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City Hall

4.1 (109 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

City Hall Photos

Recommended Reviews - City Hall

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La Denna R.

The city hall tour was informative and is ran by volunteers. The building is beautifully up kept and is still working and functional. The prices range starts around $20. The reason I have this a three is because the actual workers at the ticketing office that are not the volunteers were a bit rude. To be honest no one was rude with them. They rolled their eyes if you asked a question for clarification that may sound silly but help was needed. They also made a snarky comment under their breath. The older gentleman working there was kind but the 2 females and other male were not. I'm not sure if it was nearing the end of the day or missed lunch but they were rude. It made me uncomfortable because I was polite when purchasing my ticket and asking for clarification. So I recommend going to check it out yes but be prepared for the ticketing people.

Delvia W.

I've had to come into City Hall a couple times over the last year and I must say the process is very easy even though you have to go through security and take off your belt... It runs smoothly and the staff is very friendly and helpful. To ease the process I suggest you don't wear a belt or bring mase or weapons. Oh have your ID ready. If you don't have your ID like I didn't, they have a different entrance for you to go to. Thank Goodness! I was about to be annoyed.

Philadelphia City Hall
Anton F.

City Hall is a beautifully designed architectural marvel. Had a chance to explore the inside and out. A bronze statue of William Penn is affixed at the top of the building. Registered on the US historic landmarks, it has has appeared in many films and also serves as a courthouse,

city hall - gorgeous
Van D.

Stunning! I passed by the city hall a few times a day walking my way around Philly. There are many angles and sides of this glorious building to admire. The architecture work on this building is a godly work of art. This beauty is made up of limestone, white marble and brick. In 2006 it was named a national historic civil engineering landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers. I was restricted on personal time during my visit, but WHEN I have the opportunity to come back to Philadelphia, I heard you are able to tour the building and they have an open air observation deck. Too bad I didn't know until after I left. Until next time you sexy thang!

Hannah H.

Loved the architecture and the style of the Philadelphia City Hall, in all its Second Empire glory - it houses the Philadelphia City Council and the mayor offices, as well as the courthouse. We actually cut through to get to the other side, and there were public restrooms available - definitely could have needed more attention to, as it was wet floors, TP all over, and no hand soap - eeks! There's security posted by the entrances. Note that the cut-through walkway closes in the evenings, so you'll have to walk around the premise. +unclean public restrooms

Eloy Y.

Located in the heart of the Center City, Philadelphia City Hall was built to house the entirety of government--City Council, Mayor and Supreme Court remains today the tallest masonry-bearing building in the world. Designed in the ornate Second Empire style, the domed tower rises over 547 feet/22 stories topping off with a statue of William Penn. While my partner and I were here last Saturday, the holiday market at the nearby Dilworth Park was coming to life as some of the vendors were setting up their stands with decorations while ice skaters enjoying the makeshift rink. It's definitely worth a visit for its craftsmanship and breathtaking architecture.

View from top of city hall
Lauren C.

There's an observation deck at the top of City hall that has a 360 degree of the city. It's only $10 and open M-F during the day. Very cool experience!

Tulips in April
L L.

The outside areas of Dilworth Plaza have certainly improved since I was a kid! The area was clean filled with tulips

Billy Penn
Jackie M.

This weekend I played tourist in my own city and visited City Hall for the tower tour. I had always wanted to go and see the tour but since the tour is only available during the week, it has been hard to make an appointment. The tour cost $15/pp which I think it just about right. When we arrived, they were a little overwhelmed but everyone was still very friendly. We had to wait a little before actually going up in the tower but I didn't mind the wait. I bought some postcards to send to my family it was a little over $2 after tax for the postcards. Once we got going, we went through security and we went up! Beautiful panoramic views. It was cool to see the art museum, comcast towers, and the Ben Franklin bridge. It is a little awkward angle of Billy Penn but still cool nonetheless. I feel like every Philadelphian should try and make a trip up there, just don't take off work for it!

Outside. Storefront. Entrance.
Daniel B.

