Visiting Philadelphia\’s Best Attractions

June 21, 2013
by Ellie Mayer

Philadelphia is the birthplace of our country, and it will continue to be a colourful city with much to offer any visitor. There are many things to do in Philadelphia that will be appealing to the interests of the youngest kid and the oldest grandparent.

Independence National Historic Park

A couple of the most widely known attractions in Philadelphia are Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. They're both found in the Independence National Historic Park, which covers 20 city blocks in the historical district of Philadelphia. Here is where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were authored and signed. Within the limits of the park are Carpenters \’ Hall, home of the First Continental Congress, and lots of other sites that played serious roles in the formation of our country.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the country's largest museums. Among various highlights of the collections at the Museum are a set of china utilized by Presidents from Washington to Reagan, tapestries representing the the history of Constantine the Great, and a medieval cloister.

Philadelphia Zoo

Another of many things worth doing in Philadelphia is to go to visit the Philadelphia Zoo. This institution houses mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians from across the world. Visitors can ride camels and draft horses, float around in a swan ship, and soar above the zoo in a helium balloon.

Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest science museums in the country, and is home to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Franklin Institute offers traveling and permanent exhibits, and additionally many instructional programs, as well as a planetarium and an IMAX theater.

Eastern State Penitentiary

One of the more unusual attractions in Philadelphia is the Eastern State Penitentiary. Before its closure in 1970, the penitentiary was one of the first penitentiaries in the world to focus on reforming law breakers instead of just locking them away. Now the one time prison is a hands-on history museum, as well as a major destination for ghost hunters. The reported paranormal activity at the site has led straight to it being featured on many paranormal t.v. shows, making the penitentiary one of the most famous sites among paranormal enthusiasts.

Please Touch Museum

The Please Touch Museum is a hands on children\’s museum, that uses interactive displays and special programs to educate small children. The programming is geared essentially towards youngsters 7 and under, through exhibits like a simulated rainforest, an indoor park with carousel, and a replica of the state's centennial celebration.

Penn Museum

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is a commended research and instructional center devoted to the study of cultural variety and the history of humankind. The establishment is an element of the University of Pennsylvania, and hosts changing exhibitions as well as permanent collections. The museum offers many educational programs for student groups as well as individual visitors.

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