Rising through the trees is the eight-story (you read that right) Kids Castle, a massive wooden play structure with labyrinthine passages, twisty tube slides, drawbridges, overlooks and a kids elevator, all protected by a giant dragon. Youve snapped a selfie with the Liberty Bell, toured the hallowed halls where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and climbed Rockys steps up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Hidden Gems in Los Angeles: Unique Things To Do in LA The definitive list of hidden gems you need to try. . The showstopper here: the attractions ornate architecture, from Renaissance neoclassical corridors and staircases to Moorish, Egyptian and Knights Templar-inspired grand halls. Hidden Gems in Philadelphia | Zomato The person right in Infront of you might not hear a single word bit; the one at another end can listen to it all loud. The Shofuso House is part of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. When in Philadelphia, it is a must-visit. Fancy taking a selfie with a stunning butterfly that just landed on your shoulder at the Philadelphia Insectarium. This botanical garden is nestled in the heart of the University of . Employees in period dress ring up your purchases at antique cash registers, just as they would have in the old days. What stands out here is the delicious high-quality meat they use. James G. Kaskey Memorial Park. Known as the hidden attraction in Philadelphia, the Fountain Street steps is at Cresson Street. Pennsylvania Hospital Garden sounds unusual with its name but is a treasure you should surely dig. Philly's Hidden Gems: 21 Places You (Probably) Didn't Know About Some of the prettiest houses in the city are in the Spruce Hill and Cedar Park neighborhoods at the edge of University City. Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package. Join the locals for a jog, walk, or bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail, which follows the river for about 10 miles through Philadelphia, passing by the Museum of Art and the University of Pennsylvania along the way. Now, it's a wide open park that shows off some of the best skyline views around. Where: Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, Lansdowne Drive & Horticultural Drive. RATED. Lively bar serving gourmet burgers, craft cocktails, and a substantial craft beer menu! The travelers often choose Philadelphia if they are interested in U.S. history or if National sentiments hold them. Attractions . Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. The Old City neighborhood is jam-packed with galleries, ranging from tiny, feisty upstarts to long-established landmarks. Dig a little deeper, though, and youll find a handful of lush gardens scattered throughout that are blissfully free of tourists (even most locals dont know theyre there). This is a far cry from the usual Hallmark of mountains and arctic scenery. While walking down the lane, look for Ranstead room behind a nondescript door, dedicatedly a black metal door. It is a little hole-in-the-wall breakfast place that serves the most delicious breakfast in the region. Where: Ringing Rocks County Park, Ringing Rocks Road, Upper Black Eddy. 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. Fosters Main Street Tavern In Beckley, West - onlyinyourstate.com Where to Order Christmas Dinner and More in Philly. For the less squeamish, the Butterfly Pavilion side is a 7,000-square-foot greenhouse where you can interact with 60 species of free-flying butterflies, which love to perch on those wearing bright colors. If you didnt know to look for it, it would be very easy to pass by this nearly secret spot. Philadelphia is one of the largest cities in the country, and there are so many parks, restaurants, streets and museums here that are worth exploring. Its free to visit and many people dont know that its open to the public. If you are an art lover or interested in the quirky stuff, Fountain Street Steps is something you must dig out. Named by Architectural Digest as one of the Worlds Most Beloved Independent Bookstores, the bookshop, located inside a two-century-old five-story stone barn, houses a collection of more 300,000 items crowded in every square inch of the space. High above the Schuylkill River in University City is Cira Green, located 12 stories up and 95 feet above the Cira Center South Garage. Over the past decade or more, Philly has increasingly become a top destination for foodies. 15 Philly Restaurants With Great Private Dining Rooms. Plus, the Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel has partnered with Cry Baby Pasta to give guests an exclusive experience: Hotel guests are given a key that entitles them to a specially created drink. Beyond the Liberty Bell: Philadelphia's Best-Kept Secrets - Culture Trip Vietnam & Cambodia: 9-Night, Ultra-Small Group National Museum of American Jewish History, The 10 Best Museums in the World (and How to Skip the Lines), The 8 Best Spots for Shopping in Philadelphia, 22 Amazing Philadelphia Restaurants (That Arent Known for Cheesesteaks). You can get pamphlets about tours, tickets to visit Independence Hall, and theres a caf to take a break at. As you wander around Philadelphia, its not uncommon to turn a corner and happen upon a colorful mural wall overlooking a parking lot or community garden. There is a broad range of options for the tours, including exploring different themes and neighborhoods around the city. The key lime icebox cup is amazing, made with whipped cream, cream cheese, lime juice and zest, orange zest, ginger snaps, pretzels and rolled oats. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Leo's Steak Shop. A wide variety of performers keep things . The colonial nods include modern portraits of Franklin and the on-premise restaurant and bar, Franklin Social and Franklin Social Lounge, are hidden neighborhood gems for contemporary American dishes and craft beers. The city is teeming with parks and gardens, unique spaces, and other hidden attractions that even long-time residents may not know. (The lavender lollipops come on a plantable seed-laced stick! 20 Hidden Bars & Restaurants in Philadelphia Read on as we take a deep dive into what awaits you on your weekend visit to Philadelphia. Dating back to 1771, Fort Mifflin is the oldest active military facility in the nation and Americas only operating base predating the Declaration of Independence. This seasonal bar occupies a space in the former Bok Vocational High School, which opened in 1938. Hidden Gems in Philadelphia - Madoka Nishimura Real Estate Expert Team Hidden Gems in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Redfin Be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more. For outdoor enthusiasts, there's the scenic Penn's Landing and the massive Fairmont Park. Upon the death of the family patriarch in 1990, the estate opened to the public as a lush, contemporary arboretum featuring distinct gardens and displays with perennials and agricultural crops. 7 Hidden Gems in Philadelphia Some of the best hidden gems in Philly include: 1. We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. 