Philadelphia City Hall is massive and impressive. Completed in 1901, it's the largest city hall in America, covering 14.5 acres of total floor space and rising high at 548 feet (it was the tallest building in Philadelphia until 1986). The building is topped with an enormous statue of William Penn, founder of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. This statue is its most notable and defining feature. It's situated so high, you can see it from many different places within the city. City Hall has made appearances in numerous films including, most recently, the DC superhero movie Shazam! (2019). Something funny happens to William Penn in the movie. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448115/ There was also a curse associated with the William Penn statue known as the Curse of Billy Penn. I first learned about it while watching the Rocky location tour documentary Rocky Jumped a Park Bench: https://youtu.be/ryGnmGKbRFo?t=757. In the documentary, host James Rolfe (more famously known as the Angry Video Game Nerd) explains that Philadelphia sports teams were cursed because there was another building in the city that was built higher than William Penn. That curse was broken when the Phillies won the 2008 World Series. Less than 10 years later, the Eagles would go on to win Super Bowl LII (2018). In college sports, Villanova won the 2016 and 2018 NCAA men's basketball championships. Two tours are available for City Hall, the Interior Tour and the Tower Tour. The Interior Tour lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours and includes the Tower Tour. The Tower Tour, where you go to the top of the tower for amazing city views, is also available separately. Currently, an adult ticket costs $15 for the Interior Tour and $8 for the Tower Tour (less for military, seniors, and students). Visit the City Hall Visitor Center at 1 S Penn Square, Room 121 and the Independence Visitor Center's website for more info: https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/CityHall. No trip to City Hall is complete without visiting the two relatively new/renovated parks nearby, Dilworth Park (https://www.yelp.com/biz/dilworth-park-philadelphia-9) and Love Park (https://www.yelp.com/biz/love-park-philadelphia). If you're sightseeing in Philly, these and walking up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (https://www.yelp.com/biz/ben-franklin-parkway-philadelphia) to the Rocky Steps (https://www.yelp.com/biz/rocky-steps-philadelphia) and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (https://www.yelp.com/biz/philadelphia-museum-of-art-philadelphia) are highly recommended.

Jeremy J.

City Hall in Philadelphia is a beautiful structure where a lot of famous things happen and it still standing today. They have a lot of neat statues and a lot of cool designs on the building it's just a awesome site to see when you were in the heart of Philadelphia city and see all the structures that surround it with City Hall is definitely a very large Eye appealing structure

City hall "floating" staircase.
Tasha J.

Public art - open to the public Visited City Hall while on Spring break in March 2022. COVID lock downs are starting to lift and PHL is opening back up. City Hall was open to the public for the Harriett Tubman quilt exhibit. I love the love that PHL has for Harriett Tubman, they totally claim her as a daughter of PHL. We also purchased a guided tour of City Hall in addition to walking thru on our own. The guided tour is purchased a few blocks away at the visitor center which is confusing and unnecessary. The city should move the Visitor Center back to the City Hall complex. Pamela Thornton was our tour guide and she is a lot of fun! Highly recommended. The architecture or the public art alone is worth the visit. The guided tour provides additional context and education and is absolutely worth it! Enjoy!

Jessica H.

Absolutely beautiful building. The architecture is just amazing and definitely worth some pictures. It seems there is always something going on outside and the place is always hopping.

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Review Highlights - City Hall

Up close you see the statue above you which is of William Penn, the founder of the city Philadelphia.

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Liberty Bell Center

Liberty Bell Center

4.2(750 reviews)
0.7 mi

What can I say about the Liberty Bell? I've been to Philadelphia many times and each and every…read moretime, I have to stop to see it! It's a little bit like the Mona Lisa, were it's not as gigantic as you think when you get up close to it (the Mona Lisa is TINY in person!) But it's still as impressive as you think when you are ten feet from it (the closest you can get, I think). It's located in the Independence National Historic Park, and there is a lot to see there too - not just the Bell. You can see Declaration Hall where the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was drafted, the first meeting place of the Continental Congress, and even Benjamin Franklin's burial place. I'm sure you know that there is a TON of historical stuff to see in Philadelphia, but I would definitely recommend making one of those stops Independence Hall and specifically, the Liberty Bell!

