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CONTACT: |
Cara Schneider |
GPTMC |
(215) 599-0789 |
cara@gptmc.com |
MANY OF
PHILLY’S FINEST ATTRACTIONS ARE FREE – OR ALMOST
Immersive, Interactive Experiences Rule The School In This Region
Philadelphia, May 10, 2004 — When it comes to visiting Philadelphia, some of the best things to do and see are free – or close to it. For families traveling to the region, that’s great news. Check out the low-cost or no-cost attractions, including historic Independence Hall, the flavorful Italian Market, the world’s oldest A.M.E. church, the hi-tech production line of Herr’s Potato Chip Factory and Fairmount Park’s rustic trails.
* All attractions are free and located in Center City Philadelphia unless otherwise noted. Some of the attractions may request a suggested donation from visitors.
Cultural Attractions
Displayed in a quiet
suburban mansion is one of the world’s grandest art collections, including an
unsurpassed collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist work. Equally
impressive is The Barnes Foundation’s African, Native American and
American holdings. Tickets to the Barnes are only $5. Advance reservations are
required. 300 N. Latch’s Lane, Merion, (610) 667-0290, ext. 5191,
www.barnesfoundation.org
Poe, master of the macabre
and inventor of the detective story, spent his most prolific years in
Philadelphia, where he wrote “The Raven” and, rumor has it, “The Tell-Tale
Heart.” Hours for the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site vary
according to season. 7th & Spring Garden Streets, (215) 597-8780,
www.nps.gov/edal
The Mummers Museum
celebrates a centuries-old Philadelphia tradition, which can be traced back to
English settlers who brought to the Colonies their Christmastime custom of
dressing in costume and performing pantomimes. The Mummers Parade started in
South Philadelphia on New Year’s Day 1901 and has grown into an elaborate
10,000-person, all-day affair. Admission is $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for
children. 1100 S. 2nd Street, (215) 336-3050,
www.riverfrontmummers.com
Through imaginative
interactive exhibits, the National Liberty Museum reminds visitors of
the heroes who devoted their lives to preserving liberty for all by telling
their vivid stories. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for
students with ID and free for children with their families. 321 Chestnut
Street, (215) 925-2800,
www.libertymuseum.org
On Sundays, the
Philadelphia Museum of Art invites budget-conscious art lovers to pay what
they wish for family programs and the opportunity to explore the collections,
including works by Marcel Duchamp, Salvador Dali, Himalayan artists and local
luminaries such as Thomas Eakins. 26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway,
(215) 763-8100, www.philamuseum.org
Special-Interest Attractions
Fairmount Park, one
of the world’s largest landscaped parks, leads from the Philadelphia Museum of
Art into the farthest reaches of the city, and is home to the Philadelphia
Zoo, Boathouse Row, Memorial Hall and many trails. (215) 685-0001,
www.phila.gov/fairpark/
Popcorn, potato chips,
munch, munch, munch. Visitors taking the Herr's Snack Factory Tour can
rest assured that they won’t be craving lunch. Factory visits finish with free
samples of chips, just out of the oven. Route 272 & Herr Drive, Nottingham,
(610) 932-9330, www.herrs.com
Tour Linvilla Orchards,
a fully functioning, 300-acre farm, complete with a year-round farmer’s
market, barnyard animals and fields where visitors can pick-their-own fruits
and veggies in season. 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, (610) 876-7116,
www.linvilla.com
Historical Sites
The Betsy Ross House
was the Colonial home of Betsy Ross, who is credited with sewing the first
American flag at the request of General George Washington. A $3 donation is
requested for adults, $2 for children. 239 Arch Street, (215) 686-1252,
www.betsyrosshouse.org
For a bird’s-eye view of
Philadelphia, head to City Hall’s observation deck, which sits just
below the William Penn statue. Also, get a glimpse at the history of the city
government while exploring this grand building. Day-of reservations
recommended. Broad & Market Streets, (215) 686-2840
Elfreth’s Alley, the
oldest continuously occupied residential street in the U.S., is a quaint
cobblestone alley located in Old City. Admission to the museum is $2 for
adults, $1 for children ages 6 to 18. 2nd Street between Arch & Race Streets,
(215) 574-0560,
www.elfrethsalley.org
Known as the birthplace of
our nation, Independence National Historical Park includes the
Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, the site of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence. Independence Hall requires advance
reservations for free admission, available at the Independence Visitor Center
at 6th & Market Streets. Between 5th & 6th Streets and Walnut & Market
Streets, (215) 965-2305, www.nps.gov/inde
The Johnson House, a
Quaker home in Germantown owned by four generations of the abolitionist
Johnson family, was once a vital stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, the
house displays various slavery artifacts, as well as an exceptional array of
educational material in rooms that feature history lectures, art shows and
other special programs. Admission is $5 adults, $3 seniors, $2 children.
Reservations required. 6306 Germantown Avenue, (215) 438-1768,
www.johnsonhouse.org
The National Constitution
Center is the first interactive museum dedicated to honor and perpetuate
the ideas embodied in the U.S. Constitution. Admission is $6 for adults, $5
for children under 12 and seniors (62 and older), children under 4 are free.
525 Arch Street, (215) 409-6600,
www.constitutioncenter.org
Religious Sites
Pennsylvania’s heritage is
directly tied to the Arch Street Friends Meeting House, a plain meeting
house for the Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, one of whom was
William Penn. This historic building offers visitors insights into the roots
and practices of the Friends. 4th & Arch Streets, (215) 627-2667,
www.archstreetfriends.org
Majestic and medieval, the
Bryn Athyn Cathedral offers exquisite gardens, stunning stained glass,
breathtaking architecture and beautifully planted grounds. 900 Cathedral Road,
Bryn Athyn, (215) 947-6225,
www.brynathyncathedral.org
The Christ Church and
Burial Ground, an Episcopal church once attended by Ben Franklin and other
Founding Fathers, remains one of America’s most beautiful and historic
religious structures. The burial ground serves as Franklin’s final resting
place, as well as that of four other signers of the Declaration of
Independence. Church, 2nd & Market Streets; Burial Ground, 5th & Arch Streets,
(215) 922-1695,
www.christchurchphila.org
Just a 20-minute drive from
downtown, the Saint Katharine Drexel Mission Center and Shrine is home
to the crypt and shrine of a Philadelphia woman who devoted her life to poor
African-Americans and Native Americans, and was canonized a saint in 2000.
1663 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, (215) 244-9900, ext. 314,
www.katharinedrexel.org
Standing across the street
from Philadelphia’s City Hall, the Masonic Temple, a massive tribute to
freemasonry, includes seven rooms representing Corinthian, Gothic, Egyptian,
Ionic, Norman, Oriental and Renaissance architectural styles. $3 suggested
donation. 1 N. Broad Street, (215) 988-1917,
www.pagrandlodge.org
# # #
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), Philadelphia's regional tourism marketing agency, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building the region's economy and positive image through tourism and destination marketing. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676, or visit www.gophila.com. For information about arts and cultural attractions in the region, click on the CultureFiles link.
Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit the photo gallery of www.gophila.com/pressroom
