Hidden Gems of Philadelphia

By Ashley Paskill on August 12, 2018

When most people think about Philadelphia, they think about the sites with history, such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. However, there are a few hidden gems throughout the city that surprise those who may not know about them and are often overlooked by tourists who want to take in the most famous sites. If you are looking for new things to check out in the city or places away from the tourists in town, check out these hidden Philadelphia gems.

1. Grip the Raven

Grip is the taxidermied pet raven who was Charles Dickens’ pet raven. He was the inspiration behind Edgar Allen Poe’s poem,”The Raven.” Grip is currently on display at the Free Library of Philadelphia in Center City.  Grip died in 1841, and Dickens had him taxidermied and mounted. The bird was sold at an auction after Dickens passed.

2. Shakespeare Memorial

The Shakespeare Memorial is located on the Ben Franklin Parkway in Logan Square in Center City. It is located right near the Free Library of Philadelphia. The memorial, which depicts a comedy with Touchstone the jester and a tragedy with Hamlet, was created by Alexander Stirling Calder in 1926 and installed in 1928.

3. Carlo’s Bake Shop

Most people know Carlo’s Bake Shop, the bakery made famous by the TLC show Cake Boss, has a location in Hoboken as well as in Manhattan. However, they also have other locations, including one right in Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. The bakery offers a wide variety of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other dessert items.

4. Declaration House

People know that Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. However, it was not written there. It was actually written by Thomas Jefferson just a block or so away at the Declaration House. The house has the famous quote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” written on the side.

5. Hard Rock Cafe

While the Hard Rock Café does tend to be a bit of a tourist destination, what is inside is special. It is home to musician memorabilia from bands and artists who performed in Philadelphia, including Led Zeppelin, Guns N Roses, and many others. It also has a “Philadelphia Room” of memorabilia of musicians from the Philadelphia area, including Hall and Oates and Pink. Each Hard Rock has different memorabilia, so it is cool to compare them to others.

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