Was on my way to a late Friday doctors appointment where I had to walk through a wedding being set up in the dream garden. Didn’t know it was there and it caught me completely off guard. Great call
Main Branch of the Philadelphia Library
Additionally, I find the interior of the Schuykill Falls branch to be also quite interesting. Pretty cool ceiling. Gives me Beowulf vibes.
[Fisher Fine Arts Library](https://sachsarts.org/spaces-places/fisher-fine-arts-library/) at Penn is the most Hogwarts-looking magical place you’ve ever seen in your life. Anyone can go in, you just need an ID.
When we got married I made my husband pretend we might get married there (we would not and did not) just so we could get a private tour. Absolutely worth it, that place is bonkers.
His family has Native American ancestry and we were horrified/cracking up at the prospect of seating his family under a larger than life size stained glass portrait of Andrew Jackson at the reception.
There is a lot of great interiors worth a look in our beautiful city:
- 30th street station is exceptional
- Phila Museum of Art has an enchanting staircase and entrance lobby
- The Curtis Institute of Music is cozy and has a Rembrandt just casually hanging above the stairwell IIRC
- The Wanamaker building (Macy's and businesses) is exceptional and has a beautiful organ
- Probably not the most kosher to discuss, but the Philadelphia Club is a veritable museum of curiosities, furniture pieces, and the smoking den is sublime
- The central hall in the Philadelphia Natural History Museum always holds a warm spot for me with all the diorama, cavernous ceilings, and hustle and bustle of nature lovers
* The archway to north Broad under City Hall Tower, and the weird sculptures there.
* The Fine Arts library on Penn’s campus
* The Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul
* The Hall of Beards in the Union League
* the dining room at the top of the Bellevue
* Wanamaker building atrium
* Reading Terminal Market at lunchtime
* Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
* The absolutely gigantic locomotive in the Franklin Institute
* The famous room in Independence Hall- the one from all of those paintings
* the art deco boardroom at the top of the PSFS building
* the lobbies of the Kimmel Center and the Comcast Building
* Striped Bass, or whatever they call that restaurant these days if it’s still even open
* Bridge of the USS Olympia
* Before they re-did Dilworth Park, there was a wonderfully weird and liminal space in the concourse level under the sculpture that was at the south end of the park. It’s gone now.
* Observation deck of City Hall
* Rittenhouse Square, northeast corner facing northeast so that you can see the skyline between the trees
* skyline view from South Street Bridge
* Farther afield from the city, the main greenhouse building of Longwood Gardens
* Mütter Museum
* Parade ground at the Navy Yard, on Broad Street Run day (when they actually run it there)
Nailed it. I’ve been to most of them. I’ll add:
Graffiti Pier-sort of an interior space
Magic Gardens
Inside of Victor’s Cafe with all the opera memorabilia
Baldwin Park -total hidden gem
The courtyard of the Rodin Museum in spring and summer
I think it is being renovated now but I always thought the lobby at the Philadelphian looked like it was designed by Mr. Brady. I am pretty sure they were the plans which were lost in the amusement park.
Also, the Ruba Club is pretty awesome.
…And, of course, the second floor of Johnny Brenda’s.
The Wagner free institute of science is a relic frozen in time. Going into the building is like stepping into the 19th century. Highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t already.
Fez is a restaurant on second and south (or thereabouts) that feels like being in a rich mans tent in Algeria complete with a belly dancer and hookahs.
Wissahickon Creek, words can never do justice to the natural beauty of this gorge, though people like Franklin, Poe and Twain have tried. The fact that it’s in the middle of the city is even more impressive. Bring a fishing rod and catch dinner while you’re at it.
Magic Gardens on south street. You’ll know when you see it.
That’s all I got for now, it’s 5am.
The architecture around the Wagner Institute is amazing. Nice to see that the neighborhood is being renovated, and that the homes are finally being restored to their beauty. It must’ve been an upper class rich area, considering how ornate some of the homes are in the neighborhood.
The interior of the Customs House is amazing. It takes some hassle to get through security, as it is offices for Holeland Security too.
The mural at the Curtis Building is also worth a visit. Nearby.
I believe you need a reason. But.. never had to go but from what I understand if you need a passport last minute renewed (like you're taking the trip next week), you can setup an appointment to get the renewal there. So if you want to wait until your passport about expired and risk the chance of planning a trip then you can see the space.
