Philadelphia Pennsylvania Attractions

There are so many great attractions in Philadelphia visitors may have a hard time deciding. Philadelphia with all its history is home to the largest and most elaborate city hall still in use today. The unmistakable 37-foot bronze statue of William Penn atop the central tower stands out with distinction from anything else in the area. The Philadelphia Zoo with its interactive life habitats is an incredible experience for children and adults alike. The US Mint in Philadelphia is the largest in the world; it has the mind boggling capacity to produce almost two million coins an hour. From museums of art to museums of touch, Philadelphia has some of the best in the country. Home to three professional sports teams, former home of famed writer, Edgar Allen Poe, and a city with more history than you could imagine, Philadelphia offers up so much to do. Let Onlinehotels.com show you some of our favorite places to stay and to play.

City Hall
City Hall, designed by architect John McArthur, is the largest and most elaborate city hall still in use. The 37-foot bronze figure of William Penn atop the central tower serves as a centerpiece among hundreds of sculptures. City Hall, located in Penn Square at Broad and Market Streets, is situated in the exact geographical center of Philadelphia. Free tours of City Hall's interior are available at 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Free tours of the tower, which offer guests a breathtaking view of Philadelphia and beyond, are given every 15 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Call City Hall at (215) 686-2840 to arrange a special tour.

Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo, located at the corner of 34th Street and Girard Avenue in Fairmount Park, provides world-class animal exhibits and cutting-edge zoo entertainment. The zoo's "Treehouse," which contains seven larger-than-life interactive life habitats, gives guests an opportunity to ride a giant caterpillar, hatch from an egg, gather honey with bees, and explore a four-story fichus tree. "Treehouse" also hosts Night Flight, a program that gives groups of children an opportunity to sleep in the exhibit overnight. The zoo's Zooballoon gives guests a bird's-eye view of the animals as it soars 400 feet into the air. The zoo houses animals as small as the vampire bat and as large as the elephant and hippopotamus. Call the Philadelphia Zoo at (215) 243-5385 for information about its hours and admission fees.

U.S. Mint
The Philadelphia U.S. Mint, the largest mint in the world, has the capacity to produce 1.8 million coins per hour, 32 million coins per day, and 13.5 billion coins per year. The current mint, built in 1969, is the last of four mints built in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia U.S. Mint is located at the corner of Fifth and Arch streets. Tours of the facility are restricted due to the events of Sept. 11. Call (202) 354-6700 for information about tour availability.

Museums

Atwater Kent Museum
The Atwater Kent Museum, located at 15 S. Seventh St., is the official history museum of Philadelphia. It serves as a gateway to Philadelphian culture from the 1680s to the present time. The Atwater Kent Museum features a hands-on history laboratory and historical objects ranging from fine paintings and period clothing to miniatures and Colonial dolls. Admission to the museum is $5 for adults, and $3 for children ages 13 to 17 and seniors. Call the Atwater Kent Museum at (215) 685-4830 for information about its hours.

Franklin Institute Science Museum
The Franklin Institute Science Museum explores the world of science and its impact on human lives. The museum contains a fantastic array of exhibits, ranging from the weather to the internet. Its exhibit of a giant walk-through heart, big enough for a 220-foot tall person, teaches guests about the amazing organ in a fun and interesting manner. As guests walk through the organ, the heart's beats ring in their ears. The Franklin Institute Science Museum is located at 222 N. 20th Street. Call (215) 448-1200 or (215) 564-3375 (recorded) for information about its hours and various admission fees.

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
The Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts is the nation's first, and oldest, museum and school of fine arts. It houses a renowned collection of American art, including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. Featured artists include Colonial masters such as Robert Feke, John Singleton Copley, and Benjamin West; contemporary artists include Richard Diebenkorn, Red Grooms, and Faith Ringgold. The museum holds a variety of special exhibitions and events throughout the year. The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is located at 118 N. Broad St. Call the museum at (215) 972-7600 for information about its hours, admission fees, and special exhibitions.

Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the nation's third-largest art museum, houses fine art collections, French- and English-inspired domestic objects, Amish and Shaker crafts, and a vast array of armor and weaponry. The museum also offers tours of Fairmount Park's historic 18th- and 19th-century homes. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is located at 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, with extended hours until 8:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Call the museum at (215) 763-8100 or (215) 684-7500 (recorded) for information about its self-guided audio tour fees and various admission fees.

Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum, one of the best children's museums in the country, caters to kids under age 7. Maurice Sendak's children's books are brought to life in the museum's "Sendak" exhibit. In "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," children enter a replica of Wonderland, filled with famous characters like the Mad Hatter. The Please Touch Museum is located at 210 N. 21st St. Admission costs $8.95 per person; children younger than age 1 may enter for free. The Please Touch Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day, with hours extending until 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Rodin Museum
August Rodin's "The Thinker" is perhaps the most famous sculpture in the world. The Rodin Museum houses bronze casts of "The Thinker," "Eternal Springtime," and "The Gates of Hell," as well as 124 other sculptures. This collection is the largest of its kind outside of Paris. The Rodin Museum is located on Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 22nd Street. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free, but a $3 per person contribution is suggested. Call the Rodin Museum at (215) 763-8100 for information about its Saturday and Sunday tours.

Historical

Betsy Ross House
Betsy Ross, the woman who sewed the first American flag, rented a house with her husband between 1773 and 1786. This nine-room house, known today as the Betsy Ross House, served as the couple's home and upholstery business. The residence, built in 1740, is located at 239 Arch St., between Second and Third streets. The Betsy Ross House draws over 250,000 visitors annually - only the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall attract more people. Admission to the house is free, but a donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children is suggested. Call the Betsy Ross House at (215) 686-1252 for information about its variable hours.

