Philadelphia Pass: 30+ Things To Do including Philadelphia Zoo

The Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour, operated by Philadelphia Trolley Works, is one of the best ways to get to know Philadelphia and see all the top sights. Each double-decker bus has live narration by a fully-trained, friendly Philly guide, so you’ll learn all about the city’s history, culture, popular shopping and dining spots (like where to get the best, authentic Philly cheesesteak), and more while the guide directs your attention to famous landmarks along the way – making sure you see it all. Choose to sit in covered seats on the first level, or venture to the second level for open-air seating and a bird’s-eye-view of the streets below. Your ticket lets you ride one comprehensive loop, the Blue route, to see the best of Philadelphia in one tour. You’ll have the flexibility to hop-on or off at any of the 25+ included stops along the route so you can explore an area by foot or visit popular attractions. The full length of the tour is 90-minutes if you stay on the bus for the full tour loop. Or, take your time and enjoy the flexibility to hop on and off to explore the stops as many times as you want—buses run frequently with departures from 5th and Market streets, near East Corner every 15-20 minutes, so you’ll never have to wait long at the stops when you want to hop back on and continue your tour.

Explore the American criminal justice system, from some of its darker days to present, at the Eastern State Penitentiary – an official National Historic Landmark and one of the most historic and most visited buildings in Pennsylvania. Designed to inspire penitence and regret in the hearts of criminals through “confinement in solitude with labor,” Eastern State Penitentiary is one of the most important historic institutions in Pennsylvania. It’s often credited with helping to pave the way for reform of the judicial system in the US using methods of isolation and reflection rather than capital punishment and physical abuse. The building is regarded as an architectural marvel. The original seven cell blocks, spread like spokes of a wheel, had running water and central heat before even the White House. Its beautifully designed vaulted ceilings, sky-lit cells, and castle-like walls stand in stark contrast to the purpose of many of its elements, including cell blocks, solitary punishment cells, and Death Row. Now, no longer an active penitentiary, the prison stands in haunting ruin with crumbling cell blocks, empty guard towers, and various states of neglect.

Visit the only aquarium in the world where you can see hippos, the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, the only aquarium in the US where you can see a great hammerhead shark, and one of the most popular attractions in Philadelphia, the Adventure Aquarium. With over 8,500 sea animals and innovative displays, this aquarium is known for always featuring new hands-on activities, animals, and exhibits, so every visit is a new opportunity to explore, discover and play. You’ll get to explore seven unique touch exhibits where you can get up close and personal with sharks, stingrays, and take your time exploring the aquarium’s 14 interactive and immersive exhibits. Every day the aquarium provides enriching experiences for visitors, like the African Penguin Feedings, Hippo Bedtime, Hippo Feeding, Meet the Divers, Up Close Animal Experiences, and more. Check the daily schedule to see when things are happening during your visit. Be sure to check out what’s playing at the Adventure Aquarium’s 3D Theater to explore deep-sea topics even more in a fully immersive, thrilling experience for the whole family.

Visit the most-visited museum in Pennsylvania and discover something new at The Franklin Institute, where kids and adults alike can experience all things science through innovative, explosive, and interactive science exhibitions that inspire curiosity and creativity. Named after America’s first Scientist Benjamin Franklin, like its namesake, The Franklin Institute is dedicated to inspiring a passion for science by offering approachable access to science through a variety of hands-on exhibitions, a constantly changing roster of cutting-edge temporary exhibits, relevant theater experiences, and more. Let your imagination soar when you climb into a fighter jet; get your blood pumping in an exhibition about the science of sports; and take a journey through a giant two-story human heart. From tectonic plates to the starry skies, visitors will be inspired to explore the world around us. It all begins at The Franklin Institute - a smart place to have fun!

