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Philadelphia, PA

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Jenaya P.

Beautiful, Beautiful beautiful!! Omgee I think I just found my future wedding venue! lol. I never even knew Fairmount Water Works even existed! What have I been missing? Obviously a lot! Fairmount Water works was designed in the past as the place to purify and pump the water for the city of Philadelphia, now its a landmark site that is used for educational purposes as well as weddings, walking trails and many more. I came to Fairmount Water works for their Parks on Tap event and left with much more discovery! Their was a lot to explore such as the gardens and the boardwalk, my oh my just nature and beauty at it's finest! There's also a parking lot but it can get filled up pretty fast. Overall I definitely look forward to returining to this beauty of a place!

Wedding
Dan R.

Absolutely outstanding. Outstanding in every single way. We attended a wedding there Friday night, and spent time in three venues at the Waterworks Complex. The ceremony was held outdoors under a gazebo with beautiful views of lawns and water surrounding us. We were greeted with flutes of champagne and bottles of cold water as we walked down the path from our bus to be seated. We spent a cocktail hour and a half in one of the function rooms, and the food was just incredible. Seafood, sushi, Asian stir fry stations, Italian pasta stations, meats and cheeses, even lobster tails! There were also a ton of passed hors d'oeuvres and two bars. Honestly, there was no need for dinner after this feast. But of course, there was a dinner, at a third location in an outdoor courtyard (more flutes of champagne and watermelon cocktails were served on the way to keep us hydrated). We had a choice of Chilean Sea Bass, Veal Chop, or Beef Short Rib, all were served with a risotto, carrots, and beans. My fish was very good. Dessert was another embarrassment of riches- an endless table of ice cream and toppings and petit fours and assorted pudding cups, and cupcakes, and funnel cakes, and my favorite- chocolate covered macaroons. The staff was impeccable, the scenic views were incredible, and the food was plentiful and amazing. Seriously, from a food and venue standpoint, this was one of the very best weddings I have ever been to.

Sonji C.

Such an informational visit! I came after spending some time at the park to this museum. I didn't know what to expect but I was more than welcomed by the staff. The content consisted of showcasing the historical influence of this water system not only in Philly but all over the USA. The pool exhibit was about the historical and current day segregation of Black Americans and predominantly White swimming culture. I learned so much and really felt the spirit of the relationship between humans and water, particularly Black people. 10/10 recommending to everyone to stop by!! And please donate to this amazing organization since they keep the museum free to all :)

Michelle V.

Attended an evening event from a conference hosted in Philadelphia. This place is beautiful and elegant. Behind the museum of art which is a classic landmark of the city. The event had an open bar and hors d'oeuvres and they were a great selection of sea food, cheeses, meats and desserts. Perfect place to host events.

Looking towards the gazebo.
Sam M.

Great park in a great area! The history behind the Water Works is very interesting, and although you can check out the inside for yourself, the grounds are still nice. Right beside the Philadelphia Museum of Art the entire grounds are well maintained. Great place to stop by if you're headed to the PMoA.

View of Water Works & Schullykill River from the side of the Philadelphia Art Museum.
Melanie D.

Water Works is a really special spot behind the Philadelphia Art Museum, on the Schulykill River, near the Fairmont Dam over by Kelly Drive. There are opportunities to run, walk, and bicycle on the clean, well cared for paths. You can exercise on the grassy and gazebo areas overlooking and by the river. You can learn a lot about local history. Take some lovely photographs. Get a fresh perspective on the day with a new view of the city. There are small wading fountains for the kids. It's a nice place to go for active seniors, adults, young adults, families, folks with dogs. There is fine dining, though I've not been so I can't review the restaurant. Ive been during the day, the evening, and at night. Early morning and after 5 evening is definitely for joggers, day time for everyone, night time for more casual joggers and walkers, and late night seems more for the young and bold out with their more street style bicycles. Not everyone thinks its good for me to walk at night, though that is usually when I like to walk the most. I'm not sure if it is good to visit if you are in a wheel chair, as quite a few of my friends are - So my next walk I'll check it out for accessible visits. Two good links for more information on the Water Works and Schulykill River Walk: http://www.fairmountparkconservancy.org/downloads/FPC_WW_Brochure.pdf http://www.schuylkillbanks.org/

So much love surrounding this special spot!
Sari Marissa G.

