Philadelphia’s Historic District is easy to navigate.
The district—the
original city—lies between the Delaware River and 7th Street and
Vine and Lombard Streets. Its blocks form a grid of historic icons,
cobblestone streets, amazing restaurants, extra-fun bars, friendly art
galleries, urban parks and on-trend shops. Exploring the district is easy;
narrowing down what to do there, not so easy. Best place to plan your
visit in advance: visitphilly.com/historic. Best place to plan once you’ve
arrived: the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets.
INDEPENDENCE HALL
ESSENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
Your American history checklist
1. Independence Hall – Where the Declaration of
Independence was debated, drafted and signed, and the
U.S. Constitution was adopted. (Free with ticket from
Independence Visitor Center.) 6th & Chestnut Streets,
nps.gov/inde
2. Liberty Bell Center – A symbol to abolitionists, suffragists
and other freedom-seekers around the world. Free.
6th & Market Streets, nps.gov/inde
3. Benjamin Franklin Museum – A ghost house, printing shop,
post office, collections and exhibits exploring Franklin’s life
and legacy. 322 Market Street, nps.gov/inde
4. Betsy Ross House – Telling the story of America’s most
famous flag maker. 239 Arch Street, historicphiladelphia.org
5. Carpenters’ Hall – Site of 1774’s First Continental Congress,
Franklin’s Library Company and more. Free.
320 Chestnut Street, carpentershall.org
6. Christ Church & Burial Grounds – House of worship for
many founders (Washington, Franklin, Betsy Ross), and a few
blocks away, final resting place for many of the same. Church:
2nd Street between Market & Arch Streets; Burial Grounds:
5th & Arch Streets, christchurchpa.org
7. Elfreth’s Alley – America’s oldest continuously inhabited
street, paved in cobblestones. Museum at #124-126. Between
Front & 2nd Streets, Arch & Race Streets, elfrethsalley.org
8. Graff House (also known as the Declaration House) –
Home where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of
Independence. 7th & Market Streets, nps.gov/inde
9. Mother Bethel A.M.E. – Hallowed home of the nation’s
oldest African-American denomination, as established by
Reverend Richard Allen, with a small museum in crypt.
6th & Lombard Streets, motherbethel.org
10. The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making
of a New Nation – Site of executive manse where President
George Washington and his wife Martha lived and enslaved
nine Africans. 6th & Market Streets, nps.gov/inde
11. Second Bank of the United States – Early financial
institution, now an esteemed portrait gallery.
420 Chestnut Street, nps.gov/inde
12. U.S. Mint – The modern money-manufacturing result of
Alexander Hamilton’s hard work, with free, self-guided tours.
4th & Arch Streets, usmint.gov
BLUE CROSS RIVERRINK SUMMERFEST
OUTDOOR FUN
William Penn’s green country towne, explored
1. Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest & Winterfest – Delaware
riverside spot for skating—roller in summer (Memorial Day-
Labor Day), ice in winter (late November-early March)—
lounging, gaming, ride-riding and snacking. S. Columbus
Boulevard & Market Street, delawareriverwaterfront.com
2. Cherry Street Pier – Projected for fall 2018, indoor-
outdoor multi-use space for makers, performers, diners
and relaxers. N. Columbus Boulevard & Cherry Street,
delawareriverwaterfront.com
3. Franklin Square – A carousel, Philly-themed mini-golf,
playground, burger stand and special events—a true family
find. 6th & Race Streets, historicphiladelphia.org
4. Race Street Pier – Planted walkway atop the Delaware River
and site of yoga classes, selfies and strolling. N. Columbus
Boulevard & Race Street, delawareriverwaterfront.com
5. Spruce Street Harbor Park – Sibling space to Summerfest,
a warm-weather phenomenon (May-September) with tree-
slung hammocks, planted barges, boardwalk games and
artisan treats to drink and eat. S. Columbus Boulevard &
Spruce Street, delawareriverwaterfront.com
Photos by L. Berckey, J. Fusco and R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
6. Washington Square – Former farmland, potters’ field and
Congo Square, now a tree-lined park with the Tomb of the
Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier. Between 6th & 7th Streets
and Walnut & Locust Streets, nps.gov/inde
FRANKLIN SQUARE
FOOD + DRINK
Sandwiches
Campo’s and Sonny’s Famous Steaks, both on Market Street,
are known for their cheesesteaks.