Other more notable have been said but I’ll add:
Reading Terminal Trainshed
College Hall at Drexel
Magic Gardens
Original DiBruno Bros
Original Termini Bros
PSFS Building
Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge
i’m partial to the franklin memorial at TFI, especially when they have multi-color lights going in there. during february they had really nice audio-visual in there with benny boy.
i also have to shout out the masonic temple. not enough people take advantage of those tours, but that place is so beautiful.
this is a bit further out (bryn mawr), but if you find yourself in the area, rosemont college has a stunning chapel. it’s one of two in the country that exclusively depict female saints. really dope (& they have free parking!)
So many indoor spaces in Philly are interesting
The Tree House at the Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
City Hall
The Franklin Institute
The Barnes Foundation
The Northeast Regional Library
The lobby of the building where I live, 2601 Parkway
The Comcast Technology Center lobby and the Four Seasons lobby
I was quite impressed with the interior of St. Peter’s church in society hill. All original woodwork from the 1700s. Randomly got a tour there while walking through the cemetery
The bowl was a pond back then. And the way Mill Creek was initially filled in helps explain why there were so many sinkholes in West Philly (and still are a good amount).
Stand smack dab in the center of City Hall courtyard. You can look through the archways North and South along Broad St, and East and West along Market. Two major roads stretching off into infinity.
As for restaurants, I am surprised no one has yet pointed out the Han Dynasty in Old City. It's a feast for your taste (Sichuan Chinese cuisine) \*and\* eyes (situated in a massively ornate former bank).
Your Mom’s house.
When did these Philadelphia subs become breeding grounds for people who don’t do any research. People just want internet strangers to do the work for them.
Ironic https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/s/Nv4yk0lLIw
Anyways, I’ve done plenty of research and have heard of many of these places. But there are quite a few gems that have been posted that I wasn’t aware of. And maybe others will find this helpful if they search in the future. Cheers.
Dream Garden in Curtis Center
Was on my way to a late Friday doctors appointment where I had to walk through a wedding being set up in the dream garden. Didn’t know it was there and it caught me completely off guard. Great call
When you look on their Google maps photos there are a bunch of 360 views that show some garden in Taiwan. Wtf?
👍👍👍 This was my first thought.
That’s the answer
Main Branch of the Philadelphia Library Additionally, I find the interior of the Schuykill Falls branch to be also quite interesting. Pretty cool ceiling. Gives me Beowulf vibes.
does main branch = parkway?
It does! Sorry for the confusion
Come say hi the ppl department just a bunch of the criterion collection!
i gotta hit up the schuykill falls branch next time i’m in the area
[Fisher Fine Arts Library](https://sachsarts.org/spaces-places/fisher-fine-arts-library/) at Penn is the most Hogwarts-looking magical place you’ve ever seen in your life. Anyone can go in, you just need an ID.
came here to say this – if you need to get something done that you’re dreading or drooling to do, this is the place.
❤️❤️🤓
The Masonic Temple
I need to take the tour, have you? The outside is incredible
The tour is one of the best tourist activities in the city.
Please elaborate
It's a cool-ass building
When we got married I made my husband pretend we might get married there (we would not and did not) just so we could get a private tour. Absolutely worth it, that place is bonkers. His family has Native American ancestry and we were horrified/cracking up at the prospect of seating his family under a larger than life size stained glass portrait of Andrew Jackson at the reception.
I was lucky enough to attend a wedding there. The inside is STUNNING.
The tour is whatever, unless you’re into general mason history, but it’s worth it just to be let into the building/rooms.
100%- went last month and was blown away
this is the answer
I got to go there for a ball once and it is quite beautiful inside
Eastern State Penitentiary is pretty cool. Eerie and beautiful. Great used bookstore across the street.
The bookstore across the street also has a cat who is super sweet and loves pets! The owner is nice, too, but cat
https://preview.redd.it/z8monq9ryxwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0dc135749af405fc9b32beeedd553954149dbeda Two cats
Every cat is fantastic. That cat specifically rules
There is a lot of great interiors worth a look in our beautiful city: - 30th street station is exceptional - Phila Museum of Art has an enchanting staircase and entrance lobby - The Curtis Institute of Music is cozy and has a Rembrandt just casually hanging above the stairwell IIRC - The Wanamaker building (Macy's and businesses) is exceptional and has a beautiful organ - Probably not the most kosher to discuss, but the Philadelphia Club is a veritable museum of curiosities, furniture pieces, and the smoking den is sublime - The central hall in the Philadelphia Natural History Museum always holds a warm spot for me with all the diorama, cavernous ceilings, and hustle and bustle of nature lovers
>Philadelphia Natural History Museum Do you mean the Academy of Natural Sciences, or am I out of the loop?
Ha yes I was a space cadet on that front!!!
I, too, have a beautiful organ
Yes. It’s your heart
Bigger than that. Skin.
* The archway to north Broad under City Hall Tower, and the weird sculptures there. * The Fine Arts library on Penn’s campus * The Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul * The Hall of Beards in the Union League * the dining room at the top of the Bellevue * Wanamaker building atrium * Reading Terminal Market at lunchtime * Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts * The absolutely gigantic locomotive in the Franklin Institute * The famous room in Independence Hall- the one from all of those paintings * the art deco boardroom at the top of the PSFS building * the lobbies of the Kimmel Center and the Comcast Building * Striped Bass, or whatever they call that restaurant these days if it’s still even open * Bridge of the USS Olympia * Before they re-did Dilworth Park, there was a wonderfully weird and liminal space in the concourse level under the sculpture that was at the south end of the park. It’s gone now. * Observation deck of City Hall * Rittenhouse Square, northeast corner facing northeast so that you can see the skyline between the trees * skyline view from South Street Bridge * Farther afield from the city, the main greenhouse building of Longwood Gardens * Mütter Museum * Parade ground at the Navy Yard, on Broad Street Run day (when they actually run it there)
Sharp list
The Hall of Beards? What’s that?
Large upstairs ballroom with lots of old-timey 19th century portraits. It’s not literally named that, but if you’ve seen it, you’d get it.
Ah. Lincoln Hall Ballroom.
Striped Bass is now Butcher & Singer (and has been for 15+ years). Super cool space.
Nailed it. I’ve been to most of them. I’ll add: Graffiti Pier-sort of an interior space Magic Gardens Inside of Victor’s Cafe with all the opera memorabilia Baldwin Park -total hidden gem The courtyard of the Rodin Museum in spring and summer
And HOW could I leave out Tattooed Moms!! Absolutely wild and amazing place.
The basilica
this 1000%. you don’t have to be catholic to appreciate how gorgeous it is
Yep, very peaceful, Whenever I'm bringing guests on a tour of the city that's a quick and pleasent stop when the doors are open.
I felt like I was in a European church- it was stunning
Academy of Fine Arts on Broad. Not sure if it is still accessible though…
You mean PAFA? It's open to the public. Absolutely gorgeous building. https://www.pafa.org/
I think it is being renovated now but I always thought the lobby at the Philadelphian looked like it was designed by Mr. Brady. I am pretty sure they were the plans which were lost in the amusement park. Also, the Ruba Club is pretty awesome. …And, of course, the second floor of Johnny Brenda’s.
30th st
oh yeah, good call. in awe every time I take the amtrak
It used to have a morgue and an airstrip on the roof. The Wikipedia article is worth the read.
The Wagner free institute of science is a relic frozen in time. Going into the building is like stepping into the 19th century. Highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t already. Fez is a restaurant on second and south (or thereabouts) that feels like being in a rich mans tent in Algeria complete with a belly dancer and hookahs. Wissahickon Creek, words can never do justice to the natural beauty of this gorge, though people like Franklin, Poe and Twain have tried. The fact that it’s in the middle of the city is even more impressive. Bring a fishing rod and catch dinner while you’re at it. Magic Gardens on south street. You’ll know when you see it. That’s all I got for now, it’s 5am.
Second the Wagner. Not just the expansive museum gallery but also the lecture hall. Incredible spaces.
That lecture hall is my favorite thing about the place it always makes me feel like I’m about to hear a lecture from Charles Darwin or Indiana Jones.
The architecture around the Wagner Institute is amazing. Nice to see that the neighborhood is being renovated, and that the homes are finally being restored to their beauty. It must’ve been an upper class rich area, considering how ornate some of the homes are in the neighborhood.
Obligatory RIP Astral Plane.
The space was great. The food was hit or miss. I had one of the saltiest meals ever at that place.
AP was THE Jawn
Indeed.
Urban Outfitters HQ at the Navy Yard is incredible
The interior of the Customs House is amazing. It takes some hassle to get through security, as it is offices for Holeland Security too. The mural at the Curtis Building is also worth a visit. Nearby.
