Information on hotel packages, suggested tours, regional attraction and calendars of events are all available at no charge. Consultants can help you plan your itinerary so you can soak up all the culture, dining and entertainment Philadelphia has to offer. The Philadelphia Visitors Center is sponsored by the city tourism board. They are informed about any and all events of interest in the Philadelphia area. Their job is to help you enjoy your stay in 'The City of Brotherly Love'. See their website for further details.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church was dedicated in 1850 and is one of Philadelphia's most attractive churches. The architect was John Notman, who also designed the Athenaeum and the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square. Built in the Gothic Revival style, the beauty and elegance of the parish buildings and garden are reminiscent of those found in England. A notable feature of St. Mark's Church is the silver altar in the chapel.

Founded in 1830, this Catholic church serves the heart of Philadelphia by providing worship services and prayer. St. John Neumann, who is remembered for his efforts to establish a parochial school system in Philadelphia and for his devoted care toward immigrants, was consecrated here in 1852. His funeral was held at this church in 1860. William Penn's great-great grandson, Thomas Penn Gaskell, is buried in the cemetery next to the church. A statue of Mary, erected in 1857 survived an 1899 fire.

A Transylvanian interior creates the perfect setting for the largest collection of European folk art in the country. Members of the Romanian Folk Art Museum have organized exhibits of Romanian costumes, rugs, pottery and other decorative arts in ten states and provide a valuable cultural liaison to Romania. The museum's gift gallery features contemporary folk art, decorative items and rugs. See their website for special event information. A donation is requested.

Guests are welcome to attend services at this handsome historic landmark. This church was founded in 1828 and holds to the classic formulations of Presbyterian theology, out of the Reformation period. Tenth Presbyterian is committed to developing and maintaining a strong teaching pulpit in Center City and an effective network of fellowship groups aimed at meeting individual needs.

The Masonic Temple is the home of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. The current building, dedicated in 1873, now houses the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania. The library contains the most extensive collection of Masonic literature in America. The museum houses a diversified collection of Masonic treasures that is unequaled and international in scope. The Masons sponsor a number of youth, educational and recreational opportunities. They have been strong supporters of Little League baseball and direct a number of scholarship and grant programs.

The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia has been bringing people together in worship since 1698. Construction on the current building began in 1869. The Church is a spectacular example of Victorian Gothic architecture, which depends on French and English medieval Gothic cathedral motifs and mixed use of materials in the construction. Various parts of the church are built from granite, sand-toned brick, terra cotta and marble. Tiffany windows complete the design, as well as an impressive set of five windows by Wailles of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

Congregation Rodeph Shalom, founded in 1795, is the oldest Ashkenazic synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. The current building was constructed in 1928 and is the only synagogue in this country to retain its Byzantine-Moorish architectural style. The sanctuary's stained glass windows are a rare collection of D'Ascenzo design and the foyer houses the Obermayer Collection of Jewish ritual art. More than 500 international objects dating back to the 1700s are on display. The Congregation's Philadelphia Museum of Judaica features three original exhibits a year.

The Arch Street United Methodist Church is an extraordinary example of Gothic Revival architecture. Founded in 1862, this striking white marble building is in excellent condition and houses a Stanbridge organ built in 1870. Arch Street was probably the first church in Philadelphia to fully integrate its membership when it welcomed participation by Roman Catholic leaders in the 1960s. The Church is also noted for its efforts to help the homeless, for starting Native American ministries, and for sponsoring AIDS awareness activities. Open sundays 8:30am onwards.

Prince Hall Grand Lodge was established in 1797 and was Philadelphia's first African American Masonic Lodge. It originated under the watchful eye of the Worshipful Master Absalom Jones, Sr., Warden Richard Allen and First Treasurer James Forten. The first black fraternal order in the city was The African Lodge of Free Masons, organized under the charter of the Reverend Prince Hall. Other lodges soon followed. Prince Hall's original location was on Lombard Street in Old City, between Fifth and Sixth.