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18 Top Places Presidents Have Visited in Philadelphia

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At the Democratic National Convention in Philly earlier this summer, President Barack Obama mentioned Philadelphia his speech, commenting on the city's significant role in this country's history. But while you probably already know about Independence Hall, there are plenty of other spots in Philly that have welcomed U.S. presidents through their doors.

Here, we've compiled more than a dozen places that presidents have visited in Philadelphia over this country's history, from the tavern where George Washington used to sit back with a drink to the grand hotel where thousands gathered for Abraham Lincoln's pre-inaugural speech.

What's more, all of these places are still standing and many are open to the public. They're listed in order of location, starting in Old City.

Know of another significant presidential location to add to the list? Leave a comment!

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Independence National Historical Park

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Of course, the most storied site on this map is Independence National Historical Park, specifically Independence Hall. The World Heritage site is where the nation's founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Since 1776, plenty of presidents have visited, including President John F. Kennedy who delivered a July 4 speech in 1962 and President George W. Bush in 2000. Monday, November7 marked the most recent presidential event to take place on the mall, with more than 30,000 people showing up for Hillary Clinton's rally, where President Obama and President Bill Clinton both spoke.

National Constitution Center

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The National Constitution Center across from Independence Hall has hosted plenty of political leaders, including Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Hillary Clinton, who debated here during the 2008 Democratic primary race. Notably, President Barack Obama delivered his iconic speech on race, A More Perfect Union, here in March 2008, which you can listen to on the center's website.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

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The smallest and least-visited national park in the country is right in the heart of Society Hill. Thaddeus Kosciuszko was best buds with Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States. Here, the two often hung out. Kosciuszko named Jefferson as the executor of his will, stating that his property was to be sold to free slaves and allow them to live independently. Unfortunately, that never happened.

City Tavern

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Powel House

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This gorgeous Georgian-style corner rowhome was the home of Samuel and Elizabeth Willing Powel. Samuel, who earned the nickname of "Patriot Mayor", and Elizabeth were close confidants of President George Washington and his wife Martha. Today you can tour the residence and see where the power couples dined and spent time together.

James and Dolly Madison House

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Before James Madison became the fourth president of the United States, he lived at 429 Spruce Street with his wife Dolley from 1794 to 1797. Back in May, the grand Society Hill rowhome listed for $3.2 million, but it since has been taken off the market.

The Benjamin Franklin House

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The great E-shaped building at 834 Chestnut Street was the last grand hotel built in Philly before the Great Depression and was designed by noted architect Horace Trumbauer. But the Continental stood on this site before the Benjamin Franklin House (now AKA extended-stay residences) was built. Over the years it hosted presidents including Ulysses S. Grant and Andrew Johnson. But perhaps its most note-worthy moment was when thousands gathered outside to hear Abraham Lincoln deliver his pre-inaugural speech from the Continental's balcony in 1861.

Congress Hall

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This is where presidents George Washington and John Adams delivered their presidential inaugural addresses in 1793 and 1797, respectively. It was also where the Bill of Rights was ratified, and where President Barack Obama hosted a meeting with the National Governors Association in 2008 during the financial crisis.

Philadelphia City Hall

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President Herbert Hoover spoke to a crowd of 30,000 people at what was known as Reyburn Plaza in front of City Hall in 1932 before the presidential election. According to ExplorePAHistory.com, Hoover's speech heralded the "greatness of William Penn and Philadelphia's heroic history."

Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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A photo posted by Visit Philly (@visitphilly) on

Fairmount Park

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In 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife attended the opening ceremony of the United States Centennial in Fairmount Park. The ceremony ended in Machinery Hall, the second largest building at the celebration, where Grant turned on a steam engine that would go on to power the other machines at the big exhibition.

Hyatt at The Bellevue

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Its stateliness has earned this hotel the moniker "Grand Dame of Broad Street," which explains why every U.S. president from Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan has stayed here.

Before it became Macy's, it was the Wanamaker's Department Store at 13th and Market. On December 30, 1911, President William H. Taft attended the store's dedication.

Philadelphia-Wilmington-Baltimore Railroad Trainshed

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Today it's the future site of a mixed-use development called Lincoln Square. But back in 1865, this historic trainshed served as a stop on President Abraham Lincoln's funeral train ride. From here, his coffin was then brought to Independence Hall, where it lay in the east wing for viewing until the train ride continued to Illinois, where he was buried. The trainshed is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wells Fargo Center

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University of Pennsylvania

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Benjamin Franklin is the brains behind Penn, which he first presented as the "Publick Academy of Philadelphia" in 1749. Over its long history, the Ivy League school has welcomed a long list of presidents, starting with George Washington. In fact, on September 19, 1984, President Gerald Ford got stuck in an elevator at Penn's Van Pelt-Dietrich Library. A sign marks the occasion in the building.

30th Street Station

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Philadelphia's 30th Street Station in University City was the first stop that President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden made on their whistle stop train tour on their way to the 2009 inauguration. The train ride followed the same route that President Abraham Lincoln made 150 years before.