The woman – the house – the flag. No trip to Philadelphia is complete without a visit to the home of America’s most famous flag-maker, a revolutionary woman, and an American icon, Betsy Ross. The Betsy Ross House, a circa-1740 row house, is located right in the heart of Historic Philadelphia and has been restored to the period around 1777 when Betsy Ross lived and worked there. The Betsy Ross House is one of the most popular historic things to do in Philadelphia and a great way to learn about what life and business was like (especially for a revolutionary woman) in Philadelphia in the late 1700s. Take the self-guided audio tour and learn all about 18th century Philadelphia and the legendary story of the creation of America’s first flag. You’ll get to see first-hand how Betsy Ross turned her formal training as an upholsterer into a full-fledged successful business in Colonial Philadelphia’s bustling commercial district. Hear the well-known story of Betsy Ross sewing the first Stars & Stripes – symbols that are literally woven into the colorful fabric of America’s rich history – while experiencing her famous home come to life with the sights and sounds of the Philadelphia she knew. You’ll learn all about the many accomplishments of this progressively modern, woman who lived more than two centuries ago, beyond the role she played in the birth of our nation. As you walk through the exhibits, you’ll hear stories of not only her involvement in the Revolutionary War, but also of Betsy’s life, including her upbringing as Elizabeth Griscom as the 8th of 17 children in a Quaker family, her love life, family life as a mother and wife, and ultimately, her death.

Take a journey through the American Revolution and the founding of America at the Museum of the American Revolution - one of the best ways to start a historical trip to Philadelphia. The museum features exhibits organized in chronological order that take visitors from the early signs of conflict in Boston in the 1760s to the first shots fired in the War of Independence, to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and beyond. Here, you’ll explore all aspects of the Revolution, from what life was like when America was a British Colony, to signs of unrest, to pivotal battles and the men and women who fought in them, to the writing of the first state Constitutions and more. Hands-on and immersive experiences give you a unique point-of-view on some of the major events of the American Revolution. Examine the museum’s collection of several hundred objects, including recently discovered and rare artwork, sculpture, textiles and uniforms, weapons used during the Revolutionary War (including muskets, swords, powder horns, cartridge boxes, and more), manuscripts, rare books, maps, and transcripts.

“Visit. Learn. Debate.” The National Constitution Center tells the story of the U.S. Constitution through hundreds of interactive, multimedia exhibits, engaging theatrical performances, photographs, sculpture, original documents, film, and artifacts. The Constitution Center is the first and only institution in the US established by Congress to “disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.” Displays take you through important events in our nation's history and explain how the United States Constitution is as important today as it was over 200 years ago. Join in on the debate and take part in exhibits such as voting for your all-time favorite President, taking the Presidential Oath of Office, taking the seat of a Supreme Court Justice and honoring the service people who have fought for and defended the Constitution. As the “museum of we the people,” the National Constitution Center’s mission is to inspire active citizenship by providing a place where people in the US can learn about debate and celebrate freedom as it is protected by the most powerful expression of it: the U.S. Constitution. It’s a national headquarters for civic education and America’s town hall. Main exhibits include three attractions: Freedom Rising, The Story of We the People, and the iconic Signers’ Hall. In addition to the main exhibits, the museum hosts traveling exhibits throughout the year that offer fresh perspectives on the Constitution.

The Philadelphia Art Museum is one of the largest and most important art museums in the United States and one of the most visited art museums in the world. Home to more than 240,000 objects reflecting more than two thousand years of human achievement in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States, you’ll get to see the Museum's vast collection of artwork, including Impressionist masterworks, a Japanese Teahouse, an Indian Temple Hall, a gallery devoted to Philadelphia's own Thomas Eakins, and historic rooms from structures in Paris, London, Beijing, and beyond. Explore the museum’s rooms dedicated to: American Art, Arms and Armor, Asian Art, European Art (1100-1500, European Art (1500-1850), European Art (1850-1900), Modern and Contemporary Art, Prints, Drawings, and Photographs, Special Exhibitions, and Textiles.

Explore the historic waterfront with the RiverLink Ferry, the fun, convenient and easy way to enjoy attractions and sights on the Philadelphia and Camden waterfronts during the summer season. You’ll get to experience the two cities’ waterfront area with easy, cross-river transportation aboard the RiverLink system’s 500+ passenger ferry, Freedom. Take the ferry to the Camden waterfront: experience the Adventure Aquarium or the Battleship New Jersey. During concert nights, the RiverLink Ferry runs on an extended schedule for all concertgoers at the BB&T Pavilion. Take the ferry to the Philadelphia waterfront: visit the Spruce Street Harbor Park Sustained by Univest, Blue Cross RiverRink, Independence Seaport Museum or walk 10 minutes from the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing to America's most historic mile, featuring the Liberty Bell, Independence Mall, the new National Constitution Center and the Independence Visitor Center, and more.

