Things to do in Philadelphia

• Franklin Square Opens for its Second Season

• Independence Seaport Museum

USS Olympia

Two historic and well traveled warships which are designated National Naval Landmarks are berthed at Penn's Landing as part of the Independence Seaport Museum.

• The Liberty Bell and Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, PA

The new $12.6 million Liberty Bell Center offers a video presentation and exhibits about the Liberty Bell, focusing on its origins and its modern day role as an international icon of freedom. Check out our photo tour of the new Liberty Bell Center.

• National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA

Celebrating its third anniversary in 2006, the National Constitution Center has become one of the region's most popular attractions. With major exhibits scheduled in the next year, we can expect attendance to increase dramatically as more locals and visitors discover this attraction, equal to those along the Mall in Washington D.C.

• Once Upon a Nation Returns Bringing Storytelling to Historic Philadelphia

I'm sure we all remember the nights when one of our parents told us a story as we laid in bed. Most of us remember sitting with a grandparent or elderly aunt or uncle hearing stories from the family's past when he or she was young. Storytelling has always been an important part of our lives and now the art of storytelling returns for a second year to Philadelphia's historic district with the May 27 start of Once Upon a Nation.
Top Ten Places in Historic Philadelphia

• Betsy Ross House
  239 Arch Street (between Second and Third Streets)
  Philadelphia, PA 19106-1915
  215-627-5343
  
  Admission Fee: Suggested Donation, $2 adults, $1 children

Located on Arch Street about two blocks from the U.S. Mint, the Betsy Ross House is where Betsy Ross and her husband John lived from 1773-1786. The house was never actually owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ross. They rented it and ran their upholstery business out of the house.
Upholsterers were often chosen as flagmakers in colonial times. It was in this house or the one next door, where the garden now stands, that Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. Betsy Ross herself was quite an interesting woman, with much tragedy in her life. You can find out all about her life and the history of Old Glory at the Betsy Ross House.

• Carpenters' Hall
  320 Chestnut Street (between Third and Fourth Streets)
  Philadelphia, PA 19106-2708
  215-925-0167

Admission: Free
Carpenters' Hall was built in 1770 by the Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, a guild founded in 1724 to help its members develop architectural skills and to aid their families in times of need.

• Christ Church
  2nd Street above Market Street
  Philadelphia PA 19106
  215-922-1695

Admission: Free - but donations are welcome.
 
Christ Church is one of America's most historic churches. The church was built between 1727 and 1754 in the reign of George II. Many of our founding fathers worshiped here including Benjamin Franklin, Francis Hopkinson, Robert Morris and George Washington.
It remains an active parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America.

The church's steeple, at 196-feet high is one of the most visible landmarks of the city. The Church's burial ground is the resting place of many famous individuals including Benjamin Franklin, Commodore William Bainbridge and five signers of the Declaration of Independence.

• Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site
  532 North Seventh St.
  Philadelphia, PA 19123
  215-597-8780

Admission: Free
 Operated by the National Park Service, this historic site consists of three buildings and a park area. Visitors can enjoy a number of exhibits about Poe's life, including an audio-visual presentation, as well as a tour of the house, though it is not furnished.
Poe's own furnishings disappeared without a trace, a fact which may be viewed with some irony. Thus, with no evidence as to the original furnishings, the house remains bare today. Poe resided in the house from 1838-1844 and it was here that he wrote many of his most famous works including: "Murders in the Rue Morgue", "The Pit and the Pendulum". The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Cask of Amontillado".

• Elfreth's Alley
  off Second Street
  between Arch and Race Streets
  Philadelphia, PA
  215-574-0560

Admission: Maximum $5 per family; $2 for adults; $1 for children age 5-18; under age 5 free; school groups free.
 
Elfreth's Alley is a National Historic Landmark. It is the oldest continually inhabited street in the United States. Many of the Alley's 33 houses were built prior to our nation's birth, some dating back to 1702. Most of the homes remain private residences today.
Former residents were generally craftsmen and sea captains, as well as others in the shipping industry, which was Philadelphia’s driving economic force in colonial times. Many of the houses are open to the public on certain occasions such as the first weekend of December and first weekend in June. For the rest of the year, only #124 and #126 are open to the public. The Elfreth's Alley Museum, is open 320 days a year for guided tours, and also features a lovely garden and gift shop with Colonial memorabilia and handcrafted gifts.

• Franklin Court
  316-322 Market Street (between 3rd and 4th Street)
  also accessible from Chestnut Street
  Philadelphia, PA
  215-597-8974

Admission: Free
 
One of the most interesting and unique places in Philadelphia, especially for those interested in archeology.
The court itself features a steel "ghost structure" frame of where Benjamin Franklin's house once stood. You can look through portals in the ground to see into Franklin's privy pits, wells, and foundation.
There is an underground museum which is filled with paintings, objects, and inventions associated with Benjamin Franklin. The museum also features an excellent film about Franklin's life.
The 318 Market Street building allows you to see walls that are fully exposed to show wooden joists and to allow you to see how the building was constructed.

• Independence Hall
  Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets
  Philadelphia, PA
  215 597-8974

Admission: Free - by tour only
 
Built between 1732 and 1756 as the State House of the Province of Pennsylvania, Independence Hall is considered a fine example of Georgian architecture. From 1775 to 1783 this was the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress.
It was here that George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. In the Assembly Room the design of the American flag was agreed upon in 1777, the Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781, and the U. S. Constitution was drafted in 1787.
The building has undergone extensive restoration work in recent years. In order to visit Independence Hall, tickets for a tour must be obtained from the ticket booth located directly across from the building on Chestnut Street.

• Liberty Bell
  Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets
  Philadelphia, PA
  215 597-8974

Admission: Free
While construction continues on a new and exciting pavilion to house this symbol of our nation's freedom, the Liberty remains housed in a building on the green across from Independence Hall.
As the official bell of the Pennsylvania State House (today called Independence Hall) the bell rang many times for public announcements, but its most famous ringing occurred on July 8, 1776 when it rang to announce the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
By 1846 a thin crack began to affect the sound of the bell. The bell was repaired in 1846 and rang for a George Washington birthday celebration, but the bell cracked again and has not been rung since. No one knows why the bell cracked either time.
Recently the Liberty Bell was attacked by a man brandishing a small hammer. Security has recently been upgraded.

• Penn's Landing
  Columbus Avenue between South and Vine Streets
  Philadelphia, PA

Admission: Varies by attraction
The Penn's Landing area of Philadelphia marks the area where William Penn first set ashore to found the City of Philadelphia.
It is an area that has seen much change, development and redevelopment in recent years. A new entertainment center is slated to be built on much of the area, however, the commencement of construction has been delayed several times in recent years. Construction will take place over what is today referred to as the Great Plaza, home to many cultural and ethnic events throughout the year as well as major concerts and festivals.
Also located at Penn's Landing is the Independence Seaport Museum, which includes the S.S. Becuna, a World War II submarine as well as the U.S.S. Olympia, Commodore Dewey's flagship at the 1898 Battle of Manila Bay.

• Society Hill
  Located between the Delaware River and 5th Street
  bounded by Walnut Street to the North and Lombard Street to the South

Admission: Free
When you have had enough of the crowds at the historic sites of Old City, there's no better place to take a stroll than through Society Hill. If you're like most folks, you'll probably decide to wander over to South Street to eat and explore the unique shops of Philadelphia's most eclectic street.

费城历史简介 – History Of Philadephia