Columbus Avenue between South and Vine Streets
Philadelphia, PA
Admission: Varies by attraction
The Penn's Landing area of Philadelphia marks the area where William Penn first set ashore to found the City of Philadelphia.
It is an area that has seen much change, development and redevelopment in recent years. A new entertainment center is slated to be built on much of the area, however, the commencement of construction has been delayed several times in recent years. Construction will take place over what is today referred to as the Great Plaza, home to many cultural and ethnic events throughout the year as well as major concerts and festivals.
Also located at Penn's Landing is the Independence Seaport Museum, which includes the S.S. Becuna, a World War II submarine as well as the U.S.S. Olympia, Commodore Dewey's flagship at the 1898 Battle of Manila Bay.
Society Hill
Located between the Delaware River and 5th Street
bounded by Walnut Street to the North and Lombard Street to the South
Admission: Free
When you have had enough of the crowds at the historic sites of Old City, there's no better place to take a stroll than through Society Hill. If you're like most folks, you'll probably decide to wander over to South Street to eat and explore the unique shops of Philadelphia's most eclectic street.
A walk through Society Hill wake take you through many of more than 600 historic houses that have been renovated and resorted to resemble the neighborhood during Colonial times. Interspersed with the historic houses are contemporary houses which have been designed to fit into the style of the neighborhood.
Society Hill was named after the now defunct Free Society of Traders, a stock company to whom William Penn made liberal concessions of land and privileges. Many visitors (and residents alike) believe the name is a reference to the wealthy Philadelphians seen in the film "High Society".
Historic colonial houses were acquired by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority who sold them to private citizens along with a binding agreement that the individuals restore the buildings. In this way, about 600 historic houses were renovated. Empty lots were filled by contemporary houses which tried to merge contemporary style with a colonial heritage.
We hope that you have enjoyed our look at some of the top historical places in the Old City area of Philadelphia. While we've chosen just a few, there are so many more to see.
Index of the websites of the places discussed in this article
