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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Philadelphia

77 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Updated April 1, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Philadelphia

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Philadelphia

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

6 Fascinating Medical Marvels in Pennsylvania

In the 1700s and 1800s, Philadelphia was the center of medical scholarship in the United States. The city not only attracted the brightest minds, but also the most curious cases and characters. From the oldest quarantine facility in the country to a museum that memorializes a traveling dental circus, here are six places to marvel at the trials, errors, and triumphs of medical history in Pennsylvania.

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Explore Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Museums 13
History 12
Architecture 10
Collections 8
Statues 7
Aletrail 6
Parks 5
Homes 4

Philadelphia Leaderboard

Recent Philadelphia Activity

Stories About Philadelphia

The SS United States moored in Philadelphia in 2008. The grand ocean liner’s fate has been the subject of years of debate.

The SS United States Heads Into Unknown Waters

After decades in a Philadelphia shipyard, the last great American ocean liner may be destined for the seafloor.
by Matthew Christopher
The gym and auditorium at Schenley High School in Pittsburgh was built just before the school closed in 2008.

What Abandoned Schools Can Teach Us

Empty chairs, empty tables, and the dismantling of the American Dream.
by Matthew Christopher
Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Duquesne, Pennsylvania.

Why Are There So Many Abandoned Churches?

Changing neighborhoods, loss of faith, even heating bills make places of worship among the most common types of forgotten places.
by Matthew Christopher
The auditorium at the historic Lansdowne Theater near Philadelphia.

A Case for the Preservation of Abandoned Places

Finding where history, passion, and urban development come together can mean a lot to a community.
by Matthew Christopher
There’s something ill-sounding about the Philadelphia prison’s corridors.

Bump in the Night: The Rackety Reason People Think This Prison Is Haunted

Sound and electricity play all kinds of tricks at Eastern State Penitentiary.
by Fayge Horesh
Katherine Moore (left) shows vessels for storing and serving food from Pachacámac at the exhibit.

How to Trace Food History With Ancient Leftovers

The Penn Museum's new exhibit showcases the art of edible archaeology.
by Sam O'Brien
Talia Young founded Fishadelphia to bring seafood from regional suppliers to economically and culturally diverse communities.

The Scientist Bringing Fresh Fish Back to Philadelphia's Underserved Neighborhoods

Welcome to Fishadelphia.
by Ann Finkbeiner

Podcast: Maillardet’s Automaton

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team

Lists Featuring Philadelphia

A view of the Cushing Center from the entrance
Brain of Helen Hamilton Gardener

The World's Most Fascinating Displays of Preserved Brains

The mind is a terrible thing to waste.

8

Including The Cushing Center, Mammalian Brain Collection, and Brain Museum

The House of the Temple.
Statue of George Washington

Novus Ordo Seclorum: 14 Places to Unearth Masonic Secrets

Your best bets for gaining insight into the real history of Freemasonry.

14

Including Zedekiah's Cave, Masonic Lodge of the Andaz Hotel, and House of the Temple

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