Things to Do in Philadelphia

Few places in the United States offer as much historical and cultural legacy as the Philadelphia Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Located across the street from one another, the two landmarks serve as the most potent symbols of the American revolution and the birth of the young nation.

Independence Historical National Park is the home to both Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. While the Bell was rung at several key moments of the American independence movement, today it is more famous for its symbolic message of universal liberty than its functional purpose.

In addition to the two main attractions, Independence National Historical Park is also the home of several other sites associated with the American Revolution. This 45-acre park comprises much of the historic downtown area of Philadelphia.

This may or may not be where patriotic upholsterer Betsy Ross lived when she made the original Stars & Stripes, but it’s certainly one of the most visited attractions in Philadelphia. Set just a few blocks west of Independence Hall near Franklin Square, the house is the site of a local Flag Day celebration held each year on June 14.

Built in 1740 in the Pennsylvania Colonial Style, this humble home was rescued by a local radio personality in the late 1930s and both renovated and expanded, using Colonial-period materials. Self-guided and audio tours are available here ($5 and $7, respectively), and out in the added-on courtyard, a costumed Betsy Ross re-enactor tells stories with flag in hand.

Throughout the summer and early fall on Friday nights, movies are shown in the courtyard on a big outdoor screen; bring a blanket or chair, and the $5 fee includes a tour of the house. It’s open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Known as “America’s Church,” this 1744 city landmark was the first Protestant Episcopal congregation, the post-Revolution version of a Royalist, Anglican church founded in 1695. Early parishioners included George Washington and Betsy Ross, and its cemetery hosts the remains of several signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, including Benjamin Franklin.

Perfect for those with kids looking for a break from historical sites, the Philadelphia Zoo is a great and easy place to spend an afternoon. Over 1,300 different animals, many of them rare and endangered, call this zoo home. The Philadelphia Zoo is recognized world wide for successfully breeding animals that are difficult to breed in captivity.

Whether you take the kids to check out Carnivore Kingdom, The Reptile and Amphibian House, Big Cat Falls, or the Rare Animal Conservation Center, the Philadelphia Zoo offers you rare glimpses of animals you wouldn't be able to see anywhere else. And seeing as it is in Philadelphia, the zoo of course has some historical significance as well- it was the nation's first zoo.

With 14 ½ acres of floor space, this is the largest municipal building in the United States. Built on one of five squares designated by founding father William Penn as Center Square, its Old City site once marked the geographic center of Philadelphia.

Begun in 1871, this imposing Second Empire masterpiece, with its 22-foot-thick exterior walls, granite floors, marble columns and 548-foot masonry clock tower, took 30 years to complete. Hired by architect John MacArthur, Jr., Scottish-born sculptor Alexander Milne Calder spent 20 years creating 250 bronze and marble sculptures for City Hall, the greatest achievement of his career.

Spanning 55 acres and bridging two neighborhoods -- Old City and Society Hill – this national park is often called “America’s most historic square mile” for encompassing many of Philadelphia’s most famous historical landmarks. These include Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Liberty Bell Center; Franklin Court; the First and Second Banks of the United States; and the National Constitution Center, among many others. Visitors should plan to spend one to two days in the park in order to visit several of these sites and explore the extensive grounds.