Philadelphia, PA

Old City
DESCRIPTION: Your exploration of America's heritage continues north of Market Street in the city's first commercial district; check out Betsy Ross Flag House home and Elfreth's Alley, America's oldest continuously residential street; Old City is known for the largest concentration of art galleries on the East Coast with more than 50 galleries and small museums; the First Friday of every month all galleries stay open late and its very crowded, but you can often catch the artists exhibiting

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: roughly bounded by Market, 4th, Vine & Front Streets  MAP

PARKING: street and paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: 2nd Street SEPTA Station

PHONE: 800-555-5191

WEBSITE: http://www.oldcityarts.org

Independence National & State Historic Parks
DESCRIPTION: Much of the nation's Colonial, Revolutionary and Federal-period heritage is preserved in this park; the park centerpiece is Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed); the park also includes  Carpenter's Hall, the Liberty Bell Pavilion and Christ Church; there are no restrooms in the  Independence Hall; for security reasons, restrooms are located at the Independence Visitor Center at Independence 6th Street & Market

ADMISSION: free, but for entrance into Independence Hall, you must have a timed tour ticket, so make a reservation via their website or call

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 9a-5p, Fri-Sun 9a-6p

ADDRESS: park is bounded by 6th, Chestnut, 5th and Race Streets and contiguous with 6th, Chestnut, Walnut & 3rd Streets  MAP

PARKING: street and paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: 5th Street SEPTA Station

PHONE: National Park Service 215-597-8974

WEBSITE:  http://www.nps.gov/inde

Liberty Bell Center
DESCRIPTION: An American symbol of liberty that originally resided in Independence Hall, has an updated home across the street from where it originally was rung; A bell for the Pennsylvania State House was cast in London, however, it cracked soon after it arrived in Philadelphia; local craftsmen John Pass and John Stow cast a new bell in 1753, using metal from the English bell - their names appear on the front of the bell; this roomier chamber for larger visitor crowds offers a better view of the Liberty Bell in relation to Independence Hall and an interpretive exhibit; ironically, the Liberty Bell sits on a former slave compound and many signers of the Declaration of Independence were slave owners; perhaps its poetic justice that the bell has a crack in it; today however, the bell has come to symbolize the freedom and the best of humanity as evidence by the many human rights sctivists who proudly visit; there are no restrooms in the Liberty Bell Center; for security reasons, restrooms are located at Independence Visitor Center

ADMISSION: free, but to save hassles, you can reserve a ticket online for a small per ticket surcharge

DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p

ADDRESS: Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets  MAP

PARKING: street and paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: 5th Street SEPTA Station

PHONE: 215-965-2305

WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/inde/liberty-bell-center.htm

National Constitution Center
DESCRIPTION: This family destination is the first national-scale museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution; includes many thoughtful interactive exhibits and a theater that will have citing chapter and verse in no time; arguably, America's most interactive history museum and it hosts a number of timely political exhibits; just 2 blocks north of Independence Hall in Independence Mall

ADMISSION: $12 adults, $8 ages 4-12, $11 ages 65+

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:30a-5p, Sat 9:30a-6p, Noon-5p

ADDRESS: Independence Mall, 525 Race Street  MAP

PARKING: street and paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: 5th Street SEPTA Station

PHONE: 215-409-6600

WEBSITE: http://www.constitutioncenter.org

Library Company of Philadelphia
DESCRIPTION: Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, it is the nation’s first cultural institution providing thorough reference collections of rare books, manuscripts and prints; Afro-Americana Collection features rare and unique documents concerning the issues of slavery and race from the 16th through the 19th century

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-4:30p

ADDRESS: 1314 Locust Street  MAP

PARKING: street and paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: Walnut-Locust SEPTA Station is 1 block west, 1 block north

PHONE: 215-546-3181

WEBSITE: http://www.librarycompany.org

Gallery at Market East
DESCRIPTION: The equivalent of our suburban shopping mall in Center City; features multiple levels, a sky lit atrium, 170 shops, two anchor department stores, plus something suburban malls never have -- access to an abundant rail transit

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: Sun Noon–5p, Mon-Tue, Thu & Sat 10a-7p, Wed & Fri 10a-8p

ADDRESS: 9th and Market Streets  MAP

PARKING: Garage and paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: 8th & Market and 11th Street SEPTA Stations

PHONE: 215-625-4962

WEBSITE: http://www.galleryatmarketeast.com

Chinatown
DESCRIPTION: Chinese Friendship Gate at 10th and Arch Streets is the perfect way to enter this bustling ethnic community that is an established center for fine art, culture, and culinary delights for more than a century

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: roughly bounded by Arch, 7th, 12th & Race Streets   MAP
PARKING: Paid lots in the area
TRANSIT: Chinatown SEPTA Station

PHONE: N.A.
WEBSITE: http://www.phillychinatown.com

Philadelphia Walk of Fame
DESCRIPTION: Stroll the city’s walk of musical legends and see bronze plaques of native and immigrant Philadelphians who composed, sang or produced Jazz, Blues, R&B, Rock, Classical, Opera, Hip-Hop, Country, Big Band, and Gospel music; the honoree list currently includes: Marian Anderson, Pearl Bailey, Thom Bell, Boyz II Men, Solomon Burke, Chubby Checker, John Coltrane, The Delphonics, Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, Phyllis Hyman, Patti LaBelle, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergras, Bessie Smith, The Stylistics, McCoy Tyner, Grover Washington, Jr, and Ethel Waters; check their website for new ceremony dates

ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: 24/7 outdoor access
ADDRESS: South Broad Street between Walnut & Spruce Streets  MAP
PARKING: Paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: Walnut-Locust SEPTA Station

PHONE: N.A.
WEBSITE: http://www.philadelphiamusicalliance.org

South Street
DESCRIPTION: Though often described as A Bohemian hangout for years, this hard to categorize eastbound one-way street is famous for its eclectic shops, diverse restaurants and dynamic nightlife; There's no better place to people-watch on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night - so many refer to it as the heart of Philadelphia; among its shops you'll find antiques, art galleries, bars, body art, garments, electronics, jewelry, music, flowers, restaurants, and books; a landscaping project is adding sidewwalk trees

ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily and nightly

ADDRESS: South Street from 8th Street east to Front Street  MAP

PARKING: Headhouse Market parking garage, paid lots nearby and street parking
TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station

PHONE: N.A.

WEBSITE: http://www.south-street.com

Manayunk
DESCRIPTION: Nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River northwest of Center City, Manayunk ; Flat Rock was the original name, but in 1824, the town name changed to "Manayunk", derived from the Lenape Indian word "manaiung" meaning "where we go to drink"; ultimately, it was absorbed by Phildelphia; designated a National Historic District in 1983, Philadelphia's Main Street boasts more than 65 chic boutiques and galleries, and dozens of restaurants; its distinction is having the largest concentration of furniture stores on one street in the entire East Coast; today Manayunk attracts many energetic yuppie residents and is at nightlife hot spot where many still come to drink

ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily and nightly

ADDRESS: Main street between Green Lane and Pennsdale Street  MAP

PARKING: street and paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: Manayunk SEPTA Station

PHONE: 215-482-9565 Manayunk Development Corporation

WEBSITE: http://www.manayunk.com