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    Edgar Allan Poe House

    4.3 (96 reviews)
    Closed • Closed

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    Andres A.

    We stumbled up on this museum by accident it is quite the gem. The house is a National Historic Landmark and it is a nice spot to go to. There is no fee to enter but still an interesting place to learn about one of America's great authors. The house is not adorned with time period pieces but they do provide a video about the life and times of Edgar Allen Poe which is nice. We enjoyed it.

    John B.

    I'm not a Poe expert (more of a Lovecraft fan myself), but given the man's literary influence I thought this house a worthy stop. The original house is a self-guided tour where one actually walks up the stairs through a building that has largely been left unmolested. This has its positives and negatives. You have access, but it doesn't look like a whole lot. It's the sort of place that asks you to use your imagination, which is probably appropriate. I did get some orientation from ranger staff. There was no charge to enter, and a slow stream of people followed me. A reading room was set up with Poe's entire body of work, and exhibitions out in front focused heavily on his many relationships with women. I recall the Poe House in Baltimore being a somewhat more dynamic and interesting experience, but this place is worthy of preservation and an interesting quick stop (or a long one if you want to make use of the reading room).

    Erik T.

    A place all real Edgar Allen Poe fans should visit. The space has a definite energy to it.

    Jeremy J.

    I've always been a big Edgar Allan Poe fan so of course I had to stop in here and see the house since it said that this was his house I guess why I live in Philadelphia. I was big fan of the city of Philadelphia we had a lot of great experiences in a lot of good fun. So we really enjoyed seeing the raven on the outside of the house is an old rundown looking building of course because it's very old but this was a cool thing to see

    Sign
    Kari C.

    We were driving through Philly and randomly saw Poe's house and so we stopped for an impromptu visit. The house is a National Historic site. There is a gift shop which you see upon entry and exit. In the gift shop sits a park ranger, several of Poe's books, t-shirts and many other keepsakes. Guests will see history of Poe's life displayed upon entry. There is also a reading room and a movie room. Tours are available and will likely enhance the overall experience of visiting the house. Otherwise, one can roam freely through each room and check out where Poe wrote some of his most famous literature. There is not a lot to see or read beyond the first floor. The restroom facilities and water fountain are in the basement. Overall, if you are a fan of Poe, this is certainly worth the visit if you happen to be in Philadelphia, otherwise you can experience Poe through his literature. The rangers are super friendly and wecoming. They are eager to offer suggestions and answer questions. We had a wonderful time on our improvement visit!

    Parlor fireplace
    Lori F.

    Absolutely awesome Historic site to visit. They do run an 8 minute introduction talk before you head into the house proper. You can take a guided or self guided tour. If you choice self guided your given a laminate that explains each room you enter. The rooms are not in good shape and all except for the Sitting room are not furnished if that matters to some people. I just kept thinking over & over that I'm walking where Poe once walked and slept and ate. All very fascinating and very enjoyable. The Park Ranger that was there for my visit was super kind and helpful in answering my questions.

    Edgar Allan Poe painting on some apartment
    M C.

    A site to see! And a nice little stop. Doesn't seem like a good neighborhood but a quick and safe spot to park. It looks as if it is closed but one knock at the door and someone lets you in. The home/museum is a lot bigger inside then it seems on the outside. It is free to get in; as we technically pay with our taxes - if your a U.S. citizen- as the Museum Park worker mentioned questioning my Latino husband. Which was the only negative thing about the visit. Other then that it is worth visiting.

    Registered National Historic Landmark
    Danielle S.

    I had been wanting to visit this landmark for quite sometime and finally did a couple weeks ago. It was beyond my expectations and was pleasantly surprised that admission was free. That is something you don't hear of often!! We were staying nearby so we walked. Lots of great history here and even some interactive activities. We spent about 1 hour 15 minutes exploring.

    Allan O.