Edgar Allen Poe National Historical Site
Edgar Allen Poe, one of America's greatest writers, lived in Philadelphia from 1838 to 1844. He served as an editor and critic for two major magazines and wrote 50 works while residing in the city. Famous tales from this prolific time period include "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Gold Bug," and "The Black Cat." The Edgar Allen Poe National Historical Site, Poe's home from 1843 to 1844, is the only remaining residence of all the Philadelphia houses he rented. Poe's life and work are portrayed in the building. Admission to the historical site, connected to 530 N. Seventh St., is free. Contact the Edgar Allen Poe National Historical Site at (215) 597-8780 for information about its hours.

Elfreth's Alley Historic District
Elfreth's Alley, opened in 1702, is a National Historic Landmark and America's oldest residential street. Many of its 33 houses were built prior to our nation's birth. Elfreth's Alley is located on Second Street, between Race and Arch streets. Elfreth's Alley Museum offers half-hour guided tours to visitors. Call the Elfreth's Alley Association at (215) 574-0560 for information about museum hours and tour fees. The public is free to peruse the street at no charge.

Pennsylvania Hospital
Pennsylvania Hospital, founded by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond, is the nation's first hospital. Pine Building, the hospital's original structure, housed patients in four sections. The basement confined the mentally ill, the first floor served as the men's ward, the second floor contained the women's ward, and the fourth floor was delegated to servants and isolation cases. The building currently contains hospital memorabilia, a 19th-century surgical amphitheatre, a large medical library, the Museum of Nursing History, and the Gallery Pavilion. Pennsylvania Hospital is located at Eighth and Spruce streets. Admission to the hospital is free. Call the Pennsylvania Hospital at (215) 829-8796 for information about its self-guided and guided tours.

Physick House
Henry Hill, an importer made wealthy by bringing tax-free Madeira to America, commissioned the building of Physick House. The Federal-style mansion, completed in 1786, did its auspicious owner justice. Included among the home's 32 rooms are a ballroom, large bedrooms, and mirrored fireplaces made with Valley Forge marble. Dr. Philip Syng Physick, the Father of American Surgery, became owner of the house after Hill died of yellow fever - hence its name today. Physick House is located at 321 S. Fourth St., between Spruce and Pine streets. Call Physick House at (215) 925-7866 for information about its admission rates and variable hours.

Powel House
Samuel Powel served as Philadelphia's last mayor before the Revolution, and its first one after the war. His home, built circa 1765, frequently hosted Philadelphia's cultural elite. George and Martha Washington were frequent visitors to the residence. The restored rooms reflect upper-class life in Philadelphia during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Powel's former home is located at 244 S. Third St., between Spruce and Walnut streets. Call the Powel House at (215) 627-0364 for information about its hours and admission fees.

Sports

Kixx Indoor Soccer
Fans love to cheer on the Kixx, Philadelphia's only professional soccer team. The Kixx, an indoor team, is part of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). The team plays at the First Union Spectrum, located at 3601 S. Broad St. Visitors can purchase individual tickets or choose among a variety of package deals. Call (888) 888-KIXX (5499) to purchase tickets.

Penn Relays
Track and field fans will find Philadelphia especially exciting in April. Many of America's greatest stars compete at the Penn Relay Carnival, a prestigious collegiate track and field event held annually in April. The event is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania in Franklin Field. Parking for Franklin Field is located off of 33rd Street. Ticket prices range from $12 to $40. Call (215) 898-6151 for additional information about this event or to purchase tickets.

Philadelphia 76ers
A Philadelphia 76ers game promises action-packed hoop excitement. Sixers hotshot Allen Iverson is one of the NBA's most prolific scorers. The First Union Center, located at 3601 S. Broad St., hosts all the home-game hoopla. Call the box office at (215) 339-7676 to purchase tickets. It is recommended that visitors buy tickets well in advance, because Sixers fans run rampant in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Eagles
The NFL works up its typical football frenzy in Philadelphia during the Eagles' season. Donovan McNabb, three-time Pro Bowl player and the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback, is a star NFL player worth watching live. The Eagles play in Lincoln Financial Field starting in the 2003 season. Call (215) 463-5500 to purchase tickets. It is recommended that football fans purchase individual tickets at the earliest possible date.

Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers heat up the ice at the First Union Center. Spectators should purchase tickets early to insure a prime view of all the skating, checking, and goal scoring. The Flyers sell out of seats even faster than the Philadelphia Eagles. The First Union Center is located at 3601 S. Broad St. Call (215) 952-7300 to purchase individual or season tickets.

Philadelphia Marathon
The Philadelphia Marathon, held annually in November, is a USA Track and Field-sanctioned event. It utilizes the ChampionChip scoring system - a state-of-the-art way to record a runner's "gun time" (exactly when he/she starts) and "net time" (exactly when his/her foot crosses the finish line). Preregistration costs $45. Those who register at the latest possible date pay $60. For an additional $20, runners can take part in a pasta dinner one day prior to the event. Call (215) 685-0054 for additional information.

Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are Philadelphia's beloved baseball team. Their mascot, Phillie Fanatic, is something of a Philadelphia legend. Its frequent run-ins with Tony Lasorda brought the furry green mascot iconic status. The baseball team is scheduled to play in the brand-new Phillies Ballpark for the 2004 season. Phillies Ballpark is located between 11th and Darien streets. Tickets to games start as low as $10. Call (215) 463-5000 for ticket information.