I had no idea how special this experience was until I finally took the tour, and wow it completely…read morechanged the way I see the city. Id noticed the murals before just passing by, but seeing them as part of a curated journey gives everything so much more meaning. The guide helped point out details I never would've caught on my own, and it added a whole new layer of appreciation. The artwork is powerful, full of emotion, and spread across the city in a way that makes the whole place feel like an open-air gallery. It celebrates the personality of the neighborhoods and captures stories that stay with you long after you're done. What really stood out to me was how much heart is behind each piece. You can feel the intention, the humor, the honesty, and the love woven into every message along the route. It turns a familiar ride into something unexpectedly uplifting. I left feeling inspired and genuinely connected to the city in a new way. Highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see a different, more meaningful side of Philly.

I love this. They had an initiative in the early 2000s to have graffiti art just work on art…read moreprojects as part of their community service. I believe this project is part of that circle was to have about 2OOO murals up by the mid-late OOs. By the time that happened they were way more than enough it's always nice to see free art as welll.

This hidden gem is the perfect place to pretend you're a model or a photographer. A great, albeit…read moredirty, place to snap some cool pictures. It's also a solid place to set up and fish or to get up to some general mischief. This based on the three types of people I saw in my visit here: photographers, fishermen, and shirtless parkour-ing teens. My best advice is to wear closed toed footwear. This place is littered with broken glass and other assorted garbage. I wore flip flops, and while I managed to avoid injury, my feet were stained with a layer of black dirt. It's kind of a sketchy area of town, but it's worth a visit to up your insta game.

The best view of the city is from here…read more It has come a long way in the past few years as volunteers have installed trashcans and cleaned up a lot of the trash that has been dumped here. Be mindful and whatever you bring, carry it out. I bring my two large dogs back here on walks to the end of the pier for the amazing view that shows the mix of nature taking over old industry against the new industry - the skyline of Philadelphia. Usually, you will see other urban explorers, fishermen, photographers, and artists. But be cautious, last time I was here kids were playing with dynamite and people have been mugged here. Just be smart and pay attention.

Good photo spot me and my boyfriend had a great time only thing is wish it stayed on 24 hrs because…read moresome days if I go it's not on

An Instagram worthy quick place to check out if you're in the Passyunk, Termini's Bakery,…read morePats/Genos area. A neon sign art installation on the side of a building, located down a deteriorated alleyway. Go after dark for the full effect, and get your camera ready to snap away! Park nearby on Passyunk, Reed or 9th streets and then walk down Percy Street. You only really need 5 or 10 minutes here, so swing by next time you're in the area!

With over 85 food trucks, this was the biggest night market yet. Unfortunately, when you crammed…read moreall those trucks into the narrow streets of Old City, it becomes a little harder to enjoy. Oh well, I tried my best! There were at least three yards tents at this event pouring Brawler and its Philadelphia Pale Ale. All seemed to have a system worked out that kept the long lines moving. The port 'o potty situation was surprisingly great. We never waited behind more than three people even though they seemed a little sparse. The crowds are insane. Tip: do not bring your dogs or strollers to this event. You'll just end up carrying babies and dogs due to the crowds. Night market gathers the best and most diverse group of Philly food trucks in one place I've ever seen, so despite the horrific crowds, you'll see me at these events again!

Amazing artwork you can visit for free. It's in the Curtis Building and is a stunning mosaic of…read moreTiffany glass. The shading and lighting are stunning.

It's a Maxfield Parrish mural made of Tiffany glass, commissioned by the Curtis Publishing Co for…read moreits then-new building. It's an impressive piece of public art and is over 100 years old. It's worth stopping to admire it if you are in the area. The staff understands why you're here; as we peeked through the windows one evening, security waved us in to get a closer look. Years ago, when I worked nearby, I'd stop in for a moment of calm on my lunch hour. It's a soothing, romantic image and truly an historic art treasure in the city.

Iconic Philly spot to go and just chill, enjoy being outside, enjoy the view of the city…read moreskyline...unfortunately though the stench of blunt smoke will be prevalent, (the acrid odor marijuana rolled in cigar wraps, seems to be pervasively smoked EVERYWHERE and stinks terribly) ....but good fortune may prevail to find a spot away from such or the breezes my act in your favor. Despite all that, it is worth the effort... (Bias transparency: I grew up as teen with the "Plat" as a favorite spot...and yes, with Philly's favorite son!)

This park has amazing views of downtown. You can see the full skyline during the day or night…read more There is wide open space, grassy hills and shaded tree areas. The park also has baseball fields and walking trails. I had an opportunity to see DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Roots, Lila Downs and Joan Jetts with the Blackhearts as part of our Union convention celebration. There were games and food trucks to indulge in between acts. Had a great time at a great park

I took a class at Cherry Street pier with Bonnie McAllister. The class was fantastic and the…read moreatmosphere is great. I would recommend that anyone go to Cherry Street pier

We had some time to kill before our flight on our last day in Philly, so we decided to check out…read morethe Liberty Flea Market at the pier. It was a bit smaller than we expected, but we really enjoyed it. There was a nice variety of unique vendors, and everyone in our group ended up finding something they loved. My sons picked up a cool vintage jersey, a vintage shirt, and a locally created independent comic book, while I found a beautiful pair of handmade earrings. The atmosphere was one of the best parts. The music playing in the background created a fun, laid-back vibe that made it a great place to stroll around and browse. If you have some free time while you're in Philadelphia, it's definitely worth checking out.

Climbing fifty stories isn't too bad…read more You don't have to be in tip-top shape to participate in this event, but it's probably a good idea to practice beforehand. In any case, it doesn't take too long to do all fifty floors. Most folks finished in less than ten minutes. There was quite a crowd; we even saw Mayor Nutter. All proceeds benefit the American Lung Association. Can't wait for 2011's Stair Climb!

One of the best photo ops in the entire city. We came right before 11am and there was already a…read moreline of maybe 15 people waiting to get their photos in front of the statue. I think photos are better when you stand at the top of the stairs and not next to the statue. It's a fun place to pose and look back at the city as if you are Rocky. A lot of people stand in front of the statue and block the view. Try to stand to the side if you can.

Fun times walking (not running) up the Rocky Steps. The line of tourists was long but maybe 10…read moreminute wait to take a pic with the Rocky statue at the very top. A protestor of Palestine was screaming and cursing at everyone while smoking a joint causing a major disturbance and inciting fights, making this a negative highlight of the day.

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.