What do philadelphia

Begin at the Visitor Center to get your bearings and start your tour—visitors can enter every 15 minutes—at Independence Hall, then stop by the Liberty Bell Center for a look at ostensibly the most famous broken item in the world. Just note the airport-style security and subsequent foot traffic you're bound to encounter, and make sure you wear comfortable shoes—you'll be doing a lot of walking.

The largest and most important works by Duchamp are here, as well as a huge collection of sculpture by Brancusi. Pissarros, Renoirs, and Monets—all your favorites. Open since the s, this year-round market is the beating heart of South Philly, a historically Italian neighborhood that, in recent years, has also become home to pockets of Mexican and Vietnamese immigrants.

The market, which lines South 9th Street, buzzes with shops and outdoor vendors, all showing off the best of the community.

No matter what brings you to the market, make sure to arrive hungry, with cash in hand. Located near the Liberty Bell, the center was created as a bipartisan institution by Congress and opened in Nearly 20 years in, the building still feels fresh and modern, and so does the programming.

The center regularly hosts events about American democracy; including, for instance, a Democratic primary debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Shannon Maldonado's tiny Queen Village shop has an outsized presence thanks to its impeccably-curated and colorful collection of gifts, art objects and housewares. Black-owned businesses are also spotlighted.

You'll find the Schuylkill-hugging Fairmount Park in the heart of the city. Mural Arts Philadelphia, the brains behind these public art displays, runs trolley, train, Segway, and walking tours of the seemingly endless string of outdoor art—but the best way to see it all is, undoubtedly, by foot. Established in , the original National Museum of American Jewish History was a small, intimate museum visited largely by the Jewish community.

But in , Newseum architect Jim Polshek designed a new building that transformed it into a museum on the scale of the Smithsonian , complete with three-and-a-half floors of permanent collections and special exhibits.

Starting with the arrival of a small group of Jews in , the museum traces the American Jewish experience through today, telling the story with its collection of 30, artifacts. Start your tour at the top of the building and wind your way down through the years. A few highlights include a Civil War-era set of amputation instruments, a jar of skin from a patient with a skin-picking disorder, and a giant, desiccated colon that'll have you eating kale for weeks.

October Gallery was founded in , and is one of the oldest African-American art galleries in the country. Besides showcasing, cultivating, and supporting Black artists and artwork, the organization hosts community events and conferences.

It exists today in an intimate space on the first floor of a Victorian home in a residential neighborhood of Northwest Philly, and, a few days each fall, at the annual Philadelphia International Art Expo. Both the gallery and the expo are open to the public—the latter attracts upward of 40, visitors each year.

There are tours of the artfully designed interior and another of the tower. Franklin Square, a great place to go in Philly as a family. Additionally, the festival has tons of stalls where you can buy local crafts or taste Chinese food.

On the other side is Camden, a neighborhood that has improved in recent years and still has a reputation for being somewhat unsafe. However, I have been there quite a few times by car and have never had any problems. The views of the Philadelphia skyline from New Jersey are wonderful, especially at sunset. The trail extends for over 75 miles, although there are two sections I recommend visiting.

This area is full of green spaces, bike lanes, deck chairs, etc. From here, you can walk along the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk , which goes across the river and connects to the South Street Bridge.

Schuylkill River Trail, a lovely attraction in Philadelphia. One Liberty Observation Deck is a nearly foot-tall platform located on the 57th floor of the One Liberty Place building, one of the tallest and most beautiful skyscrapers in the city.

One Liberty Observation Deck, where to go in Philly for the best views. I also like the views from here more because you can see City Hall and Two Liberty Place, the other skyscraper that makes up Liberty Place, from above. These two skyscrapers are beautiful, with a look reminiscent of the Chrysler Building in New York, with its triangulated cusps and blue mirror-glass facades.

Something you will certainly see a lot of while visiting Philly is its nearly 4, murals. Painted by artists of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds, these murals often reflect the changes each neighborhood experienced and the concerns of its residents. Mural Arts Philadelphia, more great stuff to do in Philly. These works are made possible by Mural Arts Philadelphia , the largest public art program in the country that focuses on connecting artists with communities.

The Philadelphia Italian Market is one of the oldest and largest open-air markets in the country. The stalls sell meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and other imported products. In addition, there are many gourmet shops with cheeses, oils, chocolates, and pasta brought from Italy.

Browse the Italian Market and Chinatown, another fun thing to do in Philadelphia. A few years ago, some of the stalls were still run by descendants of the first Italian immigrants to the neighborhood.

