We love Philadelphia.
If we could live anywhere in the world, apart from our UK home, it would be Philly.
In March 2024 we spent a whole month there, revisiting the city’s historic sites, eating some great food from Reading Terminal Market and generally chilling.
And of course there was plenty of time for photography in this City of Brotherly Love.
Philadelphia is an incredible place and there’s so much history in Philly to photograph, like Independence Hall, the Rocky steps at The Philadelphia Art Museum, the Liberty Bell, and … the list goes on. All amazing photo locations.
In our month-long trip we rode the trains, walked for miles, and loitered on street corners, capturing the essence of the city to showcase 9 great photography spots in Philadelphia.
Each one is taken from a public place, with no admission fees.
There were no early morning shoots, no late nights.
Just the right weather and a little bit of patience!
These Instagrammable photos were taken on either a Fuji XT3 or a Samsung S23 mobile phone.
There are stunning murals all over the city – you can even download a mural map to guide you around the most famous – and it’s hard to single out just one.
Our Flag Unfurled was created by Meg Saligman just after the 9/11 attacks. It can be found on the side of a warehouse on Noble Street, between I-95 and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
There’s something about the sad and faded flag next to the glorious spring blossom that speaks of loss and hope.
Families gather in Fairmount Park all year round, but in spring the photo opportunities amongst the cherry blossom in the Centennial Arboretum near the Horticulture Centre are hard to resist.
You may have to wait a while if you don’t want other people in your shots, but Pork Belly loves putting in humans for scale or, as in this case, because it captures the mood.
Fairmount Park is the oldest in the city and is designed for everyone to enjoy.
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge as it crosses the Delaware River is an iconic city shot by night or day.
The plan was to capture a train heading towards the New Jersey side, with the city skyline behind. But the south side walkway was closed for repairs, and the workmen declined Pork Belly’s pleas!
In the end, he was happy with this moody-blue close up on the north side. The PATCO trains run frequently over the bridge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you won’t have to wait long.
Just be aware that the bridge is very high and the walkway narrow. Even Pork Belly suffered a moment or two of wobbliness, and I wouldn’t set foot on it!
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge again, this time from below, a shot taken from the Race Street Pier garden.
Originally an industrial shipping pier built in 1896, it’s now a waterside garden and year round open space with amphitheatre-style seating. Nights are magical with solar-powered LED lights on the railings and paving.
The bridge was once the longest suspension bridge in the world, and when built in 1926 was the first to link Philadelphia and Camden. It’s big, impressive, and elegant.
Probably the most photographed street in Philadelphia, Elfreth’s Alley is a highly Instagrammable location! The houses are all original, dating back to 1703, with colourful doors, shutters and decorations.
The street has been lived in continuously for over 300 years, and the current residents work hard to preserve its beauty. The downside of living there is the steady stream of tourists constantly passing by your windows, and, unless you’re there out of season as we were, it can be hard to get a clear view.
If it’s too busy when you visit Philadelphia, there are other old houses in the same style, and just as well-preserved, in the streets behind Independence Hall.
Look for Quince Street and Jessup Street, south of Locust Street between Washington and Rittenhouse Squares.
Back to trains again!
This time we rode ‘The El’ on the Market-Frankford Line out to 63rd Street station. Here a pedestrian walkway crosses the line and on a clear day you have a fabulous view of the city skyline and the old row houses on Market Street.
There is a safety grid on the bridge, but it is possible to poke your lens through and get a clear shot.
The trains run every ten minutes or so, and the only downside is when it’s cold, it’s very, very cold up on that bridge. I took an hour to thaw out afterwards!
An unusual perspective on City Hall.
This panoramic shot was taken from the courtyard inside the government building, showing the 548-foot tower topped by the statue of city founder William Penn.
You can go up the tower for a small fee, and there are views out across the whole city, but this angle shows its fancy brick, marble and limestone construction and is free for all to see.
Another famous view of City Hall can be taken from South Broad Street at night.
Been there, done that.
We like to be different.
With our SEPTA cards we were in and out of 30th Street Station on an almost daily basis and the colours of this huge window at the eastern entrance never failed to dazzle.
Opened to passengers in 1933, the station is a busy hub for national and local train services, with giant windows on all sides, providing subdued lighting.
But the addition of a temporary art installation called Euphonic and Chromatic Drift, bathed the waiting area in soft colours from vinyl panels covering, but not damaging, the original panes of glass.
The artwork is due to be moved to another station soon, and no doubt something else amazing will take its place, but we felt lucky to catch this one.
And finally we wandered out of the city centre to the sprawling green oasis that is Wissahickon Valley Park.
Walking, running and riding trails stream off in different directions, and a stroll along Forbidden Drive beside Wissahickon Creek is a great way to escape the bustle of city life.
The Thomas Mill Covered Bridge has crossed that creek since it was built in 1855 and is now the only remaining covered bridge in a major American city.
Hope you enjoyed our 9 great photography spots in Philadelphia.
All images are copyright © John Heinrich/rosemaryandporkbelly
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