Experience history come to life at The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial and tour one of the largest battleships ever built and our nation's most decorated battleship (having served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam). This floating museum is conveniently located right on the Camden Waterfront across from Penn’s Landing and Center City Philadelphia. Explore the ship and take a self-guided, docent-assisted tour at your own pace. Your audio guide will take you 5 levels up and 2 decks below on the USS New Jersey. The Main Deck exhibit walks you through 48 years of the ship’s history in and out of active service. As you tour the rest of the ship, you’ll get a feel for what life was like aboard the battleship and get to see what makes this remarkable vessel unique—from the crew living spaces to the command and control centers and weapon systems, you’ll see it all. Be prepared – tours of the USS New Jersey are highly interactive; you’ll be going up and down steep steps (called “ladders” by the Navy), making your way through tight passageways, and more—just like the officers and crew who served aboard the USS New Jersey did. Climb inside the legendary 16" turrets. See the Tomahawk & Harpoon missile launch pads. Discover the Bridge, Communications Center, Captain's and Admiral's cabins, Officers' Wardroom and much more. Learn about the role the "Big J" played in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. The battleship is a floating museum and memorial that provides a living window into the most important half-century in American history.

Visit the final resting place of important Colonial and Revolution-Era people and learn about an early period of American history on the Christ Church Tour – a self-guided tour. You’ll learn all about the lives of the American colonists and prominent leaders, including Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence, when you visit their grave site. The Burial Ground, which is almost 300 years old; spans 2 acres and contains 1,400 markers. In addition to being the final resting place for four of the country’s founding fathers, the site also contains 20 vaults that were used by many of Philadelphia’s prominent families as late as the 20th century.

Get up close and personal with lions, gorillas, tortoises, snakes and more at this state-of-the-art US zoo. It's spread across 42 acres and there are over 1,300 rare, exotic, and endangered species to see. Philadelphia’s Zoo 360 gives animals more room to roam and you the opportunity to watch animals wander around the zoo via treetop walkways and tunnels. You'll see tigers prowling above your head in suspended mesh enclosures, and apes ambling over treetop bridges. There are even scheduled thunderstorms within the alligator and crocodile exhibit to replicate conditions in the Everglades.

It’s one of the oldest ghost tours in the country – and the original Ghost Tour in Philadelphia – today, it’s known as one of the most unique and entertaining things to do in Philadelphia. This Ghost Tour of Philadelphia – Candlelight Walking Tour is a 75-90 minute tour of Independence Park and Society Hill led by a costumed storyteller. Ghostly spirits, haunted houses, eerie graveyards, and mysterious gardens bring history back to life on this candlelit walking tour. You’ll learn all about the darkest secrets hidden in the shadows of America’s most historic and most haunted city and get to see many of the places where hauntings and other strange events have been reported. All stories you’ll hear have been researched, historically documented, and verified to coincide with historical events and sites. Every story you’ll hear is steeped in history and many are based on personal interviews – they may be disturbing, amusing, or intriguing – but they’re all based on true experiences of real people. These Ghost Tours are unique in that each storyteller brings something a little bit different to the theatrical delivery and style of the tour, so that no two tours are ever the same. Storyteller guides are required to commit two months learning the historical stories and working on their performance before they can lead a tour, so you know you’ll have a great experience.

Walk in the footsteps of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin (literally!) on a 75-minute guided walking tour of Philadelphia’s history and learn how thirteen British Colonies obtained independence and created a new nation on the Independence Walking Tour. Every tour guide is a qualified teacher or historian who has earned Bow Tie Tours’ Certificate of Knowledge, ensuring that you’re getting the most authentic and accurate account of historical events on your tour—don’t be afraid to ask questions! Learn all about Philadelphia’s most famous resident, Benjamin Franklin, ‘the first American,’ a writer, scientist, diplomat, and patriot and his many contributions to society and science. You’ll see over 20 historical landmarks in Philadelphia on your tour, including Independence Hall, the President’s House, the Constitution Center, and the homes of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Betsy Ross.

