While spending time in the City of Brotherly Love, you might enjoy straying from the conventional and visiting some of the quirky nearby attractions that pay homage to the unusual and provide the area with its own delightful sense of weirdness. For a true foray into the bizarre, check out the following:

– Ringing Rocks Park – A mysterious, 128-acre wooded area nestled in Upper Black Eddy, the park includes a large boulder field of unexplained origin. When struck lightly with a hammer, the boulders resonate like bells. Some popular theories developed to explain this phenomenon include radioactivity, meteorites, comets, strange magnetic fields, and supernatural possibilities.

– Mercer Museum – This towering concrete castle built in 1916 by Henry C. Mercer, archeologist and tile-maker, is an imposing landmark in otherwise low-rise Doylestown. Each themed room inside hosts a dramatic display of tools, folk art, and other handmade objects – including a vampire-killing kit – used prior to the Industrial Revolution. Mercer compiled the collection and built the museum to house it in order to inspire an appreciation and awareness of the past in its visitors.

– Fonthill – Just down the street from the Mercer Museum is the former home of Henry Mercer himself. When his rich aunt died and left him some money, Mercer – who had no architectural training whatsoever – decided to build himself a concrete castle to live in. The labyrinth-like interior twists, turns, climbs, and descends to reveal 10 bathrooms, 18 fireplaces, 21 chimneys, and over 32 sets of stairs. Adorned with Mercer’s own decorative – and sometimes ghoulish – tile work, the castle is also home to a human skull, which was gifted to Mercer by his sister to remind him to be productive because “life is short.” Indeed.

– Grounds for Sculpture – A 42-acre sculpture park located in nearby Hamilton, New Jersey, Grounds for Sculpture was founded in 1992 by J. Seward Johnson, sculptor and philanthropist, to promote an understanding and appreciation of contemporary sculpture. Among the more than 240 works of various renowned artists are a number of Johnson’s own tableaus, which are based on well-known nineteenth-century paintings. In his re-creation of Edouard Manet’s painting, Dejeuner Sur l’Herbe, Johnson’s three-dimensional play on a two-dimensional artwork make it truly difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is art. Designed for passersby to stumble upon, gasp in shock, and laugh once they realize their mistake, Johnson skillfully brings this painting, and others, one step closer to real life.

– Rocky Statue – Originally created for the movie Rocky III, this bronze sculpture now immortalizes the fictional Rocky Balboa character played by Sylvester Stallone. After filming was completed, Stallone donated the now infamous statue to the City of Philadelphia, where it has drawn both raves and criticism. The statue is presently situated at the bottom of the stairs in front the entrance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Making the iconic trip up the 72 stone steps is now regarded as a symbol of determination and perseverance, and many tourists can’t resist recreating this scene from the movie. After reaching the top and mimicking Rocky’s triumphant celebration, be sure to turn around and enjoy the expansive view of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Center City skyline.

– Eastern State Penitentiary – The largest building in America when it opened in 1829, this brooding and looming prison site was purposely designed to inspire dread. Oddly enough, it was also intended to be a tourist attraction. Up until the time it closed in 1971, many convicts spent 23 hours a day locked in isolation cells (former star prisoner Al Capone occupied more well-appointed digs). The other hour was spent outdoors, but the inmates were required to wear leather bags over their heads. Characterized by an eerie silence, this monkish system was accused of causing prisoners to go insane in their cells. Tours are available in the now “stabilized ruin,” which is also home to “Terror Behind The Walls,” widely considered to be one of America’s creepiest Halloween attractions.

Known as the birthplace of our nation, Philadelphia is steeped in historical significance. By delving a little deeper under the surface, however, an adventurous visitor will likely discover that Pennsylvania’s largest city is also rich with eccentricity.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to general Philadelphia information.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to general Philadelphia information. http://www.laserspinelocations.com/philadelphia/

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to general Philadelphia information.

Category: Travel
Keywords: general Philadelphia information