Logan Square: Philly’s Museum Mile Along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Can’t Miss Experiences

1. Explore arts and culture at popular museums

Art lovers can spend a day (or several!) exploring fine art at the Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum or the newly opened Calder Gardens — and with the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Fairmount just a stone’s throw away, it’s easy to get lost in centuries of world-class art.

Calder Gardens   — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Families flock to The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University to see the dinosaurs or go inside the legendary heart exhibit at The Franklin Institute.

Visitors also enjoy the bird’s-eye view from atop double-decker tour buses, which stop at area museums.

2. Dine and drink with stunning skyline views

The neighborhood’s luxury high-rise buildings offer sky-high views of the city. Visitors can sip cocktails while enjoying panoramic views at Assembly Rooftop Lounge, situated nine floors above street level at The Logan, Philadelphia’s Hotel.

Diners can also enjoy fine cuisine at Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s restaurant, Jean-Georges — and cocktail lounge, JG SkyHigh — located on the 59th and 60th floors of the Four Seasons at the Comcast Technology Center.

JG SkyHigh   — Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Philadelphia

3. Party on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia knows how to throw a party, and year-round, tens of thousands of people gather on or along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to watch fireworks, cheer on runners or enjoy a parade.

This flag-adorned thoroughfare hosts the epic Wawa Welcome America July Fourth festivities each year, topped off by a dazzling fireworks display. Fall brings capable runners to the city’s annual marathon, which starts and ends on the parkway.

Plus, thousands turn out in droves for the numerous parades the neighborhood hosts on the Parkway each year, including the nation’s oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thanksgiving Day Parade   — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

4. Enjoy abundant public art

A stroll down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway leads visitors through an outdoor gallery of art, including Robert Indiana’s AMOR sculpture, the shimmering 34-foot-high Symbiosis and the metal marvel, Iroquois.

Neighborhood namesake Logan Circle features Philadelphia-born sculptor Alexander Calder’s majestic Swann Memorial Fountain.

AMOR   — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

5. View the eclectic architecture of iconic buildings

Notable architecture in the neighborhood includes examples of Beaux-Arts at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Parkway Central Library and The Franklin Institute, while the Neoclassical and Greek Revival structure of Fairmount Water Works, now a National Historic Landmark, adorns the riverfront.

Philadelphia Water Works   — Photo courtesy Fairmount Park Conservancy

The largest Catholic church in Pennsylvania, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, remains the only cathedral in the country built in the Roman-Corinthian architectural style.

And, it’s impossible to miss Philadelphia’s two tallest buildings — The Comcast Center and The Comcast Technology Center — stunning examples of contemporary skyscrapers.

Where to Stay

Towering high above Center City, the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center provides guests with luxury accommodations and unrivaled panoramic city views, while the circular Windsor Suites plays up its views from each of its 199 Europe-influenced studio and one-bedroom suites.

Overlooking the Swann Memorial Fountain, The Logan, Philadelphia’s Hotel, offers rooms and suites with stellar views, and — located a block from the parkway — the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown offers elegant guest rooms with ample space.

Photo courtesy The Logan, Philadelphia's Hotel   — Photo courtesy The Logan, Philadelphia's Hotel

Local Tips

Ready to experience the neighborhood firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Visitors to Logan Square should come hungry as its dining scene offers everything from the farm-to-table steakhouse Urban Farmer, to popular brunch spot Sabrina’s Cafe, to beloved Victory Brewing Company Philadelphia with local pours aplenty, to City Tap’s noshable bar food and abundant televisions.
• Don’t miss the skyline and riverfront views along Schuylkill Banks, one of the most-visited stretches in the city.
• Wander the quaint, tree-lined streets near The Franklin Institute (like Race Street, Cherry Street and Spring Street) to admire the charming homes and local businesses.
• The neighborhood offers easy access to public transportation at nearby Suburban Station — a hub for SEPTA’s Regional Rail lines and buses — and City Hall, where the east-west L (Market-Frankford) and north-south B (Broad Street) subways converge.

Schuylkill Banks   — Photo by Elevated Angles for Visit Philadelphia