With over 40 million visitors every year, it’s no surprise that Philadelphia has some incredible attractions to see. Whether you’re interested in American history, world history, or great food, these are five of the best attractions worth seeing in Philadelphia.
Independence National Historical Park
Independence National Historical Park is a 55-acre park that preserves many sites central to the American Revolution. The centerpiece of the park is Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and signed by the Founding Fathers. Across the street from Independence Hall is Liberty Bell Center, home to the iconic Liberty Bell. The park also contains the First Bank of the United States, Carpenters’ Hall, which was the site of the First Continental Congress, a recreated tavern, and more.
Reading Terminal Market
Open since 1892, Reading Terminal Market is the oldest indoor public market in the United States. If you’re interested in trying out some of the city’s famous foods, including pretzels, hoagies, and cheesesteaks, this is the place to go. Here you’ll find over 100 merchants that offer everything from fresh meats, fish, produce, and artisan cheese, to clothing, books, crafts, and more. Every Wednesday and Saturday, you can also go on a 75-minute walking tour and learn about the history and food of this vibrant market.
The Philadelphia Zoo
The 42-acre Philadelphia Zoo is the first zoo in the United States and is home to over 1,300 animals, including many endangered species. Along with famous exhibits such as the Rare Animal Conservation Center, First Niagara Big Cat Falls, and McNeil Avian Center, one of the zoo’s latest features is the Zoo360 Exploration Trails. This new experience lets you view animals like never before, including seeing lions, tigers, and other big cats right above your head in the 330-foot mesh-engineered overhead passageway.
The Franklin Institute
Named after statesman and scientist Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is a premier science museum and one of the oldest science centers in the country. The child-friendly exhibits include the Giant Heart, which is a walk-through replica of the human heart; Space Command, which features real space suits and lets guests view their houses in real time with a satellite; and the rooftop observatory, which, on a clear day, gives you the opportunity to view stars, planets, nebulae, and possibly even a few galaxies.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
If you’re a fan of the Rocky film franchise, you might find it hard not to recreate the famous training regimen on the steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. However, it’s worth a look inside the museum, as well. It has over 200 galleries that showcase more than 227,000 pieces of American, European, and Asian works of art. Along with paintings, drawings, photographs, and textiles, the museum also has a collection of armor that spans several centuries.
If you’re planning a trip to Philadelphia, make sure you take time to visit these top five attractions so you can learn more about this spirited city.
Image by skeeze, used under CCO 1.0
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