Casual Dining
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are casual yet refined at nearby High
Street on Market. Also laid back but stylish: Farmicia; bring-your-
own-bottle (BYOB) spot Chlöe; and Han Dynasty, for extra-spicy
contemporary Chinese dishes. Also great: Capofitto, for great
pizza and gelato; and Society Hill’s Puyero, for Venezuelan arepas.
Upscale Restaurants
Destination dining has solid footing in the district. For an elegant
meal, there’s inimitable Fork and candlelit BYOB Wister. For
trendy Asian fusion, Buddakan hits the spot. Spanish tapas and
dishes fill the menu at chef Jose Garces’ Amada; a few blocks
away, Garces’ The Olde Bar offers classic seafood and Fish
House punch. Israeli Zahav is a multi-award-winner that calls
for reserving in advance. Newcomer Vista Peru impresses with
ceviche and pisco.
Gastropubs
“Top Chef” Nick Elmi is behind the stylishly delicious Royal
Boucherie. The historic Khyber Pass Pub does classic Southern
and vegan too, with a great beer list. The Gaslight offers clever
twists on classic dishes.
Outdoor Dining & Drinking
When the weather warms up, the spots to go include the lovingly
planted Talula’s Garden; spacious and fun Independence Beer
Garden (across the street from the Liberty Bell); the rooftops
of Revolution House or Hotel Monaco (Stratus Lounge); and
La Peg’s French-touched outdoor bar. Trendy Morgan’s Pier,
with cutting-edge fare, great drinks and DJs, and the deck of
The Moshulu, a vintage ship-turned-restaurant, are both on the
Delaware River.
Coffee & Treats
Lines out the door and ice cream floats are a year-round
occurrence at Victorian-inspired Franklin Fountain. The house
speciality at ICM Macaroons & Café are airy French pastries.
Tiny Tartes specializes in homey desserts to go. Great coffee
stops include Church Street’s Old City Coffee, serene Bodhi and
modern Menagerie Coffee.
SHOPS
Throughout the district, but especially up and down 2nd and 3rd
Streets in Old City, retailers and designers are known for their on-
trend fashions for home and for people. Clothes horses drop in
on Erdon, Vagabond Boutique, Charlie’s Jeans, Meadowsweet
Mercantile, Lost + Found and Geisha House. For shelter finds
and gifts, there are Omoi Zakka, Kellijane, Scarlett Alley,
Philadelphia Independents, Mode Moderne, Conversion Shop
and more.
GALLERIES
The first Friday of each month, Old City’s many art and
furnishings galleries open up for a public crawl. Among the
popular stops: The Clay Studio, Pentimenti, Biello Martin,
Wexler, Larry Becker Contemporary Art, The Center for Art
in Wood and more.
MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
MUST-SEE MUSEUMS
A deeper dig into history, government & fun
1. African American Museum in Philadelphia – First major U.S.
institution to explore the lives and works of early to modern
African-Americans. 701 Arch Street, aampmuseum.org
2. Fireman’s Hall Museum – Restored 1902 firehouse with early
firefighting equipment and modern gear to try on.
147 N. 2nd Street, firemanshallmuseum.org
3. Independence Seaport Museum – With a boat-building
shop, Spanish-American War Cruiser Olympia, World War II
Submarine Becuna and rebuilt schooner Diligence to board.
211 S. Columbus Boulevard, phillyseaport.org
4. Museum of the American Revolution – Immersive galleries,
recreated historical scenes, rare artifacts—Washington’s
Headquarters Tent, for example—and the dramatic story
of the struggle to create a nation. 3rd & Chestnut Streets,
amrevmuseum.org
5. National Constitution Center – All about the four pages
that changed the world, with exhibits to take the presidential
oath of office, weigh in on a Supreme Court case and
meet the signers (lifesize, in bronze). 525 Arch Street,
constitutioncenter.org
6. National Liberty Museum – Small mighty venue focused on
freedom, courage, equality and diversity through exhibits and
art. 321 Chestnut Street, libertymuseum.org
7. Philadelphia History Museum – Takes a microscope to the
early city itself; features an enormous walk-on city map too.
15 S. 7th Street, philadelphiahistory.org
8. Science History Institute – Sharing—and teaching—all about
scientific innovations past, present and future.
315 Chestnut Street, sciencehistory.org
STAY IN TOUCH
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