Philadelphia

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Philadelphia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

    Center City West | Concerts

    This striking complex evokes Philadelphia's traditional redbrick structures, while making a contemporary design statement. The 450,000-square...

    This striking complex evokes Philadelphia's traditional redbrick structures, while making a contemporary design statement. The 450,000-square-foot facility by architect Rafael Viñoly includes the 2,500-seat cello-shaped Verizon Hall, the more intimate 650-seat Perelman Theater, a restaurant run by chef Jose Garces, a rooftop terrace, and public plaza—all topped by a dramatic glass-vaulted roof. Along with its resident companies, such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra, and the American Theater Arts for Youth, the center presents touring orchestral, jazz, and dance performances.

    Broad and Spruce Sts., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
    215-893–1999
  • 2. Philadelphia Folk Festival

    Festivals

    First held in 1961, the oldest continuously running folk festival in the country takes place each year in late August. Arlo Guthrie, Levon Helm...

    First held in 1961, the oldest continuously running folk festival in the country takes place each year in late August. Arlo Guthrie, Levon Helm, Trombone Shorty, Doc Watson, Taj Mahal, Joan Baez, and Judy Collins are just a few of the artists who have performed here.

    Old Pool Farm, near Schwenksville, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19473, USA
    215-247–1300
  • 3. Academy of Music

    Center City West | Concerts

    Inspired by Milan's La Scala opera house and completed in 1857, the Academy of Music is the oldest grand opera house in the country still used...

    Inspired by Milan's La Scala opera house and completed in 1857, the Academy of Music is the oldest grand opera house in the country still used for its intended purpose. An architectural marvel as well as a center for culture, the Academy features a lavish, neo-baroque interior, with red velvet seats, gilt, carvings, ceiling murals, and a huge crystal chandelier. Home to the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Ballet, the landmark also plays host to performances by major orchestras, theatrical and dance touring companies, and solo artists.

    Broad and Locust Sts., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
    215-893–1999
  • 4. Annenberg Center

    University City | Concerts

    The performing-arts complex on University of Pennsylvania's campus features multiple stages, from the 115-seat Bruce Montgomery Theatre to the...

    The performing-arts complex on University of Pennsylvania's campus features multiple stages, from the 115-seat Bruce Montgomery Theatre to the 936-seat Zellerbach. Something's always going on—including productions of musical comedy, drama, dance, and children's theater.

    3680 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
    215-898–3900
  • 5. Arden Theatre Company

    Old City

    The Arden, formed in 1988, is known for premiering new works and offering a mix of classic drama, comedy, and musicals, with a special affinity...

    The Arden, formed in 1988, is known for premiering new works and offering a mix of classic drama, comedy, and musicals, with a special affinity for the works of Stephen Sondheim; the company has won many local Barrymore Awards. Its home is in Old City.

    40 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
    215-922–1122
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  • 6. AVA Opera Theatre

    Rittenhouse Square | Opera

    The resident artists at the Academy of Vocal Arts, a four-year, tuition-free vocal training program, present four or five fully staged opera...

    The resident artists at the Academy of Vocal Arts, a four-year, tuition-free vocal training program, present four or five fully staged opera productions during their September to May season. They are accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and perform at various venues in and around the city.

    1920 Spruce St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
    215-735–1685
  • 7. Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

    Center City West | Music

    Directed by Dirk Brossé, this prestigious group performs chamber music from September to May at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for...

    Directed by Dirk Brossé, this prestigious group performs chamber music from September to May at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

    Broad and Spruce Sts., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
    215-790–5800
  • 8. Clark Park Summer Solstice Festival

    University City | Festivals

    The vivacious Clark Park Summer Solstice Festival has a full lineup of live bands, performers, vendors, and the fabulous, multicultural energy...

    The vivacious Clark Park Summer Solstice Festival has a full lineup of live bands, performers, vendors, and the fabulous, multicultural energy of all West Philly has to offer.

    Baltimore Ave. and 43rd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
    215-552–8186
  • 9. Curtis Institute of Music

    Rittenhouse Square | Music

    The gifted students at this world-renowned music conservatory give free recitals several times a week from October through May at 8 pm. All...

    The gifted students at this world-renowned music conservatory give free recitals several times a week from October through May at 8 pm. All of its students are on full scholarships; its alumni include such luminaries as Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, and Anna Moffo. The school also has an opera and symphony orchestra series.

    1726 Locust St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
    215-893–5252-hotline
  • 10. Forrest Theatre

    Center City East | Theater

    The Forrest is the place to catch Broadway blockbusters in Philadelphia. About eight high-profile shows are presented each season—think hits...

    The Forrest is the place to catch Broadway blockbusters in Philadelphia. About eight high-profile shows are presented each season—think hits like The Book of Mormon, Bullets Over Broadway, Pippin, and The Sound of Music.