This place is very cool! I've been wanting to visit since I saw National Treasure back in the day…read more I was worried though when I arrived and saw a long line outside the venue. However, I saw how quickly it was moving and took a chance. Fairly soon I was in through the doors and finding myself in a small museum that provided details and background about the Liberty Bell. My only complaint was the very start of this area was super congested and would do well to guide people through this area in a way where it's less crowded and people can actually get close to the infographics. Otherwise, the Liberty Bell, small as it is, was well appointed in a mostly glass room, roped off but easy to take pictures of and with, somehow. Definitely enjoyed visiting this piece of history! Oh, and it's FREE!

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Liberty Bell Center
Liberty Bell Center
Liberty Bell Center - Inside

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Inside

Edgar Allan Poe House

Edgar Allan Poe House

4.3(97 reviews)
1.0 miSpring Garden

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!

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - Philadelphia, PA…read more Boomsauce Score: BS +++ (Amazing location! now that's boomsauce!) Even mid-renovation, this place hits different. Stepping into Poe's former home is like walking through the pages of Gothic literature. The art installations and that surreal raven sculpture outside? Straight out of a dream--or a fevered poem. It's eerie, poetic, and deeply moving. Though the house is currently closed for a utilities improvement project, you can still feel the weight of history pressing through the walls. Poe lived here during one of his most prolific periods, penning classics like The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart. The cellar even resembles the one described in The Black Cat, adding a deliciously creepy layer to the visit. If you're in Philly, this is a must-visit. It's not just a museum--it's a tribute to the tortured brilliance of one of America's greatest literary minds. And when renovations wrap, it'll be even more hauntingly beautiful. --- Boomsauce Scale | Rating | Meaning |---------|----------------------------------| | B | basura (trash) | | BS | basic (come on! Try harder) | | BS + | better (Yo! That's better) | | BS ++ | best (alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) | | BS +++ | Amazing location! now that's boomsauce! |

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

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The President's House - Entrance

The President's House

4.3(11 reviews)
0.7 mi

I had an amazing experience at The President's House in Philly. From the moment I arrived,…read moreeverything about the visit felt meaningful, informative, and well done. The site is beautifully presented and offers a powerful look into an important part of American history. The exhibits are engaging and thoughtfully designed, making it easy to learn while still feeling emotionally connected to the stories being told. I really appreciated how the history was presented in a way that was both educational and impactful. The atmosphere is calm and reflective, yet very engaging--you can take your time, read, and truly absorb the significance of the space. It's a must-see if you're visiting Philadelphia or even if you're a local looking to experience the city's history in a deeper way. Overall, it was a memorable and enriching experience, and I'm really glad I took the time to visit. Highly recommend adding The President's House to your Philly itinerary.

Visiting the President's House site in Philadelphia was unexpectedly powerful. It's just steps from…read morethe Liberty Bell, but the energy there is quieter--more reflective. At first glance, it's a series of open-air stone walls and glass panels, but as I read the stories etched into the displays, it hit me how layered the history really is. This was once home to George Washington and John Adams--but also to nine enslaved people who lived and worked there. The exhibit doesn't shy away from that fact. It honors their names, their stories, and brings humanity to a place often remembered only for power and politics. I stood for a while at the video screens, listening to voices speak the names of those enslaved here. It made the past feel personal and real in a way textbooks never could. A thoughtful, moving site that sticks with you long after you leave.

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The President's House
The President's House - Foundation

Foundation

The President's House - Foundation

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Foundation

Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden

Bartram's Garden

4.5(64 reviews)
2.9 mi

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.

Had a few hours before my flight and was looking for something to do. I came across this garden…read moreand it was beautiful. Well maintained and relaxing. Plenty of trails and benches. The flowers were gorgeous. You get a nice view of the city from the boat dock and parking area. I spent a few hours here. Great if you're solo or with people.

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Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden

Bartram's Garden

Bartram's Garden
Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden -- 2025

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Bartram's Garden -- 2025

City Hall - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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