Deshler-Morris House, The Germantown White House

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The Deshler-Morris House, or the Germantown White House, is the oldest existing presidential residence. President George Washington lived here in 1793 during the Yellow Fever epidemic. He also spent summers here to escape the Philly heat, calling it a "fine airy place."

Independence National Historical Park

Of course, the most storied site on this map is Independence National Historical Park, specifically Independence Hall. The World Heritage site is where the nation's founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Since 1776, plenty of presidents have visited, including President John F. Kennedy who delivered a July 4 speech in 1962 and President George W. Bush in 2000. Monday, November7 marked the most recent presidential event to take place on the mall, with more than 30,000 people showing up for Hillary Clinton's rally, where President Obama and President Bill Clinton both spoke.

National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center across from Independence Hall has hosted plenty of political leaders, including Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Hillary Clinton, who debated here during the 2008 Democratic primary race. Notably, President Barack Obama delivered his iconic speech on race, A More Perfect Union, here in March 2008, which you can listen to on the center's website.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

The smallest and least-visited national park in the country is right in the heart of Society Hill. Thaddeus Kosciuszko was best buds with Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States. Here, the two often hung out. Kosciuszko named Jefferson as the executor of his will, stating that his property was to be sold to free slaves and allow them to live independently. Unfortunately, that never happened.

City Tavern

Powel House

This gorgeous Georgian-style corner rowhome was the home of Samuel and Elizabeth Willing Powel. Samuel, who earned the nickname of "Patriot Mayor", and Elizabeth were close confidants of President George Washington and his wife Martha. Today you can tour the residence and see where the power couples dined and spent time together.

James and Dolly Madison House

Before James Madison became the fourth president of the United States, he lived at 429 Spruce Street with his wife Dolley from 1794 to 1797. Back in May, the grand Society Hill rowhome listed for $3.2 million, but it since has been taken off the market.

The Benjamin Franklin House

The great E-shaped building at 834 Chestnut Street was the last grand hotel built in Philly before the Great Depression and was designed by noted architect Horace Trumbauer. But the Continental stood on this site before the Benjamin Franklin House (now AKA extended-stay residences) was built. Over the years it hosted presidents including Ulysses S. Grant and Andrew Johnson. But perhaps its most note-worthy moment was when thousands gathered outside to hear Abraham Lincoln deliver his pre-inaugural speech from the Continental's balcony in 1861.

Congress Hall

This is where presidents George Washington and John Adams delivered their presidential inaugural addresses in 1793 and 1797, respectively. It was also where the Bill of Rights was ratified, and where President Barack Obama hosted a meeting with the National Governors Association in 2008 during the financial crisis.

Philadelphia City Hall

President Herbert Hoover spoke to a crowd of 30,000 people at what was known as Reyburn Plaza in front of City Hall in 1932 before the presidential election. According to ExplorePAHistory.com, Hoover's speech heralded the "greatness of William Penn and Philadelphia's heroic history."

Benjamin Franklin Parkway

A photo posted by Visit Philly (@visitphilly) on

Fairmount Park

In 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife attended the opening ceremony of the United States Centennial in Fairmount Park. The ceremony ended in Machinery Hall, the second largest building at the celebration, where Grant turned on a steam engine that would go on to power the other machines at the big exhibition.

Hyatt at The Bellevue

Its stateliness has earned this hotel the moniker "Grand Dame of Broad Street," which explains why every U.S. president from Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan has stayed here.

Macy's

Before it became Macy's, it was the Wanamaker's Department Store at 13th and Market. On December 30, 1911, President William H. Taft attended the store's dedication.

Philadelphia-Wilmington-Baltimore Railroad Trainshed

Today it's the future site of a mixed-use development called Lincoln Square. But back in 1865, this historic trainshed served as a stop on President Abraham Lincoln's funeral train ride. From here, his coffin was then brought to Independence Hall, where it lay in the east wing for viewing until the train ride continued to Illinois, where he was buried. The trainshed is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wells Fargo Center

University of Pennsylvania

Benjamin Franklin is the brains behind Penn, which he first presented as the "Publick Academy of Philadelphia" in 1749. Over its long history, the Ivy League school has welcomed a long list of presidents, starting with George Washington. In fact, on September 19, 1984, President Gerald Ford got stuck in an elevator at Penn's Van Pelt-Dietrich Library. A sign marks the occasion in the building.

30th Street Station

Philadelphia's 30th Street Station in University City was the first stop that President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden made on their whistle stop train tour on their way to the 2009 inauguration. The train ride followed the same route that President Abraham Lincoln made 150 years before.

Deshler-Morris House, The Germantown White House

The Deshler-Morris House, or the Germantown White House, is the oldest existing presidential residence. President George Washington lived here in 1793 during the Yellow Fever epidemic. He also spent summers here to escape the Philly heat, calling it a "fine airy place."