    1114 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
    215-923–1515
  • 11. Freedom Theatre

    North Philadelphia

    The oldest and most active African-American theater in Pennsylvania is nationally renowned. Performances are scheduled throughout the year, primarily from September through June....

    The oldest and most active African-American theater in Pennsylvania is nationally renowned. Performances are scheduled throughout the year, primarily from September through June.

    1346 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19121, USA
    215-765–2793
  • 12. Keswick Theatre

    Concerts

    This 1,300-seat hall is a former vaudeville house and cinema that's on the National Register of Historic Places. Known for its fine acoustics...

    This 1,300-seat hall is a former vaudeville house and cinema that's on the National Register of Historic Places. Known for its fine acoustics, it hosts rock, jazz, country, comedy, and other entertainment.

    291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, Pennsylvania, 19038, USA
    215-572–7650
  • 13. Mann Center for the Performing Arts

    Fairmount | Concerts

    Pop, jazz, contemporary music, Broadway theater, opera, dance, and Shakespeare are presented in this open-air amphitheater in Fairmount Park...

    Pop, jazz, contemporary music, Broadway theater, opera, dance, and Shakespeare are presented in this open-air amphitheater in Fairmount Park from May through September. In the summer months, the Philadelphia Orchestra is in residence, along with noted soloists and guest conductors. International food booths and a tented buffet restaurant offer dinner before the show.

    5201 Parkside Ave., in W. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19131, USA
    215-898–0400
  • 14. Merriam Theater

    Center City West | Theater

    Built in 1918 as the Shubert, the ornate 1,688-seat theater has had many stage greats, including Al Jolson, Helen Hayes, Katharine Hepburn,...

    Built in 1918 as the Shubert, the ornate 1,688-seat theater has had many stage greats, including Al Jolson, Helen Hayes, Katharine Hepburn, Sammy Davis Jr., Angela Lansbury, and Sir Laurence Olivier. Now owned by the University of the Arts and named after a local benefactor, the lavishly decorated Merriam hosts a full schedule of national tours of Broadway shows, modern dance companies, and solo performers, from the magicians Penn & Teller to tap dancer Savion Glover.

    250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
    215-710–5800
  • 15. Opera Company of Philadelphia

    Center City West | Opera

    The company stages five or six productions a year between October and May at the Academy of Music; some operas have international stars. All...

    The company stages five or six productions a year between October and May at the Academy of Music; some operas have international stars. All performances are in the original language, with English supertitles above the stage.

    Broad and Locust Sts., 420 Locust St., Suite 210, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
    215-893–3600
  • 16. Painted Bride Art Center

    Old City

    By day it's a contemporary art gallery showing bold, challenging works. By night it's a multidisciplinary, multicultural performance center, with performance art, prose and poetry...

    By day it's a contemporary art gallery showing bold, challenging works. By night it's a multidisciplinary, multicultural performance center, with performance art, prose and poetry readings, folk and new music, jazz, dance, and avant-garde theater. The gallery is open Tuesday–Saturday noon–6.

    230 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
    215-925–9914
  • 17. PECO Multicultural Series

    Penn's Landing | Festivals

    PECO, Philadelphia's primary electric provider, sponsors a series of global celebrations along Penn's Landing over summer weekends. Each installment...

    PECO, Philadelphia's primary electric provider, sponsors a series of global celebrations along Penn's Landing over summer weekends. Each installment focuses on a different cultural tradition, a welcome respite from the grueling dog days of the season.

    Columbus Ave. and Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
    215-922–2386
  • 18. Pennsylvania Ballet

    Center City West | Dance

    Artistic director Angel Corella leads the company through a season of classic favorites and new works; they dance on the stage of the Academy...

    Artistic director Angel Corella leads the company through a season of classic favorites and new works; they dance on the stage of the Academy of Music and at the Merriam Theater at the University of the Arts. Their annual production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is a holiday favorite.

    Broad and Locust Sts., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
    215-551–7000
  • 19. Philadelphia Chamber Music Society

    Concerts

    From October to May, the society presents 60 concerts featuring nationally and internationally known musicians. The schedule is packed with...

    From October to May, the society presents 60 concerts featuring nationally and internationally known musicians. The schedule is packed with a piano, vocal, and chamber music series, a special-events and jazz series, and string recitals. Performances are held in the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and at other locations in the city.

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
    215-569–8587-information
  • 20. Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts

    Center City East | Music

    Dedicated solely to jazz, including its history and instruction, the Clef Club boasts a 240-seat theater for live concerts, celebrating both...

    Dedicated solely to jazz, including its history and instruction, the Clef Club boasts a 240-seat theater for live concerts, celebrating both the present and past of Philly jazz.

    738 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19146, USA
    215-893–9912

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