Located at the Parkway Central Library flagship branch on Logan Square, the collection includes ancient cuneiform tablets, medieval manuscripts, original Beatrix Potter artwork, one of Edgar Allan Poes first printed poems and even Grip, Charles Dickens taxidermied pet bird and the inspiration for Poes The Raven. The key lime icebox cup is amazing, made with whipped cream, cream cheese, lime juice and zest, orange zest, ginger snaps, pretzels and rolled oats. Art lovers and anyone in search of a fun time should keep in mind that the first Friday of every month means a lively neighborhood-wide party, with art galleries and shops throughout Old City staying open late so locals can stroll around drinking wine and checking out the latest creations. There are craft cocktails made with locally distilled gin, pints of cider, and perfectly pulled espresso shots. 2023 Smarter Travel Media LLC. The fort saw its heaviest action in 1777 during the Revolutionary War, both in the Battle of Red Bank, beating back a Hessian invasion and destroying two British warships, and the Battle of Mud Island, with 400 American soldiers holding off 2,000 Redcoats until Washingtons army could withdraw to White Marsh and Valley Forge. Fountain Street Steps, though, are just steps, but the most gorgeous of all. Considered "The Metropolis of Brotherly Love," Philadelphia, PA is greatest identified for its wealthy historical past, world-famous cheesesteaks, and vibrant artwork and music tradition. Its free to visit and many people dont know that its open to the public. Share your thoughts (and photos) in the comments below! The Pavilion in the Trees There are few better places to appreciate the skyline than from Bok Bar. ", Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. Discover The Bridge to Nowhere. Many of these were created as a part of Mural Arts Philadelphia, which works with artists and local communities to produce up to 100 public art projects each year. It is located at 780-782 S 2nd Street though it is tough to identify. It's a chance to explore hidden gems that you won't find anywhere else, from iconic parks to historic buildings, and artsy streets, and discover street art in unexpected places. The site features a traditional-style Japanese house that visitors can walk through to see the rooms as well as a collection of murals on display that were inspired by the waterfall on the grounds. The Magic Gardensa whimsical, artistic experience surrounded by mosaics and reclaimed objectsis one of the top attractions in the city. Food & Drink. The Delaware River runs along the eastern border of our city. Its Pine Building located on Pine between 8th and 9th Streetis still in use today. As you wander around Philadelphia, its not uncommon to turn a corner and happen upon a colorful mural wall overlooking a parking lot or community garden. Over the past decade or more, Philly has increasingly become a top destination for foodies. Discover short videos related to hidden gems in philadelphia on TikTok. The free, pet-friendly space has native plants and trees, walking paths, and even swings above Center City. 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This charming community is full of independent neighborhood haunts you need to check out. 130. A combination museum and restaurant, Pizza Brain has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as having the largest collection of pizza memorabilia in the world. You can check them out on a guided tour by trolley, train, or foot, learning about the artists and inspiration behind each mural. You can reach here at Horticulture Center in West Fairmount Park and can spend some time enjoying the views. With the weather cooling off, there's no better time to explore the hidden gems that Philly has to offer. Locals of Pennsport often choose it as their go-to brunch spot, especially for the cheesesteak hash. But thanks to a major overhaul in 2018, the food court has become a food hall. Bartram's Garden is the perfect place for an afternoon picnic. The Park is operational from Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 5 pm. Rodin Museum 1,469 Art Museums By 245randallc A beautiful building and garden that houses a nice collection of Rodin's sculptures. I lived in Philly all these years and never heard of these places. "This is a quaint restaurant in a hidden gem in Philadelphia. Theres even a small animal farm on-site. 15 Places. Here, you'll get friendly, quick service and very sizable mouth-watering burritos. The exhibits are arranged chronologically and are truly impressive, from the tent George Washington used as his headquarters for much of the war to child-sized slave shackles. Reveal is a superior antioxidant-rich, ready-to . Theyre easily identifiable and never fail to make us smile because theyre always a surprise. The lush canopy of the trees will provide you some shade, where the peaceful silence will adorn your time uniquely. If youre looking to uncover off the beaten path (but beloved by locals) places in a city, you should probably go straight to the source. Any day near the Smith Memorial Arch in Fairmount Park, consider checking out the Whispering bench. About Hidden Gems. On a random street corner, gracing a storefront, on a wall beside a schoolyou never quite know where one of his distinctive pieces will turn up. James G. Kaskey Memorial Park. The pavilion is the result of an artistic vision that came to life in 1993, and