Things to Do in Downtown Philadelphia
Historic Old City Philadelphia Attractions
Welcome to Old City, considered the Birthplace of America, is where William Penn and the Quakers first settled. The area surrounding hotel is teeming with historic Philadelphia attractions, including Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House and many more. Browse the list below to find our favorite things to do in Center City Philadelphia and discover why Penn's View is a favorite among hotels in Old City, Philadelphia.
Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(800) 537-7676
At Independence Hall, visitors can explore Franklin’s Philadelphia where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted. The building is open daily from 9am to 5pm for tours. This national shrine is considered by many to be America’s quintessential symbol of freedom.
Liberty Bell
600 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 965-2305
As a hotel near Independence Hall, Penn’s View also provides easy access to the Liberty Bell. The old cracked Bell can now be seen at the Liberty Bell Center in historic Philadelphia. Open year round from 9am to 5pm, the center also features historic documents and graphic images that explore the facts and the myths surrounding the Bell. Keep your camera handy to snap a shot of this historic piece of American history.
Franklin Square
6th and Race Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 629-4026
Visit one of the five original open-space parks planned by William Penn in the late 17th century. Originally called Northeast Square, the name was changed in 1825 to honor Benjamin Franklin. Legend has it that this is the spot where Franklin conducted his famous "kite and key" experiment in 1752. There are a variety of family-fun Philadelphia attraction onsite including a miniature golf course, classic carousel, burger joint, storytelling bench, picnic area and more.
Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 409-6600
The National Constitution Center brings the U.S. Constitution to life through a series of multimedia exhibitions, live performances, timely public programs and dynamic educational resources. The center is open seven days a week, except for major holidays.
Betsy Ross House
239 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
(215) 629-4026
Credited with making the first American flag, Betsy Ross is a key figure in America’s rich history. Tour the house, alive with the sights and sounds of the 18th century, and then stay a while to learn more about Betsy and her life through interactive, historical programs. The museum is also home to numerous special events, like historic chocolate making.
Elfreth’s Alley
126 Elfreth’s Alley
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-0560
Known as our nation’s oldest residential street, Elfreth’s Alley dates back to the first days of the eighteenth century. Since 1702, the street has been home to more than 3,000 people. Today thirty-two houses, built between 1728 and 1836, line the alley, forming one of the last intact early American streetscapes in the nation. Elfreth's Alley is a National Historic Landmark District and one of the first districts that celebrates the lives of everyday Americans.
Franklin Institute
222 North 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1111
This museum is one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States, dating to 1824. Exhibits include the Science Center, holding the largest collection of artifacts from the Wright brothers’ workshop. Other attractions include Electricity, Changing Earth, and the museum is home to a planetarium and IMAX theatre.
Art Museum of Philadelphia
26th Street Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 684-7602
Considered one of the largest museums in the country, the Philadelphia Museum of Art invites visitors from around the world to explore its celebrated collections, special exhibitions, and enriching programs.
The Barnes Foundation
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215.640.0171
Founded in 1922 by Albert C. Barnes, the Barnes Foundation is an American educational art and horticultural institution in Philadelphia. The foundation possesses more than 2,500 objects, including 800 paintings. Primarily, these are works by Impressionist and Modernist masters, but the collection also includes many by leading European and American artists, as well as ancient works from other cultures.
Italian Market
9th Street between Christian Street and Washington Avenue
The South 9th Street Curb Market features various grocery shops, cafes, restaurants, bakeries, cheese shops and butcher shop with an Italian influence. Intermingled with the market’s traditional produce vendors are upscale gift stores and gourmet shops.
Review our list of top Philly cheesesteak locations.
