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.

This is my "wine" down chill spot after work. It's been a little while but always a great…read moreexperience. My favorite: Calamari & Fries Spicy Ahi Tuna Salad Or Mista Salad. Lavender & Lemon Drop are great but lately I would have a Sangria or glass of wine. Service is attentive and kind. Great portions, fresh and consistent.

We went here with our little one last month - they had a kid's menu, which was one of the reasons…read morewhy I picked this as our dinner option for our family day out. Had a really good experience - staff were all polite and helpful, food was really good and the place itself is a good vibe. Bonus - you can get validated parking for the lot above/next to the restaurant as long as you purchase at least one entree! Good spot that we said we would plan to go to, and even try out some of the other locations.

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.

If you are into history then this a fun place to visit. It's just a bell but the history and the…read moresymbolism is there. It's free to visit. There isn't a restroom in the building but there is one in the visitor center. There isn't much else to say. You can't touch but you can take pictures.

We have been at Chesterbrook Washington Sq for 5 years, and there has been a change in management…read morethat is drastically affecting the quality of care. This morning, we arrived at school to be told that we could not drop off our child because they didn't have adequate staff. This was apparently communicated via email 40 minutes into the school day, leaving families scrambling. Prior to the past few months, I would have 100% recommended this center, but things have really deteriorated. Do NOT recommend.

Chesterbrook Academy has been fantastic for our family. Our daughter has a disability, and the…read morestaff and admin have been incredibly supportive and solution-oriented--we feel like true partners. Her teachers (Hafida, Kehnedi, Julie, Takara, and Ashanti B.) have been wonderful, and recent leadership changes have been excellent. Great hours, meals included, clean space--and most importantly, our daughter is happy and thriving!

I always have nice efficient service at this branch. Today was no exception. Udi, at the…read moreReference Desk, helped me find a book when I didn't even know the name of the author or the person who was the subject of the book. Not only did he find it, it was on the shelf and I was able to check it out!

This library has more of an open feel but not a ton of space to sit. The books are not categorized…read morevery specifically, but there's a large children's section and a large Chinese section as well. They have a ton of DVDs and a decent selection of books at this branch, though maybe a little less than some other locations. Staff was helpful with my questions and the checkout process was easy.

I remember when this elegant piece of Philadelphia architecture was alive with businesses. Every…read moresingle corner offered tourists and locals an opportunity to discover something special. Just like most of the Philadelphia downtown, that story is now pure history. It was a rainy cold day and we had family from Florida in town. so when I looked at the website I was hopeful to discover a special place like I remembered. We walked into a cavernous cold emptiness and were encouraged by the guard to seek food a few blocks away. The only good news of the visit was the fact that the taco joint had some of the best tacos I've had in years! There is no food court! Only 3 food stands ... lots of cold emptiness ... look up and remember the glory days. Like most of lower Market Street area of Philadelphia the Bourse reflects the general public's disconnect from being actively engaged in the city. I once took visitors to the area to the Bourse even though I am not the shopping type of male ... now I do my best to avoid most sections of the city. Truly sad but if you are a tourist visiting the historical elements of Philadelphia, I would tell you don't bother going into the Bourse unless you're trying to escape the rain.

I remember this beautiful building when I worked at the insurance company on fifth the Walnut we…read moreused to come at least once or twice a week and I would stop in on Saturdays when I was in Center City going to all my favorite haunts. It was a beautiful place I remember when you first walked in there you could buy a shop bag. There was a buffet off to the left. great food then you walked in and there was a little perfume tourist shop, beautiful blonde lady owned. Had every kind of perfume a some . I never heard of all kind of touristy things jewelry it was a great little shop of course there were the usual food, shops, pizzas, steak sandwich, hoagies, oriental, cakes, and bakery. There was also a shop that had posters of rock, stars of musicians and beautiful cards. They were so unique and different in the back going out towards fourth Street of course you had a candy shop ice cream place on the opposite side, it was just a fun place. I went a couple years ago and was so disappointed. Everything was pricey just different. I remember going up to the second floor. There was a hairdressers there. There was a cool jewelry store called Terry ivory he had all unique different types of jewelry he would even have make things with beads. Of course they closed and open down Ocean City. I think but it wasn't the same. I don't know. I guess things changed different generations. It just lost its luster for me. Have a good day.

