Philadelphia is full of historic and cool places that you can not find anywhere else in the world. It is the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the cheesesteak. It is home to the Liberty Bell and Will Smith. While some parts of Philadelphia are better than others they all have wonderful things to discover, these are 10 of the best places to go in the City of Brotherly Love.
1. The Philadelphia Zoo
This was the first zoo in the United States, opening in 1874. The zoo is now home to more than 1,300 animals, many of them rare and endangered . Now you can see the animals not only in their exhibits but also walking in the sky through the Zoo360 which is a network of see-through mesh trails that allow the animals to roam around more freely.
2. The Mummer Parade
The Mummers Parade is a Philadelphia tradition dating back to 1901 officially, but unofficially back to the early 1700s. The Parade is celebrated every year on new years day with the clubs being in one of 5 divisions: The Comic, The Fancy, the Wench Brigade, the String Band and the Fancy Brigade Divisions. Each club picks a theme for their costumes and acts to follow. The Mummers strut in their costumes down broad street and perform for judges to see who is the best in the division.
3. Penn's Landing
Penn's Landing is the waterfront area on the Delaware River. There are many things to do at Penn's Landing depending on the time of the year. In the winter, you can go to the RiverRink for some ice skating or visit Winterfest. In the summer, there is much more to do. There is the RiverRink Roller Skating and Summerfest, Harbor Park, Concerts, Screenings under the Stars (free movies), and much more.
4. Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, which opened in 2004 replacing the old Veterans Stadium. Philadelphia has some of most passionate fans in the world, so why would you not want to attend sporting events in this fine city. In addition to baseball games, there is an occasional concert, so you can still check out the stadium if you are not into baseball.
5. Xfinity Live!
Xfinity Live! is a bar and restaurant located in the sports complex at the corner of 11th and Pattison Avenue. There are 6 different bars inside the massive complex: PBR Bar & Grill, Broad Street Bullies Pub, 1100 Social, NBC Sports Arena, Victory Beer Hall, and Live! VIP Lounge. Each of the bars has their own appeal for example PBR is country themed with a mechanical bull, or Victory having live music and craft beer.
6. The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a science museum and center of science education and research. The museum was named in honor of the great American scientist and founding father Benjamin Franklin. The museum was founded in 1824 and is one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States. There are many exhibits but my favorite has always been the giant heart that you can walk through to see the different parts of the heart.
7. The Philadelphia Museum of Art
"What does Pay What You Wish mean? We ask that it starts at a penny but support us with whatever amount you wish."
The Philadelphia Museum of Art was established in 1876. The museum contains about 230,000 pieces of artwork including some of European, American and Asian origin.There are various types of artwork that include sculpture, paintings, drawings, photographs, and armor. The Philadelphia Museum of Art was featured in Rocky, you see him running up and down the steps, during his
8. Valley Green - Wissahickon Park
Valley Green is a 1,800 acres section of Fairmount Park, also known as Wissahickon Park, that is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. There are tons of trails that are along and above the river lead to covered bridges, a statue of an Indian chief, 17th-century caves of a free-love cult, large boulders that drip water, and ducks. These trails are some of the same ones that Native Americans had traveled in the early day of the Americas.
9. Eastern State Penitentiary
The Eastern State Penitentiary was built in 1829 with the aim of rehabilitating criminals through solitary confinement. Willie Sutton and Al Capone were some of the prison's notable "guests". The prison housed prisoners until they closed in 1971. Eastern State is a museum today showing tours of the facility showing sections of the prison that are still the same today.
10. Philadelphia Magic Gardens
"Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is a nonprofit visionary art environment and community arts center located in Isaiah Zagar’s largest public artwork."
The art spans one side of a block on South Street, with the museum located in the middle of the block. The museum is a collection of art using non-traditional items. The Philadelphia magic gardens is a unique Philadelphia destination, that is worth visiting.
