Benjamin Franklin Parkway
| Benjamin Franklin Parkway | |
|---|---|
| Type | Boulevard / Linear park |
| Location | Center City to Fairmount |
| Coordinates | 39.9610,-75.1730 |
| Area | 1 mile linear corridor |
| Established | 1917-1926 |
| Operated by | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation / Center City District |
| Features | Museums, flags, fountains, public art, civic institutions |
| Hours | Always open (public street) |
| Transit | Multiple SEPTA bus routes; Suburban Station nearby |
| Website | Official Site |
Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a grand boulevard stretching one mile from Philadelphia City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, modeled after the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Lined with flags of countries from around the world, the parkway serves as Philadelphia's cultural corridor, home to major museums, the central library, and Logan Square, while functioning as a linear park and civic gathering space.[1]
The Parkway represents Philadelphia's grandest City Beautiful movement achievement.
History
City Beautiful Movement
The Parkway emerged from early 20th-century urban planning:
- 1907: Initial plans developed
- Inspired by Paris's Champs-Élysées
- Part of citywide beautification effort
- Diagonal cut through street grid
Construction
Building the Parkway required massive effort:
- 1917-1926: Primary construction
- Demolished existing buildings
- Created diagonal boulevard
- Established cultural corridor vision
Jacques Gréber
French architect Jacques Gréber refined the design:
- Brought Beaux-Arts planning principles
- Designed landscaping and layout
- Influenced museum placement
- Created unified civic vision
Features
The Boulevard
Design elements:
- Wide tree-lined boulevard
- Multiple traffic lanes
- Pedestrian promenades
- Diagonal orientation (unusual for Philadelphia)
International Flags
Flags of all nations:
- Flags from countries worldwide
- Line both sides of parkway
- Colorful visual element
- Symbol of international welcome
Logan Square
Logan Square anchors the parkway:
- Swann Memorial Fountain
- One of Penn's original squares
- Major traffic circle
- Gateway to museum district
Public Art
The Parkway features significant public sculpture:
- LOVE statue (nearby at Love Park)
- Shakespeare Memorial
- Washington Monument (Eakins Oval)
- Various sculptures along route
Eakins Oval
Traffic circle before Art Museum:
- George Washington equestrian statue
- Event venue
- Gathering space
- Views up to museum
Institutions
Museums
Cultural institutions along the Parkway:
- Philadelphia Museum of Art — Western terminus
- Rodin Museum — Largest Rodin collection outside Paris
- Barnes Foundation — World-class art collection
- Franklin Institute — Science museum
- Academy of Natural Sciences — Natural history museum
Other Institutions
- Free Library of Philadelphia — Central branch
- Family Court
- Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
- Moore College of Art & Design
Events
Annual Events
- Philadelphia Marathon — Finish line at Art Museum
- Made in America Festival — Labor Day weekend
- July 4th celebrations — Wawa Welcome America
- Thanksgiving Day Parade — Route along parkway
- Various runs and walks
Civic Gatherings
The Parkway hosts:
- Major public events
- Protests and rallies
- Celebrations
- Papal visits (Pope Francis 2015)
Using the Parkway
Walking
- Sidewalk promenades on both sides
- Museum hopping on foot
- Public art viewing
- People watching
Cycling
- Bike lanes available
- Connection to Schuylkill River Trail
- Indego bike share stations
Driving
- Scenic drive
- Multiple lanes
- Traffic circles require attention
Visiting
Getting There
Location: From City Hall (15th Street) to Philadelphia Museum of Art
By Public Transit:
- SEPTA buses along parkway (38, 43, PHLASH)
- Suburban Station nearby
- Walk from Center City
By Car:
- Street parking limited
- Museum parking available
- Garage parking at institutions
Tips
- Walk the full length for the experience
- Visit multiple museums in one day
- The Art Museum steps offer best views back toward city
- Logan Square fountain is a great rest stop
Nearby
- Philadelphia Museum of Art — Western end
- Love Park — Eastern end
- Logan Square — Central
- Fairmount — Surrounding neighborhood
- City Hall — Eastern terminus
See Also
References
- ↑ "Benjamin Franklin Parkway". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025