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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.24mi , Attraction : Start
Map Pin
Kelly Drive at 25th Street, Kelly Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Start

Hi there! Are you ready to see some amazing sites all around Philadelphia? Good! Our first stop is right across the street so go ahead and take the crosswalk over so I can show you the Joan of Arc Statue.

Place #2
Distance: 0.28mi , Attraction : Statue
Map Pin
Pennsylvania Av & 25th St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
Joan of Arc Statue

Look at this stunning gilded bronze statue of Joan of Arc. Remember her? She was a Catholic saint and the French Heroine of the Hundred Years War. Sounds great, but she was also killed at age 19 by being burned at the stake.

But let’s backtrack a few years. At the age of 13, Joan started hearing voices. Her interpretation of this was that God wanted to use her to save France by kicking out its enemies and supporting Charles VII (7).

At age 16 her father tried to marry her off but she was having none of that. She convinced a local court that she shouldn’t be forced to marry.

In 1429 Charles gave Joan an army to lead to Orleans against the advice of his generals. She led this army dressed in white armor and riding a white horse. That battle went well, but it wasn’t long until Joan’s successes ran out. She was captured in 1430 by the Anglo-Burgundians after she fell off her horse. In her trial she faced 70 charges, among which were heresy, witchcraft, and dressing like a man.

She was found guilty and thrown in prison. One year into her sentence she was burned at the stake. Years after her death she became the symbol of the Catholic of France, when one of the leaders of French Liberal Catholicism gave a beautiful speech about her in 1849. Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint in 1920 by Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XV (15th)

This gilded bronze sculpture of Joan of Arc on horseback represents who she was at her greatest. Strong, confident, fearless and impassioned.

Now that’s a great way to start off a tour, am I right? Yes. So where are we going next? How about a park? Great. Take the crosswalk over Pennsylvania Avenue.


  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc
Place #3
Distance: 0.01mi , Attraction : Park and Statue
Map Pin
Pennsylvania Av & 25th St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 3 Tour Image
Reliance Triangle

I said a park, right? How about Triangle Park?
I like statues of dogs, do you? Wanna see the only publicly owned statue of a Bullmastiff in a public park? Of course you do! Head into the park and give that doggie a pat on the head.


  http://dvbcbullmastiff.com/index.asp?ID=33
Place #4
Distance: 0.06mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2501 Pennsylvania Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 4 Tour Image
Directions

You know, they say that petting an animal helps to reduce stress and high blood pressure. How are you feeling now? Stressed? Pet that old Bullmastiff again and then head west out of the park. When you get to the corner, you will need to cross over Fairmount Avenue. Next up is the Perelman Building.

Place #5
Distance: 0.13mi , Attraction : Museum
Map Pin
2525 Pennsylvania Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 5 Tour Image
Perelman Building

So we have quite a few art museums on this tour and we are starting with this one - The Perelman Building. It’s part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art but this building has a library, conservation labs, offices and exhibition galleries. On the outside the building has sculptures and gilding and cathedral style entrances that you would find in the Art Deco style of architecture. Actually, It is known as one of the finest Art Deco structures in all of Philadelphia.

The building was originally meant to house an insurance company. If you look around you will see facades with figures of animals that symbolize the supposed attributes of insurance. See if you can find the owl of wisdom, the dog of fidelity, the pelican of charity, the opossum of protection and the squirrel of frugality. Pelican of charity… hmmm… well that’s a new one.

I’d pick art over insurance any day though, so I’m glad that in 1999 the Philadelphia Museum of Art got ahold of the building and kicked all the insurance companies out that had been there since 1928 when it was constructed. Ok, they probably didn’t actually kick them out, but they nicely made them leave, and Philadelphia’s art scene is so much better because of it.
So what’s inside? Well there are six galleries with collections of photographs, costumes, furniture, books, ceramics, textiles and drawings, plus a rotating exhibition gallery that changes periodically.

Wanna see the cool stuff? Well the Perelman Building is open from 10-5 on every day except Monday. I’ll wait for you out here if you wanna go inside. When you are done, head east on Fairmount Avenue. The Perelman Building will be on your left and Reliance Triangle Park will be on your right.


  https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/things-to-do/philadelphia-museum-art-perelman-building
Place #6
Distance: 0.08mi , Attraction : Restaurant/pub
Map Pin
2401 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 6 Tour Image
The Bishop's Collar

You are headed in the right direction. Great job! Keep going. And let me point out that bar on the corner just after you cross the crosswalk. It’s called The Bishop’s Collar, named after the Celtic slang term for a perfectly poured pint of Guinness Beer. They offer “Salvation by the Pint” with dozens of imported beers and domestic microbrews. If it’s food you are looking for, they have a great menu of pub food, Philly style. Take your time, but then keep heading east. We are going somewhere awesome, I promise.


  https://thecollar.us/
Place #7
Distance: 0.09mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
23rd St & Fairmount Av, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 7 Tour Image
Directions

Are you starting to think, “Where are we even going?” We are getting close. Trust me. Look, you can kinda see it off in the distance. That beat up stone castle looking thing. That’s where we are headed. It will be worth it, I promise!

