You’ve recently bought a house and moved to Philadelphia. What’s next? Now is a great time to get to know your new city, while checking some things off of your moving to-do list. During your first month in the city, make an effort to check out these must visit places.
Driver’s License Center
It might not be a fun place to go, but after you move to Philadelphia, you’ll want to check out whichever drivers license center is most convenient for you. If you’re moving from out-of-state, you’ll want to trade in your out-of-state license or photo ID card for a PA one as soon as you can. So that you aren’t waiting for hours on end, it’s best to go during an off-peak time, such as between 10 a.m. and noon on weekdays. Saturdays and Tuesdays are pretty much always busy, no matter which center you go to. If you can, avoid the drivers license center in Center City, as it always has a crowd and long wait periods.
Free Library
The Free Library of Philadelphia is one of the biggest free, public library systems in the U.S. Even if you’re not much of a reader, you should get a library card after moving to the city. Having a card lets you borrow DVDs and music and gives you the opportunity to stream a number of movies online. You can visit a local branch to get your card or apply for one online. Visiting your closest library branch might be best, as it will give you a chance to see what your library has to offer and to check out books and movies right away.
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park consists of more than 2,000 acres, making it one of the biggest parks in the country. It’s home to a number of landmarks, including several historic houses, the Japanese Garden and Teahouse, and the Please Touch Museum. You can spend hours walking along the park’s trails and days exploring all the amenities it has to offer, from free tennis courts to public swimming pools in the summer. There’s even a disc golf course in one area of the park.
Your Neighborhood Park
While Fairmount Park is the biggie, it’s also worth it to pay a visit to the park nearest you soon after moving to Philadelphia. Fairmount Park might take up 2,000 acres, but the city has an additional 10,000 acres of parkland. Most neighborhoods have at least one small park in them, such as Dickinson Square in Pennsport, Wharton Square in Point Breeze, and Liberty Lands Park in Northern Liberties.
The Art Museum
Philly has a lot of must see museums. When you’re new in town, why not start with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which stands at the top of the Ben Franklin Parkway. The museum offers pay-what-you-can admission on the first Sunday of the month and on Wednesdays after 5 p.m. The museum’s collection includes art from ancient times right up until the contemporary era. Along with visiting the main building, pop into the Perelman Building across the street, which has exhibitions that focus on design, and visit the Rodin Museum, which is dedicated to the statues of Auguste Rodin.
There are many must visit places in Philadelphia, and you’ll have ample time to visit them all once you get settled in. For now, get familiar with the city by checking out the parks, library, and one of its best museums.
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