Things to Do in Philadelphia
Notorious for its rich history, Philadelphia touts the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center. Visitors can also see the Betsy Ross house, the Franklin Institute, and Franklin’s Print Shop.
Even if you’re not a history buff, I recommend spending at least an hour or two at Independence Mall and just seeing the ‘old town’ look. The National Constitution Center is fantastic. I was there the weekend they opened it, and it has a lot to offer for everyone from kids to senior citizens. There’s a lot of hands-on areas that teaches visitors about presidents and the constitution.
More into science and hands-on museums? Check out the Franklin Institute. Called ‘a playground for the mind’ the museum has many touchable attractions ranging from science exhibits to a giant walk-through heart, a sports exhibit with many virtual reality exhibits, and a complete weather center where you can create your own tornado.
If you are an animal enthusiast, check out America’s oldest zoo. Located on West Gerard Avenue, many say it’s one of the best laid out zoos in the country. Aside from the fantastic and spacious animal exhibits, a Zoo balloon lifts passengers 400 feet into the air for a bird’s eye view of the city and the zoo.
Just across the river is the newly remodeled Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey. The aquarium is home to thousands of animals, and contains the Ocean Base Atlantic, which is a 760-thousand gallon open ocean tank with every kind of sea life imaginable. There is even a diver who answers questions through a ‘scubaphone.’
One of Philadelphia’s most unusual and creepy attractions is the Mutter Museum. It’s a fairly small place located near the university dedicated to the history of anatomy and medicine. When I went to visit, there was a big featured exhibit on siamese twins…very interesting, but not for those with weak stomachs. There is an extensive collection of things swallowed and inhaled, and also a wall of abnormalities in skulls, as well as skeletons of giants and midgets.
Philadelphia is also home to the Philadelphia Museum of Art–and site of Rocky’s famous run up the stairs scene. The third largest art museum in the country, it’s a must see for visitors of the city. Upstairs there are 80 period rooms with art from various cultures, downstairs houses the Renaissance, American, Impressionist, and Modern art sections.
If the bars and club scene is what you’re looking for, there’s no better place to cut loose than on South Street. Notorious for it’s nightlife, South Street is home to many boutiques and other shops, but also many bars, and one of the best Philly Steak shops in town–Jim’s. A neat authentic Moroccan restaurant is just off the beaten path–Marrakesh. Make reservations a few weeks in advance to ensure a seat, or pillow on the floor, as it may be. Here, visitors eat with their hands and enjoy a true Moroccan feast.
For the sports fan—Philadelphia offers quite the spectrum of sports (no pun intended). If you’re visiting in the spring and summer–it’s baseball season, and what better way to enjoy it than watching the Phillies and that wacky Phanatic with a cold Yingling at the new Citizens Bank Park. The deluxe ballpark offers up some of Philly’s finest: cheesesteaks, water ice, microbrews, and the Schmitter (a cousin of the cheesesteak), along with Build-A-Bear’s coolest location…where kids can build a Phanatic.
If football is more your speed, check out last year’s Super Bowl contenders, the Eagles, during the fall and winter season.
And, of course, fans can swing by the Wachovia center to watch Allen Iverson and the 76ers or Jeremy Roenick and the Flyers playing–depending on which season they’re in at the time (and if the NHL lockout is over).
Basically, Philly has something for everyone–great food, great bars, sightseeing, sports, and there’s always a new adventure around the corner in the city of Brotherly Love.