0.9What's Nearby
Points of interest around the property
Place Name Address Phone Distance Show on map North Third N Third Street & Market Street 0.2 111 South Independence Mall E 0.5 200 Pine Street, Philadelphia PA 0.6 1300 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 1.1 1100 Pine Street, Philadelphia PA 1.4 Walnut Street – Rittenhouse Square Walnut Street & 18th Street 1.7 1455 Franklin Mills Circle 15 160 N Gulph Road 17.5 18 Lightcap Road 32.6
Place Name Address Phone Distance Show on map 8 S Front Street, Philadelphia PA 0.1 200 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 0.1 116 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 0.1 10 S Second Street, Philadelphia PA 0.2 48 S Second Street, Philadelphia PA 0.2 49 S. 2nd St, Philadelphia PA 0.2 214 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 0.2 221 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 0.2 6 N Third Street, Philadelphia PA 0.2 228 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 0.2 217 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 0.3 306 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 0.3 308 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 0.3 138 S Second Street, Philadelphia PA 0.3 325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 0.4 237 St. James Place, Philadelphia PA 0.5 205 N Fourth Street, Philadelphia PA 0.5 401 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia PA 0.6 400 South Street, Philadelphia PA 0.9 2nd & Market, Philadelphia PA 0.1 1219 S Ninth Street, Philadelphia PA 1.8 1249 S. 9th St, Philadelphia PA 1.8 1501 S Eighth Street, Philadelphia PA 1.9 39 E Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia PA 2.6
Place Name Address Phone Distance Show on map 126 Elfreths Alley, Philadelphia PA 0.2 318 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 0.3 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 0.3 125 S Second Street, Philadelphia PA 0.3 400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia PA 0.4 214 Walnut Street, Philadelphia PA 0.4 1400 S Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia PA 1.5 1 N Independence Mall W, Philadelphia PA 0.5 525 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 0.5 20 N American Street, Philadelphia PA 0.5 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 0.5 151 Independence Mall E, Philadelphia PA 0 601 N Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia PA 0.9 1 North Independence Mall W Philadelphia, PA 19106 0.48
Place Name Address Phone Distance Show on map 44 N Fourth Street, Philadelphia PA 0.4 20 N American Street, Philadelphia PA 0.5 321 Willings Alley, Philadelphia PA 0.6 418 Spruce Street, Philadelphia PA 0.7 55 N Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 1.3 1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia PA 1.4 1724 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 1.6 1723 Race Street, Philadelphia PA 1.6 2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 2
Place Name Address Phone Distance Show on map Penn's Landing 101 Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106 0.23 Race Street Pier N Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 629-3200 0.43 Independence National Park 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 965-2305 0.52 Franklin Square 6th and Race Streets Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 629-4026 0.66 Mario Lanza Park Catharine and Queen Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19147 1.07 Jefferson Square Park 3rd St. and Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147 1.35 JFK Plaza 1599 John F Kennedy Blvd Philadelphia, PA (215) 683-0246 1.39 Dickinson Square Park East Moyamensing Avenue and South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 1.52 Rittenhouse Square 19th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103 1.81 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Benjamin Franklin Parkway 1.99 Julian Abele Park 22nd and Carpenter Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19146 2.76 Boathouse Row 1 Boathouse Row Philadelphia, PA 19130 2.9 Drexel Park 32nd Street and Powelton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104 2.92 Clark Park 43th Street and Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104 3.84 Bartram’s Garden 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard Philadelphia, PA (215) 729-5281 4.99 Awbury Arboretum One Awbury Road Philadelphia, PA 19138 (215) 849-2855 7.69 Fairmount Park Northwestern Ave Philadelphia, PA (215) 683-0200 11.58
Place Name Address Phone Distance Show on map Sesame Place 100 Sesame Rd. Langhorne, PA 19047 (866) 464-3566 23.57 Philadelphia Zoo 3400 W. Girard Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 243-1100 3.64 Please Touch Museum 4231 Avenue of the Republic Philadelphia, PA 19131 (215) 581-3181 4.62 The Franklin Institute 222 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 448-1200 1.89 Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University 1.77 Reading Terminal Market 51 N. 12 St. Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 922-3930 0.99 Insectarium 8046 Frankford Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19136 (215) 335-9500 9.66 Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens 1020 South St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 (215) 733-0390 1.39
Place Name Address Phone Distance Show on map Jim’s Steaks 400 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 0.89 Geno’s Steaks 1219 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 1.69 Pat’s Steaks 1237 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147 1.74 Cosmi’s 1501 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 1.9 Sonny’s Famous 228 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 0.16 Tony Luke’s 39 E Oregon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148 2.63 Revolution House 200 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 0.1 John’s Roast Pork 14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148 2.1 Phillips 2234 Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145 3.3 Dalessandro’s & Chubby's 5826 Henry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128 7.4 Campo’s 214 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 0.14 Shank’s 901 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19147 1.09 Spataro,and By George & Carmen's 51 N 12th St Philadelphia, PA 19107 0.99
Phone: 215-922-7600