500th review! I have to make it a good one, right? There was one special place that immediately came to mind...the spot I became a Mrs.! (This is less about the history/tours and geared mainly towards future brides/grooms or anyone planning a special day/photos here). Our dream wedding location was the gorgeous, regal, historic gazebo at Fairmount Water Works. For us, it was THE perfect ceremony spot. This beautiful structure overlooking the river, nestled between Kelly Drive and Boathouse Row, at the foothills of The Philadelphia Museum of Art, not far from the Azalea Gardens is very special to us... When we lived in the Fairmount/Art Museum area we took walks/jogs on the drive daily, ending here at the gazebo. One day, waaaay before we were engaged he said "wouldn't this be an amazing place to get married?" That's it! I was done! That's all I needed to hear! This was going to be THE spot one day! -We wanted somewhere we could visit forever with our children and one day, with our grandchildren. - We wanted someplace we would always have access to as we wished and a place we would be assured would never close. -We wanted somewhere with rich history and a place that held permanent residence in a city and neighborhood we loved so very much. -We wanted what so clearly was "our" spot. I jumped through many hoops to secure this location for us! He got down on one knee October 17th and I had to wait until January 2nd, which for an excited bride is an eternity!! 8am on the second freezing day of the new year, with a money order in hand as instructed, I was at the door of the Fairmount Park Commission up on Concourse Drive in Fairmount Park, diagonal from Please Touch Museum. There, I filled out an application and waited and waited....and waited, and yep, waited, all the way until spring hoping to finally get the thumbs up on approval!! (It was a very long winter that year haha) You see, they give first priority to charities and local organizations and won't schedule weddings/ceremonies on days when there is a regatta on the river. Being that our date 10-10-10 was oh so insanely popular to begin with, I had my doubts we would even get it even if there weren't events going on. I still kept the faith and we did get it!!! The notification that we did for sure secure the space was THE greatest news EVER! Actually, a real dream come true! Well worth the wait!! Important things to remember : -The number to call for more information is: (215) 685-0060 $500 for the gazebo for 2 hrs $150/ hr for photos. (We never pay for photos. We're smart about the times we come ex: mid week, just before sunset. We haven't had an issue in 5 years) -you may not tie anything to, or alter the gazebo in any way. (We had a hand held chuppah.) -you will need to order your own chairs. The cost can be very minimal if you shop around a bit! -you MUST have your permit for the space with you at all times! The most important part of my review however is this: NO ONE but the Fairmount Park Commission owns the gazebo and surrounding structures! PERIOD!!! If you google it, even go for a tour there, it would appear the restaurant which was then the Water Works (currently Cescaphe group) owns the gazebo. In fact, they will try to tell you you they own it! THEY DO NOT!! NEVER WILL!! This misrepresentation enrages me because it holds many couples and (almost) us from our dream wedding ceremony! We first hand went on a tour where we were told this. We already had our reception caterer booked elsewhere so we had no interest in the reception space. We were ALMOST conned as many are when looking into the gazebo and cocktail space! After a little investigating from an uber determined bride, we came to find that use of the gazebo comes only with reception booking was a lie!!! You do not need to use the restaurant to use the gazebo. If you simply want to rent the gazebo or any aspect of the Waterworks outdoor spaces, you can absolutely do this without booking the restaurant for your reception! We still run into many, many couples who look over the gazebo because one reason or another regarding the restaurant. Despite what it may seem, they are completely separate and always will be!! After moving from the area, we don't visit here daily anymore, but we absolutely continue to come each and every year for our anniversary. We play our wedding song, the kids run up and down what was our aisle, and of course, I cry! I LOVE looking through these photos of how our little family is growing year after year! This is a truly beautiful, magical spot and we couldn't recommend it any more for a wedding ceremony or for special photos. The space is elegant and neutral, making for the ultimate perfect backdrop. It's definitely not an easy site to secure for ceremonies, but believe me, it's extremely well worth it!

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Review Highlights - Cescaphe Water Works

“Fairmount Water Works is one of my favorite places to explore on long walks with my dog near the art museum.”