Place #8
Distance: 0.33mi , Attraction : Prison
Map Pin
Fairmount Av & 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 8 Tour Image
Eastern State Penitentiary

We made it! Wow. Take a look at this beautiful historic castle! Oh wait, this isn’t a castle. This is an old prison! It’s the Eastern State Penitentiary and held criminals from 1829 until 1971. It is currently a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public for tours. Eastern State was the world’s first “penitentiary”, meaning the prisoners would have a chance to be penitent, or regretful and repentant for their crimes. The prison was ahead of its time with private toilets, three hearty meals per day, private exercise areas and skylights so that God’s light might shine down.

Sounds fun, right? Well, what I haven’t told you yet is that this new “penitent” system also included complete isolation from any other prisoners. The inmates were only allowed to read from the Bible and had to eat and exercise alone. They weren’t allowed to talk to anyone, including the guards. If the inmates needed to be taken out of their cells, hoods were put over their heads to keep them in solitary confinement. The prisoners were expected to be silent and the prison guards even wore slippers in order to keep the prison as quiet as possible.

It was thought that complete silence and solitude would inspire true repentance in these prisoners. Unfortunately it inspired insanity instead. In 1842 Charles Dickens visited Eastern State Penitentiary and here’s what he had to say about it: “The system here is rigid, strict, and hopeless solitary confinement. I believe it, in its effects, to be cruel and wrong. I hold this slow, and daily, tampering with the mysteries of the brain to be immeasurably worse than any torture of the body.”

Well that sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Wanna know something that is fun though? You can go inside and check it all out for yourself. The Eastern State Penitentiary is open 7 days a week, year round. I know your curiosity is killing you. Go ahead, I’ll wait for you to come back out again. Just come back to this spot and then head south on North 22nd Street. Have fun in prison!


  https://www.easternstate.org/
Place #9
Distance: 0.34mi , Attraction : Church
Map Pin
2201 Wallace St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 9 Tour Image
Olivet Covenant Presbyterian Church

As we head toward some more art museums and things, we are going to go past a couple of old, historic churches. The first one is the Olivet Covenant Presbyterian Church and it has been here for over 150 years! That’s pretty old as far as America goes. Membership at this church is rather low. As of 2016 there were only 40 members remaining. But Olivet was able to “think outside the box” by opening its doors to a variety of neighborhood groups, and letting other congregations use the building. It also hosts a non-profit theater company and get this - The Philadelphia Flute Society. Who knew that Philadelphia had a flute society?

Olivet also turned a bunch of classrooms in the building into artist studios and partnered with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Restorative Justice Program. This program allows newly released convicts to paint murals in their art studios as part of employment with Philadelphia Mural Arts. Pretty great, right? Our next old church is a couple of blocks away.


  https://www.olivetcovenant.com/
Place #10
Distance: 0.27mi , Attraction : Convent
Map Pin
2139 Green St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 10 Tour Image
Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters Convent of Divine Love

You know how there are those nuns that wear all black? You won’t find any of those here at the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters Convent of Divine Love. Whew, that was a mouthful. So the nuns that live here in this convent wear pink! Yeah pink!

Twenty of these “Pink Sisters”, as they are lovingly known, live in this convent as cloistered Roman Catholic nuns. That means that they rarely leave the building. They don’t interact much with visitors and they pray separately from their congregation in order to contemplate life and grow closer to their god. Why do they wear pink? Well according to a certain Sister Mary Amatrix, “The rose-colored garment symbolizes the glowing love for the Holy Spirit.” She also says, “we follow the same pattern for every sister’s habit, which has been handed down through the generations.”

So how many generations have the Pink Sisters been around? Well Saint Arnold started the whole thing back in Holland in 1896 and this particular chapel was built in 1915. The sisters here have been praying in shifts nonstop for over 100 years. Aside from praying they get one hour of recreation and one hour of free time every day. They subscribe to a newspaper so they know what current events are going on so they can pray for people, but the newspaper doesn’t have a sports or entertainment section. Three times per year they can get visits from family and friends. I mean, whatever makes you happy I suppose.


  https://adorationsisters.org/
Place #11
Distance: 0.32mi , Attraction : Grocery store and baseball park
Map Pin
Spring Garden St & 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 11 Tour Image
Whole Foods and Baseball

Keep walking straight as we talk about Whole Foods and Baseball. I know those two don’t really go together but there isn’t much else to talk about as we make this last stretch toward our next stop.

So Whole Foods, up on your left, started back in Austin, Texas in 1978 when a couple of people borrowed $45,000 from family and friends to open a small natural foods store. They named it SaferWay as a jab at the popular Safeway chain. A couple of years later they merged with Clarksville Natural Grocery and created WholeFoods. The very next year it was almost completely destroyed by a flood and they didn’t have any insurance. But friends, customers and staff all chipped in to repair the damage. Investors and creditors assisted as well and the store reopened 28 days later.

