Things to do in Philadelphia
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Top 10 attractions in Philadelphia
Liberty Bell
Liberty Bellis located in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. Today, the bell is housed in a transparent glass pavilion. Looking through the tall glass curtain wall, Independence Hall serves as its perfect backdrop. The bell was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from craftsmen in London. After arriving in Philadelphia, it was recast twice by local craftsmen before being hung in the steeple of the State House (now Independence Hall), where it was used in the early years to summon lawmakers and citizens. In the mid-19th century, abolitionists noticed the inscription on the bell and popularized it,the name "Liberty Bell" spread from there, and it also gradually came to be seen as a symbol of the spirit of freedom in Philadelphia and the United States. A corridor on one side of the pavilion features exhibits that tell the story of the bell's origins and its connection to the abolitionist and civil rights movements. At the end of the corridor, you can get a close-up view of the bell, which weighs about one ton: the crack on the bell is clearly visible, and the bell is inscribed with a famous verse from the Bible's Book of Leviticus: "Proclaim liberty to all the people of the world."Philadelphia · 1.2 km from downtown
Independence National Historical Park
Independence National Historical Park is an open-air historic site consisting of red-brick Georgian buildings, green spaces, and plazas, where the United States Declaration of Independence was born. The park is surrounded by trees, and bronze statues stand among the plazas and gardens. Among them, the "Signers" statue pays tribute to the founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence. Independence Hall, with its red bricks and white windows, features a towering white bell tower that serves as the park's landmark and is a popular subject for visitors' photos. The highlight of the park is Independence Hall: on the first floor, there are two main halls. One was the courtroom of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and the other, the Assembly Room, was the venue for the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, where the Declaration of Independence was debated and passed. The interior is furnished according to the layout of the 18th-century meetings. The "Rising Sun Chair," used by George Washington while presiding over the Constitutional Convention, is an original piece that has survived to this day. It was while looking at the sun carved on the back of the chair—unsure whether it was rising or setting—that Benjamin Franklin became convinced at the signing of the Constitution that it was a "rising sun." North of Independence Hall, in the Liberty Bell Center, the famous cracked Liberty Bell is displayed in a glass pavilion. The early repairs on the bell and the crack that silenced it forever are clearly visible. Adjacent to its west side is Congress Hall, which served as the meeting place of the U.S. Congress during the ten years Philadelphia was the capital; both Washington's second inauguration and Adams's inauguration took place here. Not far to the east is the Fragments of Franklin Court, the site of Benjamin Franklin's former residence, and the Old Second Bank of the United States building, which houses rows of portraits of the founding figures. The historic sites throughout the park are basically within walking distance.Philadelphia · 1.2 km from downtown
Independence Hall
Independence Hallwas originally the Pennsylvania State House during the colonial period, built in the 18th century. The main building is a two-story, Georgian-style red-brick structure with white door and window trim outlining its symmetrical facade. A tall white steeple rises from the center, with a large clock face embedded in its lower level. The red bricks and white tower complement each other, creating a highly recognizable streetscape in the old city. The building is particularly notable for the Assembly Room on the first floor, where delegates to the Second Continental Congress passed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Assembly Room has been restored to its original appearance, with long, green-felt-covered tables and high-backed chairs arranged in rows. In the center of the room sits the "Rising Sun Chair," used by George Washington while presiding over the Constitutional Convention. It is one of the few original items in the hall and can be clearly seen from behind the railing. The bell originally hung in the tower is said to have been rung when the Declaration of Independence was first publicly read; it was later moved to the pavilion across the street for separate display after it cracked. The bell currently hanging in the tower is the "Centennial Bell," cast in 1876 to commemorate the nation's centennial. The back of the US$100 bill features an image of the building's tower; seeing the real thing and then comparing it with the banknote makes for a more tangible experience.Philadelphia · 1.2 km from downtown
Old City