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City Hall

City Hall

4.1(115 reviews)
1.4 mi•Penn Center, Market East, Logan Square, Avenue of the Arts North

Philadelphia, PA - this is a review for the City Hall Tower Tour. I'm irresistibly attracted to…read moreobservation decks and old towers, so when I discovered that Philadelphia's City Hall doesn't just offer building tours but also a panoramic Tower Tour from atop its clock tower, I didn't question whether I really NEED to see the bird's eye view of yet another city. Located just a short walk from my hotel and something I can squeeze in before check-out, well that sealed it. The tour is very intimate, as each group maxes out at four people, owing to the tower's narrow dimensions, so you're basically on a private tour. There are plenty of time slots however, as the tour departs every 15 minutes, but booking in advance is highly recommended if not imperative (isn't everything these days!). It is only available Monday-Friday from 10am-2:45pm cos, government building. The experience was wonderful from top to bottom. The ladies in the visitor center were so nice and chatted with us as we waited for the tour to begin, and even gave my kiddo a pair of binoculars which he clutched onto with excitement and didn't put down for the rest of the day. Our guide Kim was genuinely warm, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. She took our photos, kept things interesting, and capped it all off with an awesome list of insidery tips about what to do and see - places I hadn't even known about. I've done several dozen observation towers around the world and they never get old. This one's a departure from the usual glossy skyscraper presentation with a slick immersive elevator ride (in fact the elevator ride's pretty rickety), but if you like history and high places, and the luxury of zero crowds, this is a cool hidden gem.

Philadelphia City Hall has become a must-visit for me whenever I am in the city for running events…read morelike the Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run or the Philadelphia Distance Run. My trips just don't feel complete without stopping by to take in its architecture. I remember the 2022 Broad Street Run vividly, falling in love with the building's design around mile five of the course. Being near it, I must say, it has an astonishing presence. I learned that it was designed by Scottish-born architect John McArthur Jr. and Thomas Ustick Walter in the French Second Empire style, with construction spanning from 1871 to 1901. The exterior tower was completed by 1894, although the interior was not finished until 1901. At the very top stands a 37-foot bronze statue of William Penn, the founder of Philadelphia. At 548 feet, this made it the tallest habitable building in the world from 1894 to 1908. City Hall sits on one of the five original urban park squares laid out by William Penn. Geometrically, it is the center of the other four squares within Center City--an area fittingly renamed Penn Square. If you are planning a trip to Philadelphia, I highly recommend including a walk around this iconic landmark on your itinerary, though it is bound to catch your eye unexpectedly while you are downtown. One of my favorite sculptures on the outer perimeter is of Octavius Catto, a trailblazing civil rights leader, educator, and athlete whose contributions to racial equality in 19th-century America remain profound. ~ Be obsessively grateful ~ Thomas G

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City Hall - July 7, 2026

July 7, 2026

City Hall
City Hall - City Hall (in distance)

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City Hall (in distance)

Benjamin Franklin's Grave - Entrance to Christ Church Burial Ground, where Benjamin Franklin is buried

Benjamin Franklin's Grave

4.3(17 reviews)
2.5 mi•Old City

Pretty cool graveyard considering how old it is. Most of the headstone are beyond readable due to…read moreextended age, A unique place to visit with an interesting story from the guide that highlights the life of Benjamin Franklin. This is located right downtown so its easy to get to from pretty much any other touristy place, and it can also be seen clear as the sun from the hop on/hop off tour bus. It goes right by it. Mr. And Mrs. Benjamin Franklin grave is open to the public 24/7 365/366. Throw a penny for good luck! Loved everything about it. Gladly pay $5 to pay respects to a historic founding father as well as so many other patriots of the United States. An absolute treasure in the heart of Philadelphia

