Philadelphia is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, world-class exhibits and exciting nightlife, and visitors will come away tantalized by the wealth of attractions on offer - yet eager to come back for more.

By day, spend time in Philadelphia exploring four centuries of history and architecture, beautiful neighborhoods, remarkable museum collections, and endless shopping, refueling at one of Philadelphia's many cafes, restaurants and bars. Then, after sunset, enjoy the city's vibrant nightlife, delectable dining, acclaimed performing arts, a candlelight tour, or even an adrenaline-charged sporting event and much more.

With our selection of the best attractions, excursions, restaurants and hotels in Philadelphia, we have all the information you need to get the most out of your Philadelphia vacation. So whether you need tips and advice or want to book a hotel, rent a car, take a city tour or make a restaurant reservation, there's everything you need to do it from within this site.

Philadelphia Attraction Guide

Because of its prime location along the East coast, Philadelphia quickly blossomed as the cultural center of the New World, and its rich history is evident in its sumptuous architecture and quaint cobbled streets.

However, there's more to Philadelphia than aesthetics alone, as the city is packed with things to see and do. In fact, it's now regarded as one of America's major tourist attractions, and it's easy to see why. Here's our pick of the must-see attractions:

The Philadelphia Zoo: The Philadelphia Zoo is the region's number one family attraction, with more than one million visitors every year who flock to see over 1600 rare and exotic animals, together with the 42 acres of beautiful gardens.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art: This is the third largest art museum in the country and holds impressive Renaissance, American, Impressionist and Modern art pieces by respected artists from all over the world.

Sporting Greats: Home to sporting giants such as the Philadelphia Eagles for NFL football, the Philadelphia 76ers for NBA basketball, the Phillies for baseball and the Flyers for hockey, there's sure to be a sporting event to suit every taste.

The Liberty Bell: Philadelphia is best known for its rich American history and monuments of liberty. The symbol most identified with Philadelphia is the Liberty Bell. A new Liberty Bell Center features several exhibits on freedoms, including slavery, women's suffrage and the civil rights movement.

Sesame Place: This is a great spot for families to spend a fun-filled day. Fashioned after the famous children's television program,this theme park has more than 50 activities. Most exciting of all, children get to meet their favorite Sesame Street characters.

The Avenue of the Arts: More than one million people visit The Avenue of the Arts section along Philadelphia's Broad Street every year. This district is divided into north and south and houses over 37 cultural organizations, including The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, The New Freedom Theatre, The Metropolitan Opera House, The Academy of Music, City Hall and much more.

Philadelphia Shopping: Shopping is a high point of every vacation and Philadelphia has plenty to offer. Rittenhouse Row is a high-end shopping center with brands by famous names such as Ralph Lauren and Tiffany. Jewelers' Row is America's oldest diamond district, and Antique Row is a paradise for antique and treasure lovers. If you are into shopping malls, you'll be overwhelmed by the choice on offer. The Gallery is the largest in the US, with more than 120 shops under one roof.