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Philadelphia's Old City is home to a large number of historical sites, galleries, restaurants, and bars, and is known for its active nightlife and cultural opportunities.

[edit] Get in

• Driving: you can find parking structures and rates with the PPA Parking Finder. Parking along the streets in Old City is metered, scarce and frequently with a two-hour limit.
• Bus service: Routes are available through the SEPTA website, as well as the PHLASH trolley that operates part of the year.
• Subway: The Market-Frankford line has stops along Market St (2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th/Market-East)
• Cabs are available throughout the city by hailing, as well.

[edit][add listing] See

Independence National Historical Park and Visitor's Center, 6th and Market Streets, 19106, ☎ (215) 965-7676, [1]. The visitor center is open 8:30 AM - 5 PM daily. This national park, covering several blocks of Old City Philadelphia, includes some of the Philadelphia's most famous historic sites, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Benjamin Franklin's house and grave, and the house in which the Declaration of Independence was written. The park also includes a modern interactive museum, the National Constitution Center. The Independence Visitor's Center, where you must buy tickets to see Independence Hall, offers a wealth of information on historical sites and other attractions in the area. Costumed interpreters at the Visitor's Center are a great source of entertainment for children. The National Park Service provides a helpful map of the historical sites in the park. Free.  edit

[edit] Sites within Independence National Historical Park

• Independence Hall, Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets, [2]. 9 AM - 5 PM, M-F; 9 AM - 6 PM weekends. The centerpiece of the park and arguably its most important building. Originally known as the Pennsylvania State House, this is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, and where the U.S. Constitution was drafted in 1787, among other momentous historical events. Visitors to the park are encouraged to take a tour of the interior of the building, which is furnished with period pieces. Timed tour tickets must be reserved in advance online or at the Visitor's Center in order to enter. Tickets reserved online have a $1.50 processing fee, but are free at the Visitor's Center. Admission is free.  edit

• Liberty Bell Center, Market Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, [3]. 9 AM - 5 PM, M-F; 9 AM - 6 PM weekends. The Liberty Bell once rang out public announcements from above the Pennsylvania state house (now Independence Hall). It became a public symbol of freedom when it toured the country after the Civil War to help mend political and social divisions. Returning to Philadelphia in 1915, it is now housed in the Liberty Bell Center where visitors can get an up close look at the 2000-pound bell and its mysterious crack. Admission is free.  edit

• National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, 19106, [4]. 9:30 AM - 5 PM, M-F; 9:30 AM - PM, Saturday; 12 PM - 5 PM, Sunday. This brand-spanking new museum, which opened its doors in 2003, bills itself as the most interactive history museum in America. A visit to the museum begins with a performance of "Freedom Rising," a multimedia presentation about the major themes and origin of the Constitution. Afterwards, visitors can experience the democratic process first hand and see exhibits like the 42 life-size bronze statues of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Fun for all ages. Upcoming special events and exhibits are posted on the Center's website. Tickets to the museum are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $8 for children ages 4-12. Active military personnel and children under 4 enter free..  edit

• Carpenter's Hall, 320 Chestnut Street, 19106, ☎ (215) 925-0167, [5]. Open every day except Monday, 10 AM - 4 PM. The delegates from the first Continental Congress gathered in this building, built in 1770, and voted to declare independence from Great Britain. Afterwards, the Hall housed the first and second banks of the United States and was the site of the first bank robbery in America. Free.  edit

• Congress Hall, 6th and Chestnut Streets, 19106, [6]. 9 AM - 5 PM daily. This smaller building to the right of Independence Hall is where the U.S. Congress met from 1790-1800 when Philadelphia served as the nation's capital. The Bill of Rights was ratified here, and it was the site of George Washington's second inauguration. A tour of the interior is a must, since much of the furniture and decoration is original. Free.  edit

• Franklin Court, 316-322 Market Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets, [7]. This area contains the remnants of Benjamin Franklin's house (torn down 20 years after his death), the first Post office (still in operation today), a Postal Service museum, an 18th century printing office, and a Franklin museum. U.S. Park Rangers conduct printing demonstrations and performances of Franklin's "Glass Armonica." Great for kids. Printing office and underground museum open daily 10 AM - 5 PM; B. Free Franklin Post Office 9 AM - 5 PM Monday-Saturday. Free.  edit

• Declaration (Graff) House, [8]. 9:30 AM - 12 PM, Wed.-Sun.. This is a reconstruction of the house built by Jacob Graff in 1775, where, a year after it was built, Thomas Jefferson rented two rooms and wrote the Declaration of Independence. Today, the first floor of the house contains exhibits and a short film about the Declaration, while the second floor where Jefferson lived has been recreated with period furniture. Free.  edit