    The beautiful & tragic remains of one of Philadelphia's most prolific writer, may this house allow you a snippet of the sad life of Edgar Allan Poe. After all, not every house is necessarily a home. The Location This is the National Historic Site located in Philly and is a great spot for history buffs, stamp collectors, and macabre enthusiasts alike. Parking is all along the street so just don't get towed and you should be fine! The Venue This is a 3-story house with tons of stories to tell so make sure to ask lots of questions and take in every inch! When you first walk up, you have to knock once and patiently wait for a park ranger to welcome you in. There are plenty of things to read in the main area but then you take yourself on a self-guided tour with an easy to follow pamphlet. From room to room you'll see a slowly aging house that fills you with the same feelings that the man himself probably felt from day to day. This is NOT a happy house and I am glad they don't try to glam it up; they keep tit REAL out here folks. It's easy to see why people in the household were not happy, why the struggle was the way it was, and also some of the inspirations for his stories come directly from here. I won't say much else about the basement, but if you're in the area checking out the sites, seeing where history takes you, this may not be your first stop, but it should certainly be a part of the trip! Final Thoughts I want to say that I left that place feeling as creeped out about Poe and maybe saw some of the emptiness that seemed to surround his life. Some of the greatest influencers have the most sad backstories, and it doesn't always get better. Nice job with this place and I hope you enjoy it too!

    Wondering if this was the window poem himself, looked out of while writing the tell tale heart
    Leah K.

    I've always loved Edgar, Allan Poe's writings, but to be in his home in a place where he was writing some of my favorite stories was absolutely inspiring. The Park rangers were wonderfully helpful, answered any and all of my son's rambling questions and we loved every minute of it. It also helps that it's a self guided tour so you can take your time.

    Bill M.

    I love the fact that Philadelphia has plenty of historic spots to visit like Historic Philadelphia, The Art Museum, and The Betsy Ross House. But my idea of a good historic spot is a place where a famous writer penned a lot of his classics. and Philadelphia has the Edgar Allen Poe House! This place is the only surviving residence in Philadelphia where Poe has lived and created a lot of his classics. It is now fully converted into a museum about him and his classic works. it is open from 9am to 5pm Wednesday through Thursday. and the best part about it - admission is FREE! On Thursday October 25th they are going to have an evening candlelight tour that focuses on some of his classic horror stories. It's going to be $10 but very worth it. they are also going to have a big event for his 199th birthday in January.

    Picture of what the exterior of the house looked like when Poe and Virginia lived there.
    Jeannette L.

    If you are looking for a little history and are on a budget, check out the Edgar Allan Poe House in Philly. In the Northern Liberties, the historical site is the former residence of the American literary figure when he lived in the city back in the 1800s. It's an unassuming house on the street. When you walk up to the door, you ring the doorbell and someone will let you in. Once inside, you'll see some displays with artifacts and information about the writer. Rangers will greet you and suggest that you watch an intro film before exploring the house. The rangers also give a tour of the property, where you can check out all of the rooms and they'll tell you about each room and what life was like in the neighborhood and city at the time. At the end of the tour, you can check out the little library in the back of the building and listen to audio recordings of Poe's work and look at original manuscripts. I recommend it if you are into Poe, literature, and history. Plus, admission is free. What beats that?! Check it out!

    Nijole T.

    An extra star for being FREE and the fact that you can wander the house at your leasure. The guides are very nice, they also show a short film and have a small giftshop. Its great getting to see the inside of an old home in Philly, since most of them still look like this. The area is a bit seedy but the home well kept on the outside with a fairly large yard, oddly enough a cat was running through the house and yard looking exactly like his did which added to the charm. Worth checking out if you are in Philly, this will not take long as the house is tiny but very educational and interesting stop.

    Raven in the yard

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    Edgar Allan Poe House Reviews in Other Languages

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    Review Highlights - Edgar Allan Poe House

    “If you are a Poe fan and are in the city of Philadelphia (whether you live here or are visiting), I recommend that you stop by this house.”

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Liberty Bell Center

    Liberty Bell Center

    4.2(760 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Absolutely worthy of a visit! Don't let the line out the door deter you. It's just the security…read morecheckpoint, and it moves quickly. It's open and easy to move around once inside this modern and air-conditioned building that houses the Liberty Bell. There are displays of items that contain bits of Liberty Bell metal. These bits date back to 1846 when an attempt was made to repair what was once a very thin crack on the bell. You'll also see vintage items with the image of the Liberty Bell among other more educational displays of its history. The Liberty Bell is in a room with a view of Independence Hall. A line was starting to form for selfies. Fortunately, the park ranger told everyone that there is no line. There were plenty of opportunities to get clear pictures. It's also possible to walk around the bell to see it more closely. There is an outside viewing window on the side of the building for those who want to view it after opening hours. You just can't see the cracked part of the bell from there. It's a must see symbol of freedom. It doesn't take much time to see it. Just take it all in when walking through Independence National Historical Park.

