The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Hidden Philadelphia

Discover 34 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Community Picks Recently Added

Einstein's Brain Slides

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mütter Museum

America's most famous museum of medical oddities, and home to the remains of Einstein's Brain.

39.9535, -75.1768

Added by mbison

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Eastern State Penitentiary

World's first "penitentiary," meant to be humane, drove men insane.

39.9673, -75.1737

Main entrance to the cemetery

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mount Moriah Cemetery

An abandoned cemetery lies in ruins as the surrounding forest swallows it whole.

39.9311, -75.2358

Added by Luke J Spencer

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Folk art environment, gallery space, and nonprofit showcasing the work of mosaicist Isaiah Zagar.

39.9429, -75.1593

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wagner Free Institute

A rare view of a preserved Victorian science museum.

39.9809, -75.1624

Added by michelle

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

Tour the dark and beloved poet's former cobwebbed basement, which may have inspired "The Black Cat."

39.9616, -75.1498

Added by michelle

Summer at Shofuso

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

Philadelphia boasts one of the best — and most often overlooked — traditional Japanese gardens in North America.

39.9814, -75.2129

Added by kandrews

The cave from the front.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Cave of Kelpius

Where America's first doomsday cult awaited the end of the world.

40.0238, -75.2016

Added by AaronNetsky

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birdafterdark wants to go to Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

birdafterdark wants to go to Mummers Museum

birdafterdark wants to go to The Barnes Foundation

birdafterdark wants to go to Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia

birdafterdark has been to Philadelphia City Hall

Stories About Philadelphia

Plants grow in graves at Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia.

A Year Gardening the Grave of a Stranger

At Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia, green-thumbed volunteers participate in a unique program.

by Sydney Schaedel

How to Make a Clock Tick

We partnered with Timberland to explore the secrets of horology in Philadelphia.

Sponsored by Timberland

Philly Really Doesn't Want You to Make a Pool Out of a Dumpster

Some dreams are too large.

by Erik Shilling

August 04, 2016

Gridlock madness on Philly's I-95.

Secret Service Rules Are Causing Traffic Jams in Philadelphia

Trucks over five tons aren't allowed along a nine-exit stretch.

The First Democratic Convention on Live TV Was the Last Not to be Air-Conditioned

In Philadelphia in 1948, it got hot.

by Erik Shilling

What It's Like to Run a Fan Site For the Arguably Worst Team in NBA History

The Philadelphia 76ers have brought shame to the City of Brotherly Love.

by Dan Nosowitz

The Enduring Mystery Of 'Jawn', Philadelphia's All-Purpose Noun

According to experts, it's unlike any word, in any language.

by Dan Nosowitz

Philadelphia's Trinity Houses are the Original Tiny Houses

Move over, cabin porn. These are the oldest, and cutest.

by Dan Nosowitz

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