There's really not a whole lot to say here. The grave of Benjamin Franklin is located at Christ…read moreChurch Burial Ground. He wanted to be buried next to his wife, Deborah Read. They're not the only ones buried there. The Read Family (his in-laws) are also buried there along with their 4 year old son, Francis "Franky" Folger Franklin. You'll see these memorial inscriptions towards the back side of Franklin's marble stone. The other marble stone grave to the left is where Sarah Franklin Bache and her immediate family are buried. It's a simple marble grave stone. It's exactly what Benjamin Franklin wanted. It's been cracked for some time due to moisture seeping into the porous marble from within its granite framework. The stone was eventually raised and somewhat sealed to prevent further damage. People will say that it was caused by the tradition of tossing a penny onto his grave for hundreds of years, but clearly not. I didn't actually see any signs preventing us from participating in the coin toss for good luck. Many people were doing it from the other side of the gate. If anything, be sure to watch out for flying pennies when visiting his grave while inside the burial ground. Definitely take some time to learn more about him while visiting it. There's a chronology listed with his accomplishments by date. There truly is a lot about him here and at Franklin's Court. You don't even have to pay for admission to see it from the sidewalk. It's a must for anyone interested in American History and our Founding Fathers.

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Benjamin Franklin's Grave - Ben Franklin's headstone

Ben Franklin's headstone

Benjamin Franklin's Grave
Benjamin Franklin's Grave

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Edgar Allan Poe House

Edgar Allan Poe House

4.3(97 reviews)
1.8 mi•Spring Garden

Went here for a 52 First event, and WOW, what a treat! The Edgar Allan Poe House isn't formally…read moreopening until spring, so getting the opportunity to explore it ahead of time was such a special experience. I'm honestly just so happy they were generous enough to open the doors and let people come in and appreciate this piece of history. There's something really cool about being able to step into a place where someone like Edgar Allan Poe actually lived and imagine what life might have been like during his time. Poe is such an iconic figure in American literature, especially for his gothic stories, eerie atmosphere, and poems like *The Raven*. Being inside a historic home connected to him makes his work feel a little more tangible. Outside, there's a statue of the raven, which is such a fitting tribute! The shadows fall in a really fun location, creating the perfect setup for photos. If you're into photography or just appreciate a good atmospheric backdrop, definitely take a moment to play around with the angles. It's such a simple detail, but it makes the visit even more memorable. The house was still being updated and revamped when we visited, so some areas were a little run-down. But honestly, that's completely understandable given that it's still undergoing work ahead of its official opening. I'm not going to hold that against them when they're clearly in the process of bringing the space back to life. My favorite part was the top floor. You can look outside through the blinds, and there's something about the view and the atmosphere that makes it easy to imagine Poe sitting in a room like that, looking out at the world while writing his stories. Of course, we can't know exactly what his writing process looked like in that space, but the setting certainly gets your imagination going. It's the kind of place where you can pause for a moment and appreciate the history surrounding you. I also really appreciate that this isn't just another historical building you walk past without thinking about. Being able to enter, look around, and experience the space gives you a different connection to the history of Philadelphia and the literary figures who were part of it. Overall, such a wonderful experience! I'm grateful to 52 First and everyone involved for giving people the opportunity to visit while the house is still being restored and prepared for its formal opening. I'm excited to see how everything looks once the renovations are complete. If you love literature, history, gothic atmosphere, or simply discovering the fascinating places tucked away around Philadelphia, this is definitely worth keeping on your radar. A little piece of history, a raven statue, some wonderfully dramatic shadows, and a top floor that gets your imagination running. What more could you ask for? I'll definitely be interested in seeing it again once it's officially open!

Small, easy, short touristy trip. Another great free thing to do in the city when you have friends…read moreor family from out of town. I live in Nolibs, so this is an easy walk from my house. Parking is plentiful nearby, too!

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Edgar Allan Poe House
Edgar Allan Poe House
Edgar Allan Poe House

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Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden

Bartram's Garden

4.5(66 reviews)
2.8 mi

Seems like a really lovely and serene acres of gardens to wander thru. Sqirrrls flowers plants…read morepathways birds benches to sit Large fallen trees to sit and it's along the water but the view was blocked by trees. I saw a pond with Lilly pads in it too. There's supposed to be free fishing from 5-7pm and it's thru the back circular parking lot. The trees are labeled w gold dog tag info. Wear bug spray cuz I had sandals and my feet felt sting and maybe bit up

