Area Attractions

Photo of Congress Hall by M. Edlow for Visit Philly

CITY HALL: Literally a can’t-miss Philly landmark that sits smack-dab in the center of the city, Philadelphia’s City Hall is the tallest masonry structure in the world, and a sight to behold. You can take a guided tour, visit the observation deck with its breathtaking views of Philly, and say hi to William Penn, who stands proudly atop the apex.

Minutes from Guild House: 8 minutes by foot

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INDEPENDENCE MALL: The ultimate Philly must-see, also known as “America’s Most Historic Square Mile.” In this stretch and its immediate blocks, you’ll find Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, Independence Visitor’s Center, Christ Church, Ben Franklin’s grave, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, and much more.

Minutes from Guild House: 16 minutes by foot

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ITALIAN MARKET: The famous shopping district (made more famous by, yes, that famous scene from Rocky), is a hubbub of food and culture and history and the story of immigrants, old and new, Italian and not Italian, in Philly.

Minutes from Guild House: 20 minutes by foot

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READING TERMINAL MARKET: One of America’s largest and oldest public markets (open since 1892) is also one of the best plates to grab a meal, with more than 80 food vendors. You can’t go wrong here, but a few spots to be sure to seek out include Carmen’s for cheesesteaks, Beiler’s for doughnuts; Termini Brothers Bakery for Italian pastries, and Ma Lessie’s Chicken & Waffles for … yup, chicken and waffles. For starters!

Minutes from Guild House: 11 minutes by foot

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Photo of the Philadelphia Museum of Art by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

AVENUE OF THE ARTS: Guild House Hotel is just steps away from South Broad Street, a.k.a. the Avenue of the Arts, which is home to the great Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (the performance home to the world-class Philadelphia Orchestra, the city’s opera and the Pennsylvania Ballet), as well as the famed Academy of Music, Philly’s Walk of Fame, and both the Wilma and Merriam Theaters.

Minutes from Guild House: 5 minutes by foot

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BEN FRANKLIN PARKWAY MUSEUMS: The Ben Franklin Parkway, sometimes referred to as Philly’s Champs Elysées, is a particularly stunning stretch of the city studded with some of the city’s greatest cultural institutions. Alongside our fantastic Philadelphia Museum of Art—the famed art museum that’s home to some 200 galleries, an outdoor sculpture garden and the iconic “Rocky steps”—another big draw is the Barnes Foundation, the renowned collection of impressionist, post-impressionist and early modern paintings (and more), housed in an intimate, stunning museum. That’s not all: There’s also the small but stunning Rodin Museum, as well as two family-friendly Philly institutions—the science-focused Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences. Finally, the Mütter Museum, just a couple blocks off the Parkway, is a one-of-a-kind look at American medical history, in all its fascinating, sometimes gruesome, glory. An excellent stop, though not for the faint of heart. (Want a more detailed guide to Philly museums? Visit our blog, the Guild Connect.)

Minutes from Guild House: 21 minutes by foot

Read More: The Parkway; the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the Barnes Foundation; the Rodin Museum; Academy of Natural Sciences; the Franklin Institute; the Mutter Museum.

MAGIC GARDENS: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, the brainchild and stunning creation of mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar, is an indoor/outdoor art gallery like you’ve never seen before, a labyrinth of colorful, intriguing mosaics made from pottery and tiles and bike wheels and bottles and much, much more. A world-famous city treasure.

Minutes from Guild House: 12 minutes by foot

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Photo of Rescue Spa courtesy by Karen Harmelin, courtesy of Rescue Spa

RESCUE SPA: A gorgeous, full-service day spa famous especially for its customized facials. Great shopping for skincare and makeup, too.

Minutes from Guild House: 12 minutes by foot

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THE SPA AT FOUR SEASONS: A stunning oasis atop the city’s tallest skyscraper.

Minutes from Guild House: 20 minutes by foot

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SHOPPING: When it comes to retail therapy, Philly has several well-known destinations, including East Passyunk Avenue in South Philly, Rittenhouse Row on Walnut Street, North Third Street in Old City, and—Guild House Hotel’s closet shopping neighbors—the famed Jeweler’s Row and the Gayborhood’s 13th Street, both in Washington Square West.

Minutes from Guild House: Varies depending on the street. Jeweler’s Row is 13 minutes by foot; 13th Street shopping, about 4 minutes by foot.

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Photo of Geno’s Steaks by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia™

DiNIC’S ROAST PORK: Every self-respecting Philadelphian knows that while the cheesesteak gets all the love, the roast pork sandwich is just as good. If not better. And Tommy DiNic’s (inside Reading Terminal Market) is famous for theirs.

Minutes from Guild House: 10 minutes by foot

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GENO’S STEAKS: The South 9th Street institution—which makes up half of that famed competitive duo of cheesesteak neighbors, Pat’s & Geno’s—is a bucket-list Philly destination for most everyone who comes to town.

Minutes from Guild House: 26 minutes by foot

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JIM’S SOUTH STREET: Another beloved cheesesteakery with a long history, die-hard fans, and a convenient upstairs dining room.

