City Guide
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Six places earn a detour in Philadelphia, starting with the stone fortress that pioneered the modern prison system. You should focus on the sites that lean into the city's heavy history and strange architecture.
At a glance: 8 place guides, vibes that skew historic and adventure.
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Our picks in Philadelphia
Ranked. Start at the top and work down as far as your weekend allows.
- 1
Eastern State Penitentiary: The World's First True Reformatory
A massive stone fortress that traded physical brutality for absolute silence and isolation. You can walk through crumbling cellblocks and see the luxury cell where Al Capone stayed.
- 2
Mütter Museum: Einstein’s Brain and Medical Marvels
Anatomical anomalies fill the galleries, including thousands of items once stuck in human throats. You can see the actual remains of Albert Einstein's brain.
- 3
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens: A Labyrinth of Shimmering Mosaics
A labyrinth of shimmering glass and found objects built into a vacant lot. Hand-sculpted tunnels connect the different sections of this folk art sanctuary.
- 4
Wagner Free Institute: A Victorian Time Capsule of Natural Science
Victorian science preserved exactly as it was in 1891. Rosewood cases hold natural history specimens arranged according to Darwinian theories.
- 5
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site: The House of Macabre
The basement here likely inspired the ending of The Black Cat. You can descend into the space and listen to celebrity readings of his macabre stories.
- 6
Cave of Kelpius: The Secret Sanctuary of America’s First Doomsday Cult
Hidden stone chamber used by 17th-century mystics waiting for the end of the world. It sits deep in the woods, away from the typical tourist paths.
Know before you go
Photography is prohibited inside the Mütter Museum. If you visit the Japanese House, bring socks or stockings because bare feet are not allowed inside. The Magic Gardens are closed on Tuesdays. Several sites are reachable via SEPTA bus Route 47 or the Broad Street subway line. Wear sturdy footwear for the cemetery, as many paths remain overgrown and uneven.
Common questions about Philadelphia
How many of these can we do in a day?
Three is the limit if you want to actually see them. Most of these sites require significant walking or have specific entry times that will eat up your afternoon.
Is the Mütter Museum okay for kids?
Minors are welcome to visit the medical collections. They must have an adult with them at all times while in the galleries.
Do we need to book the Magic Gardens ahead of time?
The site is open year-round but shuts every Tuesday. You can book guided tours that include the surrounding neighborhood murals if you want more context.
Where is the best place to start?
Start at Eastern State Penitentiary. The audio tour is narrated by Steve Buscemi and provides the best introduction to the city's darker historical side.
