Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, is one of the oldest cities in the country. Its history is steeped into every inch of the town, from the well known Liberty Bell to Cira Green, a park tucked away on the top of a building. If you’re going to Philly (Home of Rocky Balboa!) and have a craving for some incredible sites- here are three things that have to be on your bucket list.
We The Youth Mural
Keith Haring was a world-renowned artist, especially during the eighties and nineties. His art almost always depicts the same human forms interacting with their environment or each other without having to draw faces.
In the late 80s, Haring worked with CityKids of New York and Brandywine Workshop in Philadelphia to create a bright and colorful mural that shows kids playing and enjoying the city despite being from different backgrounds and lives. This mural is over twenty feet high and sixty feet long,
It’s an incredible mural that will let you see how steeped in art the city is, and make you want to look for Philadelphia houses for sale.
Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church
The Underground Railroad was a path that thousands of enslaved people had to take to escape the atrocities of slavery. This church sat firmly in the railway route and caught many survivors who needed food and a place to stay. Although it’s impossible to measure how many people this church saved to keep going North, it’s good to see some familiar famous faces the church has helped along their path.
Some of the most famous folks who have visited the African Methodist Episcopal church after the Underground Railroad are Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglas, Lucretia Mott, and Colin Powell. This church has a deep and beautiful history, and is still active and offering services.
Eastern State Penitentiary
When this massive prison was built, it was the largest and most expensive one in the country. Considered haunted by most locals and employees, this historic building hasn’t been in operation since 1970. Since that year, it’s become a landmark site for tours and information regarding its dark past.
This site is better for tourists wanting to know the dark side of Philly, and get to know a spooky little history to give them chills in the summer heat. Many popular lawbreakers like Al Capone called this haunting building home. In the nearly 150 years it operated, Eastern State Penitentiary had multiple disasters, like fires, the Spanish Flu, and was the place of death for over a thousand incarcerated men and correctional officers.
There are more relaxed day-time tours, but if you want to feel a little more of the dark energy the penitentiary gives off, the best tours are at night or during the Halloween season. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of fear to help you learn history!
Philadelphia has something for everyone, from lighthearted art to a dark history- take the time to get to know the city, and you’ll find yourself wanting to stay!
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