Just returned from a great stay in Philly at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco. Great location, close to all…read morethe historical sites and restaurants. Rooms have been recently upgraded, which was a plus. Concierge Roshid was particularly helpful with reservations.

We recently were in town for a wedding and stayed at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia. What a…read morebeautiful hotel in the middle of Old City Philadelphia. This hotel was in a very walkable location with so many things to do and see nearby. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The lobby is filled with unique décor, and the rooms are spacious and beautiful. The hotel offers a complimentary daily coffee bar as well as a daily happy hour. The Red Owl Tavern and the Stratus Lounge were very lively and great spots to hang out at. They do offer valet parking for a daily fee which we did utilize. I would highly recommend this beautiful hotel.

I'm a huge ghost fan and love hearing about history of places I visit. Ted delivered! He's very…read moreeducated and knowledgeable about his state and city. Hilarious true "educational" stories and NOT kid appropriate. (He totally warns you). I now know about dead ringers, saved by the bell, and many other catchphrases that will stick with me! Standing under dark buildings, hearing Ted tell its story, looking directly at the haunted window, was fascinating! Definitely would take again!

We took the Grim Philly daytime tour, called Revolution and Founding Fathers. Our tour guide was…read moreJOSH. It was a two hour walking and learning history tour in downtown historic Philadelphia near Independence Hall. It was like going to a theater show. The guide presented history with energy, enthusiasm and excitement. It felt like he was describing his close friends when he was talking. The tour was very informative and a lot of fun. Experiencing the tour in historic Philadelphia with Josh brought the experience into 4D, like watching an exciting, enthralling movie. Josh asked us questions and engaged the audience throughout the tour. A+++.

Excellent program! We originally chose PCA due to Chinese immersion, location, reasonable pricing…read moreand no wait list at the time. It was just opening when we signed up my son and felt good about the overall mission. It's been a wonderful experience - very caring teachers and administrators - Dale is super responsive and cares about every detail. Very thorough updates and I'm always updated on weekly educational themes and goals. So grateful for this school!

Unique philosophy offering Mandarin immersion and a Montessori curriculum - the only one of its…read morekind in the Philadelphia area. We signed up our son from the moment they opened, and after a year and a half he went from speaking zero Mandarin to fully conversational - and we only speak English at home. Intimate environment is a plus for those seeking personalized attention. They did everything they could to open safely during the pandemic, and took all necessary precautions so they could remain open. We recommend PCA 100%!

First came here through 52 First Philly event and instantly loved it. It's a small, quaint museum…read moretucked right next to Washington Square Park, which already sets the vibe. During the First Flight event it was a bit busy, but still felt intimate and special. There's a members-only reading/library area that feels very old-world and scholarly, and a general exhibition space with rotating displays, historic prints, books, and artifacts tied to architecture, design, and Philadelphia history. It's quiet, thoughtful, and the kind of place where you naturally slow down and look closely at things. I went back again yesterday for a very specific and slightly heartbreaking reason. I realized I grabbed the wrong collectible pencil before. Mine said "52 Weeks" instead of "First Flight," which meant my collection was incomplete and yes, I was genuinely sad about it. I stopped in just to ask if they maybe had an extra one somewhere. Renee was INCREDIBLE. Truly the nicest human. She took the time to look and actually found one for me. It absolutely made my day. I honestly wanted to write this review just to thank her because that level of kindness and care really sticks with you. Also, on my second visit I realized how much I missed the first time around. The building itself is beautiful, classic architecture, warm and elegant without being intimidating. It's the kind of place that rewards repeat visits because you notice something new each time. A hidden gem, wonderful staff, and a really special Philly institution. I'll definitely be back. I'll admit the non member area is small. But it was very informational. I think it would be perfect for civic engineers.

I like going there. The general atmosphere is very unique and welcoming. I would encourage them to…read moreban the use of laptops in the library, it is a place to read, not to do the work.