The city of brotherly love welcomes visitors and tourists from all over the world with open arms. While the entire area is littered with spectacular cultural and historic attractions, those looking to delve a little deeper than the Old City will appreciate the scenic Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

While the parkway is, of course, a busy thoroughfare it represents more than a simple path for everyday work traffic. Up and down the looming parkway are a series of historic sites, museums, and restaurants that would take any one person days to explore. Are you ready to get started? Here are 7 of our favorite Benjamin Franklin Parkway destinations!

7. Franklin Institute Science Museum

The Franklin Institute Science Museum is one of the oldest and most interesting museums in the city and promises to entertain visitors of all ages. The museum was originally built to honor the late Benjamin Franklin and has a number of permanent exhibits to explore in between special exhibitions.

One of our favorite exhibits is the gigantic artificial heart – its fun to walk through and gives visitors a close-up look at the inner workings of one of our most important organs. The museum also houses a functional weather station, a spectacular sports exhibit, the incredible Fels Planetarium, and a spectacular IMAX Theater.

6. Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site

Contrary to popular belief, the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is more than an annual Halloween attraction. The now inactive jail was originally built in 1829 and was amongst the first to specialize in solitary confinement combined with hard work in an attempt to reform prisoners.

Famous inmates include Al Capone, Willie Sutton, and many others. Officially closed for business in 1971, the prison museum now offers guided tours, welcomes several annual art exhibitions, and even hosts an annual Bastille Day celebration.

5. Free Library of Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia has one of the largest public library systems in the country, but the main hub is the Free Library of Philadelphia on the parkway. The library is split into several distinct sections with thousands of books, manuscripts, musical scores, and artifacts to explore.

The library is especially popular for the Edwin S. Fleisher collection, the largest collection of musical scores in one place in the world. The children’s section is also incredibly popular, with thousands of books arranged in a setting that welcomes children while encouraging reading and exploration.

4. Mutter Museum

The Mutter Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in science and medicine. Located within one of the many buildings at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, this museum is far from ordinary.

Within its walls you’ll find a collection of strange medical anomalies. You’ll find a collection of skulls, a collection of serial killer brains in jars, the joined livers of the first documented Siamese twins, and much more. Medical science contributors such as Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister are not forgotten here, either.

3. Academy of Natural Sciences

The Academy of Natural Sciences is packed with exhibits showing hundreds of animal species in their natural habitats. Of course, the animals in the exhibits aren’t real, but the history of evolution is distinctly outlined throughout the museum’s halls.

Children will enjoy hunting for fossils, climbing inside the enormous beehive, or visiting the winged creatures inside the live butterfly exhibit. For the history buffs in the audience, the museum was originally founded in 1812 and sits in a building that was officially opened in 1868.

2. Rodin Museum

The Rodin museum pays homage to Auguste Rodin, the sculptor who lived between 1840 and 1917. The museum is small but puts some of Rodin’s best works on display, including the Gates of Hell and The Burghers of Calais.

In a separate room you’ll find sculptures of Balzac, the French novelist who often sat for Rodin. You’ll also be astounded by the vast collection of photographs taken by Edward Steichen, each showing Rodin hard at work on his pieces.

1. Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art stands atop a hill at the base of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, looking down on all of the museums and buildings below. The steps were made famous by their appearances in the Rocky movies but the exterior design and interior collections are the true draw.

Inside you’ll find collections ranging from ancient times to modern. Collections include works by both famous and lesser known artists, but you’re sure to recognize some of the more popular works by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and even Andy Warhol. Equally astounding are the entire rooms that have been transplanted from around the room, including an Indian temple hall and a Japanese ceremonial tea house.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is bustling with activity year round. If you visit on the weekends you’re bound to find a festival, parade, or charity run in progress. There’s plenty to explore in Philadelphia, but the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a great place to get started.

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