When you head to Philadelphia, there are tons of fantastic sites to see. Philadelphia is a city rich in history and home to many famous attractions. You could spend all of your time exploring the typical tourist attractions, but if you’re looking for some different things to see in Philadelphia here’s the perfect list for you.

1. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens: Isaiah Zagar is a mosaic artist who has won numerous awards, and you can see his works on more than 200 walls all over the city of Philadelphia. In 1994 Zagar began working on an empty lot near his studio to create a space filled with tunnels, grottos, walls, and displays of his amazing art. In 2008 this space opened to the public, and you can now visit it to take a tour, see exhibitions, or participate in art experiences.
2. Mütter Museum: Located within the Philadelphia College of Physicians you will find one of the world’s most unique museums – the Mütter Museum. This museum is home to a large variety of medical displays with one of the most famous being slides that contain slivers of the brain of Albert Einstein. Be sure also to check out the Chevalier Jackson Collection to learn what this physician collected throughout his career.
3. Shofuso Japanese House and Garden: If you love the architecture of Japan, you will love visiting the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. You can spend time exploring the gardens, the water features, and the various houses. This is a gorgeous site for photographers, but be sure to read their rules before taking photos so that you can be respectful to all of the visitors.
4. Pizza Brain’s Museum of Pizza Culture: Forget the Philly Cheesesteak – head to Philly for pizza! You can visit a museum dedicated to all things pizza when you head to Philadelphia. This museum has the world’s largest collection of pizza memorabilia. Books, toys, music – you name it – if it involves pizza, you might find it here. And the best part is, you can enjoy a slice while you’re there!
5. Edgar Allan Poe Historic Site: Literary lovers will enjoy visiting the former home of Edgar Allan Poe. While he only lived here for about a year, it was in this home that Edgar Allan Poe wrote two of his most famous stories, “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Gold Bug.” This attraction is only open Friday to Sunday, so plan accordingly if you want to visit.
6. Love Letter Murals: In 2009 artist Stephen Powers created over 50 rooftop murals and street-level signs in the Market Street corridor. Stephens explained the art as “a love letter from a guy to a girl, from an artist to his hometown, and from local residents to their neighborhood of West Philadelphia.” It was an extremely popular project for Philadelphia and continues to be today. You can see many of the murals from the Market-Frankford train line, or you can seek out a guided tour.
7. Eastern State Penitentiary: It may look a bit like a castle in the middle of Philadelphia, but it was once a prison. Once the home of Al Capone, this dilapidated prison is now open for tours. There are several special tours you can take including a Halloween tour and a Bastille Day tour.

Philadelphia may be famous for the Liberty Bell and cheesesteaks, but there are a lot of hidden treasures that you can explore in this city. The next time you have a free day consider checking out one (or more!) of these unique attractions.