What To See When You're Not Taking Part In The DNC Action
The Democratic National Convention is coming to Philadelphia July 25-28. Looking for something to do when you're not at the convention? Well you're in the right place. Philadelphia is an amazing place to visit, with so many things to see and do.
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1020 South Street
Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Magic Gardens is as magical as Philly gets. The multi floor outdoor museum is infamous for its outdoor art installation and indoor galleries. The space was created using items you wouldn't see in a traditional museum. From bicycle wheels, to handmade tiles and glittering mirrors, the Philadelphia Magic Gardens is certainly a piece de resistance.
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Spruce Street Harbor Park & Blue Cross River Rink
401 South Columbus
Philadelphia, PA
The strip along the Delaware River will not disappoint. Spruce Street Harbor Park is a popular summer spot with great food, drinks, and games. The park is free to the public and features hammocks, fountains, floating barges, and a boardwalk. Located only a short walking distance away is the Blue Cross River Rink. In the summer the rink tuns into a roller skating rink, which is fun for guests of all ages.
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Dilworth Park
1 South 15th St
Philadelphia, PA
It's not called the 'City of Brotherly Love' for nothing. LOVE is an iconic Pop Art image by American artist Robert Indiana previously located in Love Park. The bright red statue has been the backdrop to weddings, proposals, and just about anyone who stops by.
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Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
128 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
Philly's murals turn the entire city into a work of art. With more than 3,800 outdoor murals in total, the colorful, symbolic paintings aim to inspire change through artwork. The Mural Arts Program offers segway, walking, private and many other types of tours to help you make the best out of the experience.
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Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps and Rocky Statue
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
If you've seen Rocky, then you've seen the steps, and who are we kidding, just about everyone has seen Rocky. While in Philadelphia, the art museum and it's famed decor is definitely a must see. Besides being the background to a fictional boxer's milestone, the museum is one of the most important art museums in the country. It has a vast collection of renaissance, impressionist, and American masterpieces that are marveled across the America.
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2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA
The Barnes Foundation is described as a"gallery in a garden, a garden in a gallery." The museum holds one of the finest collections of post-impressionist and early modern paintings. The 93,000-square-foot, two-story building, boasts a number of sustainable features, including a green roof and permeable surfaces that allow for rain and grey water re-use.
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2027 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Once home to notorious criminals Al Capone and "Slick Willie" Sutton, the Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Year round the prison has self-guided tours, exhibitions, special events, and a horrific haunted house during Halloween. The prison is sure to give you a chill, even in the summer.
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What better to place to be for a political convention, than the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress? Here's some things to see that recount the city's remarkable history...
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Independence Mall
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
While in Philly, it is only right that you see things you couldn't see anywhere else in the world. The National Constitution Center is the world's only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. The museum aims to give visitors a deeper look into the 'greatest vision for human freedom in history.' The center is complete with 42-life-sized bronze statues of the founding fathers, but its most popular attraction is its Freedom Rising production, which features a 360-degree projection, and a live actor who narrates the American quest for freedom.
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520 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
See the room where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed! This historical landmark offers guided tours led by National Park Rangers. Independence Hall is part of the U.S. National Park Service and Independence National Historical Park. The hall features Georgian architecture, mock fugitive slave hearings, and showcases the courtroom of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
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41 N. 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA
The Liberty Bell is one of Philadelphia's first symbols of freedom. Abolitionists and advocates for women's suffrage all were known to use the bell. Centered in a glass chamber with Independence Hall as it's backdrop, the 2,080 pound bell wears a crack that tells a story. The exhibit also has historic documents and graphic images that explore the facts and myths surrounding the bell.
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317 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
As you can probably tell by its name, the Benjamin Franklin Museum highlights everything about this found father. After a major two-year renovation, the museum gives a better than ever look into his life and legacy. The museum features artifacts, computer animations, interactive displays, and even showcases his love for squirrels.
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If your looking to escape the busy city, here's an attraction people travel the world to see.
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348
People from all around the world travel to see this 'utopia' of flowers, so why not stop by while you're in the area? The garden has 1,077 acres of outdoor gardens, indoor gardens, and thousands of varying plants. The picturesque venue hosts hundreds of events each year and is one of the premier performance venues in the Philadelphia region. They also offer educational opportunities and have activities made for children.
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Enjoy!
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