Minutes from Guild House: 23 minutes by foot

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JOHN’S WATER ICE: Old-school water ice made with fresh fruit – a Philly fave since 1947. Try the mango!

Minutes from Guild House: 23 minutes by foot

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MCGILLIN’S OLDE ALE HOUSE: Okay, so not classic Philly eats so much as a classic Philly hang. McGillin’s has the proud honor of being the oldest continuously operating tavern in our city—open since 1860—and it’s also an incredibly fun, easy place to grab a drink and enjoy yourself.

Minutes from Guild House: 4 minutes by foot

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PRIMO HOAGIES: A beloved hoagie chain with real Philly street cred, Primo’s never fails to deliver an excellent sandwich. The spicy Diablo line—turkey, tuna, Italian, and so on—is the best.

Minutes from Guild House: 6 minutes by foot

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PAT’S KING OF STEAKS: The South 9th Street institution—which makes up half of that famed competitive duo of cheesesteak neighbors, Pat’s & Geno’s—is a bucket-list Philly destination for most everyone who comes to town.

Minutes from Guild House: 26 minutes by foot

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SARCONE’S BAKERY: This South Philly staple, located in the Italian Market, is known for its breads, but the real thing you’re here for is tomato pie, a Philadelphia tradition that’s essentially pizza … but all sauce, and very little cheese. Trust us. It’s excellent.

Minutes from Guild House: 18 minutes by foot

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Photo of Vedge by N. Santos for VISIT PHILADELPHIA™

BARBUZZO: A cozy, convivial neighborhood favorite for beautiful Mediterranean dishes. Order the budino for dessert.

Minutes from Guild House: 3 minutes by foot

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MERCATO BYOB: Longtime Philly staple for cozy, delicious Italian food and homemade pasta. And yes, it’s BYOB.

Minutes from Guild House: 3 minutes by foot

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MIDDLE CHILD: A casual little luncheonette with some of the best breakfast sandwiches in town.

Minutes from Guild House: 5 minutes by foot

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MONK’S CAFE: A cozy Belgian-style watering hole with a staggering beer list. Bonus: Moules frites.

Minutes from Guild House: 8 minutes by foot

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TALULA’S GARDEN: Beautiful indoor and outdoor dining, plus excellent seasonal menus and glorious cheese plates.

Minutes from Guild House: 11 minutes by foot

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TRIA: A twee but utterly unstuffy wine bar with a few locations around Philly. Great and informed service; excellent snacks.

Minutes from Guild House: 4 minutes by foot

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VEDGE: A nationally acclaimed vegan restaurant beloved by vegans and carnivores alike. (Really!)

Minutes from Guild House: 1 minute by foot

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VETRI CUCINA: Philly’s most famous Italian spot, courtesy of award-winning chef Marc Vetri; tasting menu only.

Minutes from Guild House: 3 minutes by foot

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Photo the Academy of Music by G. Widman for GPTMC George Widman

ACADEMY OF MUSIC: A breathtakingly elegant, versatile, historic space just steps from Guild House Hotel on the Avenue of the Arts.

Minutes from Guild House: 6 minutes by foot

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ARTS BALLROOM: Another Avenue of the Arts gem and a classic ballroom known for its beautiful, customizable spaces.

Minutes from Guild House: 2 minutes by foot

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BELLEVUE HOTEL: A gorgeous piece of Philly history and 30,000 square feet of lavish event space, including private dining in the skyscraping restaurant, XIX (NINETEEN).

Minutes from Guild House: 4 minutes by foot

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CRYSTAL TEA ROOM: Another well-loved and stunning Philly venue, this one sitting cheek to jowl with City Hall and featuring a soaring glassed in atrium.

Minutes from Guild House: 6 minutes by foot

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THE LUCY: Classic meets modern at this chic, versatile and memorable spot on—yes—the Avenue of the Arts.

Minutes from Guild House: 2 minutes by foot

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MASK & WIG CLUB: A unique and historic little gem dripping with character … that can also accommodate up to 200 people.

Minutes from Guild House: 6 minutes by foot

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Photo of the Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest on the Delaware River Waterfront by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA

DELAWARE WATERFRONT: Along the mighty Delaware River, you’ll find a series of public parks and piers with their own features and goings-on, including the expansive, kid-friendly Spruce Street Harbor Park, relaxing, intriguing Race Street and Cherry Street Piers, and Penn’s Landing, known for its ongoing calendar of events and happenings.

Minutes from Guild House: 25 minutes by foot

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PHILADELPHIA ZOO: Philly’s historic zoo—the first zoo in the nation, founded in 1874—is a winding, wooded swath of the city that just so happens to also be home to chimpanzees, meerkats, big cat, flamingos and all your other favorites.

Minutes from Guild House: 1 hour by foot

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SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL

To the east, Philly has the Delaware River; in the west, it’s the Schuylkill, and the wide, paved 30-mile path alongside this river is absolutely perfect for walking, biking and jogging. You’ll also find playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks and more recreational opportunities along the path.

Minutes from Guild House: 25 minutes by foot

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