Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #5 in Philadelphia, United States
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Tour Facts
10.5 km
337 m
Experience Philadelphia in United States in a whole new way with our free self-guided sightseeing tour. This site not only offers you practical information and insider tips, but also a rich variety of activities and sights you shouldn't miss. Whether you love art and culture, want to explore historical sites or simply want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a lively city - you'll find everything you need for your personal adventure here.
Activities in PhiladelphiaIndividual Sights in PhiladelphiaSight 1: Christ Church Philadelphia
Christ Church is an Episcopal church in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1695 as a parish of the Church of England, it played an integral role in the founding of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. In 1785, its rector, William White, became the first Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
Wikipedia: Christ Church, Philadelphia (EN), Website, Heritage Website
Sight 2: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum at 101 South Independence Mall East at Market Street in Center City Philadelphia. It was founded in 1976.
Wikipedia: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (EN), Website
Sight 3: President's House
The President's House in Philadelphia was the third U.S. Presidential Mansion. George Washington occupied it from November 27, 1790, to March 10, 1797, and John Adams occupied it from March 21, 1797, to May 30, 1800.
Sight 4: Independence Visitor Center
Independence National Historical Park is a federally protected historic district in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that preserves several sites associated with the American Revolution and the nation's founding history. Administered by the National Park Service, the 55-acre (22 ha) park comprises many of Philadelphia's most-visited historic sites within the Old City and Society Hill neighborhoods. The park has been nicknamed "America's most historic square mile" because of its abundance of historic landmarks.
Sight 5: Philadelphia History Museum
The Philadelphia History Museum was a public history museum located in Center City, Philadelphia from 1938 until 2018. From 1938 until 2010, the museum was known as the Atwater Kent Museum. The museum occupied architect John Haviland's landmark Greek Revival structure built in 1824–1826 for the Franklin Institute. The Museum operated as a city agency as part of Philadelphia's Department of Recreation. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 1, 1979.
Sight 6: Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell, previously called the State House Bell or Old State House Bell, is an iconic symbol of American independence located in Philadelphia. Originally placed in the steeple of Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell today is located across the street from Independence Hall in the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park.
Sight 7: Old City Hall
Old City Hall, located at Chestnut and 5th Streets in the Independence Hall complex of Independence National Historical Park in Center City Philadelphia, was built in 1790–91 in the Federal style. The architect was David Evans, Jr.
Sight 8: American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society (APS) is an American scholarly organization and learned society founded in 1743 in Philadelphia that promotes knowledge in the humanities and natural sciences through research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and community outreach. It was founded by the polymath Benjamin Franklin and is considered the first learned society founded in what became the United States.
Sight 9: Independence Hall
Independence Hall is a historic civic building in Philadelphia, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were debated and adopted by the Founding Fathers of the United States. The structure, which is the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park, was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Sight 10: Congress Hall
Congress Hall, located in Philadelphia at the intersection of Chestnut and 6th Streets, served as the seat of the United States Congress from December 6, 1790, to May 14, 1800. During Congress Hall's duration as the capitol of the United States, the country admitted three new states, Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee; ratified the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution; and oversaw the presidential inaugurations of both George Washington and John Adams.
Sight 11: NASA Moon Tree
Moon trees are trees grown from seeds taken into orbit around the Moon, initially by Apollo 14 in 1971, and later by Artemis 1 in 2022. The idea was first proposed by Edward P. Cliff, then the Chief of the United States Forest Service, who convinced Stuart Roosa, the Command Module Pilot on the Apollo 14 mission, to bring a small canister containing about 500 seeds aboard the module in 1971. Seeds for the experiment were chosen from five species of tree: loblolly pine, sycamore, sweetgum, redwood, and Douglas fir. In 2022, NASA announced it would be reviving the Moon tree program by carrying 1,000 seeds aboard Artemis 1.
Sight 12: Washington Square
Join Free Tour*Washington Square, originally designated in 1682 as Southeast Square, is a 6.4 acres (2.6 ha) open-space park in Center City, Philadelphia, The southeast quadrant and one of the five original planned squares laid out on the city grid by William Penn's surveyor, Thomas Holme. It is part of both the Washington Square West and Society Hill neighborhoods. In 2005, the National Park Service took over ownership and management of Washington Square, through an easement from the City of Philadelphia. It is now part of Independence National Historical Park.
Sight 13: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution
The Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution, is a war memorial located within Washington Square in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The memorial honors the thousands of soldiers who died during the American Revolutionary War, many of whom were buried in mass graves in the square. The tomb and Washington Square are part of Independence National Historical Park.
