Barclay Farm House is a Federal-style farmhouse dating back to the 19th Century. Spanning across 32 acres (12.95 hectares) of land, the farmhouse features a herb garden, farm buildings, playground, community gardens, orchard and nature trails following River Cooper. Besides numerous tours of the interiors, the house also plays host to outdoor concerts, craft fairs and other such cultural events. If you want to glimpse at a slice of local history and culture, then a visit to Barclay Farm House can be a great idea. Note that besides the usual timings, Barclay Farm House is also open to the public on the first Sunday of every month from April to November between 12p to 4p.
Formerly the largest prison facility in America, the Eastern State Penitentiary is now Philadelphia’s major tourist attraction. What was once the most expensive prison in the country now stands in ruins, but that does not stop curious tourists from visiting the attraction. A first-of-its-kind, the penitentiary implemented previously unheard ideas of incarceration, which prioritized reformation over punishment. Today, the vaulted cell blocks and central rotunda invite many a tourists keen on knowing the eventful history of this fascinating establishment. What adds to the curiosity of the masses is the fact that the prison was home to notorious inmates such as ‘Slick Willie’ Sutton and Al Capone.
Philadelphia's South Street is home to one of the most remarkable creations of art in the city. Known as the Magic Gardens, this work by artist Isaiah Zagar spans almost an entire block and engulfs everything in sight including the pathways and building walls. The continuously evolving work is a colourful riot and incorporates tiles, bottles, bicycle tires, spokes; pretty much anything you could think of. With this stunning landscape and installations, the artist draws you into his world for a peek into his mind. This one is not to be missed.
Enjoy the beauty and art of horticulture at the pleasure garden, Chanticleer Garden. A 35-acre (14-hectare) public botanical garden that dates back to the early 20th Century, this landscape has artistry in full bloom. It is a breathtaking spread of flora, trees and lawns that have been planted to perfection. The garden's gate has been created with carved stone roosters, better known as chanticleers in French, from where it gets its name. It is open from April to October. The house and grounds were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Cheltenham Center for the Arts is located in the former George K. Heller School which was the first of its kind in the township of Cheltenham and the oldest public school in the state till its closure in 1953. The Late Victorian stone structure is the ideal setting for this arts center which was founded in 1940. The Cheltenham Center for the Arts is known for its art classes, exhibitions and theater highlighting the work of local artists and the community. Its sole focus is to express social interests in a creative way through artistic mediums.