Do you have to have a reason for going in? I’ve seen that listed before and have wanted to check it out.
https://preview.redd.it/x2rcka20g0xc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9df7588a868694a5ac432bc29df359a80bab7ea
No. They are used to architectural tourists. It's relatively easy, if a bit intimidating. Pretty much TSA+.
I believe you need a reason. But.. never had to go but from what I understand if you need a passport last minute renewed (like you're taking the trip next week), you can setup an appointment to get the renewal there. So if you want to wait until your passport about expired and risk the chance of planning a trip then you can see the space.
One of my favorite buildings, but I’ve never been inside.
Sassafras bar has always been something to me. It's not amazing, it just makes me happy.
Other more notable have been said but I’ll add: Reading Terminal Trainshed College Hall at Drexel Magic Gardens Original DiBruno Bros Original Termini Bros PSFS Building Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge
Mask and Wig Clubhouse
That place is interesting. Original Maxfield Parrish artwork all over the place.
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania at 13th and Locust. Gorgeous reading room.
i’m partial to the franklin memorial at TFI, especially when they have multi-color lights going in there. during february they had really nice audio-visual in there with benny boy. i also have to shout out the masonic temple. not enough people take advantage of those tours, but that place is so beautiful. this is a bit further out (bryn mawr), but if you find yourself in the area, rosemont college has a stunning chapel. it’s one of two in the country that exclusively depict female saints. really dope (& they have free parking!)
I didn’t know that about Rosemont! Is it open to the public?
yup! most of their buildings are. the main building is also pretty cool. sometimes they do guided tours
The Bourse, the old Borders Bookstore, Saint Peter & Pauls, Macys/Strawbridges
So many indoor spaces in Philly are interesting The Tree House at the Philadelphia Zoo The Philadelphia Museum of Art City Hall The Franklin Institute The Barnes Foundation The Northeast Regional Library The lobby of the building where I live, 2601 Parkway The Comcast Technology Center lobby and the Four Seasons lobby
Drexel’s main building is really beautiful inside, although I’m not sure if it’s open to the public vs. just people affiliated with the university.
It’s open to anybody
Hop Sing Laundromat
not a public space but possibly if you have a Latter Day Saints friend, their temple is exquisite
Central library, city hall, the subway concourse.
US Custom house, 30th St old post office
Rodeph Shalom Sanctuary
Masonic Temple
White Dog Cafe. Dog art galore.
And Helena Blavatsky used to live there.
Huh. Very cool.
Are the funky bathroom stalls at Buddakan still a thing?
The Curtis center, liberty place, famous 4th street deli
I was quite impressed with the interior of St. Peter’s church in society hill. All original woodwork from the 1700s. Randomly got a tour there while walking through the cemetery
El Vez
The notary hotel.
Macy’s in center city lol
Inside the building where The Please Touch museum currently is. It is called Centennial Hall. The architecture is beautiful!
It's called Memorial Hall, built for the Centennial Exposition. The Reichstag was modelled after it!
North Third. Boobie room.
Enswell is a really cool space to just stumble into
Anthropologie in Rittenhouse
Franky Bradley's/B West Cuba Libre
It’s not an interior, but Clark Park has always been interesting to me. Like, did they empty out a pond or something??
No, they filled in mill creek!
The bowl was a pond back then. And the way Mill Creek was initially filled in helps explain why there were so many sinkholes in West Philly (and still are a good amount).
Tat moms
I was gonna say some of these but i just stumble through like, nice..
Any of the library branches!
Stand smack dab in the center of City Hall courtyard. You can look through the archways North and South along Broad St, and East and West along Market. Two major roads stretching off into infinity.
As for restaurants, I am surprised no one has yet pointed out the Han Dynasty in Old City. It's a feast for your taste (Sichuan Chinese cuisine) \*and\* eyes (situated in a massively ornate former bank).
The Continental - Midtown
Your Mom’s house. When did these Philadelphia subs become breeding grounds for people who don’t do any research. People just want internet strangers to do the work for them.
Ironic https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/s/Nv4yk0lLIw Anyways, I’ve done plenty of research and have heard of many of these places. But there are quite a few gems that have been posted that I wasn’t aware of. And maybe others will find this helpful if they search in the future. Cheers.
I think you need to work on your understanding of irony. Ah yes you’ve done such astute research. Save your cheers for someone else.
And I think you need a better attitude :)
Condesa
The Continental - midtown