Independence Visitor Center
Start your sight seeing here! This is a good place to begin your visit to Philadelphia. Learn about attractions, get the scoop on special exhibits and tours, plan itineraries, purchase tickets.
Open Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
6th and Market Streets
215-965-7676/ 1-800-537-7676
www.independencevisitorcenter.com
Historical Places to Visit
Liberty Bell
View this world-renowned artifact – one of the best known symbols of our country.
Open daily: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6th and Market Streets
215-965-2305
www.nps.gov/inde/liberty-bell-center.htm
Betsy Ross House
Experience the home of America's most famous flag maker.
Open daily: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6th and Market Streets
215-686-1252
National Constitution Center
Over 100 interactive exhibits tell the story of the Constitution from the American Revolution to the present.
Mon-Fri, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
525 Arch Street
215-409-6600
www.constitutioncenter.org
National Museum of American Jewish History
Covering 25,000 square feet and three and a half floors, visitors explore more than 350 years of Jewish life in America through evocative objects, telling moments, and state-of-the-art interactive media. In addition, the Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame celebrates the lives and achievements of eighteen Jewish Americans who exemplify a central theme of the Museum.
Tues-Fri, 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat & Sun, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
http://www.nmajh.org/
Independence Hall
Tour the historic building where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed.
Open daily, hours vary by season.
6th and Chestnut Streets
215-965-2305
http://www.nps.gov/inde/independence-hall-1.htm
Battleship New Jersey
America's most decorated battleship is now a museum.
Open daily: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ
866-877-6262
www.battleshipnewjersey.org
Carpenters' Hall
This historic landmark was the meeting site of the first Continental Congress in 1744.
Open daily: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
320 Chestnut Street
215-925-0167
www.carpentershall.org
Declaration (Graff) House
Thomas Jefferson stayed in Jacob Graff's house while he drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Hours vary according to season.
701 Market Street
267-519-4295, prompt #19
www.nps.gov/inde/declaration-house.htm
Franklin Court
Seven museums located on the former site of Benjamin Franklin’s home.
Open daily: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
318 Market Street
267-519-4295, prompt #22
www.nps.gov/inde/franklin-court.htm
Fun Stuff to Do
Adventure Aquarium
Over 200,000 square feet with exhibits such as West African River Experience, Shark Realm, Penguin Island and Seal Shores.
Open daily: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
856-365-3300
www.adventureaquarium.com
The Philadelphia Phillies
Citizens Bank Ballpark, 1 Citizens Bank Way
215-463-1000
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com
The Philadelphia Zoo
Open daily: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3400 W. Girard Avenue
215-243-1100
www.philadelphiazoo.org
Philadelphia Trolley Works
A colorful, narrative tour takes you around Philadelphia in a trolley car.
Times vary.
Departs from Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Streets
215-389-8667
www.phillytour.com
Mütter Museum
This unique museum is home to a collection of over 20,000 medical and anatomical oddities.
Open daily: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
19 South 22nd Street
215-563-3737
www.collphyphil.org
Please Touch Museum, the Children's Museum of Philadelphia
Museum is designed for families with young children and features interactive exhibits. NEW Location in restored Memorial Hall. Close to PCOM's campus.
Open Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4231 Avenue of the Republic
215-581-3181
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
Sesame Place
Share in the imagination with your kids.
Open Mon-Sun: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
100 Sesame Place
Langhorne, PA
(215) 752-7070
www.sesameplace.com
Arts and Culture
The African American Museum
Collection of objects and art of the life and works of African Americans.
Open Wed-Sat: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
701 Arch Street
215-574-0380
www.aampmuseum.org
Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site
Tour the house where author Edgar Allen Poe lived and wrote.
Wed-Sun, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
532 North 7th Street
215-597-8780
www.nps.gov/edal
The Franklin Institute
Home to many exhibits, an IMAX theater, the Planetarium and The Franklin Theater.
Open daily: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
222 North 20th Street
215-448-1200
www.fi.edu
Independence Seaport Museum
Maritime heritage museum offers interactive exhibits, ship models, artifacts and art.
Open daily: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
211 South Columbus Blvd.
215-413-8655
www.phillyseaport.org
Kimmel Center
Come see a variety of performances for all ages.
Dates and times vary.
260 South Broad Street
215-790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org
Mummers Museum
Dedicated to the Philadelphia celebration of the New Year and houses a collection of mummers' paraphernalia and memorabilia.
Open Wed, Fri and Sat, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thu, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
1100 South 2nd Street
215-336-3050
www.mummersmuseum.com
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Tues-Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
26th Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway
215-763-8100
www.philamuseum.org
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
America's first school of fine arts and a museum as well.
Open Tues-Sat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
118-128 North Broad Street
215-972-7600
www.pafa.org
Walnut Street Theatre
America’s oldest theatre is the stage for many different performances.
Dates and times vary.
825 Walnut Street
215-574-3550
www.walnutstreettheatre.org
If You Like the Outdoors
Bartram's Garden
Oldest living botanical garden in America.
Open daily to the public.
5400 Lindbergh Blvd.
215-729-5281
www.bartramsgarden.org
Chinatown
Over 50 Asian restaurants, churches, a Buddhist temple and specialty Oriental markets.
8th and 12th Streets between Arch and Callowhill
Italian Market
See one of the oldest and largest open-air markets in America.
9th and Washington Avenues (along 9th between Wharton and Fitzwater Streets)
Elfreth's Alley
Visit the oldest continuously occupied resident street in the US.
Between Race and Arch Streets and between 2nd and Front Streets
215-574-0560
www.elfrethsalley.org
Manayunk
This neighborhood is known not only for its great nightlife, but also for its art galleries, boutiques and restaurants.
Main Street, Manayunk, PA
215-483-9565
www.manayunk.com
Unique Dining Options
City Tavern
Authentic 18th century American cuisine.
Open daily: Lunch from 11:30 a.m.; dinner from 4 p.m. Mon-Sat; Sun, 3 p.m.
138 South 2nd Street
215-416-1443
www.citytavern.com
Dave and Buster's
Bring your family to this world class arcade and restaurant.
Sun-Wed, 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Thu 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
325 North Columbus Blvd.
215-413-1951
www.daveandbusters.com
Pat’s King of Steaks vs. Geno's Steaks
Get your cheesesteak!
Open daily: 24 hours.
9th and Wharton Streets (on opposite corners from each other)
215-468-1546/(215) 389-0659
www.patskingofsteaks.com
www.genosteaks.com
Reading Terminal Market
Indoor market showcasing Amish specialties, ethnic foods, Philly favorites and much more.
Mon-Sat, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
12th and Arch Streets
215-922-2317
www.readingterminalmarket.org
Places to Shop
New Hope
This charming town is filled with charming boutiques and eclectic restaurants.
Main Street, New Hope, PA
215-862-5030
www.newhopepa.com
Peddler's Village
42-acre complex features over 75 specialty shops and restaurants.
Hours vary by store.
Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, PA
215-794-4000
www.peddlersvillage.com
King of Prussia Mall
The premiere shopping destination on the East Coast featuring over 400 stores and restaurants.
Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA
610-265-5727
www.kingofprussiamall.com
Philadelphia Premium Outlets
150 of best names in manufacturers' and retail outlet stores.
Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
18 West Lightcap Road, Limerick, PA
215-632-1500
www.premiumoutlets.com
Close to Campus
Mama's Pizzeria
426 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA
610-664-4757/610-664-4758
www.mamaspizzeria.com
Dalessandro's Steaks
600 Wendover Street, Roxborough, PA
(215) 482-5407
www.dalessandros.com