    This exhibit of American history was directly across from the Philly visitors center in the…read moreIndependence National Historical Park. Waited in line only for ten minutes to catch a peek at the Liberty Bell and its famous crack. Its 2000 pound frame sits in the center of a small room allowing a 360 degree view. It does get crowded around the bell with other tourists but I did get some good pics.

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    City Hall - July 7, 2026

    City Hall

    4.1(114 reviews)
    1.0 mi•Penn Center, Market East, Logan Square, Avenue of the Arts North

    Philadelphia, PA - this is a review for the City Hall Tower Tour. I'm irresistibly attracted to…read moreobservation decks and old towers, so when I discovered that Philadelphia's City Hall doesn't just offer building tours but also a panoramic Tower Tour from atop its clock tower, I didn't question whether I really NEED to see the bird's eye view of yet another city. Located just a short walk from my hotel and something I can squeeze in before check-out, well that sealed it. The tour is very intimate, as each group maxes out at four people, owing to the tower's narrow dimensions, so you're basically on a private tour. There are plenty of time slots however, as the tour departs every 15 minutes, but booking in advance is highly recommended if not imperative (isn't everything these days!). It is only available Monday-Friday from 10am-2:45pm cos, government building. The experience was wonderful from top to bottom. The ladies in the visitor center were so nice and chatted with us as we waited for the tour to begin, and even gave my kiddo a pair of binoculars which he clutched onto with excitement and didn't put down for the rest of the day. Our guide Kim was genuinely warm, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. She took our photos, kept things interesting, and capped it all off with an awesome list of insidery tips about what to do and see - places I hadn't even known about. I've done several dozen observation towers around the world and they never get old. This one's a departure from the usual glossy skyscraper presentation with a slick immersive elevator ride (in fact the elevator ride's pretty rickety), but if you like history and high places, and the luxury of zero crowds, this is a cool hidden gem.

    Philadelphia City Hall has become a must-visit for me whenever I am in the city for running events…read morelike the Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run or the Philadelphia Distance Run. My trips just don't feel complete without stopping by to take in its architecture. I remember the 2022 Broad Street Run vividly, falling in love with the building's design around mile five of the course. Being near it, I must say, it has an astonishing presence. I learned that it was designed by Scottish-born architect John McArthur Jr. and Thomas Ustick Walter in the French Second Empire style, with construction spanning from 1871 to 1901. The exterior tower was completed by 1894, although the interior was not finished until 1901. At the very top stands a 37-foot bronze statue of William Penn, the founder of Philadelphia. At 548 feet, this made it the tallest habitable building in the world from 1894 to 1908. City Hall sits on one of the five original urban park squares laid out by William Penn. Geometrically, it is the center of the other four squares within Center City--an area fittingly renamed Penn Square. If you are planning a trip to Philadelphia, I highly recommend including a walk around this iconic landmark on your itinerary, though it is bound to catch your eye unexpectedly while you are downtown. One of my favorite sculptures on the outer perimeter is of Octavius Catto, a trailblazing civil rights leader, educator, and athlete whose contributions to racial equality in 19th-century America remain profound. ~ Be obsessively grateful ~ Thomas G

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    City Hall
    City Hall - City Hall (in distance)

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    Independence Hall - Room where the Declaration of Independence was signed

    Independence Hall

    4.5(420 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    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.

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    Independence Hall - History made here

    History made here

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    The President's House - Entrance

    The President's House

    4.3(11 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    I had an amazing experience at The President's House in Philly. From the moment I arrived,…read moreeverything about the visit felt meaningful, informative, and well done. The site is beautifully presented and offers a powerful look into an important part of American history. The exhibits are engaging and thoughtfully designed, making it easy to learn while still feeling emotionally connected to the stories being told. I really appreciated how the history was presented in a way that was both educational and impactful. The atmosphere is calm and reflective, yet very engaging--you can take your time, read, and truly absorb the significance of the space. It's a must-see if you're visiting Philadelphia or even if you're a local looking to experience the city's history in a deeper way. Overall, it was a memorable and enriching experience, and I'm really glad I took the time to visit. Highly recommend adding The President's House to your Philly itinerary.