Old City is a historic neighborhood in Philadelphia adjacent to the Delaware River, where red-brick houses, church steeples, and cobblestone alleys remain intact, and the 18th-century colonial atmosphere is still clearly discernible today. Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Liberty Bell with its distinctive crack are both located here. The Betsy Ross House, Carpenters' Hall, and other historic buildings related to the nation's founding are also within walking distance, and Benjamin Franklin rests in the cemetery next to Christ Church. The core attractions can be connected on foot, and walking around is like reading through half of early American history. 18th-century Elfreth's Alley is a popular streetscape in Old City, where the Georgian-style red-brick row houses on both sides are still inhabited today. It is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the United States, and two of the old houses have been turned into museum houses, restoring the living scenes of ordinary residents from that time. Many historic buildings in the neighborhood are open to the public, and even lesser-known small houses may hide a small museum. After visiting the historic buildings, you can take a walk to the waterfront promenade along the Delaware River to take a break and look back at the skyline where red-brick roofs interweave with modern buildings in the distance; there are also many galleries, cafes, and small shops in the neighborhood.Philadelphia · 1.7 km from downtown
Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall stands in Penn Square at the intersection of Broad Street and Market Street. This was originally the central square reserved by city founder William Penn when he planned Philadelphia in 1682, and today this magnificent Second Empire-style building remains the seat of the city government. It was designed by architect John McArthur and built in the late 19th century. Construction took about 30 years and cost approximately US$24 million. The entire building is constructed with heavy masonry load-bearing walls, and it stands about 167m tall, including the bronze statue at the top of the tower. For more than a decade after the tower was topped out, it remained the world's tallest habitable building until it was surpassed by skyscrapers in New York in 1908. The bronze statue of William Penn at the top, which is about 11m tall, is the work of sculptor Alexander Milne Calder. More than 250 other sculptures he helped create are scattered inside and outside the building, covering themes such as artists, educators, and engineers. Each of the four sides of the tower is embedded with a giant clock face nearly 8m in diameter, which is even larger than the clock face of Big Ben in London, and four bronze eagles are perched above the clock faces. Below the bronze statue is an observation deck overlooking the entire city center: to the northwest, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway stretches straight toward the distantPhiladelphia Museum of Art, to the east lies the historic district of Old City, and to the west are rows of skyscrapers. The marble staircases and council chambers inside the building are equally impressive. The building also holds an interesting unspoken agreement: for a long time, Philadelphians tacitly agreed not to build structures taller than the William Penn statue, until One Liberty Place rose up on the west side behind the statue in 1987, breaking this unwritten rule. There is even a playful local saying that the skyscraper was intentionally built where Penn couldn't see it. Today, standing in front of Philadelphia City Hall and looking around, you see the quaint streetscape of the old city on one side and the modern skyline on the other, a single building that perfectly reflects the new and old of Philadelphia.Philadelphia · 57m from downtown
Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary, built in 1829, opened in 1913 and closed in 1970, has castle-like walls and imposing guard towers, while being the first prison to adopt solitary confinement measures. The prison was later abandoned due to overcrowding.In 1994, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site welcomed 10,000 visitors for its first year of hard hat tours. In the decades since, hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the country and around the world have had the opportunity to bear witness to and learn from this architectural wonder and the many stories it holds.Today, Eastern State continues to preserve the historic site—shedding light on its complicated legacy—to advance public understanding of the criminal justice system and its impact on the lives of those affected by it, to inspire a more just future.Philadelphia · 1.9 km from downtown
Fragments of Franklin Court
There is a small courtyard and rows of simple and quiet houses. This is the place where the founding hero of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, once lived, carrying the glorious past of a great man who fought for the United States all his life. Here, you will see a very peculiar building, this is a white steel frame, it outlines the outline of a house, in fact, this is the original site of Franklin's mansion, due to a fire in the 19th century, the house It was completely destroyed. In order to maintain the original state, people built this building and told everyone that this was the former residence of Franklin. There is also an underground museum in the courtyard, which displays some documents about Franklin's life and his inventions (Franklin was also an inventor, and the lightning rod was made by him), we can also watch a documentary film to understand Franklin's Gorgeous life.Philadelphia · 1.5 km from downtown