has since been a favorite spot for spotting the earliest blooms of spring. Located in the Italian Market, Isgro's offers some of the best pastries in Philly. You can take off your shoes and walk through the house to appreciate the murals, created by contemporary Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju. Founded in 1977, the FWM is the only museum of its kind in the world and displays garments, textiles, sculptures, drawings, paintings and more. There are plenty of restaurants in the area as well, including the citys most famous cheesesteak joints: Pats and Genos. This phenomenon is known to happen due to the parabola effect, known in physics. The atmosphere is energetic and fun a far cry from the Sbarros of yesteryear. The Shofuso House serves as a way to honor Japan and Japanese culture in Philadelphia. Even though this museum had a blockbuster opening in 2017, its still underrated. The city is teeming with parks and gardens, unique spaces, and other hidden attractions that even long-time residents may not know. Join the locals for a jog, walk, or bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail, which follows the river for about 10 miles through Philadelphia, passing by the Museum of Art and the University of Pennsylvania along the way. The stars at Chinatowns Shoe Museum at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine came off the feet of celebrities, like a boot worn by Neil Armstrong on the moon, game-used Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies) cleats, platforms from Sally Struthers All in the Family wardrobe and Ronald Reagans dress shoes. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. Attractions & Museums from $18.00 per adult Cemetery and Serial Killers Walking Tour of Philadelphia 164 Recommended Walking Tours from $35.00 per adult Underground Donut Tour: Philadelphia's First Donut Tour 70 Recommended Walking Tours from $54.00 per adult The area Horticultural and Lansdowne Drs., Philadelphia, PA 19131 Its the sort of place every neighborhood needs but not many have: They focus on doing a few things well rather than adding unusual ingredients to everything in an attempt to reinvent the wheel. The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. If you didnt know to look for it, it would be very easy to pass by this nearly secret spot. Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). jason wolfe. The gallery doesnt hit the auction circuit or borrow from private collectors to bolster its display, instead offering makers the opportunity to create on-site. Occasional pop-up events turn the terrace into a beer garden with one of the best atmospheres in the city. Travelers with extra time to explore can head off the beaten path to discover the gems of hidden Philadelphiaincluding vibrantly colored murals, museums full of unexpected treasures, and one of the countrys oldest candy shops. Now, it's a wide open park that shows off some of the best skyline views around. You could live here your whole life and still miss out on plenty of hidden gems in Philadelphia, so weve created a list to help you get started discovering Philadelphias best kept secrets. Stroll the acres of plants, trees, and gardens, and check out the historic home. 52 Fun Things to Do in Philadelphia. (2023). Philly's Hidden Gems: 21 Places You (Probably) Didn't Know About Visit Philadelphia Uwishunu Article published on February 24, 2023 Philly's Hidden Gems: 21 Places You (Probably) Didn't Know About Adventurers wanted. This giant hotel also was a popular spot for long-term residents and famous guests like President Roosevelt, President Truman . In a city full of famous museums, there's one that is still hidden from the tourist trail - and it's the city's tastiest. Today the 70 stained glass mosaic steps were once littered and trashed. The quiet space, which has been here in various forms since 1897, is surrounded by research labs and buildings of the Biology Department. The movie stars Hunter King and Beau Mirchoff. I should know, I lived there for seven years and am very much a foodie myself. Tucked away in Philadelphias massive Fairmount Park is Shofuso, a 17th-century-style Japanese house that was built in Nagoya in 1953, exhibited at New York Citys Museum of Modern Art, and then moved to Philadelphia in 1957. Now 27 vendors are turning out gourmet fried chicken, Filipino comfort food, hand-pinched crab dumplings, and Korean tacos. Atlas Obscura Itineraries 6 Fascinating Medical Marvels in Pennsylvania In the 1700s and 1800s, Philadelphia was the center of medical scholarship in the United States. The museum is located just a few blocks from Independence Hall and is one of the areas hidden gems. Its always fun to discover something new . And as not to distract from the striking visuals, no plants are labeled. But the massive temple is, in fact, not a church, but the 150-year-old Grand Lodge headquarters of the Freemasons of Pennsylvania. We apologize, something went wrong on our end. Known as the hidden attraction in Philadelphia, the Fountain Street steps is at Cresson Street. Their rooftop hangout is always full of events categorized into art, taste, move, spark, and whatnot. Turtle Rock Lighthouse was built in 1887 by Frank Thurwanger for $2,663 right next to the historic Boathouse Row. Johnson has the tools athletic tools to rack up numbers in the Pub. This is a popular spot! Wagner Free Institute The Wagner Free