Whole Foods began expanding outside of Austin in 1984 and to make a very long story short, they are now a multinational supermarket that sells environmentally friendly food and products.
That wasn’t too boring, was it? Now how about baseball? The baseball park that we are coming up on is named after Sergeant Frank R. Von Colln. He was a Fairmont Park Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty back in 1970. There is also a nice playground named after Officer Von Colln at the north side of the park.


  https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
Place #12
Distance: 0.42mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2511 Hamilton St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 12 Tour Image
Directions

Now I need you to take the crosswalk to your left to that little triangle median and then take the crosswalk to the right. You need to be at the corner of 22nd Street and Hamilton Street. Then follow the path that runs diagonally into the park.

Place #13
Distance: 0.03mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
22nd St & Pennsylvania Av, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 13 Tour Image
Directions

Yup. Follow the path that runs diagonally into the park. When the path veers to the right, let’s veer with it. We are gonna wind our way through a park without getting lost until we find a famous statue. And then another fantastic museum.

Place #14
Distance: 0.01mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2170 Hamilton St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 14 Tour Image
Directions

Please take the path to the right. Pay attention. To the right.

Place #15
Distance: 0.27mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 15 Tour Image
Directions

That concrete on your right with the green things coming out of it - that is not the statue we are looking for. Here’s a hint… we are coming up on the Rodin Museum

Place #16
Distance: 0.36mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
Ben Franklin Pkwy & 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 16 Tour Image
Directions

Stay on the path! We are really close.

Place #17
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Statue
Map Pin
2121-2199 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 17 Tour Image
The Thinker Statue

Here it is! Do you recognize this statue? Come on! It’s super famous! It’s called “The Thinker” and it is probably Auguste Rodin’s most well known sculpture. This naked man, sitting on a rock, deep in thought, representing philosophy - Now do you recognize it? Yes! I knew you’d come around.

So Rodin wanted to share his art and sculptures with everyone so he authorized many copies of his work to be made. Thanks Auguste! That’s the reason we get to look at this statue right here in Philadelphia today! It was cast in 1919 and installed here in 1929 in celebration of the opening of the Rodin Museum. Wanna look around? Ok! Follow the path straight and between the pillars. Then turn right and meet me at the corner


  https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-thinker/
Place #18
Distance: 0.19mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
Unnamed Road, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 18 Tour Image
Directions

Now go ahead and turn left.

Place #19
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Museum
Map Pin
2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 19 Tour Image
Rodin Museum

I’m about to turn you loose to explore, but I just wanted to get us to a meeting place. After you are done with the museum and grounds, come back to this spot and then continue on the path toward Pennsylvania Avenue

So by now you’ve heard of Auguste Rodin. Well this is his museum! He didn’t build it though. He created the artwork that is in it and all around it. As a matter of fact, this museum’s collection is second only to the collection that is located in Paris, France, which is where Auguste Rodin lived.

Here, I’ll tell you more about him. He was born in France in 1840 to a working class family. He was very talented in clay sculpture, although his work went against the grain for his era. His sculptures were more about realism with the human body instead of the traditional figurative sculptures of his time. But, people liked it for the most part and today his sculptures are world famous.

Wanna see some of his work? I bet you will recognize a few sculptures from your art-history books. Inside the museum you can find over 120 works of art. There are drawings, paintings, studies, and of course everyone’s favorite - sculptures.You’ve probably also noticed that there are beautiful gardens surrounding the building that you may want to take the time to explore.

The entrance to the museum faces the rectangle pool, in case you were wondering. Now go see all the things and then come back here and head north. I’ll be waiting for you when you get to Pennsylvania Avenue. Have fun!


  http://www.rodinmuseum.org/
Place #20
Distance: 0.02mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 20 Tour Image
Directions

So did you see all 120 works of art in the museum! Don’t be a quitter! Get back in there. No I’m just kidding. Follow Pennsylvania Avenue to the right toward N 21st Street

Place #21
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
375 N 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 21 Tour Image
Directions

Please follow the crosswalks so that you can continue along Pennsylvania Avenue in the direction we are heading.

Place #22
Distance: 0.09mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
375 N 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 22 Tour Image
Directions

Just keep enjoying your walk. Next to us is the Barnes Foundation and that’s where we are headed. Stay with me. The entrance is coming up on your right, just before the next intersection.

Place #23
Distance: 0.25mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2018 S Norwood St, Philadelphia, PA 19145, USA
POI 23 Tour Image
Directions

Time to head into the Barnes Foundation grounds. We are going to weave our way around to the entrance. Ready for the weaving instructions? Ok. Right then left then right then left then right. See if you can find me!

Place #24
Distance: 0.36mi , Attraction : Museum
Map Pin
2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 24 Tour Image
Barnes Foundation

You found me! Nice weaving.

