Welcome to Historic Philadelphia
Enjoy your stay in Philadelphia while taking advantage of what our great city has to offer. The Philadelphia region is rich with history, culture and fun—featuring world-class museums and galleries, historical landmarks, and the cuisine of renowned chefs.
Philadelphia is the city where our nation began 225 years ago. It remains one of our country’s most exciting cities, with the Old City District the nation’s most historic square mile. Be sure to visit Independence Hall (Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets) and the Liberty Bell (Market Street between 5th and 6th). The National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street on Independence Mall), our newest landmark known for its interactive exhibits, is a “must see.” For an overview on what there is to see in Old City, check out The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia featuring many of the top historical sights and museums in the area.
Discover more Philadelphia area museums at www.phillyvisitor.com/arttxt.php where you can find one of the country’s largest and most important art museums, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway), probably most famous for “Rocky” running up its steps. Be sure to visit the Franklin Institute (222 North 20th) featuring “Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” in its final stop on the current U.S. tour.
Philadelphia is renowned for theater, dance, and music, as well as great shopping and dining. A popular hometown attraction, Reading Terminal Market (12th & Arch) was originally built by the Reading Railroad as part of their downtown passenger terminal. It has a long history as a farmers market and continues today to be filled with local produce, food stands, handmade crafts, cookware, jewelry, and clothing. Rittenhouse Row (Walnut Street from Broad to 21st and surrounding area) has been referred to as the Rodeo Drive of Philadelphia and boasts many of the fine dining establishments that give Philadelphia the reputation for being a great restaurant city.
If you are continuing your stay through the weekend be sure to visit Old City for First Friday (5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the first Friday of each month – including June 1st). It’s free and open to anyone who wants to wander among the neighborhood’s 40-plus galleries in Philly’s happening, open-house style art reception that extends from Market as far north as Vine, between 2nd and 4th Streets.
Philadelphia’s Chinatown is a great place to browse, shop, and eat. Extending from Arch Street to Vine, between 8th and 11th Streets, Chinatown embraces Asian grocery stores and Chinese import stores, as well as coffee and tea houses, bakeries, nightclubs, and restaurants featuring the cuisines of China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.
South Philadelphia’s Italian Market (9th Street from Wharton, north to Fitzwater) is the country’s largest daily outdoor market selling fresh produce, meats, and dry goods to locals and tourists alike. Nearby on Passyunk Avenue the debate continues every night over whether Pat’s or Geno’s cheesesteaks are the best. Jim’s Steaks at 4th and South Street is also a favorite of many locals.
For information on these exhibits and on other sites and attractions in the Philadelphia Region, visit the Independence Visitor Center at
www.independencevisitorcenter.com, in person at 6th and Market Streets, or contact them at 800-537-7676 or 215-965-7676. The Center is open daily from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm.