Johnson Park in the pretty Cooper Grant neighborhood of downtown Camden has been beautifully…read morerestored by Rutgers University. Johnson Park is named for Eldridge Johnson who was the founder of the Victor Talking machine in Camden - at one time the world's most important producer of Victrolas and Gramophones. (It later merged with RCA). At the center of the park is the imposing neo-classical Cooper Library and reflecting pool which is now part of Rutgers University. Do you know the beloved statue by Albert Laessle of "Billy the Goat" in Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia? Well, his bro "The Dancing Goat" is in this park. But the must-see here is without doubt the statue of Peter Pan by Sir George Frampton. There are five sculptures of Peter Pan in the world by Sir George Frampton - each one slightly different. The world-famous one is in Kensington Gardens in London. This work of art in Camden is the only Frampton Peter Pan sculpture in the United States. It's cool .... like Peter Pan was!

Another hidden garden in a part of the city with a bunch of cute gardens. It's enclosed with a…read morewell-maintained patch of grass, some (uncomfortable) metal benches, and a fountain in one corner. It's quiet, cozy, serene, and I love coming here with the dog for a quick time-out when I work from home. The few downsides are that it only has one entrance, and it locks up at night. :(

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - Philadelphia, PA…read more Boomsauce Score: BS +++ (Amazing location! now that's boomsauce!) Even mid-renovation, this place hits different. Stepping into Poe's former home is like walking through the pages of Gothic literature. The art installations and that surreal raven sculpture outside? Straight out of a dream--or a fevered poem. It's eerie, poetic, and deeply moving. Though the house is currently closed for a utilities improvement project, you can still feel the weight of history pressing through the walls. Poe lived here during one of his most prolific periods, penning classics like The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart. The cellar even resembles the one described in The Black Cat, adding a deliciously creepy layer to the visit. If you're in Philly, this is a must-visit. It's not just a museum--it's a tribute to the tortured brilliance of one of America's greatest literary minds. And when renovations wrap, it'll be even more hauntingly beautiful. --- Boomsauce Scale | Rating | Meaning |---------|----------------------------------| | B | basura (trash) | | BS | basic (come on! Try harder) | | BS + | better (Yo! That's better) | | BS ++ | best (alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) | | BS +++ | Amazing location! now that's boomsauce! |

Small, easy, short touristy trip. Another great free thing to do in the city when you have friends…read moreor family from out of town. I live in Nolibs, so this is an easy walk from my house. Parking is plentiful nearby, too!

If you're a history or literature buff, this is truly a hidden gem in New Jersey. I can't believe…read moreI'm the first person to review this place in four years! My 9-year-old son and I came here on a Saturday afternoon in November. They are only open for two hours, from 11-12 and 2-3. I called ahead and scheduled a tour for 2 o'clock. There is only street parking available, but we were able to park directly outside and pay at the meter. The tour starts in the house next door where you watch a ten minute video on Walt Whitman's life, then you go next door to his house where they have painstakingly recreated most of the rooms based on old photographs. The tour includes his upstairs bedroom where he passed away, and finishes in the backyard. Our tourguide was very friendly and knowledgeable and humored my son's millions of questions, many of which were somewhat off topic ("do you think Walt Whitman could do a cartwheel?!" *does cartwheel in the backyard*). The best part is that the tour is completely free, though donations are of course accepted. After the tour we drove to the Harleigh Cemetery to see his gravesite, which is only a mile or two from his house.

Whitman's house is so full of history; visiting it was a great experience. There is a short film…read morethat sets the stage. Beyond that, the guide had interesting things to reveal in every room. I was especially intrigued by the bedroom, but I won't give the surprise away.

The official birth place of America!! How cool that this building is still around and still has…read moreplenty of original items inside. We did a guided tour so that we could see the insides. The tour lasts at most 30 minutes, but they'll give you the background of what all went down inside the building. To think this is where John Adams, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and so many more patriots came to declare the United States of America as an independent nation. I'm so glad I got to see this.

Independence Hall is one of the most consequential civic buildings in the United States. The red…read morebrick Georgian structure reads as restrained and formal rather than ornate, but its significance carries most of the weight. The surrounding Independence National Historical Park frames it as part of a larger civic landscape, where open squares, pathways, and nearby historic buildings create a setting that feels intentionally preserved rather than reconstructed for spectacle. The main experience here is centered on the building itself and the rooms that shaped foundational moments in American history. I stepped inside and found the Assembly Room standing out as the focal point, where key debates over independence and constitutional design took place. The scale surprised me. It is surprisingly intimate compared to how monumental its outcomes are often perceived, which made the space feel more grounded than grand. During my visit, access was managed through a timed entry system, but the experience consistently revolved around standing in spaces directly tied to the formation of governing documents and early national decision making. The visit is structured and guided in a way that felt controlled but informative. Rangers managed the flow carefully, especially during the busy periods I encountered. Security procedures were part of the entry process. Even with portions of the interior restricted, the surrounding exhibits and nearby historic rooms helped fill in context. The overall pace was more about controlled observation than wandering, with a clear emphasis on preservation and historical interpretation rather than open exploration.

