Like Philadelphia’s own Parthenon, the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art sits majestically on a rise at the end of the city’s famous Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The vast collections in this temple of art make it one of the largest art museums in the country — and an absolute must-see on the city’s cultural circuit. The museum’s holdings encompass more than 240,000 works spanning 2,000 years, including pieces from the ancient world, medieval times, the Renaissance, the Impressionist movement and modern day.
Independence Hall is the birthplace of the United States. In 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence here. Eleven years later, in the same room, delegates to the Constitutional Convention created and signed an enduring framework of government - the United States Constitution.
As the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a top-five tourist destination in the City of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute (TFI) is one of the leading science centers in the country and serves as both a prominent educational and cultural resource and as an anchor of the local economy.
Set on four-and-a-half acres of landscaped grounds, the Barnes Foundation boasts an impressive collection that features 181 Renoirs (more than any other collection), 69 Cézannes (more than in all of France) and groundbreaking African art. The museum’s permanent collection features 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes and 59 Matisses, along with works by Manet, Degas, Seurat, Prendergrast, Titian and Picasso.
Reading Terminal Market, one of the nation’s oldest and largest public markets, first opened in 1893. Today, it stands out as one of the greatest public markets in the country. Visitors can enjoy eating a wide swath of different cuisines, from sublime soul food and exquisite Asian and Middle Eastern dishes to authentic Philly cheesesteaks and traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare — all available from largely locally owned, family-run stands.
Metropolitan bakery breads, confections & pizza are hand crafted using locally sourced ingredients. Since 1993, they have been tempting Philadelphians with freshly baked breads, pastries, snacks and granola.
Since 2004, the Berley Brothers have been supplying Philadelphia with scoops of tradition and old-timey flavors at The Franklin Fountain, their Old City ice cream shop. Franklin Fountain serves up handmade ice cream in an astounding number of flavors including standards like vanilla bean, chocolate and Franklin mint chip along with a few creative options including green tea, banana and teaberry gum. The friendly staff at the fully restored soda counter offers 25 different flavors of soda, ice cream sodas, egg creams and milkshakes.
LOVE Park serves as the grand entrance to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, carrying residents and visitors between City Hall and top attractions like the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Designed to let visitors and vendors use the space as needed, LOVE Park creates an environment that brings together world travelers, lunchtime snackers, sunbathers, fitness buffs and performers.
The Philadelphia Zoo is set among a charming 42-acre Victorian garden with tree-lined walks, formal shrubbery and animal sculptures. America’s first zoo and a foremost conservation organization, the attraction is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered. The zoo has a first-in-the-world animal travel and exploration train system, Zoo360, enabling primates and big cats to move above and across the main visitor pathway. In addition to its animals, the zoo is known for its historic architecture, which includes the country home of William Penn’s grandson, its botanical collections of over 500 plant species, its groundbreaking research and its fine veterinary facilities.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) is an immersive mixed media art environment that is completely covered with mosaics. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirror, and international folk art to chronicle his life and influences. The space is made up of two indoor galleries and a bi-level outdoor sculpture garden.
With three levels, five bars, seven event spaces, and views of the river from every corner, Liberty Point joins the vibrant collection of waterfront activities at Penn’s Landing as Philadelphia’s largest restaurant.