
The green plaza in the heart of historic Philadelphia was planned in 1945 to create an appropriate setting for the Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell and National Constitution Center can also be found here.
The PSFS building represents a milestone in American architecture. Constructed between 1930 and 1932, this 36 story skyscraper was the first to be built in the nascent International Style.
One of the most photographed sights in Philadelphia, these picturesque Victorian row houses were built at the end of the 19th century by local rowing clubs.
Society Hill is a historic district east of the Independence Hall. It contains the largest concentration of original 18th and early 19th century architecture of any place in the United States.
In 1987 this modern skyscraper was the first to eclipse the city hall in height. The following years several more tall skyscrapers would rise above the top of the city hall.
Carpenters' Hall is one of many historic buildings in Philadelphia related to the birth of the nation; this Georgian building hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774.
Of William Penn’s five open squares around which he organized Philadelphia in the 17th century, Rittenhouse Square has always been the most prestigious.
Created in 1965 on top of an underground garage, this plaza - dubbed Love Park - is best known for its Love Statue, added in 1976 for the country's Bicentennial.
This charming street is one of the oldest continually occupied streets in the United States. Concerned citizens saved this historic street from being replaced by new roadways.
The Masonic Temple is one of the most interesting architectural structures in Philadelphia. Built in 1873 by the Freemasons, it contains seven grand halls, all lavishly decorated in a different architectural style.
Completed in 1797, this Classical building housed the first Federal bank of the United States. The building was later used as a private bank before finally being converted into a museum.
This group of Neoclassical buildings housed the first American municipal water treatment system, built to supply Philadelphia with clean drinking water.
Plans for a bridge connecting Philadelphia with New Jersey were first made in 1818; it took until 1926 before it was finally a reality, with the construction of this large suspension bridge.
Philadelphia's centrally located covered market was built in 1892, when it was lauded for the variety of foods offered. Although it suffered during the 60s and 70s, it is still vibrant food market.
One of Philadelphia's most beautiful buildings was constructed for the city's Centennial Exposition in 1876. It is home to the child-oriented Please Touch Museum.
Created in 1719 as an expansion of Christ Church's original graveyard, this historic burial ground is now best known as the site of Benjamin Franklin's grave.
This museum boasts a large collection of sculptures by the famous French artist Auguste Rodin. The collection includes his most famous works, like the Thinker and Eternal Springtime.
Now a residential building, this magnificent Art Deco skyscraper was built in 1929 as the Drake Hotel. Its brick facade is decorated with terracotta reliefs depicting nautical scenes.
This large domed cathedral was built between 1846 and 1864 as the main church for the Philadelphia archdiocese. In 1976, the church became a basilica.
Historic Christ Church is often called "The Nation's Church". Many prominent revolutionary figures, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, attended services in this church.
The Independence Seaport Museum is a maritime museum that covers the maritime history of the Philadelphia area. Visitors can also board two warships that are moored near the museum.
The Franklin Institute Science Museum is one of the oldest science and technology museums in the U.S. The museum's main focus is on interactive exhibits. Also inside the building is the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is a research institution and natural history museum. Among the museum's highlights are its collection of dinosaur skeletons and a tropical garden with live butterflies.
The National Constitution Center explains the US Constitution and narrates its history with a display of historical objects, interactive exhibitions and theatrical performances.
Inaugurated in 2003, this memorial remembers those who died in the Irish famine of the nineteenth century. It is located at Penn's Landing, an area where many immigrants arrived.
Philadelphia's 19th century Merchants' Exchange is the oldest stock exchange building in the country. Today it houses offices of the National Park Service.
The Scottish Memorial is a monument that was inaugurated in 2011 to pay tribute to Scottish immigrants. The monument shows a family of Scots who have just arrived in their new homeland.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is a research institution and natural history museum. Among the museum's highlights are its collection of dinosaur skeletons and a tropical garden with live butterflies.
Philadelphia attractions listed alphabetically
30th Street Station is Philadelphia's main railway station. The monumental Neoclassical train station was built between 1929 and 1934, during the Great Depression.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is a research institution and natural history museum. Among the museum's highlights are its collection of dinosaur skeletons and a tropical garden with live butterflies.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is a research institution and natural history museum. Among the museum's highlights are its collection of dinosaur skeletons and a tropical garden with live butterflies.
Plans for a bridge connecting Philadelphia with New Jersey were first made in 1818; it took until 1926 before it was finally a reality, with the construction of this large suspension bridge.