• Christ Church and Burial Ground, 20 N. American Street, at the corner of 2nd Street and Market Street, 19106, ☎ (215) 922-1695, [9]. Church visiting hours are 9 AM - 5 PM Monday-Saturday and 1 PM - 5 PM Sunday; cemetery is open 10 AM - 4 PM Monday-Saturday and 12 PM - 4 PM Sunday from March-November. Christ Church, the first parish of the Anglican church in Pennsylvania, was founded in 1695 and is still active today; the existing building dates from 1744. Many of the founding fathers worshiped here, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, as well as Francis Hopkinson and Robert Morris. Seven signers of the Declaration of Independence and five signers of the Constitution, including Benjamin Franklin, are buried in the cemetery, located at the corner of Arch Street and Independence Mall East. The earliest grave dates to 1721. Visiting the church is free, but a $3 donation is suggested; tours of the cemetery are $2 for adults, $1 for students.  edit

• Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, 532 N. 7th Street 19123, ☎ (215) 597-8780, [10]. 9 AM - 5 PM Wednesday-Sunday. A bit of a hike from the center of the park is the house where Edgar Allen Poe, author of "The Raven" and "The Tell-Tale Heart," lived and wrote. Poe fans will find many activities to enjoy, including a video presentation of Poe's life, ranger-led tours, and perhaps an encounter with "Poe" himself. Free.  edit

• Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, 3rd and Pine Streets, [11]. 12 PM - 4 PM Wed.-Sun.. The house of this little-known freedom fighter and military engineer who designed fortifications for the colonists during the Revolutionary War is now open to the public. Visitors can watch a video of Kosciuszko's career in Poland and the United States, see his bedroom, and view exhibits commemorating his accomplishments. Audio materials are presented in English or Polish. Free.  edit

[edit] Important Historical Sites Outside the Park

• Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street, 19106, ☎ (215) 686-1252, [12]. 10 AM - 5 PM daily, April through October; closed Mondays October through March. This house, more than 250 years old, was the home of Betsy Ross. In 1777, Ross sewed by hand the first American flag, with its distinctive circle of thirteen stars. Visitors may tour the house independently, or purchase an audio guide for $5, and afterwards "meet" Betsy Ross and other colonial craftsmen in the courtyard of the house. A fun, low-key activity for children. $3 suggested admission for adults; $2 children.  edit

• Elfreth’s Alley, off 2nd Street, between Arch and Race streets, ☎ (215)574-0560, [13]. 10 AM - 5 PM Tues.-Sat.; 12 PM - 5 PM Sunday; closed Monday. Elfreth's Alley is the oldest continually inhabited street in the entire United States. The earliest dated house was built in 1702. The Alley comes alive in the summer, when historical reenactments take place regularly. Each house is privately owned, and visitors are not usually allowed to take a tour of the interior; however, the museum at numbers 126 and 124 is accessible to the public and offers a look at the lives of the houses' earliest inhabitants. Free; admission to the museum $5.  edit

• Fireman's Hall Museum, 147 N. 2nd Street, 19106, ☎ (215)923-1438, [14]. 10 AM - 4:30 PM, Tues.- Sat.; First Fridays 10 AM - 9 PM. The restored firehouse was built in 1902 and today is a museum of firefighting owned by the city of Philadelphia. The museum exhibits include firefighting equipment, photographs, uniforms and fire marks from the 18th century to the present. Free.  edit

• Atwater Kent Museum, 15 S. 7th Street, 19106, ☎ (215)685-4835, [15]. A museum of the city of Philadelphia. Closed for renovation until 2010.  edit

[edit] Other Attractions and Museums

• United States Mint, 151 North Independence Mall East, 19106, [16]. 9 AM - 3 PM M-F; summer hours 9 AM - 4:30 AM Mon.-Sat.. Taking a self-guided tour of the first and largest US Mint in America is an interesting but often overlooked activity. The tour allows visitors to see how new money is made, and exhibits describe the history and coinage of the Mint. A gift shop sells commemorative and new coins. Please note that visitors will be asked to show government-issued ID before entering. Free.  edit

• National Museum of Jewish American History 55 North Fifth Street, Independence Mall East Philadelphia PA 19106. A museum devoted to the history of Jewish Americans. It has artifacts and films and much more that explores the Jewish culture through America.