Experience ecosystems from around the world and be transported to the great outdoors with the exciting, hands-on exhibits at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, right in Philadelphia. Come face-to-face with towering dinosaur skeletons, meet live animals, stroll through an indoor, tropical garden filled with live butterflies, dig for fossils, and more. Historic dioramas depict ecosystems, plant, and animal life from all over the world, so the learning reaches far beyond the confines of Pennsylvania, or even the US. Watch the Academy staff preparing fossils in the Fossil Prep Lab before they get sent off to be studied by scientists, and more – the Academy of Natural Sciences features regular and temporary interactive exhibits and a Children’s Discovery Center, all geared towards providing visitors a chance to be a scientist for a day and interact with real science experts. This research institute is dedicated to advancing research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science.

With over three million LEGO® bricks under one roof, there’s a lot to explore at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Philadelphia, a must-see for LEGO® fans ages 3-10. This indoor family attraction features an interactive LEGO® themed ride, a 4D cinema experience, and 10 LEGO® themed play areas, including the exciting LEGO NINJAGO Training Camp. Spend some time exploring MINILAND® where you can see famous Philadelphia landmarks and buildings made entirely of LEGO® bricks. Kids can practice their LEGO® engineering and learn new building secrets at the Model Builder Academy before putting their skills to the test at the LEGO® RACERS: BUILD & TEST speed test tracks or see how well their skyscrapers hold up during a natural disaster at the EARTHQUAKE TABLES. Next, they can hang out with their favorite characters from LEGO® Friends in Heartlake City or sail the seas in search of treasure at the PIRATE ADVENTURE ISLAND soft play area aboard a LEGO® themed pirate ship (must wear socks!).

Explore one of the world’s greatest collections of impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern European paintings at the Barnes Foundation. Featuring over 2,000 masterpieces, including 19th- and 20th-century French paintings, important examples of African art, Native American pottery and jewelry, Pennsylvania German furniture, American avant-garde painting, and wrought-iron metalwork, the museum features engaging displays and exhibitions that serve as a great educational and cultural resource for a diverse audience. You’ll get to see iconic masterpieces by artists you’ll recognize, like Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Chaim Soutine, and more from the personal and expanded collection of Dr. Barnes, who began his collection in 1912 with the goal of curating “the greatest modern art collection.” The museum’s exhibits are arranged in dense groupings that feature a blend of object from various cultures, time periods, and media, all displayed together in “ensembles” crafted by Dr. Barnes himself. His ensembles are constructed with a focus on visual similarities among objects, like light, line, color, and space-universal principles that encourage visitors to “see as the artist sees.” The ensembles created by Dr. Barnes served as part of the education program developed by Dr. Barnes in the 1920s, with the intention of teaching the public how to consume art—one of the reasons the Barnes Foundation is such a unique and popular art museum.

Explore freedom, as an American heritage, at the National Liberty Museum. Located right in the heart of historic Philadelphia, the museum encourages all visitors to find their own place in the story of liberty as it relates to American history and explore topics such as leadership, good character, diversity and inclusion, peaceful conflict resolution, civic engagement, and more. You’ll hear 8 stories of heroes from diverse walks of life and interact with an engaging collection of contemporary art that examine topics of freedom, liberty, and justice for all through interactive exhibits and galleries. Once you walk through the front doors, you’ll be in the Welcome to Liberty gallery where you can touch and take a picture with an exact replica of the Liberty Bell made by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London – ask one of the visitor service staff members to ring it for you. After seeing the Liberty Bell, take your time exploring the rest of the Welcome to Liberty featuring beautiful glass art and an interactive iPad exhibit with stories of heroes and quizzes. Finally, watch a film in the museum’s immersive theater that explores the sights and sounds of liberty. In addition to the museum’s permanent galleries, you’ll get entry to the National Liberty Museum’s temporary exhibits that are on display during your visit as well that further explore topics of Liberty in America.

Visit Longwood Gardens – one of the premier horticultural display gardens in the US – and spend some time walking through lush displays of exotic plants, horticulture, and intricate fountain systems and shows. You can cover a lot of ground at Longwood Gardens, 1,077 acres of grounds, indoors and out. From formal gardens, to plant displays geared towards kids, to intricate fountains and an expansive meadow, there’s something for anyone with an interest in nature at Longwood Gardens. You’ll get to see a diverse array of plant species, too. From seasonal blooms and fruits to exotic flowers, cacti, succulents, and more, get up close to a variety of plants and learn about their unique properties and all they have to offer. Constantly pushing the limits of horticulture, Longwood Gardens has made significant contributions to the study of plants and the infinite potential they have to offer. The dedication of the Gardens’ staff is apparent in the displays and plant curations throughout the gardens.