Philadelphia's most famous street is bordered by cultural and educational institutions. It connects the city center with the expansive Fairmount Park.
Betsy Ross reportedly owned this house when she made the first American flag. The historic Georgian style house was saved from demolition thanks to a group of local Philadelphians.
One of the most photographed sights in Philadelphia, these picturesque Victorian row houses were built at the end of the 19th century by local rowing clubs.
Carpenters' Hall is one of many historic buildings in Philadelphia related to the birth of the nation; this Georgian building hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774.
This large domed cathedral was built between 1846 and 1864 as the main church for the Philadelphia archdiocese. In 1976, the church became a basilica.
Historic Christ Church is often called "The Nation's Church". Many prominent revolutionary figures, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, attended services in this church.
Created in 1719 as an expansion of Christ Church's original graveyard, this historic burial ground is now best known as the site of Benjamin Franklin's grave.
Philadelphia's City Hall is the largest, tallest and most expensive of all city halls in the United States. The immense building was completed in 1901 after 30 years of construction.
This charming street is one of the oldest continually occupied streets in the United States. Concerned citizens saved this historic street from being replaced by new roadways.
This group of Neoclassical buildings housed the first American municipal water treatment system, built to supply Philadelphia with clean drinking water.
Completed in 1797, this Classical building housed the first Federal bank of the United States. The building was later used as a private bank before finally being converted into a museum.
The Franklin Institute Science Museum is one of the oldest science and technology museums in the U.S. The museum's main focus is on interactive exhibits. Also inside the building is the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.
The historic Independence Hall was built between 1732 and 1756 as the State House of the province of Pennsylvania. In this building, the US Constitution was drafted in 1787.
The green plaza in the heart of historic Philadelphia was planned in 1945 to create an appropriate setting for the Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell and National Constitution Center can also be found here.
The Independence Seaport Museum is a maritime museum that covers the maritime history of the Philadelphia area. Visitors can also board two warships that are moored near the museum.
Inaugurated in 2003, this memorial remembers those who died in the Irish famine of the nineteenth century. It is located at Penn's Landing, an area where many immigrants arrived.
Created in 1965 on top of an underground garage, this plaza - dubbed Love Park - is best known for its Love Statue, added in 1976 for the country's Bicentennial.
The Liberty Bell is one of the most famous symbols of the American struggle for independence. The bell hung originally in the steeple of the Independence Hall, but it is now located in a separate pavilion.
In 1987 this modern skyscraper was the first to eclipse the city hall in height. The following years several more tall skyscrapers would rise above the top of the city hall.
Logan Square, a public square on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is surrounded by several important institutions. The centerpiece of the square however is the beautiful Swann Memorial Fountain.
The Masonic Temple is one of the most interesting architectural structures in Philadelphia. Built in 1873 by the Freemasons, it contains seven grand halls, all lavishly decorated in a different architectural style.
One of Philadelphia's most beautiful buildings was constructed for the city's Centennial Exposition in 1876. It is home to the child-oriented Please Touch Museum.
Philadelphia's 19th century Merchants' Exchange is the oldest stock exchange building in the country. Today it houses offices of the National Park Service.
Philadelphia's Museum of Art is one of the largest museums in the country, with a collection of more than 300,000 works of art. It is housed in an impressive Neoclassical building.
The National Constitution Center explains the US Constitution and narrates its history with a display of historical objects, interactive exhibitions and theatrical performances.
The PSFS building represents a milestone in American architecture. Constructed between 1930 and 1932, this 36 story skyscraper was the first to be built in the nascent International Style.
Philadelphia's centrally located covered market was built in 1892, when it was lauded for the variety of foods offered. Although it suffered during the 60s and 70s, it is still vibrant food market.
Of William Penn’s five open squares around which he organized Philadelphia in the 17th century, Rittenhouse Square has always been the most prestigious.
This museum boasts a large collection of sculptures by the famous French artist Auguste Rodin. The collection includes his most famous works, like the Thinker and Eternal Springtime.
The Scottish Memorial is a monument that was inaugurated in 2011 to pay tribute to Scottish immigrants. The monument shows a family of Scots who have just arrived in their new homeland.
Society Hill is a historic district east of the Independence Hall. It contains the largest concentration of original 18th and early 19th century architecture of any place in the United States.
Now a residential building, this magnificent Art Deco skyscraper was built in 1929 as the Drake Hotel. Its brick facade is decorated with terracotta reliefs depicting nautical scenes.
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