Philadelphia
has great attractions and activities for the whole family to
enjoy. There are some unique places for you to visit
including: Eastern State Penitentiary, The Benjamin Franklin
Bridge, and the United States Mint. While you are here
be sure to check these things out, you will be glad you
did. Along with the unique, there will be some
activities and attractions that you will be familiar with such
as the zoo and aquarium. Below we have highlighted some
of the things to see and do while you are in Philadelphia.
Attractions & Activities
Bartrams
Garden - Just
minutes from the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Betsy
Ross House is America's oldest living botanical garden, a
pastoral 18th-century homestead surrounded by the urban bustle
of Philadelphia. Highlights include the oldest Gingko Tree in
America and the Franklina Tree, saved from extinction by John
Bartram and named after his friend, Benjamin Franklin.
(215) 729-5281
Boathouse
Row illuminated at night -
Every night the dozen or so houses lining the Schuylkill River
just beyond the Philadelphia Museum of Art are outlined by
hundreds of tiny white lights. There's a magical feel to the way
they shimmer and reflect in the river. Views are best from the
West River Drive.
Eastern
State Penitentiary
- This 19th-century landmark was once the most famous
and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a
haunting world of crumbling cellblocks. Former inmates include
bank robber Willie Sutton and Al Capone. Tour vaulted
cellblocks, central rotunda and death row. (215) 236-3300
The
Benjamin Franklin Bridge -
From dawn to dusk you can jog, walk, or bicycle the 1.8-mi span.
The metal walkway 150 ft over the Delaware River gives you a
terrific view of the waterfront.
Independence
National Historical Park -
Even if you're not a history buff, we predict a few quivers.
Start at the Visitor Center and follow the red-brick road past a
dozen stirring sites, including Independence Hall and the
Liberty Bell
Elfreth's
Alley -
This historic street features some of the oldest residential
buildings in the country. House Number 126 is a museum
exhibiting artifacts dating back to 1728. (215) 574-0560
Historical
Society of Pennsylvania -
Finding Philadelphia's Past is an ongoing exhibit of over 500
artifacts tracing the city's history through 1900. Includes
William Penn's wampum belt, George Washington's desk and videos
in the "trolley car theater." (215) 732-6201
Longwood
Gardens - created by industrialist Pierre S. du
Pont (and is sometimes referred to as the DuPont Gardens) and
offers 1,050 acres (425 hectares) of gardens, woodlands, and
meadows; 20 outdoor gardens; 20 indoor gardens within 4 acres
(1.6 hectares) of heated greenhouses; 11,000 different types of
plants; spectacular fountains
New
Jersey State Aquarium at Camden
- Stroke a shark, watch seals frolic and see schools
of shimmering fish swim by in more than 45 permanent exhibits
that range from mountain streams to the open ocean. The aquarium
features nearly 2,800 aquatic animals of 175 species in exhibits
that include a 760,000-gallon Open Ocean tank, the largest of
its kind north of Florida. (609)
365-3300
Philadelphia
Zoo - Open
daily year-round, the zoo is home to more than 1700 animals,
including the rare white lions, America's only giant river
otters, frolicking polar bears, exotic rain forest animals,
reptiles and magnificent birds from around the world. The only
place in town where nature is always in full swing. (215)
243-1100
United
States Mint -
Visitors to this free attraction can view actual coin production
in the world's largest mint. On November 18, they started
producing the first Sacajawea dollar coins. (215) 408-0114
Philadelphia
has great attractions and activities for the whole family to
enjoy. There are some unique places for you to visit
including: Eastern State Penitentiary, The Benjamin Franklin
Bridge, and the United States Mint. While you are here
be sure to check these things out, you will be glad you
did. Along with the unique, there will be some
activities and attractions that you will be familiar with such
as the zoo and aquarium. Below we have highlighted some
of the things to see and do while you are in Philadelphia.