The best underrated attractions in Philadelphia

The Founding Fathers are hot these days (perhaps you’ve heard of a musical called Hamilton?). Philadelphia, the first capital of the United States, is primed to take advantage of the craze. Wherever one roams in the City of Brotherly Love, the footsteps of the Founding Fathers don’t seem all that distant. Philly’s top patriotic attractions are known far and wide. Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed, is where it started, the Liberty Bell is all it’s cracked up to be and the National Constitution Center hosts interactive exhibits celebrating the American constitutional tradition. But what about Philadelphia’s lesser-known attractions? There are more than a set of fingers can count, but here are some of the city’s best:

Also: The U.S.A in red, white and blue

The Franklin Court “Ghost Structure,” designed by architect Robert Venturi, commemorates the place where Benjamin Franklin’s home once stood. | Photo courtesy of K. Ciappa for Visit Philadelphia

Franklin Court

Benjamin Franklin is, no doubt, Philadelphia’s favorite Founding Father. The sites around Franklin Court honor America’s first renaissance man. The Benjamin Franklin Museum helps visitors examine the various roles he filled during his lifetime, including printer, scientist and diplomat. In the Franklin Court Printing Office there’s a typesetting area, two reproduction 18th century presses, a bindery and the newspaper office of Franklin’s grandson—Benjamin Franklin Bache.

The President’s House Site | Photo courtesy of G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia

The President’s House Site

George Washington did indeed sleep here, even though you won’t see his bedroom. The President’s House Site is actually an archaeological dig located adjacent to the Liberty Bell Center. The house where both Washington and John Adams lived during their presidential turns was demolished in 1832, but the foundations are now visible through plexiglass walls.  Videos and educational panels shed light on the work ofthe executive branch, and tell the story of the enslaved who lived and worked here.

Declaration House | Flickr CC: Eric Beato

Declaration House/Graff House

If Thomas Jefferson’s your guy, take a gander at the Graff House. Its owner, Jacob Graff Jr., is little-known, but his generous offer to host Thomas Jefferson as he penned the Declaration of Independence gives his crib its place in history. In June of 1776, Thomas Jefferson rented two rooms on the site. The recreated home contains exhibits about the drafting of the Declaration, along with Colonial era decor. While part of the the Independence National Historic Park, The Graff House/Declaration House is only open during the summer, and even then, hours are extremely limited.

Betsy Ross House | Photo courtesy of M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

The Betsy Ross House

There weren’t any ladies floating around Philadelphia’s testosterone-filled halls of power. The title of most notable colonial mother, then, likely goes to Betsy Ross, seamstress par excellence. She may not have a hand in writing the Constitution, but she sewed one mean American flag…the first one, in fact. The house, originally built in 1740, is restored to the period when Ms. Ross was stitching the stars and stripes. Costumed interpreters at Ross’s house relate the experiences of colonial working-class women. Ross, flagmaker to the stars, gets, well, star treatment. Meanwhile, the Women at Work in Revolutionary America exhibit focuses on domestic drudgery, and the women stuck with performing them.

At a specially marked storytelling bench at the National Memorial Arch, visitors hear Once Upon A Nation’s professional storytellers. | Photo courtesy of M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

The Storytelling Benches of Once Upon a Nation

During the summer, specially-trained storytellers, adroit at the gift of gab, spread the continental skinny during free, five-minute chats at 13 benches located throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District. Each storyteller focuses on a unique theme. Some talk about the Founding Fathers, while others focus on the tales of women, slaves and children.

Mini Golf at Franklin Square | Photo courtesy of J. Holder for Visit Philadelphia

Franklin Square

Want to putt around all of Philadelphia’s top attractions in less than an hour? Head to Philly Mini Golf, located in recently-revitalized Franklin Square. One of the original squares in William Penn’s first design of the city, Franklin Square also has a classic old-timey carousel and a surprisingly yummy snack shack. Center City’s only  miniature golf course features models of the city’s modern-day and Colonial attractions, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

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