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Philadelphia, PA

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Old City Hall

4.6 (8 reviews)
Closed • 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

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13 years ago

While not as famous as the hall this is worth time to see. Fascinating info on how Supreme Court used to be

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City Hall

City Hall

4.1(116 reviews)
0.8 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

Photos
City Hall - July 7, 2026

July 7, 2026

City Hall
City Hall - City Hall (in distance)

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City Hall (in distance)

Edgar Allan Poe House

Edgar Allan Poe House

4.3(96 reviews)
0.9 mi•Spring Garden

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! |

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)
3.5 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.

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

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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(972 reviews)
1.8 mi•Fairmount, Art Museum District

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!

My wife and I were in Philly for a long weekend and saw that this was a cool spot to checkout…read more I am glad we did. It is an old prison set in a neighborhood, kind of like Wrigley Field is in the middle of a neighborhood. The structure is huge and has a hub and spoke type of detention with 8 cell clocks around a center location. The cells were small, but they did have Al Capone's cell, which was decked out! He was there for a year for an illegal weapon. Nice narration and a great way to spend an hour or two in Philly!

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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

Old City Hall - landmarks - Updated October 2026

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