Weekend in Philadelphia The Secret Sights of Historic Philadelphia The best way to dig deeper, though, is on a walking tour with the organization. The gardens here are incredible, and the events that the Shofuso House hosts are truly unique. Note that tickets are timed and must be purchased in advance. They showcase ancient statues, artwork, and artifacts collected from around the world. Royal Boucherie somehow manages to be everything to everyone: a brasserie for the business lunch crowd, a welcoming bar for the late-night set in the neighborhood, a fine dining experience for those who love French-inflected cuisine, and its even got a garden for summer nights that demand champagne and oysters. Over the past decade or more, Philly has increasingly become a top destination for foodies. ", Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia. The beautiful mansion sits on over 100 acres of well-maintained landscaped grounds. Rocco's Sausage at Home Depot. Also you might add the Heinz Wildlife preserve at Tinicum. Formerly known as the Wood Turning Center, the four-decade-old center features temporary and permanent collections consisting of 1,200 wood art-related objects and a 25,000-item research library on the history of woodturning and woodworking. Any hidden gem bars in university city? 1. The quiet space, which has been here in various forms since 1897, is surrounded by research labs and buildings of the Biology Department. It is located at 780-782 S 2nd Street though it is tough to identify. The quarter-mile stretch of park will ultimately be three miles long, which will make the Rail Park twice the length of New Yorks famous High Line. A Secret Treasure. The Magic Gardensa whimsical, artistic experience surrounded by mosaics and reclaimed objectsis one of the top attractions in the city. Often called simply the Penn Museum, this institution on the University of Pennsylvania campus is the spot to marvel over Egyptian mummies, Middle Eastern funerary relics, Greek pottery, Roman statues, and other treasures of the ancient world. Graffiti Bar 377 Lounges The only way to fully experience Philly? Gifted to the American people by Japan after World War II, the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center is an oasis from the city in the heart of West Fairmount Park. Where: Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, 8046 Frankford Avenue. Chef Mike Solomonov is a local expert who guides viewers on a food tour in the latest edition of Walk With T+L to discover some hidden gems across the city. Menu is similar to Basile's other restaurant (Old City's Radicchio Cafe), offering inexpensive . Every Sunday, the market shed fills with vendors from around the region selling their wares in the building whose history dates to 1745. We spoke about Jaylen Johnson's game in a recent underclassmen post profiling new names to our 2025 rankings. If youre looking to uncover off the beaten path (but beloved by locals) places in a city, you should probably go straight to the source. Mural Arts offers maps so you can take your own self-guided walking tour. Behold: The only lighthouse in Philadelphia. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Fairmount Park is full of hidden gems, and the Shofuso House is one of my favorites. Picture birdwatching on the shore of a quiet marsh at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge. It's the go-to place when you want to explore something you haven't before. 15 Philly Restaurants With Great Private Dining Rooms. You'll never get bored with the many stores to explore, delicious food options, and stunning waterfront views. Solomonov's first stop is Down North . Now, it's a wide open park that shows off some of the best skyline views around. Where: Chanticleer, 786 Church Road, Wayne. The enormous complex takes a high-tech, interactive approach to teaching visitors about the American Revolution, with immersive experiences and touch screens for days. Youll see everything from a jewelry chest that belonged to Charles II to an unusual clock made by Marie Antoinettes clock maker. Pennsylvania Hospital was the first hospital in the United States, built in 1755 decades before the country even existed. One particularly popular section is the Boardwalk, which continues the trail out over the river from Locust Street to South Street. The fortress, lying at the eastern edge of Philadelphia International Airport, is also a hotspot for airplane aficionados. Employees in period dress ring up your purchases at antique cash registers, just as they would have in the old days. Once threatened with demolition to make way for a cross-town highway, South Street has since become one of Philadelphias hippest districts, thanks in large part to visionaries like Isaiah Zagarthe artist behind Philadelphias Magic Gardens. With free admission, the arboretum offers both daily staff-led and self-guided tours, as well as lectures, excursions, classes and wellness events. Here, you'll get friendly, quick service and very sizable mouth-watering burritos. The Pavilion in the Trees However, due to dark and moody space, people often fail to find it. Stroll the acres of plants, trees, and gardens, and check out the historic home. In the center is a statue of William Penn that was provided to the hospital by Penns grandson. This spot has an impeccable pedigree: Its helmed by Nicholas Elmi, of the stellar Laurel, and hes partnered with people behind some of the citys most beloved pubs (Royal Tavern), secret sushi spots (Royal Sushi and Izakaya), and kitschy-but-delicious Mexican hot spots (Cantina Los Caballitos). Where: Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1700 West Montgomery Avenue, The largest ceramic arts organization in the nation, The Clay Studio offers striking clay and ceramic gallery exhibitions showcasing the work of both international artisans and local masters, as well as ceramics workshops and art courses. Wanderers who have gone in-depth with their Philadelphia exploring journey claim the city is grander than preached. At ground level, non-arboreal activities include rock climbing, ax throwing, bungee jumping and zip lining (across three skill levels). Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel writer who has lived and worked in and around Philadelphia for nearly 20 years. Native trees shade the space, and a cascading fountain of concrete pillars is at its center. It is the most discrete and inconspicuous spot in the city that will send you in confusion and shock. 