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You’re headed to Philadelphia and you want to make sure that you see all of the best sights that there are to see. Where do you begin? Do you check out the historic landmarks for which this city is so famous? Do you make your way to more modern sights like the murals that decorate buildings throughout the city? Do you head straight to the museums for an education in what the city is all about? Or do you take a tour of the basic neighborhoods in Philadelphia so that you can better orient yourself to the city? Any of these might be a good approach to starting off your sightseeing in Philadelphia.

Here’s a closer look at some of your choices for Philadelphia sightseeing:

Historic Attractions in Philadelphia

One of the biggest reasons that someone is going to feel compelled to visit Philadelphia is because it’s a city that has a whole lot of rich history that’s intricately linked with the general history of the United States. Visitors who are interested in the history of Philadelphia will want to make sure that their sightseeing plans include the following stops:

photo credit: jepsculpture

• Historic homes in Germantown. Germantown is the “Old Philadelphia” part of the city where the history has been preserved in the homes and streets. Many of the historic mansions here are open to the public for tours. Some of these were on the Underground Railroad and hold great important spots in the history of America.
• Independence National Historical Park. This is probably the most visited historic attraction in Philadelphia because of the fact that it’s home to The Liberty Bell which is a favorite historic artifact for travelers to come see. It’s located at Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Anyone with a basic understanding of the history of America will be excited to see some of the spots that they have read about in history books over the years.
• Betsy Ross House. You know her name because she was the woman who first made the American flag. You can visit the house where that flag was made and get a sense of that time period in history here.
• Home of Edgar Allan Poe. Some people are as interested in the literary history of the city as they are in the American History here. Those people will find a trip to this author’s old home to be both interesting and inspiring.
• Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. One of the most important figures in the history of Philadelphia has been Benjamin Franklin who is memorialized here at a place that many travelers consider important to their historic sightseeing in the city.


photo credit: Digital Sextant

• Boathouse Row. This series of houses is worth taking a look at just because of the unique view their lighting provides on the water. However, they’re also of historic important to those people who are familiar with the boating history of Philadelphia.
• Reading Terminal Market. This is America’s oldest farmer’s market and a great place to get some modern treats while enjoying Philly’s history.

Modern Attractions in Philadelphia

Despite the fact that the majority of people who visit Philly are interested in the history of the area, there’s a thriving modern culture in Philadelphia that’s also worth exploring. People who want to check out Philadelphia’s more modern attractions aren’t going to want to miss the following:

• Philadelphia Murals. The city used to have a major problem with graffiti but then they introduced a public art program which channeled that energy into creating murals all around Philadelphia. This has led to one of the biggest public art projects in the world and one worth noticing while you’re there.
• Sports Centers. There are some great sports arenas in Philadelphia so the modern tourist may want to check out a seasonal event being held at any one of them.
• South Street. This is the best shopping district in Philly and a favorite sightseeing place for travelers to check out.

Popular Philadelphia Museums

To get a really great blend of the history and modern life in Philadelphia, you might want to make it a point to visit a selection of the best museums in Philadelphia. History museums, modern art museums and science museums can provide you with a look at different eras in Philadelphia’s history and give you a sense of what this city is all about. Here are some of the most popular Philadelphia museums:

• U.S. Mint. One of the most important things in society today is money so it’s worth a trip here to learn more about how money is made in America.


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• African American History Museum. Philadelphia has been a leading city in promoting cultural diversity. The history of that diversity is celebrated in part by the exhibits that are displayed at this cultural history museum.
• Civil War Library and Museum. People with an interest in the history of Philadelphia are usually particularly interested in those events that are related to the Civil War. A wealth of information about that history is provided through the exhibits at this museum as well as through the extensive documentation housed in the library here.
• Eastern State Penitentiary. People with an interest in dark travel are likely to find a trip to this former prison to be a hauntingly terrific part of Philadelphia sightseeing.
• Franklin Institute Science Museum. With the role that Benjamin Franklin played in the history of Philadelphia, it’s of little surprise that there’s an innovative science museum here named in his honor. This is great for people of all ages to include on their sightseeing tour.
• Philadelphia Museum of Art. People who are interested in the modern art of a society will find that they can get a great overview of it by stopping at this museum.

Best Ways to Tour Philadelphia

One of the best ways to get an overall picture of Philadelphia during your vacation in the area is to take a tour of the city. You can do this on your own or through a Philadelphia tour group. There are many different types of tours that will let you see different parts of the city. Here are some of the most popular Philadelphia sightseeing tour options:

• Bicycle tours. Philadelphia is a really great city for people who enjoy bicycling so this is a terrific way to enjoy sightseeing if that’s an activity that you prefer. It gives you a chance to get up-close-and-personal with the city’s nature and urban landscape.
• Cultural and religious tours. These are particularly popular in Philadelphia because there are so many important historic attractions in the city that are specific to the interests of cultural and / or religious groups. Swedish history, Jewish history and African American history are just a few options for the traveler interested in this type of Philly sightseeing tour.
• Film tours. Philadelphia has been featured in many movies so lots of visitors like to do sightseeing that shows them the spots featured in films. This is one best done with a formal tour group.
• Neighborhood tours. Each of the different neighborhoods in Philly has its own sightseeing options so this type of tour is a favorite.
• Wine and food tours. You’re going to have to eat while you’re in the city so you might as well do so while visiting some of the most famous hot spot eating areas in Philadelphia. A formal tour or some good research into the Philly dining scene will point you in the right direction.

There are many different ways to see Philadelphia and many different things to see while you are there. Be sure to do your planning in advance so that you don’t miss out on the highlights that are most important to you.
photo credit: specialkrb

Tags: North America | Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | sightseeing | United States