255 Best Sights in Pennsylvania, USA

An elaborate revamp of the long-standing Gallery shopping complex, the Fashion District consists of more than 800,000 square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations. Big-name retailers include Primark, Eddie Bauer, H&M, Levi’s, and Nike. There’s a state-of-the-art AMC movie theater, the large-scale City Winery, as well as smaller, more affordable dining options, and Round1, a multi-entertainment facility that has bowling, billiards, karaoke, and more than 250 arcade games.

Housed in an authentic 1876 firehouse, this museum traces the history of firefighting, from the volunteer company founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin in 1736 to the professional departments of the 20th century. The collection includes early hand- and horse-drawn fire engines, such as a 1796 hand pumper, an 1857 steamer, and a 1907 three-horse Metropolitan steamer; fire marks (18th-century building signs marking them as insured for fire); uniforms; other memorabilia; and a 9/11 memorial. There is also a gift shop on-site and online.

A fine example of Federal architecture, the oldest bank building in the country was the headquarters of the government's bank from 1797 to 1811. Designed by Samuel Blodget Jr., it was an imposing structure in its day, exemplifying strength, dignity, and security. It's closed to the public but it's popular for an outdoor visit; head to the right to find a wrought-iron gateway topped by an eagle. Pass through it into the courtyard, and you magically step into Colonial America. Before you do so, check out the bank's pediment. Executed in 1797 by Clodius F. Legrand and Sons, its cornucopia, oak branch, and American eagle are carved from mahogany—a late-18th-century masterpiece that has withstood weather better than the bank's marble pillars.

The University of Penn campus is worth a stroll around, and here the public is welcome inside (admittance is 9–6 weekdays for non-Penn visitors). One of the finest works of Frank Furness, this was the most iconoclastic library building in America when it opened in 1891. The acclaimed Philadelphia architect adorned the enormous reading room with Romanesque archways and skylights, and separated the soaring stairwell from study areas and stacks to minimize distractions. The unusual aesthetic extends to the exterior, with its terra-cotta panels, short heavy columns, and gargoyles on the north end. The mottoes inscribed on many of the original leaded-glass windows were chosen by Horace Howard Furness, Frank's older brother and a Shakespeare scholar on Penn’s faculty. Energetic visitors can make the long climb up the main staircase to see the upper half of the tower.

The realization of founder Samuel S. Fleisher's open invitation "to come and learn art," this school and gallery has offered classes, some tuition-free, since 1898. Fleisher presents regular exhibits of contemporary art as well as works by faculty and students. The Memorial consists of several connected buildings, including the Sanctuary, a Romanesque Revival Episcopal church designed by the architectural firm of Frank Furness and featuring European art from the 13th to the 15th century. A satellite building at 705 Christian Street is dedicated to works on paper.

Archaeologist, collector, and noted Arts and Crafts tile maker Henry Mercer (1856–1930) designed his home, completed in 1912, creating what resembles a turreted 13th-century castle in fireproof, innovative reinforced concrete; it's stuffed with books, drawings, and, above all, tiles. The multilevel house was built without blueprints as a mazelike jumble of rooms (44 in all). Ancient tiles collected by Mercer and handcrafted Arts and Crafts tiles from his company's kilns (depicting scenes from the Bible, Dickens's Pickwick Papers, and more) cover floors, walls, columns, and ceilings. An hour-long tour—not for the claustrophobic—explains the amazing incrustations; reservations are suggested. Occasionally there are special, longer tours. Steps away, the TileWorks ( thetileworks.org) is Mercer's former tile factory; there are tours and a gift shop. 

Frederick Law Olmsted is best known as the designer of New York’s Central Park, and his sons followed in their father’s footsteps in founding the Olmsted Brothers firm, which created this high-profile park in deep South Philly. Originally called League Island Park, when it was designed in the decade leading up to the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition, it’s now colloquially known as “The Lakes” for its network of channels and lagoons. The park contains numerous historical structures, including a soaring granite gazebo ringed in Doric columns, the dramatically arched boathouse, and the castlelike American Swedish Historical Museum. April through October, it's also home to the Southeast Asian Market ( www.fdrseamarket.com), where talented cooks from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and more cook street food from their cultures' cuisines.

