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Major sites in and around the historic Old City area: (most are shown on the official map of the historical area)
S. 10th St. and Pine Street (Along Pine Street between 9th and 13th) Philadelphia, PA
Just six blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center , antique-lovers can hunt for treasures in the shops along Pine Street (from 10th to 18th). It has long been a favorite spot to search for antique books, stained glass and furniture, much of it museum quality.
Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site 532 North Seventh St. Philadelphia, PA 19123 215-597-8780 Admission: Free Operated by the National Park Service, this historic site consists of three buildings and a park area. Visitors can enjoy a number of exhibits about Poe's life, including an audio-visual presentation, as well as a tour of the house, though it is not furnished. Poe resided in the house from 1838-1844 and it was here that he wrote many of his most famous works including: "Murders in the Rue Morgue", "The Pit and the Pendulum", “The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Cask of Amontillado."
(off Second Street between Arch and Race Streets) Philadelphia, PA 215-574-0560 Admission: Maximum $5 per family; $2 for adults; $1 for children age 5-18; under age 5 free; school groups free. Elfreth's Alley is a National Historic Landmark. It is the oldest continually inhabited street in the United States. Many of the Alley's 33 houses were built prior to the nation's birth, some dating back to 1702. Most of the homes remain private residences today.
316-322 Market Street (between 3rd and 4th Street) Philadelphia, PA 215-597-8974 Admission: Free One of the most interesting and unique places in Philadelphia, especially for those interested in archeology. The court itself features a steel "ghost structure" frame of where Benjamin Franklin's house once stood. You can look through portals in the ground to see into Franklin's privy pits, wells, and foundation. There is an underground museum which is filled with paintings, objects, and inventions associated with Benjamin Franklin. The museum also features an excellent film about Franklin's life.
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19130 (215) 763-8100 Admission: $16 (Main Bldg) Like Philadelphia's own Parthenon, the Philadelphia Museum of Art sits majestically on a rise at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The vast collections of this temple of art make it the third-largest art museum in the country, and an absolute must-see on the city's cultural circuit. Sunlight Sightseeing:
The Big Bus Tours – Riders can see the sights from an outdoor seat atop these double-decker buses or ride inside in air-conditioned comfort. 5th & Market Streets, (215) 389-TOUR, www.phillytour.com
The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia – Maps for this free, self-guided walking tour of more than 30 historic sites are available at area attractions and hotels and online. Guided, audio, group and cell phone tours are also available. 6th & Market Streets, (215) 525-1776, www.theconstitutional.com
Mural Arts Tours – Aboard an open-air trolley, guides give the back story of each mural on this two-hour tour on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Independence Visitor Center , 6th & Market Streets, (215) 685-0754, www.muralarts.org
National Park Service Tours – Walking tours led by Independence National Historical Park rangers include “Turmoil and Treason: The Path to Independence” and “Franklin’s Footsteps.” Independence Visitor Center , 6th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676, www.nps.gov/inde
Philadelphia Trolley Works – This Victorian-style trolley allows riders to hop on and off while visiting popular attractions throughout the nation’s most historic area. 5th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 389-TOUR, www.phillytour.com
Ride the Ducks – Visitors can get a duck’s eye view of Historic Philadelphia on this amphibious vehicle that splashes into the Delaware River. 6th & Market Streets, (877) 88-QUACK, www.phillyducks.com
Twilight Tours :
Tippler’s Tour – The over-21 set can learn 18th-century drinking songs, enjoy stories of the drinking traditions of Colonial times and sample a few beverages as they ramble through Historic Philadelphia. This year, tipplers will stop at Society Hill Restaurant, The Plough & the Stars, Old Original Bookbinders and City Tavern. Independence Living History Center , 3rd & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026, www.onceuponanation.org
Lights of Liberty Show – Some of the nation’s most important historic sites take center stage—literally—during this moonlight journey through the past. As larger-than-life images flash onto Independence Hall, Carpenter’s Hall, Franklin Court and other landmarks, visitors don high-tech headsets and hear top Hollywood stars narrate key events from the nation’s history. 6th & Chestnut Streets, (877) GO-2-1776, http://historicphiladelphia.org/night/lights-of-liberty/
Independence After Hours – After a feast at City Tavern, guests follow their guide to Independence Hall, where they meet the Founding Fathers in person and eavesdrop on their late-night debates. Then, it’s off to the Lights of Liberty Show. Independence Living History Center, 3rd & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026, www.onceuponanation.org
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia – Do spectral spirits really inhabit Independence Hall, St. Peter’s Cemetery and other historic landmarks? Visitors can find out during this guided walking tour—just spooky enough to be entertaining. 5th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 413-1997, www.ghosttour.com
For more information about things to do in Philadelphia, check out the Official Visitors Sites for Greater Philadelphia : www.gophila.com or http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com! |
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| Last Updated May 3, 2010 |