So I don’t know about you, but for me sometimes it’s hard to find the entrances to these museums. Good thing they put that HUGE sign right there on the ground to help us out. Once again, I’ll hang out here if you want to turn right and follow the path to the entrance of the Barnes Foundation. Wait, don’t leave me just yet! You know I have to share some information with you first, right?

Ok, who is Albert C. Barnes? I mean, this big building was named after him so he must have done something great, right? Well he made his fortune by co-developing something called Argynol, which is an antiseptic silver compound used to treat gonorrhea. That has nothing to do with the Barnes Foundation, but I thought it was some useful trivia.

Albert Barnes is better known as an art collector with a fancy for French art. The first two paintings he ever bought were by Henri Matisse. In 1922 he established the Barnes Foundation which was dedicated to promoting fine art and arboriculture, which is basically the study of trees, vines and other woody plants.

Today in the Barnes Foundation Building you will find collections from Master artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Pacasso, Edgar Degas and Vincent Van Gogh. That might get a little boring though, so they also threw in some art from Africa, ancient Egypt and Greece. Still too boring? Ok, there’s also European and American furniture, Native American works and some decorative metalwork..

There’s something for everyone in there so go check it out and tell me what you think! I’ll be waiting out here so when you are done, come back and then continue following the path. We are going to cut through some trees instead of walking along the street for a bit. It’s way prettier. I’ll chat with you again by the cool artsy above-ground reflecting pool.


  https://www.barnesfoundation.org/
Place #25
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2010 Carlton St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 25 Tour Image
Directions

So what did you think about the Barnes Foundation? What was your favorite item that you found there?
Please follow the path in the the direction we’ve been going .

Place #26
Distance: 1.00mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2055 N 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19121, USA
POI 26 Tour Image
Directions

Please turn left on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and when you get to the crosswalk at the end of the block, go ahead and cross North 20th Street. We are headed to Logan Square, which I thought was weird because it looked like a circle to me. But then I realized it was a circle inside of a square. So, Logan Square is accurate. I guess even tour guides can learn a thing or two.

Place #27
Distance: 1.31mi , Attraction : Library
Map Pin
Vine St & 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 27 Tour Image
Free Library of Philadelphia

You are going to need to turn right and cross over Vine Street., but not until I tell you about the Free Library of Philadelphia. That’s the huge stone building in front of you that says “The Free Library.” And once again, I will wait for you if you want to go inside and see what an amazing library this is. It was chartered in 1891 by a man named Dr. William Pepper. His vision was to have “a general library which shall be free to all.”

Today it is the 13th largest public library system in the United States. Notice I said library SYSTEM. That’s because the Free Library of Philadelphia includes 54 neighborhood library locations. It gets more than 6 million visits per year, plus millions of online visits.

Their mission is “to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity. So if that’s what you are into, then go inside and explore. Then come back to this point and take the crosswalk south over Vine Street. Once you are there, please follow the path that curves directly to the right of the park. Remember, you can always listen to these instructions again by manually pushing play on your phone.


  https://www.freelibrary.org/
Place #28
Distance: 0.09mi , Attraction : Memorial
Map Pin
1998 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 28 Tour Image
Shakespeare Memorial

Now there is no WAY you haven’t heard of William Shakespeare, right? Ok good. This memorial is Alexander Stirling Calder’s dedication to Shakespeare representing Comedy and Tragedy. Here you have Hamlet with a dagger representing tragedy, and Touchstone the Jester, laughing uncontrollably - obviously Comedy.

Also inscribed is the quote “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women are merely players.” That comes from Shakespeares, “as You Like It.”

Now if you wouldn't mind continuing along the path heading east, that would be great. Be careful as you cross over North 19th Street. I’m gonna show you another statue


  https://www.associationforpublicart.org/artwork/shakespeare-memorial/
Place #29
Distance: 0.83mi , Attraction : Memorial
Map Pin
5544 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 29 Tour Image
General Galusha Pennypacker Memorial

Ok, are you ready for me to tell you this guy’s name? It must be something pretty spectacular since he is seen here standing on top of a gun carriage with a tiger on either side.

His name was General Uriah Galusha Pennypacker. What a fantastic name! He was probably the youngest person to ever be appointed to the office of brigadier general. He was only 20 when the president chose him, which is funny because at 20 years old, General Pennypacker wasn’t even old enough to vote for the president that appointed him. Good stuff.

The memorial statue itself was built by Charles Grafly.Or, should I say mostly built. Charles died before he had a chance to finish the sculpture so his student Albert Laessle finished it up for him. That was very kind of you, Albert.

Also, the big building behind General Uriah Galusha Pennypacker (yes, I had to say it one more time) is the Philadelphia Sheriff’s office. The right of that building is the Philadelphia Mormon Temple.

Ok, let’s take the path toward the circle. You know, the circle within the square.


