Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a lot of cultural significance to the United States. As an original member of the 13 colonies and a major part of the Revolutionary War, there are so many museums and other places to visit. However, there are plenty of other hidden gems to visit that have nothing to do with American history. Here are just five of them.
Mütter Museum
If you’re fascinated by the weird or medical science, plan to visit the Mütter Museum in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. You can learn about medical oddities, both historical and recent. You can even see a piece of Albert Einstein’s brain that was used to study his genius. You can even view an extremely large collection of items that have been removed from people’s throats.
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
Edgar Allan Poe might be one of the most famous literary figures to live in Philadelphia, even very briefly. He penned some of his well-known horror stories, such as “The Tell-Tale Heart,” there. His 1844 home was turned into a museum and a National Historic Site. You can go on a guided tour of the home or explore five exhibits, one that includes a film.
Eastern State Penitentiary
The first penitentiary was built in Philadelphia during the time of President Andrew Jackson. Called the Eastern State Penitentiary, the new penitentiary was supposed to be state of the art in terms of human treatment and technological advancement. This included better food, private toilets, and exercise areas. Instead, Eastern State Penitentiary only kept the prisoners apart, which slowly drove them insane. In 1971, the penitentiary was officially closed. Today, you can go on a self-guided audio tour.
Cave of Kelpius
Are you fascinated with cults? The Cave of Kelpius is located in Fairmount Park. It’s believed to be the home of America’s oldest mystic cults from the 1600s. Rumor has it that Johannes Kelpius and his followers in the Hermits of Wissahickon believed that the world was going to end in 1694, so they wanted to wait together for the end to come. You’ll find it by really knowing where to look or by stumbling onto it by mistake. It’s located near Daisy Field.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
With so many historic American sites to visit, many Philadelphia tourists overlook the gorgeous Shofuso Japanese House and Garden located in Fairmount Park. It’s located near the first Japanese garden built in America in 1976 for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. There are beautiful gardens, murals, waterfalls, and traditional Japanese architecture. There’s even fish food available for purchase to feed the koi. Plan on wearing socks and shoes, as you need socks to enter some of the buildings.
The attractions listed here represent a diverse array of strange and exotic things to do in the Philadelphia area. However, there’s so much more to check out. When planning your next trip, keep an eye out for things to do in Philadelphia that are off the beaten path.
Image via Pixabay
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