Philadelphia attractions

Situated in the heart of historical Philadelphia, the Dolley Todd House was the 18th-century home of Dolley Madison—future First Lady of the United States. Built in 1775, it offers an authentic glimpse into Dolley’s and middle-class life in Philadelphia at the time.

The USA’s oldest art museum and art school, the 1805-opened Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts—PAFA for short—houses American art from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Occupying a striking historical building, it beckons with works by luminaries such as Edward Hopper, Thomas Eakins, and Gilbert Stuart.

First opened during the bicentennial year of 1976, Franklin Court is an indoor-outdoor museum dedicated to Benjamin Franklin, located on the site of the Founding Father’s home. Demolished in 1812, only the foundations of Franklin's home remain, but steel "ghost structures" mark its location and that of his grandson's printing business.

One of the oldest Quaker meetinghouses in the city, Arch Street was built atop a burial site deeded to the Religious Society of Friends by Pennsylvania founder, William Penn. Now a National Historic Landmark, the Georgian-era building—which bears a simple design, characteristic of Quaker meetinghouses—is open to the public.

Discover the story of the nation’s founding at the Museum of the American Revolution. Located in the historic center of Philadelphia, the museum uses exhibit galleries, object theater, and recreated scenes to take visitors on a journey from the beginning of the conflict in the 1760s through to the creation of the nation.

In US history, the Delaware River is best known for George Washington’s brave crossing around Trenton, New Jersey, when he directed a surprise attack during the Revolutionary War. Today, the river is home to a vibrant modern waterfront that winds past Philadelphia, where locals and visitors alike can find great food, music, shopping, and summer festivals. The 330-mile (531-kilometer) waterway also attracts outdoor enthusiasts looking to kayak, fish, and swim.

If you want to follow in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers, head to Powel House. One of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the county, this historic house was once home to one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest families. Powel House regularly hosted George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, and is now a well-preserved emblem of 18th-century life—it glitters with hundreds of years of history and glamor.

Founded in 1887, the Penn Museum is one of the top anthropology and archaeology museums in the world. With a rich history of scientific expeditions around the globe, the museum holds nearly a million art objects and artifacts that showcase the development and achievements of humanity.

When people think of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, they usually think of the World War I monument at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. However, Philadelphia’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honors the many fallen heroes from the American Revolutionary War. Inside the tomb are the remains of a soldier found in Washington Square, formerly used as a cemetery.

Famed for its atmospheric cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and tree-lined green spaces, Society Hill is one of Philadelphia’s most upscale residential neighborhoods—first settled in the 1680s, it’s also one of the oldest. Non-residents are also drawn here for its eclectic mix of restaurants, stores, and historic attractions.

Independence Mall is a three-block stretch of Independence National Historical Park that includes several of Philadelphia’s most visited historic sites. This is where you’ll find the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, and the President’s House Site—a remarkable collection of buildings that has earned the mall the nickname “America’s Most Historic Square Mile.”

A verdant tract of land popular for walking and cycling, Valley Forge is a Philadelphia-area escape. Located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Center City, the National Historical Park housed George Washington’s Continental Army during the winter of 1777–1778. See Revolutionary War–era log cabins, cannons, memorials, and more.

Home to the USA’s oldest learned society, the American Philosophical Society (APS) Museum lies in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, close to its sister institution, the APS Library. Housing the APS’ collection of manuscripts and artifacts; it works to spotlight American history from the 18th century to today.

Encompassing South Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue and reaching west to 15th Street and east to 13th Street, Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts is a sizable arts district and cultural destination in Center City. It’s home to many of the city’s top theaters and arts organizations, plus high-end hotels and restaurants.

This popular Philadelphia museum showcases captivating stories of freedom fighters, movement leaders, and politicians—including Jackie Robinson, Nelson Mandela, Jim Henson, and Malala Yousafzai—through interactive exhibits and contemporary art pieces. Explore numerous galleries, including permanent exhibitions such as Liberty Hall and Heroes from Around the World.

The only museum of its kind in Philadelphia, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum has been designated the best car collection in the world. Built up over 50 years, the collection contains more than 75 historically significant cars including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, and Corvette.

The New Hall Military Museum is devoted to early American military history, with a focus on the Continental Marines, Army, and Navy. Housed in a recreation of the historic building used by Henry Knox (the country’s first Secretary of War) and his staff, the museum is a highlight of Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park.

The country’s only amusement park dedicated toSesame Street, Sesame Place is one of the Philadelphia area’s top family-friendly attractions. Located in Langhorne, Penn.—roughly 20 miles (33 kilometers) northeast of Center City—its offerings including water rides, meet-and-greets with popular characters such as Elmo, and more.

Philadelphia’s larger-than-life memorial to Benjamin Franklin sits on a white marble pedestal in the rotunda of The Franklin Institute. Crafted between 1906 and 1911, the 20-foot-high (6-meter-high) statue is the centerpiece of the famed Memorial Hall. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about Philadelphia’s favorite founding father.

The largest and grandest of Philadelphia’s transit hubs, 30th Street Station—which now goes by William H. Gray III 30th Street—serves numerous train routes, including Amtrak lines that connect the city with other destinations on the east coast. Renowned for its neoclassical design, the station is on the National Register of Historic Places.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is a still-functioning historic church in the Society Hill area of downtown Philadelphia. First built around 1761, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is uniquely designed to feature an altar on one end and an elevated pulpit on the other—so there’s no front or back to the church.

The University of Pennsylvania is one of the United States’ most historically significant universities. Founded by Benjamin Franklin, one of the nation’s Founding Fathers, between 1740 and 1750, it was one of the nine original colonial colleges founded prior to the Declaration of Independence.

A multi-use recreational trail that runs along the eponymous waterway, the Schuylkill River Trail extends for some 75 miles (121 kilometers) from Montgomery, Chester, and Berks Counties to Center City Philadelphia. Projected to reach 120 miles (193 kilometers) upon its completion, the trail passes by scenic towns and historical landmarks.

For visitors looking beyond the historical attractions of downtown Philadelphia, the hip and vibrant Manayunk neighborhood is a must-visit. Situated along the Schuylkill River and the historic Manayunk Canal, this formerly industrial area is now a trendy destination packed with waterfront bars, cafés, and art galleries among the rowhouses and Victorian homes.

One of Philadelphia’s leading universities, founded in 1891, Drexel is a global R1-level research university. Headquartered in a 74-acre campus in University City, Drexel also operates several public museums, including the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at the University of Pennsylvania has long been a trailblazer. This small-but-mighty contemporary art space has made a name for itself by showing art-world heavy-hitters before they were big—we’re talking Andy Warhol, Laurie Anderson, Cy Twombly, and Robert Mapplethorpe. Today, the ICA still showcases of-the-minute temporary exhibitions and is open to all.