Philadelphia: A city of discovery and exploration

Story by Lisa Z. Leighton

Philadelphia was — quite literally — the city that launched our nation. Today, it is home to a dizzying array of things to do, explore, discover, learn and eat. Visitors can learn about the birth of the nation at Independence National Historic Park which encompasses Independence Hall; the Liberty Bell; Betsy Ross House; Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited street, Congress Hall; National Constitution Center and dozens of other historical landmarks.

While Philadelphia boasts the grit and energy of larger cities like New York, it is an approachable, walkable and drivable city — even for novice city-visitors. The subway and train systems are relatively clean and easy to navigate, thanks to their color-coded transit lines.

Many parts of the city offer arts and culture — the list is long. However, a new addition is the Museum of Illusions, which engages patrons with 60 mind-bending exhibits such as holograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms.

Despite being a bustling urban destination, Philadelphia also offers a wide array of outdoor recreation opportunities including Fairmount Park, Boathouse Row, Blue Cross River Rink, Spruce Street Harbor Park and Cherry Street Pier. The Schuylkill River Trail has been named one of the best riverwalks in the country by USA Today because the path is suspended over the Schuylkill River and offers stunning views of the city’s skyline.

All ages will enjoy exploring the Philadelphia Zoo, Franklin Institute Science Center, Independence Seaport Museum, the Please Touch Museum, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, and Franklin Square which centers around a carousel and a two-century-old fountain. Foodies, take note: the city now has a Cheesesteak Trail, featuring 20 local favorites, including the famous Tony Luke’s, Jim’s Steaks, Barclay Prime, Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks. For authentic “local” eats, head to Reading Terminal Market on Arch Street near Chinatown, which is worth a visit of its own.

Speaking of food, the city boasts six restaurants on the 2023 nomination list for prestigious James Beard Awards. These include Her Place Supper Club, Royal Sushi, Cantina La Martina, Kalaya and Friday Saturday Sunday. High Street Hospitality’s Ellen Yin was nominated for the outstanding restauranteur award for the second year in a row.

In South Philadelphia, sports fans can catch Phillies baseball at Citizens’ Bank Park, Eagles football at Lincoln Financial Field, plus Philadelphia Flyers hockey and Philadelphia 76ers basketball at the Wells Fargo Center.

A RECREATION AREA, BUILDING OR PARK SPRUCE STREET HARBOR PARK, 301 S. COLUMBUS BLVD.

A relatively new outdoor space, the ultra-hip Spruce Street Harbor Park is located near the Independence Seaport Museum along the Delaware River. The Park is open seasonally, May 12 through September 25, and offers colorful hammocks for lounging, floating gardens and lovely shade trees adorned in colorful lights at night, plus local brews and at least one food vendor during open hours. While there, check out the Independence Seaport Museum and its two historic docked ships. Or, you can view the city from the river aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia for a lunch or dinner cruise. The Cherry Street Pier is also located here; a mixed-use space of food, retail and artists-in-residence.

For more information: delawareriverwaterfront.com/ places/spruce-street-harbor-park

HISTORIC LOCATION INDEPENDENCE HALL, 520 CHESTNUT ST.

The area that encompasses Independence Hall has been called the nation’s “most historic square mile” because it includes 67 National Historical Landmarks, according to the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau website. The importance of Independence Hall cannot be overstated, as it is the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 and where the Constitution was written and debated by the country’s forefathers. Construction on the building began in 1732. The original intentions for the structure were to be the Pennsylvania State House, housing all three branches of the Commonwealth’s colonial government. The State House Bell, now called the Liberty Bell, once rang in its tower. The Bell can now be seen at 526 Market Street and advance tickets are not required. However, timed entry tickets and a security check are required for entry to Independence Hall; tickets are free but there is an administrative fee.

For more information: nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/ independencehall.htm

An Interesting Location

EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY, 2027 FAIRMOUNT AVE. While prisons are typically off-limits to outsiders, this historic jail has been kept in “preserved ruin.” That includes crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. The site can be toured in all seasons, though it is especially popular at Halloween. Speaking of ghost tours, the city hosts a plethora of those, too. Eastern State Penitentiary’s architecture captures you from the moment you enter, with its vaulted, sky-lit cells. The famed Al Capone once called the prison home and patrons can stroll through the site on their own thanks to an audio tour voiced partially by actor Steve Buscemi. The rest of the audio soundscape features three former wardens and 25 guards and prisoners, creating a very intimate experience. The site is available for event rentals, as well as photography and video shoots.

For more information: easternstate.org

A Place For Kids Of All Ages

PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM, 4231 AVE. OF THE REPUBLIC

If you’re traveling with children, a trip to Philadelphia wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Please Touch Museum, the city’s award-winning Children’s Museum. Structured activities and creative play opportunities through traveling and permanent exhibits are featured. The Museum consistently ranks among the top 10 children’s museums in the country. The Museum’s footprint encompasses two entire floors with exhibits that include a Makerspace, an indoor treehouse that focuses on STEAM learning, Creative Arts Studio, Fairytale Garden, Grocery Store, Please Touch Garden, a water play area called River Adventures, and even an indoor carousel. For more information: pleasetouchmuseum.org

A QUIRKY PLACE THE MÜTTER MUSEUM, 19 S. 22ND ST.

Located in the heart of Center City in Rittenhouse Square, known for its green spaces, upscale shopping and arts and culture, visitors will find the Mütter Museum, which houses the country’s finest collection of medical artifacts and oddities. Eating lunch before your visit is probably not recommended, as the site features anatomical specimens, models and medical instruments displayed in a Victorian “cabinet museum” setting — none of which are for the faint of heart. The museum itself is a section of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia; highlights include a tumor removed from President Grover Cleveland’s jaw and pieces of Albert Einstein’s brain. While the exhibits are strange and eerie, they provide a lot of information about the progression of medical technology. For more information: muttermuseum.org

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A MEMORIAL OR MONUMENT BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEMORIAL, 271 NORTH 21ST ST.

The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is located in the rotunda of the Franklin Institute, which encompasses three floors of hands-on science exhibits and experiences. It is a fitting place to recognize one of America’s foremost Founding Fathers for his contributions to science, specifically the understanding of electricity. Visitors are immediately taken aback by the dramatic 20-foot-high marble statue of Franklin, which is crafted of white Seravezza marble and weighs 30 tons. According to the FI’s website, the domed ceiling is self-supporting and weighs 1,600 tons. The floors, walls, columns, pilasters, and cornices are made of rare marbles from Portugal, Italy, and France. The Memorial is open whenever the Institute is open (daily 9:30 a.m. -5 p.m.) and no admission fee is required.

For more information: fi.edu/en/exhibits-andexperiences/benjamin-franklin-memorial nmoreaboutthatplan,including investmentobjectives,risks,fees,and taximplications.Beforeyouinvest,considerwhether yourorthebeneficiary’shomestateoffersany statetaxorotherstatebenefitssuchas financialaid,scholarshipfunds,andprotectionfromcreditorsthatareonlyavailable for investmentsinthatstate’s qualifiedtuitionprogram.

Things To Know

How it began: Native Americans are known to have lived on the banks of the Susquehanna River where Harrisburg is now located. The area became a wellknown site to traders who thought of the river as their highway. Trade may have been why people populated the area, but it was industry that created a city that was chosen as the capital of Pennsylvania.

Incorporated as a city: 1791

Population: 50,135

Mayor: Wanda R. D. Williams