Museums

Rodin Museum. Rodin made multiple copies of his sculptures. Philadelphia has many of the same artworks as the Paris, France museum.

Eastern State Penitentiary is the first penitentiary (not prison) ever built. It had indoor plumbing before city hall. The cells are arrayed in a 7-armed star. Each cell had a skylight, a toilet, a bed, a Bible, and a slot in the door for hot meals to be shoved through. This penitentiary was designed for Quakers who believed that such solitary confines, with all the conveniences, would bring criminals to a meditative state, from whence they would no longer desire the criminal life. Unfortunately, criminals consider this imprisonment to be cruel and unusual punishment. They got this penitentiary closed down in the early 1970's. The most famous prisoner ever housed her was Willy Sutton. When asked, "Why do you rob banks?" Sutton replied, "Because that's where the money is."

The Philadelphia Museum of Art. In true Philly fashion, the city refused to help build this museum. The fundraisers only had enough money to build two-thirds of it. The built the sides. It looked silly. The city came up with the money for the middle. At the top of the steps, you'll see Rocky's footprints -- really Stallone's. These are the steps he ran up and down on to get in shape in the first Rocky movie.