Skip to content
Four Things to Do in Philadelphia

Historic Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, is a prime location for sightseeing and learning. With arguably more to do than the last of our locations, New Hope and Lambertville, Philadelphia has a wealth of opportunity. Located roughly an hour from our New Jersey furniture showroom, Philadelphia is easy to reach from both New Hope and Lambertville. If you’re looking for fun weekend activities and to get out of the area, Philadelphia is the place to go.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

Magic Gardens in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is a laid-in-mosaic walking tour, gallery, and community arts center. Created over the course of two decades by artist Isaiah Zagar, it his largest artwork. Occupying half a block on Philadelphia’s famous South Street, the location includes a fully tiled indoor space and large outdoor mosaic sculpture garden. Inside are two ever-changing exhibition galleries featuring other artists.

The Magic Gardens is a great place to spend a couple hours taking in the beautiful mosaics with friends or family. It is inexpensive, inspirational, and every Instagrammer’s dream. Guided tours are optional, so you may explore at your own pace.

The Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute in Philadelphia

The Franklin Institute is one of America’s oldest and premier centers of science education. Founded in honor of America’s first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, the museum has a staggering variety of attractions and exhibits.

Kids and parents can explore the fun side of science through twelve hands-on exhibitions related to science and technology. In addition, families can partake in 360-degree flight simulators, escape rooms, experience an awe-inspiring planetarium, and watch films in a 180-degree Imax dome theater.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art houses one of the most remarkable collections in the country, featuring some of the greatest works of American, Asia, and European art anywhere. You’ll find van Gogh’s Sunflowers, the world’s largest Marcel Duchamp, and the only dedicated Rodin Museum outside France. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the fiftieth, you’ll always see something new.

The Museum’s 200+ galleries includes many stunning architectural spaces and period rooms. As the premiere Lambertville furniture store, we are especially fascinated by their pieces from Charles Eames, creator of the famous Eames chair.

The Museum also has on-site restaurants and cafes in case you get hungry, and on nice days you can explore the outdoor sculpture garden, and run up the Rocky steps like in the film. Kids 12 and under are always free, so be sure to bring the little ones along for this adventure.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State penitentiary in Philadelphia

A mere five blocks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Eastern State Penitentiary is one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable attractions. Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Today it stands in ruins, creating a beautifully haunting attraction of crumbling cell-blocks and vacant guard towers.

Now a tourist attraction, guests can experience the penitentiary following an audio guide or a tour guide. Points of interest include guard and prisoner quarters, the yard, guard towers, and the infamous Al Capone’s cell. The Eastern State Penitentiary Historic site has even commissioned site-specific artist installations. To date, more than 100 artists have created work for the penitentiary, which are always on display for visitor’s enjoyment.

Unlike Lambertville or New Hope, Philadelphia is a city that can’t be done in a weekend. We’ve left out dozens of potential sites you can visit, so there’s plenty more out there to see. To check out other local hotspots, be sure to view our 4 Things to do in New Hope and Lambertville articles as well. And if you’re near Philadelphia, you’re near our Lambertville handbuilt furniture, so be sure to come visit us at of Iron & Oak! For any questions, feel free to contact us, or shoot us a message on Facebook or Instagram.

4 Things to Do
1. 4 Things to do in Princeton, NJ
2. 4 Things to do in Philadelphia
3. 4 Things to do in New Hope
4. 4 Things to do in Lambertville
Back To Top