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. There is an abundance of alternative terms we can use, rather than calling something a "hidden gem". Few and Far Between. Head back upstairs to take in the view overlooking Independence Hall that many rooms offer. Is it a club for people who really, really care about cocktails? The menu sticks to homestyle items such as fried chicken and waffles . Where: Chanticleer, 786 Church Road, Wayne. Today even though the hospital is not operating, the Pine Building is still anan functional space to explore. If you can make it, the often-sold-out classes on everything from how to design a coffee cocktail that doesnt overwhelm you with sweetness to how to craft a modern tiki drink are always lively and tons of fun. Mural Arts offers maps so you can take your own self-guided walking tour. I'll be on bike so most of west Philly is fair game, but I'm already familiar with the offerings on Baltimore. Descriptions around the property identify the plants and explain those that had medicinal properties or other uses in the colonies, making a visit here both refreshing and a bit of a history lesson for those who are interested. Visit this fantastic hidden gem in Philadelphia and munch on the best Pizza of your life or you can explore their museum display and learn some unimaginable facts about Pizza. "This is a quaint restaurant in a hidden gem in Philadelphia. 15. hands out samples. Stroll the acres of plants, trees, and gardens, and check out the historic home. Family owned and operated since 1974, they proudly boast being the "Home of the 18 Incher" which is the size of their large steak. 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. Philly's Hidden Gems: 21 Places You (Probably) Didn't Know About Visit Philadelphia Uwishunu Article published on February 24, 2023 Philly's Hidden Gems: 21 Places You (Probably) Didn't Know About Adventurers wanted. The house-cured charcuterie (boucherie means butcher shop) is the must-order. Youll see everything from a jewelry chest that belonged to Charles II to an unusual clock made by Marie Antoinettes clock maker. Where Was 'Hidden Gems' Filmed? See Cast Stories & Locations Today, visitors can tour the historic grounds and Revolution-era buildings, watch reenactments, picnic or investigate paranormal activity. You can check them out on a guided tour by trolley, train, or foot, learning about the artists and inspiration behind each mural. Atlas Obscura Itineraries 6 Fascinating Medical Marvels in Pennsylvania In the 1700s and 1800s, Philadelphia was the center of medical scholarship in the United States. Shofuso Japanese House and Garden Sarah Schlichter was hosted by Visit Philadelphia in her quest to discover hidden Philadelphia. Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute. Even though it is free to visit, not many people actually know about it. Shofuso Japanese House and Garden - Tripadvisor Several rooms are set up as they might have been when the Rosenbach brothers lived here. The beautiful mansion sits on over 100 acres of well-maintained landscaped grounds. You can browse the pizza-related toys, books, ads, and other unusual items while munching on pizza topped with brisket, buffalo sauce, or just any other topping your heart desires. It's located in a part of the city that's often overlooked, especially when it comes to food. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Below are 21 of Greater Philadelphias best-kept secret places to visit and explore that will make you a legit Philly insider. From top attractions to hidden gems, explore Philly and its suburbs. Unique Places to Visit in Philadelphia > Streamline Philly You'll never get bored with the many stores to explore, delicious food options, and stunning waterfront views. 16 Hidden Gems in Philadelphia - Guide to Philly One of our favorite things about driving around the city (especially in South Philly) is finding the unexpected Zagar mosaics. The James G. Kaskey Memorial Park is an ecological oasis on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. That said, here are the best hidden gems in the city of Philadelphia. This 19th-century townhouse in Rittenhouse Square features a remarkable collection of rare manuscripts and books. 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. The Dutch is a little hole-in-the-wall breakfast place that has a reputation for serving the best food in Pennsport. 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. The cast is harmonious in providing a particularly smooth and fun experience in this luxurious pre-wedding atmosphere. Definitely don't pass up on their baked goods . 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. Dinner one evening was at Amelia Island Brewing . Instead, visitors are encouraged to engage in conversation with the gardeners themselves. Philadelphia doesn't run short of beautiful gardens. There are gardens, an arboretum, feed-friendly goats, native wildlife habitats, and a nature center. 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. The heavenly garden, Japanese house, and pond perfectly define a hidden gem. The museum is a fascinating place for travelers interested in history and culture, telling the stories of Jewish people in the U.S. from the American Revolution to the Holocaust and beyond. Wagner Free Institute The Wagner Free Institute of Science offers a unique experience modern museums cannot the museum was built in the 1800s and hasn't changed much since. You can reach here nay from Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm. Though if you are new to the city, this lesser-known gem might not have introduced itself to you. Pull up a seat at the long bar, order some farro risotto and a glass of Italian red, and feel right at home. Visit Philadelphia: Black Greek Edition Golf Outing, Greater Philadelphias Hidden Bars & Restaurants, Worlds Most Beloved Independent Bookstores, Baldwin's Book Barn, 865 Lenape Road, West Chester, The Free Library of Philadelphia Rare Book Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia Rare Book Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, 8046 Frankford Avenue, The Shoe Museum at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Shoe Museum at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, 148 N. 8th Street, Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1700 West Montgomery Avenue, The Fabric Workshop and Museum, 1214 Arch Street, Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd Street, Wharton Esherick Museum, 1520 Horse Shoe Trail, Malvern, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Kids Castle Central Park, 425 Wells Road, Doylestown, Ringing Rocks County Park, Ringing Rocks Road, Upper Black Eddy, Treehouse World, 1442 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, Fountain Street Steps (Water Under The Bridge), Fountain Street Steps, 4800 Umbria Street, Peace Valley Lavender Farm, 802 New Galena Road, Doylestown, Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, Lansdowne Drive & Horticultural Drive.