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Philadelphia’s Curious Corners and Quiet Icons
15 placesPhiladelphia
Go beyond the marquee museums for a city-spanning tour of secretive forts, eccentric art environments, community landmarks, historic gardens, and wonderfully specialized collections. This route heads from the southwest waterfront through South and West Philly before finishing among Fairmount’s lesser-known treasures.
- Pop culture
- Music
- Art
- Architecture
- Science & Tech
- Nature
- Folklore
- Local culture
- History
- Social Justice
- Food traditions
- Sports
- Religion
Places in this guide
- 1
Fort MifflinOldest fort in continuous military use 🏛️ - 2
Bartram's GardenAmerica's oldest surviving botanic garden 🌿 - 3
American Swedish Historical MuseumAmerica's oldest Swedish-American museum 🇸🇪 - 4
Gloria Dei ChurchSite of America's first regular Lutheran ordination ⛪️ - 5
Mummers MuseumHome of America's longest-running folk parade 🎭 - 6
Shot TowerHow a shot tower became a playground 🎠 - 7
Fleisher Art MemorialChurch turned playground for the soul 🎨 - 8
Philadelphia's Magic GardensSite of Zagar's largest public mosaic 🎨 - 9
The WoodlandsWorld's tallest obelisk gravestone 🪦 - 10
Paul Robeson House & MuseumRobeson's final years of seclusion - 11
Wagner Free Institute of ScienceHome of the first American saber-toothed tiger 🦷 - 12
Laurel Hill CemeteryFirst cemetery designated a National Historic Landmark 🏛️ - 13
Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center & GardenBuilt in Japan, shipped to Philadelphia 🏯 - 14
Underground Railroad Museum at Belmont MansionCoded quilts guided freedom seekers 🧵 - 15
Woodford MansionRaised a signer of both founding documents 📜
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