Institute of Science offers a unique experience modern museums cannot the museum was built in the 1800s and hasn't changed much since. Shane Confectionery pays homage to that history in its offerings of old-fashioned candy and chocolate alongside modern products. The only way to fully experience Philly? The menu sticks to homestyle items such as fried chicken and waffles . Opened in 2015, the elevated park is a year-round urban green space for visitors to stretch out and relax while enjoying some of the best views of Center City. Vietnamese, Cafe. The space can be accessed via the garages pedestrian entrance on 30th Street just south of Chestnut Street. However, due to dark and moody space, people often fail to find it. The museum is a fascinating place for travelers interested in history and culture, telling the stories of Jewish people in the U.S. from the American Revolution to the Holocaust and beyond. While you are here, sit at one end of the bench and let your companion sit at the other end. There's a reason that Philadelphia is listed among the myriad of "best cities to live" and "most interesting places to visit" lists. All Rights Reserved. Deep in the Chester County woods and atop a mountain near Valley Forge National Historical Park lived wood sculptor Wharton Esherick, the Dean of American Craftsmen. Upon his death in 1970, his hand-built, 12-acre rural modernist home, farmhouse and studio a National Historic Landmark for Architecture turned into the Wharton Esherick Museum, an immersive, interactive destination featuring more than 200 of his works on display. Visitors can wander the River Trail and enjoy wildflowers, plants, and trees whose history stretches back centuries. Rising through the trees is the eight-story (you read that right) Kids Castle, a massive wooden play structure with labyrinthine passages, twisty tube slides, drawbridges, overlooks and a kids elevator, all protected by a giant dragon. 2022 2. Definitely don't pass up on their baked goods . Philadelphia doesn't run short of beautiful gardens. A Beaux Arts building just behind the Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, the Bourse used to have a mall-style food court with supremely uninspired offerings (think fast food and generic hoagies). Stroll the acres of plants, trees, and gardens, and check out the historic home. The Morris Arboretum is one of the most stunning places in the country. William Penn himself is said to have signed a peace treaty with Native Americans from this very spot. This is some text inside of a div block. The big attractions near the hotel, like the Liberty Bell and Independence Mall, are all technically part of Independence National Historical Park, although they look like theyre just part of the cityscape. Fairmount Park's Pavilion in the Trees is one of the most beautiful places in Philadelphia. array(192) { [0]=> object(WP_Post)#5196 (29) { ["ID"]=> int(415533) ["post_author"]=> int(4675) ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2022-08-15 12:45:28" ["post_date_gmt . If youre a visitor with time on your hands or a local looking to explore something off the beaten path, there are lots of hidden gems in Philadelphia. ), Where: Peace Valley Lavender Farm, 802 New Galena Road, Doylestown. But that doesnt mean youve seen everything the City of Brotherly Love has to offer. Now simply turn towards the stone and start murmuring. Once you make it here, you'll be enjoying the best sushi and sake in the city. We spoke about Jaylen Johnson's game in a recent underclassmen post profiling new names to our 2025 rankings. Hotel St George. Is it a bar? Be sure to go all the way to the back of the shop to the Chocolate Cafe, where you can sip drinking chocolate spiced with cinnamon, orange zest, jasmine petals, or even chili pepper. Philadelphia's Magic Gardens 1,131 Art Galleries Art Museums City Center East Highlights include the headdress and jewelry of Puabi (a Mesopotamian queen) and Sumerian cuneiform tablets with some of the worlds oldest examples of writing. Read on as we take a deep dive into what awaits you on your weekend visit to Philadelphia. It's located in a part of the city that's often overlooked, especially when it comes to food. Indulge your sweet tooth at Shane Confectionery, which claims to be Americas oldest candy store. Visitors to the estate can enjoy the grounds and learn about the history of the house and the seven generations of the Chew family that lived here. Though if you are a traveler in Philly, you might not have even heard or seen the Dutch. Most menu items cost under $10. With free admission, the arboretum offers both daily staff-led and self-guided tours, as well as lectures, excursions, classes and wellness events. The Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is tucked away in Fairmount Park just a few miles from Center City. Hidden Gem in Philadelphia. One particularly popular section is the Boardwalk, which continues the trail out over the river from Locust Street to South Street. Beautiful John F. Collins Park is located on Chestnut Street, but it's easy to miss! Philadelphia is one of the largest cities in the country, and there are so many parks, restaurants, streets and museums here that are worth exploring. "Our favorite Philadelphia hidden gem is the Schuylkill Banks trail and greenway from Fairmount Dam to South Street Bridge. With towering 350-year-old live oaks, semi-tropical plants, and waterfront