  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galusha_Pennypacker
Place #30
Distance: 0.47mi , Attraction : Park
Map Pin
State Rte 2676, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 30 Tour Image
Sister Cities Park

We aren’t going to go into the circle just yet. There’s more of the square that we want to see. Please follow the crosswalk and then take the path that heads diagonally toward a statue. The path is gonna take us into Sister Cities Park. This park is quite the oasis, surrounded by streets and tall buildings. It was inspired by the Wissahickon Valley, which is a beautiful wooded seven mile long ravine in northwestern Philadelphia. Follow the trail in and I’ll show you some cool things.


  https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/sister-cities-park/
Place #31
Distance: 0.44mi , Attraction : Discovery Garden
Map Pin
210 N 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 31 Tour Image
Children's Discovery Garden

Look to your left. Depending on the time of year, you will either see a boat pond or playground. From April through October it will be a refreshing pond where kids and adults alike can cool their feet and sail model boats. If you are here October through March, you will see the Imagination Playground filled with fun equipment to encourage kids to build things and play. Tucked back behind that is a fun winding path and climbable rocks. Check it out!

Sister Cities Cafe is open seasonally as well and has pizza, sandwiches, baked goods and drinks.

Now let’s walk past the cafe and toward the fountain. Follow the path south.


  https://centercityphila.org/parks/sister-cities-park
Place #32
Distance: 0.45mi , Attraction : Cathedral
Map Pin
Sister Cities Park, 210 N 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 32 Tour Image
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

So here’s another fun place to cool off. With 10 foot tall jets of water spraying out of this fountain, someone is bound to get wet. Well, unless it’s winter time. Then the city shuts off the jets. I’m sure you are wondering what that huge, beautiful cathedral is. Well I just happen to know, so I’ll tell you. It is the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Sorry Mary, you are not included in this one. Anyway, it was built between 1846 and 1864 and is the largest Catholic church in Pennsylvania.

It is just as stunning on the inside, with paintings, mosaics, red antique marble, stained glass, statues, and many more things that I can’t think of right now. It is open Sundays from 8am to 7:30pm, Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 9am until 6:30 pm.

I’m not gonna be mad if you decide to run across the street and give it a closer look. You do you. But then come back here, take the path heading west toward Benjamin Franklin Parkway and take the crosswalk to the median.


  http://cathedralphila.org/
Place #33
Distance: 0.25mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
210 N 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 33 Tour Image
Directions

Ok, now we really are going to go inside the circle that is inside the square - Logan Square. Take the crosswalk and get in there.

Place #34
Distance: 0.03mi , Attraction : Fountain
Map Pin
Swann Memorial Fountain, Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 34 Tour Image
Swann Memorial Fountain

This majestic creation is the Swann Memorial Fountain. Now we are going to play a game of following instructions. There are five more stops around this fountain and at each one I will tell you a little bit about it. But, you HAVE to circle the fountain in a counter-clockwise direction or you will mess up the entire tour. Ok, it actually won’t mess up the tour but it will make me sad. Counter-clockwise would mean you first go to the right. Ok, ready, set, go.


  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swann_Memorial_Fountain
Place #35
Distance: 0.06mi , Attraction : Fountain
Map Pin
Swann Memorial Fountain, Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 35 Tour Image
Fountain Information 1

This fountain was built by Alexander Stirling Calder in 1924 and honors Dr. Wilson Cary Swann who was the founder of the Philadelphia Fountain Society. Within the fountain are large Native American statues, which is in the tradition of the “river god” sculpture. Ok, keep walking around the fountain.


  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swann_Memorial_Fountain
Place #36
Distance: 0.02mi , Attraction : Fountain
Map Pin
Swann Memorial Fountain, Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 36 Tour Image
Fountain Information 2

The statues in the fountain symbolize the area’s most prominent streams - the Delaware, the Schulkill, and the Wissahickon. The man that is reaching for his bow while a fish sprays water over him represents the Delaware. The woman holding a swan by the neck represents the Schulkill, and the younger girl leaning into the chest of a swan represents the Wissahickon. Continue walking counter-clock wise.


  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swann_Memorial_Fountain
Place #37
Distance: 0.03mi , Attraction : Fountain
Map Pin
200 N 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 37 Tour Image
Fountain Information 3

The reason there are swan sculptures in the design is simply a nod to Dr. Swann. The turtles and frogs spit water 25 feet toward the center of the fountain. Unfortunately the center is 50 feet from the turtles and frogs so their spray never reaches their target. Well, that’s disappointing. Continue walking.


  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swann_Memorial_Fountain
Place #38
Distance: 0.05mi , Attraction : Fountain
Map Pin
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 38 Tour Image
Fountain Information 4

The figures in the Swann Memorial Fountain are made out of bronze, and sit on granite bases. It was opened to the public in 1924 to a crowd of ten thousand people dancing the tango. I know that sounds super weird, but that’s what happened. Ok, one last section of the fountain. Go.