However, nowadays, Italian restaurants share sidewalks with Mexican taquerias, Vietnamese restaurants, and Korean barbecue places, among others. And with this walking tour, you will learn more about it. If you prefer Asian food, then I recommend the Chinatown neighborhood , which is in the heart of the city and stands out for its beautiful Friendship Gate. This neighborhood also appeared in the 19th century, serving as a nucleus for Cantonese immigrants who arrived in the city.

It is a traditional 17th-century Japanese-style tea house surrounded by lovely gardens. Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, another must-see in Philly. The house was built in and was on exhibit at the MoMa in New York until it was permanently installed in Philadelphia in The Shofuso Japanese House and Garden truly is a peaceful haven that all ages will enjoy. Here, you can feed the beautiful koi fish that live in the pond, stroll through a meticulously maintained Japanese garden, watch a demonstration of a traditional tea ceremony, or relax next to a waterfall fountain.

If you need a break from city life, I suggest going to Wissahickon Valley Park. Wissahickon Valley Park, a natural place to visit in Philadelphia. Declared a National Natural Landmark in , the park has over 50 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, and dozens of bird species migrate here every year.

Most people prefer the flat trail along Forbidden Drive, which prohibits motor vehicles. From there, you can take several other paths that lead to over a dozen historic bridges, cottages, and stables. Here, the troops of the Continental Army, with George Washington at the forefront, spent the winter of to Hunger, cold, and various diseases plagued the troops, but their solidarity and union were what gave the United States its independence.

Today, you can visit some buildings that served as a refuge for the soldiers, as well as cannons and trenches that were left after the American Revolution. Here you can see all the hikes around the park. The Joseph Plumb Martin route is a very popular trail because it takes you to most of the historic places. However, if you want to see more nature, I recommend the Mt.

Misery Trail. It could not be left off our list of things to do in Philadelphia, despite being located about 45 minutes from the city center. It has 40 interior and exterior gardens, occupying an area of 1, acres comprised of greenhouses, forests, meadows, and gardens. The Christmas display is also wildly popular and includes orchids, camellias, palm trees, and lots of lights. Longwood Gardens, one of the best attractions near Philadelphia.

You can also stroll through forests full of ancient trees and fauna, such as deer, butterflies, beavers, and birds, or through its well-kept gardens with beautiful fountains. Longwood Gardens looks spectacular any time of year, so I recommend visiting if you the time, as it usually takes about 3 or 4 hours to see everything. The expansive park system provides endless outdoor opportunities to escape in nature.

The park connects with the greenways of the Schuylkill Banks and Boardwalk — named one of the best riverwalks in the nation — which features a 2,foot-long pathway for walking, running or bicycling that hovers over the Schuylkill River. This off-the-beaten-path gem includes trails, historical buildings, educational programming, and a boat launch. Relax in a hammock or enjoy the breeze off the river at Spruce Street Harbor Park. Situated atop several floating barges, this park features plenty of seating and spaces to lounge in, food vendors, and more.

Cherry Street Pier is a redeveloped, century-old municipal pier that offers performances, pop-up shops, food vendors and more, year-round. Tables can be reserved online to enjoy food and drink while admiring breathtaking views of the Delaware River. Just north of Cherry Street Pier, Race Street Pier is a multi-level recreational pier popular among runners and features lawns perfect for riverside picnics.

Swing on a bench and walk the paths of The Rail Park , on unused rail lines that have been transformed into a beautiful public space. Head to nearby Chinatown for a bite to eat or a sweet treat afterwards. This iconic facility, with its glass domed rooftop, is located right in the heart of Center City Philadelphia.

The renowned Curtis Institute of Music offers free admission to their student recital series. Enjoy concerts by some of the most talented young musicians in the world in a historical, and inspiring setting.

The Barnes Foundation , a short walk from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, also offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month. The Science History Institute offers free admission and holds an outstanding collection of chemistry-related objects, artwork, photographs, and books, illustrating the impact chemistry and chemistry engineering have had on the modern world. Founded in , the Wagner Free Institute of Science is dedicated to providing free public education in science.

The National Historic Landmark building houses more than , natural history specimens including fossils, shells, minerals and mounted animal skeletons and skins displayed in original wood and glass cabinets. The Franklin Institute is one of the leading science centers in the country and a prominent educational and cultural resource for Philadelphia.

The Giant Heart, a walk-through human corpuscle that would belong to someone feet tall, was one of its first attractions and remains one of the most popular. On community nights , families can enjoy free admission from 5 p.

Thomas Bond, offers free tours of the historic Pine Building with stops at a 13, volume library home to a preserved seven-pound tumor! Guest can also stroll through the beautiful herb gardens and grounds outside.

Pennsylvania Hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania, whose medical school was the first in the U. Register with DiscoverPHL. View My List. By clicking Register, you confirm to agree to our privacy policy. Forgot your password? Click here. Submit Address. An email has been sent to , with a new password to access your account.

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