Philadelphia is a city that is vital to the history of the United States. It was here that the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and established the Constitution in 1787. If you’re considering visiting this charming city with deep American roots, here are the top historical and cultural attractions to see:
Independence National Historical Park
This 55-acre park in Old City comprises the majority of major historical sites in Philly, including Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, Congress Hall, the Free Quaker Meeting House, Liberty Bell Center and the remains and some cultural artifacts of President’s House. Here are the major highlights, which have open captioning and printed information throughout for those with hearing loss.
- Independence Hall – The hallowed halls of this stately, Georgian-style red-brick building saw proposals, debates, drafts and signatures of the two most important documents in American history by its most prominent founders. The Assembly Room is where George Washington was made the Continental Army’s commander in chief.
- The Liberty Bell – You’ll find this most famous of bells across from Independence Hall. It was once mounted in the hall’s belfry, weighing in at a whopping 2,080 pounds. This symbol of American Independence and ideals was last rung in 1846 to celebrate George Washington’s birthday, but it gained the crack soon after and could no longer be used.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
This stunning, palatial museum was modeled after Greek architecture, just as the famous Second Bank and many other buildings of the period were. Plan to spend several hours here, or go a second day if you’re a serious art buff, because you simply can’t see everything in this gargantuan museum in one visit. Some of the highlights are several works by van Gogh, including “Sunflowers,” pieces by Dali, Duchamp’s “Nude Descending a Staircase” and several pieces from Picasso. The Philadelphia Museum of Art has FM assistive listening devices, neck loops, closed captioning and printed scripts to assist visitors with hearing loss.
Franklin Institute Science Museum
This excellent museum, named after the most famous Philadelphian, has a variety of hands-on exhibits on topics in physics and astronomy. It’s the oldest science center in the U.S., as it was established in 1824. Don’t miss the Amazing Machine and Sir Isaac’s Loft exhibits. Another must-see is the Franklin National Memorial, housed inside the museum, which hosts a collection of Benjamin Franklin’s belongings as well as a giant statue of his likeness. For visitors with hearing loss, all shows in the Planetarium are closed captioned using the Rear-Window Closed Captioning System. Additionally, you can get assistive listening head set for use in the museums’ four theaters.
Other sites
If you have the time, here are some other excellent places to visit during your Philly vacation.
- Philadelphia Zoo
- Reading Terminal Market
- Rocky Steps
- Rodin Museum
- Trocadero Theatre
- LOVE Park
- Second Bank of the United States
- Eastern State Penitentiary
