Philadelphia: Things To Do
Attractions | Sports | Events

ATTRACTIONS

• South Street is a place of cool shops, galleries, restaurants, clubs and bookstores, all with late hours. A diverse and artistically sophisticated marketplace, the neighborhood is decorated by colorful murals, and wildly painted storefronts. And some of Philadelphia’s finest dining establishments can be found here, with menus that range from haute to hot.
  
  
• Betsy Ross House The home and upholstery shop is furnished with many of the flagmaker’s personal possessions and displays. 239 Arch St. (215/686-1252).
  
  
• Penn’s Landing The site where William Penn landed in 1682 is the home of several maritime vessels, including the Gazela of Philadelphia, the world’s oldest wooden sailing vessel, and the USS Olympia, a Spanish-American War cruiser. Waterfront Park, Columbus Blvd., btwn. Lombard and Market Sts. (215/922-2386).
  
  
• Philadelphia Zoo America’s first zoo, established in 1859, the Philly Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals in an exciting variety of naturalistic settings. Fairmount Park, 34th St. and Girard Ave. (215/243-1100).
  
  
• U.S. Mint The world’s largest mint provides a glimpse into the coin-making process. Self-guided tours. Fifth and Arch Sts. (215/408-0114).

SPORTS

• Philadelphia Flyers - Hockey - (215/755-9700)
  First Union Center
  
  
• The Phantoms - Hockey - (215/465-4522). These games have become so popular, at bargain prices, that they draw almost as many fans as the Flyers.
  
  
• Philadelphia Eagles - Football - (215/463-5500).
  
  
• Philadelphia Phillies - Baseball - (215/463-1000).
  
  
• Camden RiverSharks - Minor League Baseball - Camden Baseball Park, Camden, NJ (856/963-2600)
  
  
• Philadelphia 76'ers - Basketball
  First Union Center (215/339-7676)
  
  
• Philadelphia KiXX - Soccer - (888/888-KIXX)

EVENTS

• January: Mummers Parade on New Year's Day sees 30,000 men wearing sequins, feathers, makeup and risqué costumes spectacularly strut their way around town accompanied by accordions and glockenspiels.
  
  
• April: Penn Relays is one of the world's oldest, largest and best amateur athletic carnivals, held at the University of Pennsylvania.
  
  
• May: The Jambalaya Jam is a 3-day celebration of Creole and Cajun food and New Orleans music at Penn's Landing.
  
  
• July: You better believe that the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence gets down on Independence Day; the Philadelphia Freedom Festival sets off fireworks, parades and concerts during the first week of July.