Unique things to do in Philadelphia?

Question

I and my friends are coming to Philadelphia during Columbus Day Weekend. I have been several times, others have never been to your fine city.

I need a list of unique things do do in Philadelphia, apart from the typical stuff like Art Museums, Liberty Bell, Bars/Clubs, Cheesesteaks, that we will do anyway. I need something very amazing and enjoyable...something unusual.

Answer 1

I have a really good idea! And it's free! If you are near center city, a little known attraction is the observatory deck atop city hall. The observatory deck is directly under the William Penn stautue. You can actually look up through an open window at him and really get a sense of how big he is. I have taken people that grew up in Philly there and they never knew it existed. It is free and the hours are Mon.-Fri. from 9:30 am-4:30 pm with tours occuring every 15 minutes. So the hours are a little funny but it is WELL worth it if your schedule permits it.

Also since you will be in the area, another small known attraction is the Wanamaker Organ in Lord and Taylor. Lord and Taylor is kaddy corner across the street from city hall on the southeast corner. The organ is a massive 30,000-pipe organ which has been said to be the largest in the world. They have daily (FREE!) shows at noon and 5pm (7pm on Wednesday). There is a nice Café Americanstyle that overlooks the scene from a third floor terrace.

Answer 2

Philadelphia visitors can find everything they need to know right here at this site:
http://www.gophila.com/


The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest in the county. A mixture of old, historic buildings with brand new exhibits. http://www.philadelphiazoo.org

Philadelphia Museum of Art
http://www.philamuseum.org/

Right behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the Waterworks Interpretive center
http://www.fairmountwaterworks.com/

The Franklin Institute Science Museum
http://www.fi.edu

The Constitution Center, The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc.
http://www.nps.gov/inde
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/

Philadelphia is one of the most haunted cities in the United States http://www.ghosttour.com

Philadelphia Historic Walk
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/destinations/Philadelphia/Philadelphia_Historic_Walk.html

tour a U.S. mint http://calvert.house.gov/tourmints.asp http://www.usmint.gov/


Double Decker Bus Tours, Ride The Ducks tours
http://www.phillyducks.com/

Eastern State Penitentiary
http://www.easternstate.org/

Mutter Museum, medial history
http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp

South Street
The Italian Market
King of Prussia Mall
Reading Terminal Market
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
Philadelphia Park Racetrack (in Bucks County)

Answer 3

If anyone in your group is interested in martial arts or karate of any kind, a good place to visit would be the International Shotokan Karate Federation headquarters. They are located at 222 south 45th street, and the highest ranking shotokan black belt in the world teaches there regularly. Plus, there are also several other amazing Karate-Ka who train there. It's a very interesting place to go, especially if you can catch a black belt class. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Check out the Reading Terminal Market - its an experience all on its own. I'd also check out the local wineries (maybe do some wine tasting or have a little picnic) in the area. I visited the Chaddsford Winery a couple months ago. Most of their wineries are close together.

Answer 5

Unique and unusual: The Mutter Museum

Answer 6

i suggest the first friday or each month, It is art gallery night and you get free food, and see art for free, or if you want you can go to shampoo, or to denim, or to egypt, or to a concert.


Now you can have fun by walking around on South Street, trust me it is an experience and go to china town...that is near arch street and behind the gallery

Answer 7

by accident, we visited the quaker meeting house. found it very informative.