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    Tourist Attractions in Philadelphia

    The most interesting tourist attractions places in Philadelphia. Photos and a brief description.

    Philadelphia
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    About Philadelphia

    Philadelphia was founded by representatives of the Christian Quaker movement on the site of an old Swedish settlement. In the first years of the city’s existence, immigrants from different European countries arrived here. After 100 years, the city turned into one of the largest North American colonies.

    Philadelphia is known all over the world due to the fact that the independence of the United States of America was proclaimed here in 1776. The main attractions are connected with this grandiose event: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center. The whole history of the city is imbued with the spirit of freedom, democracy and civil society.

    There are also museums and galleries in Philadelphia that exhibit valuable works of art. Their rich collections attract a considerable number of tourists every year.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Philadelphia

    Independence Hall

    In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed in Independence Hall, in 1787 - the US Constitution. Today, the building is part of the historical park, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The structure was built in 1753 according to the project of E. Woolley and E. Hamilton in the Gregorian style. After the reconstruction of 1820, Independence Hall acquired the features of classicism, but in 1950 it was restored to its historical appearance.

    Independence Hall
    Liberty Bell

    Liberty Bell

    One of the main symbols of the struggle for freedom. In 1776, the ringing of bells called the residents of Philadelphia to announce the Declaration of Independence. The total weight of the bell is about 950 kg, the diameter is 3.7 meters. Since 1976, it has been housed in a specially built pavilion (previously, the alarm was located in one of the halls of Independence Hall). Every year on July 4, on Independence Day, the bell is struck 13 times.

    Philadelphia City Hall

    The Town Hall was built in the late XIX – early XX centuries according to the project of D. MacArthur Jr. in the architectural style of the Second Empire. It was planned that this building would be the largest in the world, but even during construction it was surpassed by the Eiffel Tower. The town hall is crowned with an 11-meter statue of the founder of the city, W. Penn. The structure is listed as a national historical monument of the USA.

    Philadelphia City Hall
    Eastern State Penitentiary

    Eastern State Penitentiary

    The prison existed from 1829 to 1969. It contained many well-known criminals. Until 1993, the prison buildings were in disrepair, in 1994 a museum was opened on the territory, which is now visited by several tens of thousands of people a year. In 1929, the famous gangster Al Capone was sitting here. Tourists can explore his cell, elegantly furnished with wooden furniture.

    Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

    The romantic name "Magic Gardens" is an unusual house located on one of the city streets. Its walls are completely covered with pieces of tile and glass, and the courtyard is a bizarre maze with stairs, grottoes and terraces. The avant-garde artist I. Zagar, who has lived in Latin America for a long time, had a hand in creating this amazing place.

    Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    The gallery was founded in 1876. Its opening was timed to coincide with the World Exhibition, the date of which coincided with the centenary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Since 1928, the museum has been located in a monumental classical building on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. His collection contains more than 200 thousand works of art brought from different continents. The museum has research laboratories and a library.

    The Franklin Institute

    The politician and leader of the War of Independence in the United States, B. Franklin, was also a good inventor. It was his work that formed the basis of the museum collection of the Franklin Institute. It also presents the inventions of scientists of the XVIII – XX centuries and innovative technologies of our time. The museum has a planetarium and a Dinosaur Hall, which will be especially interesting to visitors with children.

    The Franklin Institute
    Barnes Foundation

    Barnes Foundation

    The foundation is a museum and an art school. It was founded in 1922 by collector and inventor A. K. Barnes in the Philadelphia suburb of Merion. In the 1990s, the foundation was moved to the city center, as the original location was unsuccessful. The museum exhibits a collection of French paintings of the XIX – XX centuries, including works by Matisse, Cezanne and Renoir. There are also ancient artifacts and objects of decorative and applied art of America and Europe.

    Rodin Museum

    The museum's collection is dedicated to the work of the French sculptor O. Rodin, who made an invaluable contribution to world art. In addition to the master's works, the gallery exhibits prints, letters and books. The idea to found a museum belonged to philanthropist J. Mastbaum, who collected works by Rodin and wanted to donate his collection to the city. Unfortunately, he never lived to see the opening in 1929.

    Rodin Museum
    The MΓΌtter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia

    The MΓΌtter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia

    Natural Science Museum dedicated to medical pathologies, located at the University of Pennsylvania Faculty of Medicine. In addition to biological exhibits (preserved organs and tissues), antique equipment and wax models are exhibited here. The collection was created for scientific purposes, but then it turned into a museum open to everyone.

    University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

    The museum's collection consists of exhibits that were found during archaeological expeditions of the early XX century. Scientists have visited Africa, Mesopotamia, Latin America and East Asia, from where they brought many interesting artifacts: mummies, Indian religious objects, musical instruments, antique coins and other antiquities. There were about 400 such expeditions in total.

    University of Pennsylvania
    Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

    Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

    The Philadelphia Conservatory, where the local symphony Orchestra performs. The building was built in 2001 by the American architect R. Vignoli. The center consists of two halls: the first accommodates 2.5 thousand spectators, the second – 650. The main architectural element of the building is an impressive glass dome made up of several dozen interconnected arches.

    Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

    The Academy was founded in 1805 with the aim of developing and supporting the artistic arts by a group of patrons and painters of Pennsylvania. In 1810 painting classes started working, and in 1811 the museum organized its first exhibition. Towards the end of the XIX century, the academy moved into a two-story mansion built in a luxurious Victorian style. Today, this educational institution is considered one of the best in the field of art.

    Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
    University of Pennsylvania

    University of Pennsylvania

    The University was founded in the middle of the XVIII century as a charity school even before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Its first head was Benjamin Franklin himself. The names of many political figures who played an important role in the history of the United States are associated with this educational institution. Some faculties and laboratories of the university are located in picturesque buildings of Gothic and Victorian style.

    Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

    The temple was built in 1846 on the model of the Lombard Church of St. Charles, which is located in Rome. The building has pronounced features of the classical style: a row of Corinthian columns on the central facade, a triangular pediment and a round central dome. The interior is distinguished by luxury and variety: the ceiling is lined with mosaics, the dome above the altar is made of Italian marble, the benches for the parishioners are made of walnut.

    Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
    Masonic Temple

    Masonic Temple

    The headquarters and main temple of the Great Masonic Lodge of Pennsylvania, which annually receives thousands of visitors. Meetings of this order are regularly held here. The building was built in 1873 by H. D. Norman in the Neo-Renaissance style. The unusual architecture and rich interior make the Masonic temple one of the most picturesque in Pennsylvania. Moreover, it is a national historical monument.

    Christ Church

    The temple was built in the XVIII century in the Gregorian style on the model of London churches. Back in the colonial era, it became an important spiritual center of the state, as it was often visited by prominent political figures: D. Washington, B. Franklin, T. Jefferson, as well as 15 patriots and revolutionaries who later signed the US Declaration of Independence. The grave of B. Franklin is located in the church cemetery.

    Christ Church
    National Constitution Center

    National Constitution Center

    A museum entirely dedicated to the American Constitution. His collection consists of photographs, texts and presentations telling about the history of this document and its importance for the whole nation. Museum halls are imbued with the spirit of patriotism, which is easily picked up even by foreign tourists. After examining the collection, it becomes clear why Americans have been instilled with an active civic position since childhood.

    Betsy Ross House

    It is believed that it was Betsy Ross who became the author of the American flag (its first version, where 13 stars symbolizing the states are arranged in a circle). Although many historians doubt that it was Betsy who came up with the design of the banner, no one officially refutes this version. In one of the city houses near the historical park there is a museum named after this woman. Her grave is located in the courtyard under a large elm tree.

    Betsy Ross House
    Alfret 's Alley

    Alfret 's Alley

    One of the oldest streets in the USA, which was built up in 1728-1836. The building of the old railway station is also located here. Each building is unique in its own way, all together they create the atmosphere of the past centuries and send tourists to the past: in the colonial era, the first years of independence, as well as the difficult period of the Great Depression. Alfret Alley is a national historic landmark.

    Philadelphia Train Station

    The largest and busiest station in Pennsylvania, which receives dozens of trains from different US cities every day. The architecture of the building has some features of the classical style, but in general the building looks grandiose and quite concise. The station was built in the 1930s. It became the last railway station to be designed in such a monumental manner.

    Reading Terminal Market

    Reading Terminal Market

    A large indoor market where you can buy a variety of farm products and ready-made food. There is also a large selection of seafood and delicacies produced by the Amish religious community. Once there was a station building on the site of the market, so you can not only have a delicious lunch here, but also admire the historical interiors. Even if purchases are not included in the plans, it's just nice to wander around the market.

    Citizens Bank Park

    The baseball stadium where the Philadelphia Phillies team plays. The arena was built instead of the old Veterans Stadium, which was closed in 2004. The grandstands of Citizens Bank Park can accommodate about 44 thousand spectators. There are sports fields for American football, basketball and baseball near the stadium. A large parking space and convenient entrances are organized for visitors.

    Citizens Bank Park
    Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

    Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

    The park covers an area of 92 acres, where exotic and rare plants grow. Its territory is divided into four zones: rose garden, Japanese garden, English garden and swan lake. The landscape design of the park was created in the Victorian style. The Morris Arboretum is perfect for relaxing walks with family or friends. To enjoy the beauty of nature, it is necessary to allocate several hours to visit the park.

    Philadelphia Zoo

    The city zoo is considered the oldest in the USA – it was created at the beginning of the XIX century. Dozens of animal species from all over the world live on its territory: pandas, polar bears, white lions and other rare specimens. In total, more than 2000 individuals live here. The animals are placed in spacious enclosures, so they feel quite free. The zoo has a comfortable infrastructure for visitors.

    Philadelphia Zoo

    Public Instagram Photos from Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania Railroad`s Broad Street Station at the Northwest corner of Broad and Market Streets. (1953)

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    Broad Street north from Walnut (1909)

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    Rush hour traffic coming off of the Ben Franklin Bridge. (1950s)

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    β€œWrite it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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    β€œThe biggest emotion in creation is the bridge to optimism.” - Brian May

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    The most beautiful things in life are not things. They’re people and places and memories and pictures.

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    β€œEvery sunset is an opportunity to reset.”

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