Franklin Field – Area Bucket List

Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the home field for the University of Pennsylvania. It hosts the Penn Quakers football team, the annual Penn Relays track and field event, and was the home of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1958 to 1970.

Conveniently located in the center of the city, there are many things to do within a 20-minute radius of Franklin Field. This bucket list will help you make the most of your time in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Franklin Institute

A wonderful place for kids and adults alike, everyone can learn something at The Franklin Institute, an interactive museum that honors and captures Benjamin’s Franklin’s curious spirit. Along with the ever-changing featured exhibits, the institute’s IMAX theatre, planetarium, and flight simulator are also unique memory-makers. The institute also offers “Science After Hours” events, which are themed, 21-plus evenings with cocktails and learning opportunities for older science enthusiasts.

A must-do at the Franklin Institute? A trip through the giant heart. Inside, the beats echo throughout the four chambers as children and adults take a larger-than-life tour through one of the body’s most vital organs.

Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell is an American icon and well worth the quick 15-minute trip from Franklin Field. The Liberty Bell Center offers a brief 10-minute film as well as exhibits about the history of the bell and its famous crack. Lines can get long here, so the exhibits that line the walls are great for learning something as you wait.

The best part about this trip through time? Admission is free!

LOVE Park

No visit to the City of Brotherly Love is complete without a trip to the LOVE sculpture! Nestled right across from Center City in what is now known as LOVE Park, the sculpture is a popular picture spot for locals and tourists alike. The sculpture was designed by artist Robert Indiana and installed in 1976. Now it’s a great stop to snap a picture at to commemorate your trip.

If you happen to be in the city between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you can also shop the German-style Christmas Market that fills the park with wooden booths selling food, handmade wares, and holiday goodies.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary is the famous prison where “Scarface” Al Capone spent his time behind bars. With gorgeous art installations and exhibits juxtaposing the crumbled walls of the once-packed prison, there’s plenty to marvel at as you tour the facility. The penitentiary offers a guided audio tour, narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, called “The Voices of Eastern State.” This audio tour gives visitors a more detailed view of prison life.

Those looking for a good scare should visit during October to experience the famously frightening “Terror Behind the Walls,” where the supposedly haunted prison is transformed into a terrifying house of horrors. With six spooky attractions inside the prison, Terror Behind the Walls has been critically praised for how fright-inducing it is. True thrill seekers can choose the interactive option, which allows actors to touch, grab, and even separate you from your group for an extra dose of terror.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

A mere 15-minute drive away from Franklin Field is the mystical Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, an art installation created by mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar. The “gardens” are made up of various ceramic mosaics, tiles, and even dishware that cover every surface of the multi-level gallery. It features two indoor areas and a bi-level outdoor areas. Each comprise of doorways, arches, staircases, and tunnels of painted messages and sparkling shards of glass and tile.

Magic Gardens is a gorgeous spot for pictures, but leave the selfie sticks at home! They’re not permitted in the gardens in an effort to preserve the exhibit.

Reading Terminal Market

Make sure to stop by one of America’s oldest public markets for a bite to eat. There’s something for everyone at Reading Terminal Market, which is housed in a National Historic Landmark building and has been open since 1893.

There are over 80 different unique vendors, including Pennsylvania Dutch fare, fresh seafood, sandwiches, ice cream, and even spirits. Sit-down eateries are sprinkled throughout the market and offer a multitude of cuisines, making this the perfect place to stop with large groups!

Cheesesteaks

You can’t visit Philadelphia without trying one of the city’s famous Philly cheesesteaks. The good news is that they’re sold on practically every street corner in the city! Most cheesesteaks are made with sliced ribeye topped with either American cheese, provolone cheese, or Cheez Whiz. Here are Philly’s most famous sandwich shops.

One half of Philadelphia’s infamous cheesesteak rivalry, Pat’s King of Steaks is located on one side of the well-known “Cheesesteak Corner.” Founder Pat Olivieri claims that he originally created the idea of cheese on top of a steak sandwich back in 1930. The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, and despite what might seem like long lines, the staff are excellent at taking and filling orders quickly. The “Philly” way to order a cheesesteak is “cheesesteak whiz wit,” which means a cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz and sauteed onions. “Cheesesteak whiz widout” means Whiz and no onions. Any other cheese requests can be said in place of the Whiz.

The other half of the Cheesesteak Corner rivalry is Geno’s Steaks, where founder Joey Vento claims that he, in fact, invented the cheesesteak in 1930. The bright neon lights glow all day long to signify that the shop is open 24 hours a day as well. The outdoor seating is great for staring down the rival Pat’s shop across the street, or to just enjoy the sounds of the city. The Cheesesteak Corner is only a 20-minute drive from Franklin Field, making it a great stop after a game or event. Most Philadelphians feel strongly about which sandwich place they prefer, but try them both and see for yourself!

And if you want to avoid the sandwich rivalry altogether, a great alternative is Tony Luke’s. With several locations around the city, this shop specializes in great sandwiches in general. While their cheesesteaks are excellent, their roast pork Italian sandwich with onions and peppers is another Philly fan favorite.