  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swann_Memorial_Fountain
Place #39
Distance: 0.01mi , Attraction : Fountain
Map Pin
Swann Memorial Fountain, Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 39 Tour Image
Fountain Information 5

Back in the summer of 2006 the City of Philadelphia decided to try to ban people from swimming in the fountain, which had become quite the long-standing Philadelphia tradition. The city had to provide nearly constant security there to keep people from taking the plunge. Finally in 2006 the city of Philadelphia gave up and now just ignore swimmers.

Ok, let’s get out of here. Please follow the trail south, out of the circle. Take the crosswalk to the other side of Benjamin Franklin Parkway and I’ll meet you there.


  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swann_Memorial_Fountain
Place #40
Distance: 0.24mi , Attraction : Museum
Map Pin
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
POI 40 Tour Image
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Who wants to climb inside the skull of a Tyrannosaurus Rex? Well that got your attention, didn’t it? Here at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, you can do just that!

This academy was founded in 1812 and is the oldest natural sciences institution in the Western Hemisphere. They own more than 18 million specimens. Many of these specimens are leftover from before the academy was even created! Thomas Jefferson, John James Audobon, and Lewis and Clark are all represented in some of the collections here.

Why all of this cool stuff in Philadelphia though? Well during the first 10 years after the United States was established, Philadelphia was the cultural capital and a huge commercial center. By the end of the US’s first decade in existence, “the academy”, as it was referred to, became the undisputed center of natural sciences.

Ok, so what can you find inside the academy? More like what CAN’T you find? Well there’s Dinosaur Hall which showcases more than 30 species of dinosaurs. That’s where the big T-Rex skull is.

There are also over 37 dioramas with various taxidermy animals like bears, mountain sheep, moose, panda, yak, antelope, and even the extinct passenger pigeon.

What about some butterflies? Ok then, the Academy of Natural Sciences has a tropical garden with live butterflies! The exhibit changes often since the lifespan of a butterfly is only one or two weeks, and since they receive new butterflies from all over the world every week, you never know what you are gonna get to see! Well, you do know you will get to see butterflies. Anywhere between 60 and 150 butterflies from 20 to 40 different species!

This is just a fraction of all the fun things in the Academy of Natural Sciences Building. But why stand here and listen to me tell you what’s in there when you can go see for yourself? Do it! Then come back out and walk west toward Moore College of Art & Design. It’s right next door.


  https://ansp.org/
Place #41
Distance: 0.36mi , Attraction : College
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1916 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
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Moore College of Arts and Design

On your left is Moore College of Art and Design.It’s a private art and design college and only accepts women to their undergraduate programs. Graduate programs are co-ed now. This was the first art school for women in the United States and was geared to get women ready to work during the industrial revolution. There are some free public art galleries in there as well so if you need a little more art in your life, go on in. The gallery is located at the end of this block. Then please continue on Race Street and take the crosswalk over North 20th Street.


  https://moore.edu/
Place #42
Distance: 0.05mi , Attraction : Memorial
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20th St & Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
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Directions/Aero Memorial

Please turn right and take the crosswalk over Race Street. We are coming up on the Franklin Institute. I want to point out to you as we walk, that there are Escape Rooms inside the institute! They are pretty technically advanced which adds to the fun as you try to figure your way out by solving puzzles, finding hidden objects, and even dancing.

Also on your right, just opposite the staircase of the Franklin Institute, is the Aero memorial. You can’t miss it. It’s an 8 ft bronze ball sitting on a granite base. This memorial pays tribute to the aviators who died in World War I.

I’ll tell you about the Franklin Institute when you get close to the stairs.
There are some free public art galleries in there as well so if you need a little more art in your life, go on in. The gallery is located at the end of this block. Then please continue on Race Street and take the crosswalk over North 20th Street.


  https://www.associationforpublicart.org/artwork/aero-memorial/
Place #43
Distance: 0.04mi , Attraction : Museum
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Ben Franklin Pkwy & 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
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The Franklin Institute

What do you think is the most visited museum in all of Philadelphia? This one! The Franklin Institute! It’s an interactive science museum that is loved by kids and adults alike. When you walk into the rotunda of this awesome building you will be met by Benjamin Franklin himself. Ok that’s not actually true. You will be met by a 20 foot tall marble statue of Benjamin Franklin, who was a writer, philosopher, scientist, inventor and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, among other things.

When I think about Benjamin Franklin though, I think about science and discovery, and that’s the name of the game at the Science Center here at the Franklin Institute. Now this isn’t one of the museums where you have to be really quiet and you can’t touch anything. This is an interactive museum and you are SUPPOSED to touch it all! The whole museum is interactive.

Some of the permanent exhibits include a train factory, an observatory and a giant heart. If you ever wanted to explore a real train inside a building, or look through a bunch of telescopes, or walk through a model of a heart that is two stories tall, get inside and check it out! That’s only a fraction of the amazingly fun, hands-on experiences that you can have inside.

There’s also a huge IMAX theater inside for watching movies and remember, there's also those two Escape Rooms, where people have to solve riddles and puzzles in order to “escape” from the room.

