Things To Do
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Rittenhouse Square
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Grassy Rittenhouse Square , one of Penn's original city squares, is in a very fashionable part of town. On one side it borders chic Walnut Street, on the other a residential area of solid brownstones with beautifully carved doors and windows.
Eastern State Penitentiary
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One of Philadelphia's most significant historic sites stands, all but forgotten. Since it opened in 1829, the Quaker-inspired prison attracted visitors from around the world; when Charles Dickens came to America in 1842, he wanted to see two things, this prison and Niagara Falls. It has slowly decayed since its final closure in 1970, the bulk of the Panopticon-style radial prison survives.
Independence National Historic Park
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"America's most historic square mile," which covers a mere four blocks just west of the Delaware River between Walnut and Arch streets, but can take more than a day to explore in full. Built in 1732 as the Pennsylvania State House, this was where the Declaration of Independence was prepared and signed and, after the pealing of the Liberty Bell, given its first public reading on July 8, 1776.
West Philadelphia

Home to the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania , where Franklin established the country's first medical school. The compact campus blends into fairly gritty urban areas, but has some great museums: the small Institute of Contemporary Art , 118 S 36th St, which displays cutting-edge traveling exhibitions in an airy white space, and the intriguing Arthur Ross Gallery 220 S 34th St, which has changing student displays. The superlative Museum of Archeology and Anthropology , 33rd and Spruce streets.