Came here for a 52 Firsts event during Spring Fest and it ended up being such a fun day. There was…read morea lot going on without feeling overwhelming. Live energy, little activity tables, and a small plant sale that was honestly very tempting. One of the coolest things I learned is that they have what's believed to be the oldest ginkgo tree in both North and South America. That alone made the visit feel a little special. I spent some time walking the trails and made my way around the water too. It's really pretty back there. Lots of flowers in bloom, open space, and quieter areas if you want a break from the crowd. I definitely liked the more shaded, tree-heavy sections the most. Some of the booths were set up fully in the sun and it got a bit intense after a while, so having those cooler, shaded areas made a big difference. Staff were very helpful and the trails are clearly marked, which made it easy to just wander without worrying about getting lost. Only downside is the location can be a little tricky to get to, especially if you're not driving. But once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. Overall just a really enjoyable, laid-back outdoor spot with a lot to explore. I'd come back, especially for another event.

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Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden

Bartram's Garden

Bartram's Garden - I am a contractor; I do all kinds of remodeling and construction work.

I am a contractor; I do all kinds of remodeling and construction work.

Bartram's Garden

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Eastern State Penitentiary - Cell Block 7 from the 2nd floor

Eastern State Penitentiary

4.6(973 reviews)
0.6 mi•Fairmount, Art Museum District

We came for the Halloween nights . I glad that we paid extra…read morefor the advance pass. First there is a long line to have your tickets checked. Next is another line to go through security check point. Then you finally get in another long line to start the tour. We were able to skip that last line. It is divided into 5 different sections. The first area they explain all the rules.. What sets this attraction apart from others. You can opt in and allow the performers to touch you. They give you a free glow necklace to identify that you allow them to touch you. It definitely adds to the experience. I got put in a cage while threatened with carnage. Lots of shock moments. Definitely worth the price.

An Incredible Halloween Experience in One of the Coolest Historic Locations!…read more We visited Eastern State Penitentiary for its Halloween Horror Nights event, and we had an absolute BLAST! This place is already fascinating because of its history and the atmosphere of the old penitentiary, but experiencing it during a Halloween event takes things to a whole new level. The setting alone makes this such a cool place to visit. There's something about exploring a historic prison after dark that creates the perfect atmosphere for a haunted attraction. Add in the Halloween decorations, incredible actors, and immersive experiences, and you have the recipe for a fantastic night! The event featured five well-themed haunted mazes, and we were thoroughly impressed. The haunt actors were incredible, bringing so much energy and commitment to their performances. We also loved the Touch Pass option, which lets guests opt for a more intense, hands-on experience. It's a great addition for those who want to take things up a notch and get even more immersed in the scares! There were tons of great photo opportunities throughout the grounds, so you'll definitely want to take your time exploring and grabbing some pictures. We appreciated the variety of food trucks available, too, which made it easy to grab something to eat while enjoying the event. The absolute highlight for us, though, was the Speakeasy experience inside Al Capone's cell! We paid a little extra for this experience, and we HIGHLY recommend doing the same if you visit. The singers and actors were phenomenal! One of my personal favourites was an amazingly talented woman who sang opera beautifully. Her voice was absolutely incredible, and it was such an unexpected highlight of the evening. I also loved the woman who performed a lovely rendition of Barracuda. Both performances really stood out and made the experience feel like so much more than just another Halloween attraction. You even get a complimentary drink included with the Speakeasy experience, and the beer was excellent! Between the live entertainment, the historical setting, and the overall atmosphere, it was absolutely worth paying the extra money. Overall, we had an amazing time at Eastern State Penitentiary's Halloween event. The combination of the historic location, fantastic haunted mazes, talented actors, Touch Pass option, photo opportunities, food trucks, and unique Speakeasy experience made for a memorable night. If you're visiting Philadelphia during Halloween season, we highly recommend checking this out! And seriously, don't skip the Speakeasy at Al Capone's cell. That experience alone was a major highlight for us! For more food, travel, brewery, hockey, haunted attraction, and destination reviews, check out our YouTube channel A&M Roam and follow along with Angela and Mike as we travel, eat, drink, explore spooky attractions, catch games, and goof around!

Photos
Eastern State Penitentiary - Cell block

Cell block

Eastern State Penitentiary - Cell block

Cell block

Eastern State Penitentiary - Memorial of prisoners who lost lives in WWI, listed by inmate number

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Memorial of prisoners who lost lives in WWI, listed by inmate number

Cescaphe Water Works - landmarks - Updated November 2026

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