Beyond The Liberty Bell: Philadelphia's Best-Kept Secrets

While local tourist attractions can be crowded and expensive, we explore some fun activities that are off the beaten track. Read ahead for our guide to some hidden gems of Philadelphia.

Magic Gardens

Artist Isaiah Zagar’s masterful mosaic house of artwork dominates its block on South Street. With colors, sculptures and meshes of bicycles parts covering the walls, the Magic Gardens acts as part maze, gallery space and folk art environment. Take a tour for $7 (students, military and seniors (with ID) can enjoy it for $5, while children ages 6-12 can get in for $3). The story behind the inspiration for these tiles and maze work will have you spending hours here looking at all the details.
Magic Gardens, 1020 South St Philadelphia, PA 19147 215-733-0390

1. El Jarocho

Restaurant

El Jarocho

This hole-in-the-wall restaurant is a small taqueria at 13th and Adler, right off of Washington Avenue. The authentic, tasty Mexican is a gem among Mexican restaurants in the city and the price is conveniently affordable. Here, you’ll get friendly, quick service and very sizable mouth-watering burritos. Plus, the nachos and appetites are great for sharing. Most menu items cost under $10.
El Jarocho Taqueria, 1138 S 13th St Philadelphia, PA 19147 215-463-2020

Philadelphia Toynbee Tiles

Throughout the city, tile hunters can spot the mysterious Toynbee tiles placed elusively in the middle of intersections in Center City. The tiles say: ‘TOYNBEE IDEA/ IN MOVIE ‘2001/RESURRECT DEAD/ON PLANET JUPITER.’ Years of theories abound about the tiles and who placed them there, and there’s even been a documentary made called Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles that specifically showcases the tiles in Philadelphia (there are other Toynbee tiles in two dozen major US cities), where the filmmakers believe it may have started. See how many you can spot in the city, since Philadelphia happens to have the highest number of Toynbee tiles.
Toynbee Tiles, Various Intersections, Philadelphia, PA

3. Art Museum Sundays and Wednesdays

Museum

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On the first Sunday of each month, the Philadelphia Art Museum allows for pay-what-you-wish for access to the museum’s every day collections. Perfect for families on a budget, the museum boasts a collection of over 227,000 European and American paintings, prints and decorative arts. Check out the suits of armor, impressionist paintings and special exhibits while you’re there. Also, on the last Wednesday of every month, enjoy pop-up events with artists, performers and other art creators, and see exclusive performances and art pieces. Afterwards, take a stroll on the Schuykill River Trail.

4. Mutter Museum

Building, Museum

The Mutter Museum, America’s finest museum of medical history, hosts a treasure trove of anatomical wonders at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Peruse the preserved collections of specimens, models and medical instruments from the 19th-century. See the well-preserved woman whose body turned to soap or the row of skulls. Medical anomalies and the history of the medical profession allows visitors to have a freakishly good time. Admission is $16 for adults and cheaper for everyone else.

Paddle Penn’s Landing

At Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River, visitors can experience the water for themselves. Enjoy kayaks for $5 per hour and tandem kayaks for $10 per hour in the safe area of the marina. Rowboats and swan boats are available as well. Afterwards, stop by Spruce Street Harbor Park for a drink or a swing in the hammock. The marina is open for paddling everyday from May through September.
Paddle Penn’s Landing 121 N Columbus Blvd Philadelphia PA 19106 215-922-2FUN

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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