Philadelphia Pass: 30+ Things To Do including Philadelphia Zoo

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. 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.

   2 hAdmission included

2. 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.

   1.5 hAdmission included

3. 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.

   2 hAdmission included

4. 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!

   2 hAdmission included

5. 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.

   1.5 hAdmission included

6. 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.

   1.5 hAdmission included

7. “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.

   2 hAdmission included

8. 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.

   3 hAdmission included

9. 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.

   1.5 hAdmission included

10. 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.

    45 minAdmission included

11. 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.

    3 h

12. 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.

    1.5 hAdmission included

Cancellation

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Reviews

Ratings come from 105 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Philadelphia

• Its from-price is 103% above the median of the 9 attraction tickets we list in Philadelphia.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 9.

About Philadelphia

Philadelphia is Pennsylvania's largest city and the birthplace of American independence, with Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, museums and markets.

Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by William Penn and was the capital of the United States for a decade in the 1790s. In Independence National Historical Park, Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 and the Constitution drafted in 1787, is a World Heritage site, and the Liberty Bell is displayed nearby. Elfreth's Alley, a lane of small 18th-century houses, is among the oldest residential streets in the country.

Top-ranked sights in Philadelphia: Liberty Bell Center, Carpenters' Hall , President's House.

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