Just reading a bit of another review on the side here - yes, I can imagine this would not be a very…read morepleasant place to visit in the winter. Summer visit was a bit warm for that matter. Only a handful of rooms are climate-controlled. Aside from that, though, WOW. I did not know that this gem of a place was nested right here so close for all the time I've spent in this area. Super grateful that some new friends at church were interested in checking it out, b/c while I was aware of this place, it wasn't to the extent that I had made plans to go on my own, nor was I aware of anyone who would want to go with me. I checked out a museum pass from the library, and we headed over after service one Sunday. There's so much rich history in that place, so much education about not just the penitentiary itself but about the prison system in general, and it was just a really illuminating experience walking through the cell blocks, looking into some of the cells, and getting some understanding of what the original intent was, as well as how that evolved over time. I was really impressed by the thoroughness of all the self-guided tour materials, and by all the work that had been done to keep the place in the condition like a preserved ruin. I agree w/ their take, that it doesn't need to be updated, is good the way it is aside from controlling for safety. There's so much to see there, and while I don't foresee going back anytime super soon, I know that if I do, there would still be more to see and learn. There were a handful of really impactful exhibits speaking to prison reform that I really appreciated. Not sure I'm that much of a Halloween person, but that experience sounds potentially fun too.

We saw this was one of the top rated attractions in the Philly area so we visited on a Monday…read moremorning (it's closed on Tuesdays). With our reciprocal museum membership we got free admission. We opted for the self guided tour with their audio headsets. The guide is very informative and if you listened to all of the recording it is 4 hours long! We did the main tour and listed to a few extras. We were there a bit over one hour. Overall it was very interesting and we learned alot about not only this prison but life in this first of a kind place. The place is pretty creepy. It is great that a group has stepped up to save this important piece of history!

The line was halfway down the building when we arrived at 2pm on a Monday. It didn't even take us…read more30 minutes to then go through security and get inside the building. Once you're inside there is a ton of history on the bell, where all the bell has been, how the crack formed, and basically the history of the bell since its inception to today. Once you get to the end of the historical information you keep going straight and you get to the actual Liberty Bell. There is a line, but the security there will tell you there is no line and you should walk all around the bell. We got pictures in front of the bell, and behind the bell, and all around the bell. It's really cool to see up close in person and to think about all of the history that has gone down in America since its inception. Super cool thing to do if you're an American or a tourist visiting. This is one of a kind American history.

It's probably the best bell I've ever seen, and I've seen a whole bunch of them in my life…read more Actually the best thing about this place is the park rangers who are insanely knowledgable and helpful. Long live the national parks service!

There's so much cool stuff within the city limits that I've committed to trying to explore…read moresomething new (to me) every week. Recently that meant exploring the trolley trails in west Fairmount Park and finding the stone spiral arch bridge. In the early 1900s, a scene trolley took people through the woods. Nature has reclaimed the trolley paths, but in recent years they have been converted into miles of hiking trails. It's not crowded--I only saw 4 other people, mountain bikers, on my visit. It's a great place to explore. It's shaded so the walk was cool. It's pretty level so the hike is easy. And if you know where to go, you can find this beautiful bridge that looks like a brick spiral. The years have taken a toll, so I wonder how much longer we'll get to enjoy it. It's cool to think that in the past so much work was put into creating a beautiful structure that really just needed to serve a simple function. Don't have time for a long hike? You can get to the bridge quickly by entering the trail from Chamounix Mansion. Park by the equestrian building and head in. It's probably less than a 1/2 mile walk to the bridge.

I'm one of those weird Aquarius people who like to explore abandoned buildings, and ancient sites,…read moreso I had to check out Stone Arch Bridge! It is an old bridge that leads to nowhere because it is no longer being used. It is surrounded by a forest, and kind of hard to find. The best way to find it is to stay at Chamounix Mansion, and follow the trail behind the trees. It's worth checking out if you like to post on Instagram, and finding hidden gems that are off the beaten path.

SCW and I walked through Love Park and of course got our selfie in front of the Love sign. The park…read moreitself is across from the capitol building. It's fairly clean, has a visitors center (for the city not only the park) and a nice fountain that you can go in if you're adventurous or a kid. We did not, but on a warm day like it was the idea was tempting. Love Park isn't a huge park by any means, but a good place to take a walk, enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and share the time with someone you love. Love wins.

Right next to City Hall. A fun park to get a photo at with the Love sign and the rest of…read morePhiladelphia behind you. When we went around noon there wasn't a line for photos or anything. No homeless people either. Just us, a few tourists and lots of pics being taken. Fun spot for photos.

Pretty cool graveyard considering how old it is. Most of the headstone are beyond readable due to…read moreextended age, A unique place to visit with an interesting story from the guide that highlights the life of Benjamin Franklin. This is located right downtown so its easy to get to from pretty much any other touristy place, and it can also be seen clear as the sun from the hop on/hop off tour bus. It goes right by it. Mr. And Mrs. Benjamin Franklin grave is open to the public 24/7 365/366. Throw a penny for good luck! Loved everything about it. Gladly pay $5 to pay respects to a historic founding father as well as so many other patriots of the United States. An absolute treasure in the heart of Philadelphia

Not too keen on the admission pricing. But it was an interesting and old cemetary. Fascinating to…read moresee the other gravesites that were even older. Water was available for purchase too.