The City of Brotherly Love…

There is no shortage of places to see and things to do here in Philly. If this is your first time here, or if you just want some ideas, we’ve compiled a list of fun stuff to see over the weekend when you’re not getting your wedding on!


Philadelphia Zoo | LumiNature

As America's first zoo, Philadelphia Zoo has over 160 years of experience in conserving wildlife, caring for animals, and educating our communities. Home to more than 1,900 rare and endangered animals, the Zoo continues to reach new heights, offering award-winning animal exhibits, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, award-winning education and conservation programs, and exceptional guest services, making it one of the most renowned zoos in the world.

The Philadelphia Zoo is one of our favorite places in the city. Whether just going for the morning for a quick stroll, or spending a day there with family, there is no shortage of animals to see and new fun facts to learn.

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During the holiday season, the Philadelphia Zoo turns into a enchanting wonderland of lights. Here you can see more than a million twinkling lights across 16 illuminated zones throughout the zoo. While the animals are asleep inside for the night, there is no shortage of fun sights and sounds to amuse and inspire. If everyone is interested, group tickets are available for this event.

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Reading Terminal Market

One of America’s largest and oldest public markets, housed since 1893 in a National Historic Landmark building, the Market offers an incredible selection of locally grown & exotic produce, locally sourced meats and poultry, plus the finest seafood, cheeses, baked goods, and confections. You’ll find everything you need to create a memorable meal, from cookbooks, to table linens, to kitchenware, to fresh cut flowers, and more. Plus the widest variety of restaurants under one roof. Find it all here at Philadelphia’s historic public market!

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Independence National Historical Park

The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.  The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed inside Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Schuylkill River Trail

One of our favorite ways to see the city, the Schuylkill River Trail offers everyone the ability to enjoy nature in the heart of the urban jungle. Whether walking, running, biking or even roller blading, there’s no wrong way to experience the trail. While there you can also enjoy Boathouse Row, one of Philadelphia’s most iconic spots, which will be lit up for the holiday season.

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Museums

Philly has a plethora of museums to visit during your stay! Only some of what this city has to offer is listed below:

Museum of the American Revolution

Telling the story of the Revolutionary War through personal accounts, the Museum of the American Revolution delves into the world-changing conflict through an unmatched collection of relics, including weapons, documents, personal items, works of art and the institution’s signature artifact: George Washington’s war tent which served as his shelter, battlefield home, strategic meeting place and office headquarters throughout the War of Independence. With powerful films, digital touchscreens and historical vignettes, the museum recreates the drama and the details of the country’s climactic birth.

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Philadelphia Museum of Art

One of the nation’s largest and most recognizable art institutions, the Philadelphia Museum of Art rises majestically from the head of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Inside are vast collections, including Renaissance, American and impressionist galleries featuring works from van Gogh, Manet, Cassatt, Duchamp, Dalí and Picasso, plus rotating exhibitions and tons of special programming. Meanwhile, outside are views of the museum’s stunning Greek Revival architecture, the one-acre Sculpture Garden and, of course, its staircase made famous by Rocky Balboa (see below).

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The Franklin Institute

One of the leading science museums in the nation — and one of the oldest, dating back to 1824 — The Franklin Institute specializes in how science affects every aspect of daily life. In addition to beloved hands-on permanent exhibits like Your Brain, Sir Isaac’s Loft, Amazing Machine, Franklin Air Show, Wondrous Space, the Baldwin 60000 steam locomotive, the iconic Giant Heart and mesmerizing four-story Foucault’s Pendulum, regular rotating special exhibitions add to the museum’s appeal. Filling a city block, the institute also houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial and the Fels Planetarium.

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Mütter Museum

One of the city’s most infamous science institutions is the Mütter Museum in Center City (part of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia), established to help the public understand the mysteries of the human body and appreciate the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Among the museum’s 20,000 piece “disturbingly informative” collection (many not for the faint of heart) are a tumor removed from President Grover Cleveland, the death cast of conjoined twins Chang & Eng, tissue samples from John Wilkes Booth, and slices of Albert Einstein’s brain.

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Find even more museums to visit below:

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Philadelphia Ballet

The holiday season comes to the stage in the Philadelphia Ballet’s annual performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, a tradition unlike any other. Cross swords with the Mouse King and dine with the Sugar Plum Fairy in this quintessential celebration of the season, brightened by the eternal Tchaikovsky score.

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