    Visiting the President's House site in Philadelphia was unexpectedly powerful. It's just steps from…read morethe Liberty Bell, but the energy there is quieter--more reflective. At first glance, it's a series of open-air stone walls and glass panels, but as I read the stories etched into the displays, it hit me how layered the history really is. This was once home to George Washington and John Adams--but also to nine enslaved people who lived and worked there. The exhibit doesn't shy away from that fact. It honors their names, their stories, and brings humanity to a place often remembered only for power and politics. I stood for a while at the video screens, listening to voices speak the names of those enslaved here. It made the past feel personal and real in a way textbooks never could. A thoughtful, moving site that sticks with you long after you leave.

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    The President's House - Foundation

    Foundation

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    Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden

    Bartram's Garden

    4.5(66 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Came here for a 52 Firsts event during Spring Fest and it ended up being such a fun day. There was…read morea lot going on without feeling overwhelming. Live energy, little activity tables, and a small plant sale that was honestly very tempting. One of the coolest things I learned is that they have what's believed to be the oldest ginkgo tree in both North and South America. That alone made the visit feel a little special. I spent some time walking the trails and made my way around the water too. It's really pretty back there. Lots of flowers in bloom, open space, and quieter areas if you want a break from the crowd. I definitely liked the more shaded, tree-heavy sections the most. Some of the booths were set up fully in the sun and it got a bit intense after a while, so having those cooler, shaded areas made a big difference. Staff were very helpful and the trails are clearly marked, which made it easy to just wander without worrying about getting lost. Only downside is the location can be a little tricky to get to, especially if you're not driving. But once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. Overall just a really enjoyable, laid-back outdoor spot with a lot to explore. I'd come back, especially for another event.

    Seems like a really lovely and serene acres of gardens to wander thru. Sqirrrls flowers plants…read morepathways birds benches to sit Large fallen trees to sit and it's along the water but the view was blocked by trees. I saw a pond with Lilly pads in it too. There's supposed to be free fishing from 5-7pm and it's thru the back circular parking lot. The trees are labeled w gold dog tag info. Wear bug spray cuz I had sandals and my feet felt sting and maybe bit up

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    Bartram's Garden

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    Eastern State Penitentiary - Cell block

    Eastern State Penitentiary

    4.6(973 reviews)
    1.3 mi•Fairmount, Art Museum District

    It was definitely a unique experience, and well worth the admission fee. I found it to be…read moreeducational and creepy, yet in a highly photogenic and artsy kind of way. I couldn't stop taking pictures. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Besides, I don't think I can add anything to this review about its history that hasn't already been said. I'll just give you a few tips before your visit. Bring ear buds so that you can listen to the self-guided audio tour that is narrated by Steve Buscemi. It's 45 minutes long and is included with admission. Otherwise, just do as we did and go through each cell block at your own pace. You can always listen to the audio tour later. There's also a guided tour that can be booked for a higher fee. The best time to go is in the morning. It didn't feel quite as hot inside as I thought it would be. There are a few exhibits that have air-conditioned rooms if needed. One of them is the "Worship Behind Walls" exhibit that was closed off when we we there. Only the outer room was open in that exhibit. One of the cell blocks was closed off for the "Halloween Nights" event that starts in October. We were told that it's an amazing night experience. They even set up a speakeasy at Al Capone's cell for VIP ticket holders. It's just something to think about when planning your visit. It took us about 2 hours to go through it all. It's easy to navigate through each cell block due to the wheel design of the building from it's central hub. It's on the top 10 list of things to do in Philadelphia for a reason. It also gives you a chance to check out the Fairmount neighborhood while you're there. It was a great experience overall!

    My wife and I were in Philly for a long weekend and saw that this was a cool spot to checkout…read more I am glad we did. It is an old prison set in a neighborhood, kind of like Wrigley Field is in the middle of a neighborhood. The structure is huge and has a hub and spoke type of detention with 8 cell clocks around a center location. The cells were small, but they did have Al Capone's cell, which was decked out! He was there for a year for an illegal weapon. Nice narration and a great way to spend an hour or two in Philly!

    Photos
    Eastern State Penitentiary - Cell Block 7 from the 2nd floor

    Cell Block 7 from the 2nd floor

    Eastern State Penitentiary - Cell block

    Cell block

    Eastern State Penitentiary - Memorial of prisoners who lost lives in WWI, listed by inmate number

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    Memorial of prisoners who lost lives in WWI, listed by inmate number

    Edgar Allan Poe House - museums - Updated September 2026

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