Wikipedia: Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier (EN)
Sight 14: Walnut Street Theatre
Walnut Street Theatre, founded in 1808 at 825 Walnut Street, on the corner of S. 9th Street in the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia, is the oldest operating theatre in the United States.
Sight 15: Health Professions Academic Building
Estey Hall, also known as the Allman Building, is a historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sight 16: Old Federal Reserve Bank Building
The Old Federal Reserve Bank Building is an historic, American bank building that is located at 925 Chestnut Street, in the Market East neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Wikipedia: Old Federal Reserve Bank Building (Philadelphia) (EN)
Sight 17: Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. Federal Building
The Robert N. C. Nix Sr. Federal Building and United States Post Office, formerly known as the United States Court House and Post Office Building, is a historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sight 18: Lantern Theater Company
Lantern Theater Company is a not-for-profit regional theater founded in 1994 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Led by founding artistic director Charles McMahon and executive director Stacy Dutton, the Lantern produces a mix of classics, modern, and original works for the stage, an audience enrichment series that provides an insider's look at each production, and Illumination, its Barrymore Award-winning education program that engages local students and adults in the world of theater and nurtures their artistic expression through in-school residencies, student matinee performances, and teaching artist training for after school programs.
Sight 19: Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Loews Philadelphia Hotel, previously known as the PSFS Building, is a skyscraper in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A National Historic Landmark, the building was the first International style skyscraper constructed in the United States.
Sight 20: Macy's
Wanamaker's, originally known as John Wanamaker Department Store, was one of the first department stores in the United States. Founded by John Wanamaker in Philadelphia in 1861, it was influential in the development of the retail industry including as the first store to use price tags.
Sight 21: Forrest Theatre
The Forrest Theatre is a live theatre venue at 1114 Walnut Street Center City area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has a seating capacity of 1,851 and is managed by The Shubert Organization.
Sight 22: The Library Company
, Website
Sight 23: Clarence B. Moore House
The Clarence B. Moore House is a historic home located at 1321 Locust Street at the corner of S. Juniper Street between S. 13th and S. Broad Streets in the Washington Square West section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Moore house was built in 1890 and was designed by architect Wilson Eyre as the home of the merchant, archaeologist, and writer Clarence Bloomfield Moore (1852-1936). It sits next to the Dr. Joseph Leidy House, which Eyre designed in 1893.
Sight 24: Dr. Joseph Leidy House
The Dr. Joseph Leidy House is a historic residence located at 1319 Locust Street between S. 13th and S. Juniper Streets in the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1893 and 1894 and was designed in the Georgian style by architect Wilson Eyre to be the home of Joseph Leidy, Jr., the nephew of Joseph Leidy (1823–1891), a noted American paleontologist. The house is next door to the Clarence B. Moore House, which was designed by Eyre in 1890.
Sight 25: Wilma Theater
The Wilma Theater is a non-profit theater company located at 265 S. Broad Street at the corner of Spruce Street in the Avenue of the Arts area of Center City, Philadelphia. The company's current 296-seat theater opened in 1996 and was designed by Hugh Hardy.
Sight 26: The Church of Saint Luke and The Epiphany
The Church of Saint Luke and The Epiphany is an Episcopal congregation located at 330 South 13th Street between Spruce and Pine Streets in the Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. The church was formed in 1898 as a result of the merger of St. Luke's Church (1839) and The Church of The Epiphany (1834), which consolidated at St. Luke's location.
Wikipedia: Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany (Philadelphia) (EN), Website
Sight 27: Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni's Room
Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni's Room, also known as PAT @ Giovanni's Room and formerly known as Giovanni's Room Bookstore, is a gay bookstore in Philadelphia. It has been called the "center of gay Philly". Founded in 1973 in Philadelphia, Giovanni's Room Bookstore was named after James Baldwin's gay novel Giovanni's Room.
Sight 28: Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a non-profit organization, folk art environment, and gallery space on South Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To date, it is the largest work created by mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar. The Magic Gardens spans three city lots, and includes indoor galleries and a large outdoor labyrinth. The mosaics are made up of everything from kitchen tiles to bike wheels, Latin-American art to china plates. The space is open for public view, from 11:00-6:00 Wednesday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays.