One of five squares William Penn placed in his original design, this park is now a family-friendly destination. In addition to the water-dancing fountain, there’s a modern playground and carousel; a food stand with burgers, fries, and shakes; and an 18-hole miniature golf course boasting scale models of Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Ben Franklin Bridge, and other local landmarks. The park also plays host to numerous events throughout the year, including the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival and Winter in Franklin Park.

This was the house of worship for the Free "Fighting" Quakers, a group that broke away from the Society of Friends to support the cause against the British during the Revolutionary War. The building was designed in 1783 by Samuel Wetherill, one of the original leaders of the group, after they were disowned by their pacifist flock. Among the 100 members were Betsy Ross and Timothy Matlack, colonel in Washington's Army and assistant secretary of the Continental Congress. After the Free Quaker group dissolved, the building was used as a school, library, and warehouse. The meetinghouse, built in the Quaker plain style with a brick front and gable roof, has been carefully restored.  No tickets are required, but call Independence National Historical Park to check on availability.

The includes Clayton, the turn-of-the-20th-century home of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, which preserves the original furnishings and art; a car and carriage museum; the Frick Art Museum, which possesses a small but choice collection of old master works; a Victorian greenhouse; and a café serving an excellent lunch. Reservations for tours of Clayton and café seating are recommended.

Built in 1883 and formerly named Gazela Primeiro, this 177-foot square-rigger is the last of a Portuguese fleet of cod-fishing ships, retired from regular service in 1969. As the Port of Philadelphia's ambassador of goodwill, the Gazela sails from June to October to participate in harbor festivals and celebrations up and down the Atlantic coast. She’s also a ship school and a museum, and has been featured in movies like Interview with the Vampire. An all-volunteer crew works on maintenance while the vessel is in port. While here, you can also admire the tugboat, Jupiter, the oldest tugboat in existence, which was built in Philadelphia. 

This museum presents the story of the Civil War era and the Battle of Gettysburg through artifacts, a 20-minute film, 3D videos and photos, and interactive displays. At the front desk, you can book battlefield tours (for a fee) by Victorian carriage, horseback, electric bike, or foot. Costumed guides lead 90-minute walking tours of the town (also for a fee).

Also known as Soldiers' National Cemetery, this is the final resting place for more than 3,500 Union soldiers who died on the battlefield. Dedicated by President Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address, the cemetery is also where some 3,000 veterans of subsequent conflicts were laid to rest. A stroll through the beautiful grounds past row after row of white grave markers is a sobering reminder of the cost of war. 

Built between 1928 and 1939, this neo-Romanesque 90-room former home of Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn, now houses the family's collection of antiques that were gathered by John and his son Raymond. The house has some fantastic details, but the best part is walking into old bedrooms that now serve as galleries for ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, African, Native American, and Sumerian artworks as well as a fantastic basement gallery full of 13th-century European stained glass and sculpture. The view from the observation deck, 149 feet up, is worth the tight elevator ride up there.

One of the few remaining relics from the Swedes who settled in Pennsylvania before William Penn, Gloria Dei, also known as Old Swedes' Church, has been active since 1700. It’s the oldest church in Pennsylvania and second oldest in the entire country. Models of the ships that transported the first Swedish settlers hang from the ceiling in the center of the church; the baptismal font dates all the way back to 1731, while religious carvings on display are even older. Grouped around the house of worship are the parish hall, the sexton’s house, the rectory, and the church offices. Sitting in the center of a graveyard, Old Swedes' is calming in its tranquility.

On a hill overlooking the town of Milford, this historic mansion was built to resemble a French chateau. The Pinchot family commissioned the home in 1886, and their eldest son, Gifford, went on to establish the U.S. Forest Service, which now owns and operates the property. Visits are by guided tour only. The mansion sits on a 102-acre plot of forests and gardens, and visitors can take self-guided tours of the grounds throughout the year. The garden features an amphitheater, a moat, a walled garden, and a number of classical fountains, as well as a half-mile forest trail.

