As the original capital of the nation and largest city in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is a bustling and picturesque city with tons of attractions. From the historical sites to the Comcast building, the art museum to the foodie hot-spots, and the train stations to the many colleges and universities, there’s something for everyone here. It doesn’t hurt that there are just so many nice places to take pictures between all of the colonial and modern architecture as well as cultural landmarks throughout the city. Here are some of the charmingly scenic places to visit in Philadelphia.
Magic Gardens
1020 South Street. This non-profit artistic “park” is a hotspot for all ages to come and take pictures. Spanning three whole city lots, it’s artist Isaiah Zagar’s largest mosaic. The glittering mirrors in the walls, ceiling, and floor, are mixed in with everyday objects from bike wheels to kitchen tiles. It’s open from 11:00-6:00 Wednesdays through Mondays.
Love Park
JFK Plaza – Between 15th and 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. The iconic Philadelphia LOVE sign is located right in front of a giant fountain that changes colors for seasonal events. Since Philly is the city of brotherly love, it makes sense that there always seems to be a line of people waiting to take pictures in front of the sign.
The Art Museum
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The beautiful architecture and iconic “Rocky steps” of the Philadelphia Museum of Art make it another extremely popular scenic location. Whether they’re just running up the 72 steps or actually going into the museum, this area’s always bustling. The Rocky statue is also located at the bottom of the steps and to the right. Looking straight down the parkway from here, it’s cool to see all of the flags of countries that have significant populations in Philly lining the road.
City Hall
1 Penn Square – 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. This picturesque colonial building is actually the world’s tallest masonry building, with a statue of city founder William Penn perched at the very top. Walking down Broad street is a great way to see this city landmark sandwiched between the modern corporate buildings too.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
1723 Race Street. The largest Catholic church in Pennsylvania is huge but unassuming from the outside until you walk in and see the grand Italian Renaissance architecture and gleaming marble surfaces. Everything is so intricately designed from the beautiful stained glass windows to the grand pipe organ. Don’t forget to look up, because the ceiling is just as magnificently designed as the rest of the cathedral.
Boathouse Row
1 Boathouse Row. The east bank of the Schuykill River, just a little over from the Art Museum, is another historic site. Boathouse Row consists of just 15 little homes along the river bank, but their adorable architecture and the way the homes are lit up at night definitely makes them worth a visit.
Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Avenue. A functional prison until 1971, the Eastern State Penitentiary is a US National History Landmark. Notorious criminals like Al Capone were once housed here, but now the prison is an open museum. At Halloween, this spooky architectural landmark is turned into a massive haunted house that attracts visitors from all over.
UPenn’s Campus
Claiming to be one of the first Universities in the USA, the campus of the University of Pennsylvania is a testament to the time it was built. The Gothic architecture was inspired by the buildings of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and come in a variety of colors. The campus museum and library are also scenic spots in addition to the art located all around the campus.