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is an interactive experience museum that combines science, technology, and innovation. It features multiple themed exhibition areas such as life sciences, physical phenomena, and aerospace, allowing visitors to explore the mysteries of science through fun and education. Guests can operate various experimental devices like flight simulators and human anatomy models to experience the wonders of technology. Additionally, the museum regularly hosts science lectures, demonstrations, and workshops, providing rich learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Whether for family outings or school-organized educational activities, The Franklin Institute is an exceptional destination for scientific exploration.Philadelphia · 1 km from downtown
Sesame Place Philadelphia
[Attraction Introduction] SesamePlace is a children's theme park and water park located in the Philadelphia suburb of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, based on the Sesame Street TV show. It includes a variety of rides, shows, and water attractions for young children. Here you can see Elmo, BigBird and their friends. You can also say hello to your Sesame Street friends, take pictures, and cherish good memories. Entertainment facilities: All-NewOscar'sWackyTaxiRollerCoaster;BlastOff;CaptainCookie'sHighC'sAdventure;Elmo'sCloudChaser;FlyingCookieJars;Flyin'Fish;HonkerDingerDerby, etc. Performance projects: ElmotheMusicalLive!;OurStreetisSesameStreet;TheMagicofArt;Neighborhoodde Wait. *The above information is for reference only, please refer to the official websiteMiddletown Township · 35.9 km from Philadelphia
Dilworth Park
Philadelphia · 109m from downtown
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Free things to do in Philadelphia
Liberty Bell
Philadelphia · 1.2 km from downtownIndependence National Historical Park
Philadelphia · 1.2 km from downtownIndependence Hall
Philadelphia · 1.2 km from downtownOld City
Philadelphia · 1.7 km from downtownPhiladelphia City Hall
Philadelphia · 57m from downtownEastern State Penitentiary
Philadelphia · 1.9 km from downtownBook now for tomorrowFragments of Franklin Court
Philadelphia · 1.5 km from downtownThe Franklin Institute
Philadelphia · 1 km from downtownImmediate access, Book now for todaySesame Place Philadelphia
Middletown Township · 35.9 km from PhiladelphiaDilworth Park
Philadelphia · 109m from downtown
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What travelers say about Philadelphia
蕙质兰心蕙质兰心January 25, 2021
5.0
The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is a historical monument in the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, USA. It is the symbol of Philadelphia and the symbol of American independence. Its popularity in the United States is second only to the Statue of Liberty.
The Liberty Bell has a history of only more than 250 years, weighs only more than 900 kilograms, and is made of a mixture of various metals. It was ordered from Britain by the Pennsylvania State Assembly in 1751 for 100 pounds. The craftsmanship at that time was obviously limited. The bell was shipped to Philadelphia the following year and broke when it was tried.
Liberty Bell
小鱼儿2015February 14, 2020
4.0
The history of Philadelphia is also the birthplace of the independence of the new America. The liberation movement in this place is also very famous. There are many things to appreciate in the historical park, which is a good way to understand the independence movement of this city.
Independence National Historical Park
WB2021February 16, 2022
5.0
A great piece of US history. You can easily spend a very informative afternoon roaming its halls and learning more about the declaration of independence.
Independence Hall
__赛__November 20, 2019
5.0
Philadelphia is a very charming American city. Unlike New York, which is messy and glamorous, this city has a profound heritage. The old city is very charming, and the public security is very good. It is safer to go out at night.
Old City
Mushfiqur Rahman ChowdhuryNovember 19, 2023
5.0
Lots of iconic buildings and landmarks across both sides of the street. You can visit the place in the 100 US$ bill as well, like the final image below.
Philadelphia City Hall
BinmomoNovember 1, 2023
5.0
Great experience for Halloween Nights! They decorated the cell into haunted houses which makes it more fun!
Eastern State Penitentiary
西行阿里May 21, 2021
5.0
Franklin died here in 1790. The house itself has been destroyed and no longer exists, but the original site has been preserved and the Benjamin Franklin Museum has been established.
Fragments of Franklin Court
Anastasia KyussnerJuly 17, 2026
5.0
One of my favorite places in Philadelphia. It's a great way to spend time. You can watch an educational film at the planetarium, lab experiments, and a wonderful collection dedicated to railway transport. I'd especially like to highlight the exhibit on the human body. It's accessible and visually appealing.
The Franklin Institute
不吃泡泡糖的喵December 3, 2022
4.0
The classic Sesame Street park, the performances and games are great
Sesame Place Philadelphia