Hershey Gardens opened in 1937 with a single 3½-acre plot of roses, and over eight decades has grown to include 11 theme gardens on 23 landscaped acres. Home to more than 3,500 rosebushes and 20,000 tulips, the gardens come to life in spring as thousands of bulbs burst into bloom. Flowering displays last until fall, when late roses open. The year-round Butterfly Atrium hosts hundreds of pollinators from around the world, and don't miss the chocolate-themed Children's Garden. A garden shop is on-site.

This multimedia experience features the life and work of Milton S. Hershey, who founded the town bearing his name—and just about everything in it. On display is a working Hershey Kiss wrapping machine plus other memorabilia from the company's long history. A highlight is the Chocolate Lab, which offers hands-on workshops (for a fee). The Pantry Cafe sells tasting flights of hot chocolates from around the world as well as light fare.

Just outside the gates of Hersheypark, Chocolatetown greets visitors with a gentle amusement-style ride through the chocolate-making process. The Hyperdeck virtual reality experience transports you away from all things chocolate; outside is the 1919 Carrousel with 66 hand-carved wooden horses and Candymonium, Hersheypark's tallest, longest, and fastest roller coaster. The year-round eateries include a full-service restaurant, ice cream parlor, and confectionery shop that all focus on chocolate (Heath Bar–crusted salmon, anyone?).

Built in 1786, this is one of the oldest freestanding houses in Society Hill, with elegantly restored interiors and some of the finest Federal and Empire furniture in Philadelphia. Touches of Napoléon's France are everywhere—the golden bee motif woven into upholstery; the magenta Aubusson rug; and stools in the style of Pompeii, the Roman city rediscovered at the time of the house's construction. Upstairs in the parlor, there’s an inkstand that retains Benjamin Franklin's actual fingerprints. Originally built by a wealthy wine importer, the house's most famous owner was Philip Syng Physick, the "Father of American Surgery" and a leading physician in the days before anesthesia. His celebrated patients included President Andrew Jackson and Chief Justice John Marshall. The garden planted outside the house is filled with plants common during the 19th century; complete with an Etruscan sarcophagus, a natural grotto, and antique cannon, it’s one of the city’s loveliest. Tour times change throughout the year, so check in advance.

Three historic buildings—an 18th-century log cabin and a turn-of-the-19th-century tavern and house—have been restored and opened for guided tours by Historic Fallsington. In the off-season (mid-Oct.--mid-May), it's open by appointment only.

North America's first paper mill was built here in 1690 by Mennonite minister William Rittenhouse. Over the next 150 years, 10 generations of his family lived on the site and operated the mill. His most famous offspring, born in 1732, was David Rittenhouse, astronomer, statesman, and first president of the U.S. Mint. You can stroll anytime through this National Historic District that consists of 30 picturesque acres along the Wissahickon and seven outbuildings—this is worth doing, as it is also an entryway to Wissahickon Valley Park. Public tours (summer only) are offered intermittently—private tours can be arranged by phone. By the parking lot is the PAPERTrail Bike Cafe ( papertrailbikecafe.com), a tiny coffee and bike repair shop, where you can grab a coffee and snack and sit at picnic benches on the historic grounds.

Seen on a guided tour focused on the mansion's history and its furnishings, the largest of Fairmount Park's historic houses has antiques, art, and furniture from the Federal and Empire period. On display is rare Tucker and Hemphill porcelain, and the house also showcases antique dolls and toys. Rooms have been decorated by different groups, some in Colonial Revival style. The house was originally built around 1783–93 by Judge William Lewis, an abolitionist lawyer. The Committee of 1926, the stewardship group that operates the mansion, has events for the 2026 Semiquincentennial celebrations including a summer art exhibition featuring contemporary local artists and a look at the legacy of the city's 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition.

Independence Square is located within the larger Independence Park. On July 8, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first read in public here. You can imagine the impact the reading had on the colonists. There are several buildings you can visit within this square, including Independence Hall, Congress Hall, Old City Hall, and the Museum of the American Philosophical Society in Philosophical Hall.