Wikipedia: Philadelphia's Magic Gardens (EN), Website, Facebook
Sight 29: Suzanne Roberts Theatre
The Suzanne Roberts Theatre is a theatre on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. The theater opened in October 2007 and is home to the Philadelphia Theatre Company. The theater was designed by KieranTimberlake, using the principles of Universal design. The theater's signage facade was designed by House Industries in Wilmington, Delaware and produced by Zahner in Kansas City, Missouri.
Sight 30: Academy of Music
The Academy of Music, also known as American Academy of Music, is a concert hall and opera house located at 240 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Despite its name, the Academy has never contained a music school. It is located between Locust and Manning Streets in the Avenue of the Arts area of Center City.
Sight 31: 1st Regiment Infantry National Guard of Philadelphia
1st Regiment Infantry National Guard of Philadelphia, also known as the Spirit of '61, is a bronze statue by Henry Kirke Bush-Brown installed in Philadelphia at the Union League Club, 140 South Broad Street, Center City – adjacent to John Wilson's sculpture Washington Grays Monument.
Wikipedia: 1st Regiment Infantry National Guard of Philadelphia (EN)
Sight 32: Washington Grays Monument
Washington Grays Monument, also known as the Pennsylvania Volunteer, is a bronze statue by John A. Wilson. The monument represents the Washington Grays who served in the 17th, 21st and 49th Pennsylvania Militia during the American Civil War. In 1925, almost 20 years after the sculpture was made, renowned sculptor and art historian Lorado Taft wrote, "No American sculpture has surpassed the compelling power which John A. Wilson put into his steady, motionless 'Pennsylvania Volunteer'." Joseph Wilson built the base of the monument which was unveiled on April 19, 1872. Over 35 years later John Wilson sculpted the bronze statue, which was dedicated on April 18, 1908 at Washington Square, and rededicated June 14, 1991 at its present location in front of the Union League of Philadelphia, 140 South Broad Street, in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The sculpture is positioned adjacent to the sculpture 1st Regiment Infantry National Guard of Philadelphia.
Sight 33: Crozer Building
The Crozer Building is a historic building at 1420–1422 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was built as the headquarters of the American Baptist Publication Society, and is sometimes called the American Baptist Publication Society building.
Wikipedia: American Baptist Publication Society building (EN)
Sight 34: Liberti Church
First Baptist Church of Philadelphia is a Baptist church founded in 1698 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
Sight 35: St. Mark's Church
Saint Mark's Episcopal Church is an Episcopal church located at 1625 Locust Street in Rittenhouse Square in Center City Philadelphia. It is part of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
Wikipedia: St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Philadelphia) (EN), Website
Sight 36: Lion Crushing a Serpent
Lion with a Snake is an 1832 sculpture by Antoine-Louis Barye. It measures 1.35 by 1.78 by 0.96 metres.
Sight 37: Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is a public park in Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that is the center of the eponymous Rittenhouse neighborhood. The square is one of the five original open-space parks planned by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme during the late 17th century.
Sight 38: Duck Girl
Duck Girl is a bronze sculpture by Paul Manship. It is located in Rittenhouse Square near 18th Street and Walnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sight 39: Philadelphia Art Alliance
The Philadelphia Art Alliance at University of the Arts was a multidisciplinary arts center located in the Rittenhouse Square section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the oldest multidisciplinary arts center in the United States for visual, literary and performing arts. In June 2024 the Alliance's parent institution, the University of the Arts, abruptly closed.
Sight 40: National Marian Anderson Museum
The Marian Anderson House is a historic home located in the Southwest Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Built circa 1870 in the same neighborhood where opera singer and civil rights advocate Marian Anderson was born 27 years later, this two-story, brick rowhouse dwelling was designed in the Italianate style. Purchased by Anderson in 1924, the same year she became the first African-American concert artist to record spirituals for a major American recording company, she continued to reside here until 1943. The house is currently home to the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society.
Sight 41: Edwin M. Stanton School
Edwin M. Stanton School is an historic K-8 school located in the Southwest Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, within the Christian Street Historic District. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia.
Sight 42: Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts
The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, commonly known as CAPA, is a magnet school in South Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the edge of the Christian Street Historic District. It is a part of the School District of Philadelphia. Students major in one of seven areas: creative writing, instrumental music, visual arts, theater, dance, vocal music, and media, design, television & video (MDTV). Students may also minor after their freshman year as long as they meet the audition requirements. The school is located on South Broad Street, in the former Ridgway Library. Notable alumni include Boyz II Men, Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots and Leslie Odom Jr.
Wikipedia: Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (EN)
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