Connecting Philadelphia’s past, present, and future are national monuments, parks, buildings, and some of the most Instagram-worthy attractions in the city. If you plan on making a visit to Philadelphia soon, you should visit one of these 13 must-see national monuments and attractions.
Love Park
Love Park is home to the iconic Love sculpture in John F. Kennedy Plaza. Check the park’s calendar for a variety of live dance performances including a piece titled “One” by dancers from the Ujima Dance Theatre, known to explore human rights, heritage, and social change through dance.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Enjoy family Sundays with PopUpPlay every week for themed kid-friendly activities for everyone. The interactive series represents the magic of Philly’s art scene with cultural performances and events.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
One of the most artistically creative environments in the South Street neighborhood is Magic Gardens museum. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used bicycle parts, broken pieces of glass and mirrors, handmade tiles, and bottle tips, meant to embrace the possibility of self-expression. Weekend guided tours are $15.
Liberty Bell
Millions come from all over to visit the 2,080-pound Liberty Bell on display in front of the Liberty Bell Center. Embraced as a symbol of protest and celebration, the bell was rung to announce the status of the Declaration of Independence.
Chinatown Friendship Gate
The entry portal into Philly’s Chinatown is just so beautiful to look at. It’s painted with vibrant colors and lights. Chinatown Friendship Gate is full of a wide range of Chinese, Korean, and Thai cosines, electric shops, and home to a variety of festivals and events.
African American Museum in Philadelphia
The first institution built to preserve and showcase the history of African Americans in Philadelphia. The museum features various artifacts, sculptors and multimedia components that narrate stories about the contributions by people of African descent in Philadelphia.
Boxing Champ Joe Frazier Statue
Pose for a picture in front of the 12-foot bronze statue of one of the greatest boxing champions in the world, Joe Frazier. Artist Stephen recreated the iconic moment when Frazier knocked out Muhammad Ali during their fight at Madison Square Garden in 1971.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Enjoy the museum’s Pay What You Wish admission on the first Sunday of the Month and on Wednesday evenings. Open for Labor Day, bring the kids, as ages 12 and under are free. Explore other pieces of art, sculptures, painting, and culturally significant work by local and international artists.
The President’s House
The President’s House commemorates the nine enslaved Africans who were toiled during George Washington’s Presidency with an open-air blueprint of the original house.
Franklin Square
To celebrate the end of the summer and Labor Day Weekend, stop by Franklin Square all weekend until Sept. 2. They also host other family-friendly events throughout the year.
Reading Terminal Market
A smorgasbord of music, culture and international food. Po’ boys, Chicken masala, Amish pretzels, cheesesteaks and more. Perfect for date night, feast on fancy corn dogs, fresh seafood at Pearl’s Oyster Bar and browse through African art, jewelry, fabrics, and more at De’Village, here is where you need to be.
Fairmont Park
Visit one of the world’s largest parks with over 2,000 acres of hills, trails worthy of horse-back riding, hiking and cycling, and other outdoor activities and concerts. CiderFest, Parks on Tap, Women’s Mornings and Therapy Walks are a few of the parks monthly events.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
For history buffs and those interested in the role of African Americans during the Revolutionary War outside of slavery, join historian Joe Becton as he tells the explains the significance of black soldiers during his walking tours around Philadelphia stopping by Valley Forge Park.
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