• The 'Real World' House, 3rd and Arch Streets. Fans of MTV's "The Real World" will recognize this former bank building, turned living space for the seven cast members of the show's 2005 season. Philly locals were not particularly welcoming, and one episode featured a cast member being assaulted at a nearby bar. Now the building, which stands next to the Betsy Ross House, is a gallery for the Art Institute of Philadelphia.  edit

[edit] Museums at Penn's Landing

When it was built, I-95 effectively and disastrously cut off the Delaware river waterfront from the rest of the city. However, the walkways connecting Old City with Penn's Landing make it easy to get to the museums and sights on the water on foot. If you do make it over to Penn's Landing, here are some things to check out:

Independence Seaport Museum, Penn's Landing at the end of the Walnut St. walkway, ☎ (215)413-8655, [17]. 10 AM - 5PM daily. Admission to the museum, which has some lively, but rather sparse exhibits, includes tours of the USS Olympia, built in 1892 and the oldest steel warship still afloat, and the submarine Becuna, used in the Pacific Ocean during WWII. Children will find touring the ships great fun, and adults may find the museum exhibits and river views interesting and relaxing. $12 adults, $10 seniors, $7 children/students/military.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] First Friday

If you happen to be in Philadelphia on the first Friday of the month, you must attend First Friday. From 5 PM - 9 PM, the small art galleries of Old City (most of which can be found in the area between Front and 3rd Streets, and Vine and Market Streets) open their doors and offer visitors free wine and snacks as they wander through rooms filled with new artworks. But the art is only half the story. First Friday is an ideal time to watch the different communities living in Philadelphia mingle, enjoy street performances, and watch the sun go down over the city. It's Philadelphia at its best.[18]

[edit] Theater/Performance

Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 19106, ☎ (215)922-1122, [19]. The Arden contains a 360-seat mainstage theatre and a 175-seat studio theater. The company produces five or six plays each season, with an additional two plays for children. The Arden has received 44 Barrymore awards and was named Philadelphia Magazine's pick for children's theatre in 2007. $29-$48.  edit

Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street, 19106, ☎ (215)925-9914, [20]. "The Bride," as it is known, was founded in 1969 and is dedicated to producing and showing works generated by points of view that are "outside the mainstream," according to the center's website. The center contains a gallery and a 250-seat theater, where shows such as "Jazz on Vine," Philadelphia's oldest continuously running Jazz series, are performed. The Bride also hosts innovative dance and world music performances. A Philadelphia treasure.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

In addition to myriad art galleries, Old City boasts design studios and very modern furniture stores.

Also, it is the restaurant-supply outlet center of the city

For Music, visit "a.k.a. Music" on 2nd between Market and Arch. Lots of hard-to-find releases in all genres from rock & Indie to jazz & experimental. Good vinyl selection, too.

For book lovers go visit "The Book Trader" on 2nd just north of market. Large selection of used books and a couple friendly cats.

• Club 27, 27 south bank st philadelphia pa 19106, [21]. 9 to 2. Club 27 is a popular night club for younger people in Philadelphia. If you are 17 or older go to Club 27 on saturday and thursday nights. It is very easy to get to and is very close to many resteraunts in the old city area. It is also about a block away from the Frankford-Market street line. With different specials and many different concerts and celebrity guests, it is one of the hot spots for kids 17 and older. varies.  edit
• The Roxxy, 939 N. DELAWARE AVE. | PHILADELPHIA PA 19123, ☎ 215.931.0101, [22]. 9 to 2. Friday nights at The Roxxy areone of the hottest places to be in philly for 17 and older. they are located on delaware ave and have parking areas very close. you have to get there early though because if you do not you will be waiting in a line for a good amount of time. many celebrities and music artists perform there. In the summer they have a pool in the club. It is one of the best places to be on a friday night.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Amada, 217 Chestnut St., ☎ (215)625-2450, [23]. M-Th 11:30-2:30, 5-11; Fr. 11:30-2:30, 5-1am; Sat. 5-1am; Sun. 5-10pm. Excellent Spanish tapas cuisine; the standard against which all other tapas bars in the city must measure themselves. A large Spanish wine selection along with an enormous variety of tapas, some in traditional Spanish style. Also has an excellent cheese plate, great service, and is a good place for people-watching. Reservations are basically mandatory. $20-$30 for entree.  edit

• Buddakan, 325 Chestnut St., ☎ (215)574-9440, [24]. M-Th 11:30-2:30, 5-11; F. 11:30-2:30, 5pm-12:00am; Sa. 5pm-12:00am; Sun. 5pm-11pm. One of the more well known restaurants in Philadelphia, it has a fairly good wine list and a focus on Asian food (many varieties). It is often considered one of the top ten to fifteen restaurants in Philadelphia. $25-$35 for entree.  edit

• Continental, 138 Market St, ☎ +1 215 923-6069, [25].  edit

• Eulogy Belgian Tavern[26], 136 Chestnut Street. A slice of Belgium cuisine: Mussels & Fries, etc. Also a huge variety of beers (Belgian or otherwise) on draft or bottle.