On top of all that, there are travelling exhibits that have been fantastic. In the past there have been exhibits called Titanic, Darwin, and even Grossology. I’m pretty bummed that I missed that one.

So if you feel like getting elbows-deep into some science, this is the place. Enjoy your time inside and when you are done, come back out and keep heading north. When you get to Winter Street, go ahead and cross the crosswalk. Then just keep heading north. It’s a pretty little walk if you ignore the traffic on Benjamin Franklin Parkway.


  https://www.fi.edu/
Place #44
Distance: 0.39mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2073 Winter St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
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Directions

Remember we are turning left here and then just walking north until I say otherwise.

Place #45
Distance: 0.28mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2055 N 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19121, USA
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Directions

One block down, two more to go until we get to a park that I want to show you.

Place #46
Distance: 0.78mi , Attraction : Directions
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22nd St & Ben Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
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Directions

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m tired too. We’ve done a lot of walking today but stop your complaining and turn right on North 22nd Street. Cross over Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Place #47
Distance: 0.15mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
Ben Franklin Pkwy & 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 47 Tour Image
Directions

And now we are turning left. The Rodin Museum is at the corner on your right. Can you remember what famous sculpture is there? I’ll give you a moment to THINK about it. Get it? Think? If you can’t figure that out, I just don’t know what to say. Ok, back to walking north on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The baseball fields will be on your right.

Place #48
Distance: 0.46mi , Attraction : Street Median
Map Pin
Ben Franklin Pkwy & Spring Garden - MBNS, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
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Binswanger Triangle

Please take the next crosswalk to your left. That will take you to a median called Binswanger Triangle. I don’t know why it is called Binswanger, but it’s a funny word and I like it. We are trying to get across the street called Eakins Oval. Head to the corner of the triangle and carefully take the crosswalk over.


  https://pennsylvania.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,2,fid,2741308,n,binswanger%20triangl..
Place #49
Distance: 0.52mi , Attraction : Park
Map Pin
Unnamed Road, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
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Eakins Oval

You are now entering into what is known as Eakins oval. Truth be told though, if you look at it from an aerial view, it’s more like a triangle with rounded corners. But whatever, we don’t need to be so critical now do we? It was named after Thomas Eakins, who was a world famous painter, teacher, and Philadelphian.

So what’s so great about the Oval? Well in the summer months, not many thing are BETTER than the Oval! It turns into an exciting, vibrant park with music, free fitness classes, outdoor movie nights and games.

Hungry? Well the Oval also has food trucks galore that sell meals, snacks and of course beer that you can enjoy in the outdoor beer garden. Wow. Philadelphia really has it going on! Keep following this path and then follow it to the left when it splits.


  https://theovalphl.org/
Place #50
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Directions
Map Pin
2451 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
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Directions

We are going to go see that fountain ahead on your right really soon, but you really can’t pass up the chance to go see a group of statues with a good story attached. Follow the path to the left.

Place #51
Distance: 0.67mi , Attraction : Monument
Map Pin
2375 Spring Garden Tunnel, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
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The Washington Monument

This is the Washington Monument. Please don’t confuse it with the super tall pencil shaped Washington monument in Washington, DC. Although, if you ever do visit DC, UCPlaces has some fantastic tours in the area, a few of which include that Washington Monument. But THIS Washington Monument is a bronze and granite sculpture with George Washington all dressed up in his uniform and riding a horse. Here’s an interesting fact about this statue - The face was made from a face mold that George Washington made when he was still alive. So go get a close look. That’s HIS face. The body, however, is not his. It’s “borrowed” from a Prussian General.

I especially love the animals surrounding George Washington. These are all animals native to the United States. I said I had a story about this monument, right? Well there are deer on the north side, with large antlers. In 2019 a man was climbing onto the Washington monument when he slipped and impaled himself on one of those antlers. OUCH!! He managed to only get some lacerations and a small puncture but that gave him a trip to the hospital and likely a hefty hospital bill. Listen folks, if you are going to climb up onto statues, pick the ones with nice, rounded heads and no antlers.

Take a good look at all of the pieces of this incredible monument and then please exit on the pathway that is between the moose and the bear.


  https://www.associationforpublicart.org/artwork/washington-monument/
Place #52
Distance: 0.60mi , Attraction : Fountain
Map Pin
Ericsson Fountain, 2339-2399 Spring Garden Tunnel, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
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Ericsson Fountain

So there’s a fountain on either side of the Washington Monument that we just came from. The OTHER one honors American lawyer and politician Eli Kirk Prince. This one here is in memory of Swedish-American inventor John Ericsson. Ok, let’s get out of here. The next statue is the BEST. Find the path on the inner circle that heads toward the crosswalk. Take that crosswalk toward the Rocky Balboa Statue. You heard right. The Rocky Balboa Statue.


  https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFDXC_Captain_John_Ericsson_Fountain_Philadelphia_PA
Place #53
Distance: 0.01mi , Attraction : Statue
Map Pin
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
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Rocky Statue

If you are visiting Philadelphia and you neglect to take a picture with Rocky, you have basically wasted your entire trip. This time I’m not kidding at all.

Believe it or not, this eight and a half foot tall bronze sculpture of Rocky Balboa is one of the most famous pieces of art in all of Philadelphia. It was created for a scene in the American cult classic film Rocky III (three), starring Sylvester Stalone.

When the filming of the movie was completed, Sylvester Stalone went ahead and gave the statue to the city of Philadelphia. That was sure nice of him. I think he regretted his decision though, because a second statue was made and auctioned off to an anonymous buyer who, as it turned out, was actually Sylvester Stalone. Yeah, he bought a statue of himself. No judgement here though.

Ok, take your picture and then follow the sidewalk to the left until you come across a statue that might be called “The Mounted Amazon Attacked by a Panther.”


  https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-rocky-statue-and-the-rocky-steps/
Place #54
Distance: 0.86mi , Attraction : Statue
Map Pin
Eakins Oval, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 54 Tour Image
The Mounted Amazon Attacked by a Panther

Ok, I know you are just dying to run up those stairs and celebrate at the top, just like the scene from the Rocky III movie, but it’s not time. Not yet. First I need to tell you about two statues. The first one is right here and it has a really long name. Ready? It is called, for obvious reasons, The Mounted Amazon Attacked by a Panther.

The sculpture on the other side of the steps is called The Lion Fighter. And now we are ready to proceed to the famous stairs. Please proceed along the bottom of the steps until you get to the middle. Don’t run up them just yet! I mean, you don’t even know how many there are!


  https://www.associationforpublicart.org/artwork/the-mounted-amazon-attacked-by-a-panther/
Place #55
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Staircase
Map Pin
2375 Spring Garden Tunnel, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 55 Tour Image
The Rocky Steps

Welcome to the steps of the second most famous filming location in the world. Not sure who actually gave that award, but let’s just go with it. These are “The Rocky Steps”, and they lead up to the entrance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We will get to that museum next. First I wanna talk about what makes these 72 steps so important. Just so you know, tens of thousands of people come here just to get some footage of themselves recreating the legendary scene from the 1976 movie Rocky, starring Sylvester Stalone. The Rocky Statue we saw was from Rocky III. And I think by now there have been like 7 sequels. But anyway, In the world famous scene of Rocky, Rocky Balboa charges up the stairs at the end of an exhausting training session. The scene itself is an inspiring metaphor for the underdog rising to meet life’s challenges.

Are you ready to tackle the steps? Don’t forget, there are 72 of them. I’ll meet you at the top. Ready, set, go!


  https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-rocky-statue-and-the-rocky-steps/
Place #56
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Museum
Map Pin
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
POI 56 Tour Image
Philadelphia Museum of Art

YOU MADE IT! Take a few minutes to catch your breath while I tell you some things about this fantastic museum in front of you, which, by the way, is the last stop on our tour.. First some info about the building itself. Construction of this massive Greek Revival style museum was completed in 1928 and is known as “The Parthenon of the Parkway.” With the columns, the fountain and the sculptures of royalty, it’s very reminiscent of ancient Greek temples.

But what’s on the inside? Glad you asked. I’ll give you some ideas, but then you are gonna need to head on in there and check it all out for yourself.

In the central hall you will find the statue of Diana. Wait, who’s Diana? She’s the Roman Goddess of the Hunt. Also you will find different rooms that are designed to look like ancient cultures. There’s a Hindu Temple, a Chinese Throne Room, a gigantic Gothic archway along with a Gothic chapel, and some Romanesque architecture from Medieval France.

Plus a Japanese Tea Garden, a Baroque English dining room, and a room from a 1900’s New York City mansion. Don’t believe me? Go inside and see for yourself.

Wait! Not yet. I have more to tell you. There’s way more than just cool architecture in there. There are also more than 240,000 objects to admire.

Their Asian collection has paintings, sculptures and furniture that you aren’t allowed to sit on. Plus Turkish carpets that you aren’t allowed to walk on, and an Indian temple hall.

If you are looking for French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism and the second-largest collection of arms and armor in the United States, then check out their European collections.

Ever heard about Pennsylvania German art? It’s a thing, and you can find it in the museum’s American collections which include modern art by the famous Pablo Picasso.

By the way, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has attracted some pretty big musical artists including Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5, and Elton John’s Philadelphia Freedom Concert. Well they didn’t have their concerts inside the museum. That would have been interesting though. No, the museum was used as a backdrop for the artists and brought a lot of fame to the area.

So what did you think? Philadelphia is pretty awesome, isn’t it? What was your favorite thing that you saw today? Oh, everything? Of course! UCPlaces has more Philadelphia tours for you to check out as well, so don’t be sad.

I’m going to leave you now so you can get inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art and go exploring. There’s a lot of really interesting stuff there, so please enjoy! But come hang out with me again sometime and try out another UCPlaces tour. Until then, so long and happy touring!


  https://philamuseum.org/