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. :(

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!

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! |

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.

In 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence here. Man, if walls…read morecould talk. Be sure to book your tour in advance and request the last tour as you get to explore the second floor Governor's Council chamber.

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.

My family and I had a fantastic visit today to Eastern State Penitentiary. Our tour guide Gary was…read moreincredible, answering all of our questions and taking us on an informative and engaging journey through the hallways of this historic prison. I highly recommend taking a guided tour!! Who knew going to prison would make for such a wonderful afternoon!!

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!

What can I say about the Liberty Bell? I've been to Philadelphia many times and each and every…read moretime, I have to stop to see it! It's a little bit like the Mona Lisa, were it's not as gigantic as you think when you get up close to it (the Mona Lisa is TINY in person!) But it's still as impressive as you think when you are ten feet from it (the closest you can get, I think). It's located in the Independence National Historic Park, and there is a lot to see there too - not just the Bell. You can see Declaration Hall where the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was drafted, the first meeting place of the Continental Congress, and even Benjamin Franklin's burial place. I'm sure you know that there is a TON of historical stuff to see in Philadelphia, but I would definitely recommend making one of those stops Independence Hall and specifically, the Liberty Bell!

This place is very cool! I've been wanting to visit since I saw National Treasure back in the day…read more I was worried though when I arrived and saw a long line outside the venue. However, I saw how quickly it was moving and took a chance. Fairly soon I was in through the doors and finding myself in a small museum that provided details and background about the Liberty Bell. My only complaint was the very start of this area was super congested and would do well to guide people through this area in a way where it's less crowded and people can actually get close to the infographics. Otherwise, the Liberty Bell, small as it is, was well appointed in a mostly glass room, roped off but easy to take pictures of and with, somehow. Definitely enjoyed visiting this piece of history! Oh, and it's FREE!

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.

Wedding Wednesdays! Or, just for the Philly love at this…read morepark. Walk, chill, or check out the sites on the way to your next destination.

We live in South Jersey; super close to Philadelphia…read more Why don't we go more? IDK! My son wanted to check out the city and get the gang if driving in it. We had fun doing both on this decent weather day. Of course we had to stop by LOVE PARK. Happy people strewn about, Girl Scouts selling cookies and pups walking about :)

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.