The caverns are a tranquil change of pace from theme-park action, offering guided walking tours of ancient limestone caves and their formations. Historians believe that Native Americans used the caves as shelter from harsh weather. The temperature inside is naturally at 52°F year-round, so bring a sweater. The caverns are not handicap accessible, and strollers are not allowed. There's a gift shop with gemstones and souvenirs, a petting barnyard, and a picnic area.

In Northeastern Philly, a neighborhood not known for its tourist attractions, is a bug lover's heaven. Revel in this ugly-yet-beautiful collection of thousands of creepy crawlers—tarantulas, giant centipedes, assassin bugs, and metallic beetles that look like pieces of gold jewelry. Started by an exterminator, the museum is home to more than 50 live species and mounted insects from around the world. The 5,000-square-foot space has one of the largest butterfly and moth collections in North America, a working beehive, a man-made (and kid-sized) spider web, and a kitchen teeming with live cockroaches. It's definitely a place for screaming kids, but it's hard not to enjoy at any age. It's easier to drive here than to take public transportation. By public transit, take the Market-Frankford subway to the end (Frankford Transportation Center); transfer to SEPTA bus 66 to Welsh Road.

This museum, part of the University of Pennsylvania, has established a reputation for identifying promising contemporary artists and championing them at critical points in their careers. Among the creators who have had exhibitions at ICA and later gone on to international prominence are Andy Warhol (his first-ever solo museum show, in 1965), Laurie Anderson, Robert Mapplethorpe, and surveys of less famous but important artists such as Jamaican Mavis Pusey's geometric abstractions. ICA is dedicated to the one or two exhibitions they show at a time. Exhibitions are long-running but closing between them is typical, so check what's up before you go.

If you want local color, nothing compares with the South 9th Street Italian Market. On both sides of 9th Street from Fitzwater Street to Wharton Street and spilling out onto the surrounding blocks, outdoor stalls and indoor stores sell spices, cheeses, pastas, fruits, vegetables, and freshly slaughtered poultry and beef, not to mention household items, clothing, shoes, and other goods. It's crowded and filled with the aromas of everything from fresh garlic to imported salami. Food shops include Di Bruno Bros. House of Cheese, Claudio's, and Talluto's Authentic Italian Food. Fante's is well known for cookware. The market's general hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9–5:30; some vendors open earlier and others close around 3:30. Some shops are open Sunday and even Monday; it's wise to call ahead to specific shops and check.

Named for the late best-selling novelist and Doylestown native, this museum, across the street from the Mercer Museum, has a permanent collection and changing exhibitions that focus on 19th- and 20th-century American art, especially those by Bucks County artists. It's known for its collection of early-20th-century Pennsylvania impressionists, representing such artists as Edward Redfield and Daniel Garber. The museum occupies the buildings and grounds of the former Bucks County jail, which dates from 1884. A 23-foot-high fieldstone wall surrounds seven galleries, an outdoor sculpture garden, and a Gothic-style warden's house. There's also a re-creation of Michener's Doylestown study. A relatively new gallery accommodates larger traveling exhibits, included in the price of admission.

A small but lively museum, on a site that holds the first American home of Haitian-born artist and naturalist John James Audubon (1785–1851), captures the wonders of the avian world and the need to protect it, as well as Audubon's mission to paint North America's birds. Kid-friendly interactive exhibits explore nests, birdsongs, feathers, and more; exhibits about Audubon's artistic process (with a copy of his massive Birds of America) will appeal to older children and adults. Outside, there's a bird-themed outdoor play space. Admission includes a tour (sign up at center for the one tour, at 1 pm) of Mill Grove, Audubon's stone farmhouse, built in 1762 and filled with displays relating to Audubon. Managed by the National Audubon Society, this site 2 miles north of Valley Forge National Historical Park is within the 200-acre Mill Grove estate and has 5 miles of marked walking trails. The center also offers birding sessions and other outdoor programs.