• Franklin Fountain, 116 Market, [27]. An early 1900s-style ice cream saloon with tin ceilings, antique soda dispensers, belt-driven ceiling fans, and servers in period attire.  edit

• La Famiglia Ristorante, 8 South Front St, ☎ +1 215 922-7803, [28]. Philadelphia's Best Italian Restaurant serving customers since 1976. Enormous wine cellar.  edit

• Karma, 114 Chestnut St., ☎ (215)925-1444, [29]. M-Th 11:30-2:30, 4:30-10; Fri. 11:30-2:30, 4:30-11; Sa. 12:00pm-11pm; Sun. 12:00pm-10pm. Excellent Indian cuisine, with a particularly exquisite lunch buffet; dinner specialties include standard Indian dishes as well as some modernized dishes; the focus is on the classics, however. Reservations are recommended for dinner. $10-$20 for entrees, buffet is around $10.  edit

• Morimoto, 723 Chestnut St, ☎ 215 413-9070, [30]. Reservations are strongly recommended; dress is upscale casual, jackets are not required  edit

• Horizons, 611 S 7th Street (10 minute walk from Independence Hall, on S 7th Street between Kater St and Bainbridge St), ☎ 215 923 6117, [31]. Tues-Thur 6 PM to 10 PM; Fri-Sat 6 PM to 11 PM. Absolutely awesome vegan food that even the die-hard carnivores would be delighted to eat. Reservations are recommended but not required, call ahead; dress is casual (slightly upscale); (all data as of Jul-20-2008) Approximately $8 starters, $20 main entree, $8 dessert, $12 glass of wine, $8 other drinks.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Old City is packed with Restaurants, Bars and smaller clubs from Front to 3rd Sts. and Race to Chestnut Sts. with the most concentration on 2nd and 3rd sts. between Chestnut and Market Sts. Well-dressed attractive professionals crowd the sidewalks all night on the weekends, with the occasional celebrity too. Most of the venues are upscale, dressy and comparatively expensive with DJs and without; watch out for door policy and sometimes a line. There are too many to name and they're all right there, just look into the front windows to decide... You can also find more laidback drinking holes like Skinner's, Sugarmom's and Rotten Ralph's. Upstairs At Nick's and The Khyber both have bands and special events. For a quieter drink, try Race Cafe or Continental. For dance music connoisseurs, try Fluid on 4th near South St. Perfect dance spot bringing in legions of international DJs spinning Techno, Hard House, etc...Slammin'. Cabs are everywhere at 2:00 a.m. (closing time)

For a great (Strong) cup of coffee try Old City Coffee on Church Street between 2nd and 3rd just north of market.

• Shampoo, Willow Street between 7th and 8th Streets, ☎ 215 922 7500, [32]. 9 to 2. One of the most prestigious clubs in Philly especially on Sunday nights. With a foam pit and hot tub there is something for everyone. It has four different rooms with different types of music in each room. If your 17 or older you want to be here on Sunday nights. varies.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Apple Hostels of Philadelphia, 32 S Bank St, (Old City), 215 922-0222, email: philly@applehostels.com, [33]. Located in downtown Philadelphia, less than 3 blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, free wireless Internet (for travelers with laptops), free bed linens, no curfews, no lockouts. Affordable, clean hostel with loads of free activities, friendly & knowledgeable staff and plenty of outside tours you can book at the reception desk that's open 24 hours. Beds start at $25.

[edit] Mid-Range

• The Thomas Bond Inn 129 South 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. Phone 215-923-8523. Toll Free 1-800-845-2663. Fax 215-923-8504. Historic guesthouse. $105-$190. [34]. The Thomas Bond Inn has been rate top 25 Best Bistoric Inns by American Historic Inns. It over looks Philadelphia’s Independence National Historic Park and the Delaware River. It has lovely Colonial furnishings and bountiful breakfast. There is wine and cheese and cookies in the evenings.
• Holiday Inn - Historic District, 400 Arch St, 215 923-8660, [35]. Centered in the Nation's most historic square mile - Philadelphia Airport is only eight miles away.

[edit] Splurge

• Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, 201 South Columbus Blvd, ☎ +1 215-928-1234, [36].  edit
• Sheraton Society Hill, One Dock St, (2nd and Walnut Streets), 215 238-6000, [37]. Established in 1986, it takes you back in time to the days of colonial Philadelphia. The hotel is located amidst lush landscaping and cobblestone streets in the most historic square mile in America and just four blocks away from Philadelphia's renowned Independence Hall.

[edit] Contact

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