Home of the largest collection of artwork by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris, the Rodin Museum is one of the most popular Philadelphia museums of art and celebrates the artwork, masterpieces, and lifetime achievements of the 19th-century artist Auguste Rodin. Explore the museum’s several rooms and gardens and learn all about Rodin’s life, career as a sculptor, impact on the art of sculpture, and more. With more than 140 bronzes, marbles, and plasters every phase of Auguste Rodin’s career is well represented.

Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), a revolutionary museum of its time as the first institution built by a major US city dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the life and work of African Americans and the people of the African Diaspora. Founded in 1976 as part of the US Bicentennial celebrations, the African American Museum in Philadelphia offers a museum experience rich in the vibrancy of African American heritage and culture. Explore the museum’s engaging exhibitions and galleries filled with the material and intellectual culture of African Americans in the Americas with three dominant themes: the African Diaspora, the Philadelphia Story (which focuses on African Americans of Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania), and the Contemporary Narrative. You’ll examine a wide range of topics important to telling the story of African Americans, including: family life, the Civil Rights movement, arts, entertainment, sports, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law, and technology that explore the Black experience through the narrative or art, history, and culture. The AAMP is dedicated to educating the public about African American art, history, and culture and promoting visitors to keep an ongoing dialogue about issues important to the African American community today. In addition to the museum’s extensive permanent collection, the AAMP features an ongoing rotation of temporary exhibits that provide new takes on common themes and supplemental information to its regular collection.

Get connected to Philadelphia’s rivers and watershed – explore the city’s maritime history and culture at the Independence Seaport Museum, located right near the action along the Delaware River on the historic Penn’s Landing – just a short distance from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. From commercial shipping and shipbuilding to navigation, immigration, defense, outdoor recreation, the environment, pirates, and underwater exploration, the museum is a hands-on way to learn all about the region’s maritime heritage and the important role it played in shaping the history of Philadelphia and beyond. In the galleries, you’ll get to explore lots of family-oriented interactive exhibits, learn about different ship models, see over 1,000 artifacts and works of art, and more. Watch a wooden boat being built in the boat shop, climb on board and tour two National Historic Landmarks: Admiral Dewey’s 1892 cruiser OLYMPIA and the WWII submarine BECUNA, and experience the history of the US Navy as you climb aboard the life-size model Schooner Diligence. Founded in 1960 as a key component in Philadelphia’s waterfront renaissance, the Independence Seaport Museum is one of the largest maritime art and artifact collections in North America and offers visitors a comprehensive examination of local and regional maritime history with an emphasis on the Port of Philadelphia.

Founded in 1887, the Penn Museum is one of the world’s leading anthropology and archaeology museums dedicated to exploring the human story: who we are and where we came from. You’ll get to see around 1 million objects of art and artifacts from all over the world. Explore the museum’s signature galleries: Egypt (Sphinx) Gallery, Egypt (Mummies) Gallery, Africa Gallery, Canaan and Israel Gallery, China Gallery, Etruscan Italy Gallery, Greece Gallery, Rome Gallery, Japan Gallery, and the Mexico and Central America Gallery. The Penn Museum building itself is an attraction to be seen—having undergone seven separate construction phases between 1899 and 2005, you can see a variety of different architectural influences, including the Harrison Rotunda, beautiful gardens featuring fountains, sculptures, and more. Be sure to leave yourself time to do a little exploring!

Discover an unparalleled collection of works by three generations of Wyeths: N.C., Andrew, and Jamie in what is an outstanding collection of American illustration, still life, and landscape paintings at the Brandywine Museum of Art.

Explore and celebrate the history, culture, and experience of Jews in America at the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH), located right in the heart of historic Philadelphia. Highlighting how an immigrant population faced the challenges that come with the privilege of freedom through the choices they faced and how they were shaped – and shaped by – America. You’ll learn about 350 years of American Jewish history through many, family-friendly hands-on exhibits, including the museum’s collection of over 1,200 artifacts, 30 original films, 13 interactive displays, and more that explore universal themes, such as immigration, worship, hard work, entertainment, community, family life, and more. The mission of the museum is to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and inspire people of all backgrounds to have a greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse American Jewish experience by providing guided dialogue about the American Jewish experience in the context of American history—so no matter your background, the National Museum of American Jewish History has a lot to offer.