6'1" | ATH | 2025 South Philadelphia. Pennsylvania Hospital Garden sounds unusual with its name but is a treasure you should surely dig. She loves eating her way across the city, cheering on the Union, and uncovering the unique things that make the Philadelphia metro area special. Or maybe youd prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Some of the prettiest houses in the city are in the Spruce Hill and Cedar Park neighborhoods at the edge of University City. When walking by the Masonic Temple, you might think that the ornate Norman cathedral-style building on North Broad across from City Hall is another of the citys stunning churches. The super-friendly servers dont mind if you linger over your fair-trade coffee. Predating the Civil War, North Phillys Wagner Free Institute of Science is a library, lecture hall and natural history museum, as well as one of the few remaining Victorian-era scientific societies. There is an abundance of alternative terms we can use, rather than calling something a "hidden gem". No reservation, thus walk in and grab yourself a seat. If all that isnt sweet enough, you can stop next door at the Franklin Ice Cream Bar for a Keystone Bar dipped in chocolate from Shane Confectionery. Below are a few of my favorite Philadelphia hidden gems. The pavilion is the result of an artistic vision that came to life in 1993, and has since been a favorite spot for spotting the earliest blooms of spring. America's most famous museum of medical oddities is home to the remains of Albert Einstein's brain. In a city full of famous museums, there's one that is still hidden from the tourist trail - and it's the city's tastiest. The site features a traditional-style Japanese house that visitors can walk through to see the rooms as well as a collection of murals on display that were inspired by the waterfall on the grounds. The refuge also hosts year-round plant and bird walks. More than 3,000 lavender plants representing two species and multiple varieties grow on the facilitys sunny hillside. Is it a bar? I should know, I lived there for seven years and am very much a foodie myself. This the only place in the US with a federal reserve in a city! Theres even a small animal farm on-site. Because there are absolutely no signages, one has to look for the red lantern to actually reach Royal Izakaya. Apart from the painted steps, the area is now adorned by pretty artistic plants alongside. It began in the 1800s as a hunting lodge, built by Joseph Jefferson, a theater actor who played Rip Van Winkle many times. Join. Outside, there is ample space to explore the sections of the garden and the pond. Cant make it for a guided tour? 4 HIDDEN GEMS TO EXPLORE IN PHILADELPHIA. An Unknown Gem. This is a popular spot! Opened in 2015, the elevated park is a year-round urban green space for visitors to stretch out and relax while enjoying some of the best views of Center City. . A confectionery has occupied the space at Letitia and Market for over 150 years, making it Americas oldest candy shop. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor. But those celebrated Philly attractions are only half of the story. Food & Drink. There are craft cocktails made with locally distilled gin, pints of cider, and perfectly pulled espresso shots. These remarkably artistic steps connect the Manayunk trail to Umbria Street below two PR bridges. This 19th-century townhouse in Rittenhouse Square features a remarkable collection of rare manuscripts and books. The Shofuso House is part of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. Thousands of murals grace the walls and buildings of Philadelphia thanks to the Mural Arts program. Hidden in plain sight, this spot is a local fave thanks to its homey feel and laid-back vibe, complete with exposed brick walls filled with colorful work from local artists. Skip to content. A hidden gem in the St. Ben's neighborhood Named for the 100-plus-year-old parish at its center, St. Ben's neighborhood lies on Chicago's north side and is a great area to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago. Is it a club for people who really, really care about cocktails? You could live here your whole life and still miss out on plenty of hidden gems in Philadelphia, so weve created a list to help you get started discovering Philadelphias best kept secrets. Even though it is free to visit, not many people actually know about it. The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia is a book lovers dream. Pull up a seat at the long bar, order some farro risotto and a glass of Italian red, and feel right at home. Below are 21 of Greater Philadelphias best-kept secret places to visit and explore that will make you a legit Philly insider. While admission is free, visits must be scheduled in advance through the museums website. Considered "The Metropolis of Brotherly Love," Philadelphia, PA is greatest identified for its wealthy historical past, world-famous cheesesteaks, and vibrant artwork and music tradition. Though if you are new to the city, this lesser-known gem might not have introduced itself to you. Johnson has the tools athletic tools to rack up numbers in the Pub. Vegetable-forward, locally sourced, and as creative as they come, the dishes here have won national praise, but the place remains chilled out, unpretentious, and welcoming to all of its Center City neighborhood all day long. Beyond the books, there are other special items to see. Hence the name of the lovely pond at the parks centerthe BioPond. Dishes like painstakingly hand-made pastas encasing pork stuffing or enhancing rich rag and bite-sized meatballs atop creamy ricotta are elevated by a cocktail list that rivals those of the citys best bars. Locals of Pennsport often choose it as their go-to brunch spot, especially for the cheesesteak hash. The Museum has been sponsoring expeditions for more than 125 years, and their collection includes nearly 1 million historic artifacts. 3. The benches at the Smith Memorial Arch in Fairmount Park are designed in such a way that you can sit on one end, whisper quietly, and be heard loud and clear on the other end. ", Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. Housing more than 100,000 books and manuscripts some over 5,000 years old the Free Library of Philadelphia Rare Book Collection is one of the largest public library special collections in the nation. Created in 2015 by mosaic artist Beth Clevenstine and muralist Paul Santoleri, Water Under the Bridge (better known as the Fountain Street Steps) is an ornate urban staircase in Manayunk featuring 70 brightly colored glass steps creating the illusion of a mosaic waterfall. Its Pine Building located on Pine between 8th and 9th Streetis still in use today. Participate in an authentic chanoyu tea ceremony demonstration; tour the interior to learn about Japanese temple living, art and architecture in the 1600s; and feed the fish in the pond.