views, this place is nothing short of otherworldly. Cherry Street Pier. The Museum has been sponsoring expeditions for more than 125 years, and their collection includes nearly 1 million historic artifacts. If all that isnt sweet enough, you can stop next door at the Franklin Ice Cream Bar for a Keystone Bar dipped in chocolate from Shane Confectionery. So, for the city adventurers like me, who are always on the hunt for new spots to explore, here are 5 hidden gems for photos in Philadelphia. But those celebrated Philly attractions are only half of the story. This is a far cry from the usual Hallmark of mountains and arctic scenery. Whereas there are lots of well-known points of interest to take a look at just like the Liberty Bell, Independence Corridor, and the LOVE statue, there are additionally many lesser-known hidden [] Stars of "Hidden Gems," Hunter King and Beau Mirchoff answer questions about their new movie. Where: Baldwin's Book Barn, 865 Lenape Road, West Chester. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else.". The house-cured charcuterie (boucherie means butcher shop) is the must-order. The best-kept secret in Philadelphia, the Ranstead room, can be your pick if you are a nightlife enthusiast. It's hidden in an alley, so you've probably walked by it without even noticing. Although, in this particular article, we will be going over the following terms: A Lucky Find. The 18th-Century Garden is a faithful recreation of what a typical Philadelphia garden looked like a few hundred years ago, with well-kept paths, pergola, and the same kinds of flowers the founding fathers enjoyed, while the Magnolia Garden is peaceful at any time of year but is in full, colorful bloom in spring. Come the warmer months, the rooftop features seasonal offerings like coffee carts, a beer garden, lawn games and the Sunset Social restaurant, plus seven nights of programming that comes in the form of trivia nights, movie screenings and ice cream socials (yes, please). Named by Architectural Digest as one of the Worlds Most Beloved Independent Bookstores, the bookshop, located inside a two-century-old five-story stone barn, houses a collection of more 300,000 items crowded in every square inch of the space. This DTLA photo studio has got to be one of the best hidden gems in LA for all of your steampunk, dystopian, and apocalyptic photoshoot ideas. It is a seasonal rooftop bar located in the former Bok Vocational High School. This three-mile, multi-use section of the 120-mile Schuylkill River Trail runs right through the heart of Center City. The bridge to nowhere is an anomaly located in the San Gabriel National Forest of Los Angeles. The Old City neighborhood is jam-packed with galleries, ranging from tiny, feisty upstarts to long-established landmarks. Museum of Ice Cream. Hi, I'm Jen! However, the artist Paul Santoleri beautified the entire space and brought it to life. You can browse the pizza-related toys, books, ads, and other unusual items while munching on pizza topped with brisket, buffalo sauce, or just any other topping your heart desires. Shane is known for its creations like the Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas gift called Clear Toy Candy, its buttercreams based on a 100-year-old recipe, and the creations they make with the honey from the beehives they keep on their store roof. The 4-1/2-star-Yelp-reviewed "hole in the wall" outside the Depots at 2206 S. Columbus Blvd., at 22nd Street and Oregon Avenue, and at 4640 Roosevelt Blvd. The top top-secret dining and drinking spots in Philadelphia and the Countryside Ahmed Alsoudani, in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, I consent to receive email communications from visitphilly.com and agree to Visit Philadelphias, Photo courtesy Wise Owl Media for the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, Photo courtesy Wagner Free Institute of Science, Photo by Carlos Avendao for The Fabric Workshop & Museum, Photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia, Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia, Photo courtesy Kids Castle Central Park. Descriptions around the property identify the plants and explain those that had medicinal properties or other uses in the colonies, making a visit here both refreshing and a bit of a history lesson for those who are interested. Some of the prettiest houses in the city are in the Spruce Hill and Cedar Park neighborhoods at the edge of University City. Commuting by Splendour is Cheaper than Metro n Time Saving. If you are an art lover or interested in the quirky stuff, Fountain Street Steps is something you must dig out. Where to Order Christmas Dinner and More in Philly. Bartrams Garden is one of the best places in the city to enjoy the outdoors. Pennsylvania Hospital Garden sounds unusual with its name but is a treasure you should surely dig. You can explore all of that and the mansion. Theres also a small water feature tucked somewhere in the corner. Drexel's own Harris Steinberg, executive director of the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation and distinguished professor of architecture and interiors in the Westphal College of (The lavender lollipops come on a plantable seed-laced stick! While walking down the lane, look for Ranstead room behind a nondescript door, dedicatedly a black metal door. This is the best kind of neighborhood restaurant: welcoming and friendly with an approachable menu.