Things to do in Philadelphia free

Philadelphia (AP) - the city of brotherly love is perhaps best known for its colonial roots, but the locals will say much more to explore in this city of 1.5 million people. Options abound for travelers free looking for things to do in and around town and beyond, and all involve no tri-corner hats and Betsy Ross flag.

It is within walking distance of the most popular tourist attractions of the city to several neighborhoods in Philadelphia and shopping districts, which abound with shops and galleries that offer lots of eye candy for the browsers and window shoppers even without opening your wallet. Beyond the horizon is prestigious Museum of art in the city, which boasts wonderful views of its famous steps. Free options for outdoor activities are a lush wildlife refuge South of the city as the Fairmount Park, a gem (1,660 hectares) of 4,100 acres of trails, streams, historic buildings and public art.

SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE

Two more stops of tourist busy city, the Liberty Bell and independence Hall, they are free to visit and located just opposite the street from one another. Both are part of independence National Historical Park, which is administered by the National Park Service. Into the Hall of independence, were signed the Declaration of independence and the Constitution, requires an input of time due to the crowds. Including tickets are available at the adjacent Center for visitors starting at 8:30, visitors should arrive early for the best choice of times, as tickets for the day often passed by 13 during the summer tourist season. There are tickets are required for the Liberty Bell, but expected to queue to enter the building where he lives.

UP TO THE ALLEY

Amid fresh galleries in the neighborhood of the old city, furniture vintage shops and boutiques of fashionable clothes is a cobbled lane charm that has hardly changed in 200 years: Alley of Elfreth's, often called continuously inhabited oldest in America. It was built to travel to the nearby coast of Delaware River of trucks and named for Jeremiah Elfreth, a blacksmith from the 18th century who built and rented several houses there. 32 Of the dead survive row houses were built between 1836 and about 1724. Unlike the near Society Hill mansions built for the upper crust of the city, the humble houses of Elfreth's Alley were inhabited by workers, carpenters and craftsmen. Many of the houses are still private property but the narrowness of the street is a good place for a leisurely stroll and some snapshots from the charming red brick houses with brightly painted shutters and colorful planters.

CRYSTAL GARDEN

"Dream garden", a glass jaw-dropping mosaic, is near the district historic but easy to Miss unless you know that it is there. The magical scene was created with more than 100,000 pieces of iridescent glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany Studios and was based on a painting by Philadelphia native Maxfield Parrish. Mosaic of 15 by 49 feet (4.5 by 15 meters) was commissioned by the "Saturday Evening Post" publishing magnate Cyrus Curtis and installed in 1916 in the lobby of its majestic headquarters facing Washington Square Park. A public uproar occurred when 1998 casino mogul Steve Wynn announced his plan to purchase the mosaic and moving to Las Vegas, and the Academy of fine arts of Pennsylvania bought the work to ensure that it will remain forever in his planned home. The cool and quiet marble lobby serves as a respite from the crowds of independence Mall and has benches to relax and feast your eyes with "Dream Garden."

ROCKY S ROAD

As fictional Boxer Rocky Balboa Philadelphia and he bandaged 72 stone of Philadelphia Art Museum steps, then spend a few minutes taking the view of the horizon of a postcard down the tree-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A sculpture of the Italian Stallion, arms raised in victory, at the base of the ladder is a popular place to photograph. A lot of "Rocky" runners ever within the renowned Museum of art after his sprint steps - if you do, you cost $20 for a general admission adult ticket. There are some art to be seen free of charge, however, in a large outdoor sculpture garden with works by such artists as Sol LeWitt, Claes Oldenburg, and Ellsworth Kelly.

SOMETHING WILD

John Heinz Wildlife Refuge is an oasis of thousand acres (400 hectares) located one mile (1.6 km) from the bustle and noise of Philadelphia International Airport. Administered by the wildlife and Fisheries Service, the refuge is free and open from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. Birdwatchers have documented more than 300 species of birds in the Green Haven, a stop for migratory species due to its location along the Atlantic Flyway, and one of the few places where they still live locally endangered is species of turtles and frogs. There are trails for hiking and biking, and guided and self-directed tours are available. The largest wetland of tide water sweet remaining in Pennsylvania, Tinicum Marsh was renamed in 1991 to honor final Senator who helped to preserve the site of plans that would have put a Weir and part of Interstate 95 through the refuge.

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