Top Roadside Attractions Near Philadelphia
Tallest Tombstone In The U.S.
The Woodlands Cemetery
4000 Woodland Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386- 2181
www.woodlandsphila.org
A cemetery may seem like a strange stop for a road trip, but this final resting place for more than 30,000 people is notable because it houses the tallest funerary monument in America. A 90-foot granite obelisk marks the tomb for Thomas Wiltberger Evans, a dentist who died in 1897. Evans' tombstone, which is as tall as a 15-story building, was designed by the Wilson Brothers of Philadelphia, but it was not completed until 1917. You can find the country's tallest tomb by going through the gateway into the cemetery, take the the first left, follow the road and turn left again. The tombstone is on the left, and you definitely can't miss it.
Grave of Rocky's Wife Adrian Balboa
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19132
(215) 228-8200
www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org
Speaking of cemeteries, another unusual local attraction can be found at the famous Laurel Hill Cemetery, where the grave marker for the fictional Adrian Balboa (played by Talia Shire) from the "Rocky" movies remains. The 2006 film "Rocky Balboa" was filmed at the cemetery, and the faux headstone was used as a prop in the picture. According to the tombstone, Adrian died January 11, 2002. Sylvester Stallone reportedly didn't like the original styrofoam prop that was created for the movie, so he had a real granite headstone created for his character's dead wife. The Adrian Balboa gravesite can be found immediately left of the cemetery's gateway, between two tall shrubs, along the fence between the cemetery and Ridge Ave.
Giant Tastykake Apple Pie
Tastykake Thrift Outlet
2229 W. Venango St.
Philadelphia, PA 19140
(215) 223-3714
www.tastykake.com
In Philadelphia, nobody bakes a cake as tasty as a Tastykake. Tastykakes are a Philly tradition, so it's no wonder there's a supersize version of the baked treat on display in the area. A gigantic replica of the company's signature boxed apple pie can be found in front of the Tastykake Thrift Outlet store on the northwest side of the city. The enormous apple pie is mounted on two poles and is visible on the northbound side of US Hwy 13 at its intersection with W. Pacific St. and N. 23rd St.
Larry Fine Mural
Jon's Bar and Grill
300 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-1390
www.jonsbarandgrille.com
South Philly native Larry Fine, best known from the comedy act "The Three Stooges," is immortalized on a mural at the busy intersection of Third and South Streets in Philadelphia. On October 26, 1999, artist David McShane's original mural was dedicated in a ceremony with the late comedian's sister in attendance. Six years later, in October 2005, McShane repainted a version of the mural with Fine playing his signature violin. A sign reads "Birthplace of Larry Fine."
Freedom Sculpture
Vine St. (between N. 17th and N. 16th Sts.)
Philadelphia, PA 19102
This 20-foot-long, 7000 pound bronze sculpture is a four-stage depiction of a captive figure emerging from a wall. Titled "Freedom," this tourist-worthy sculpture by Zenos Frudakis was first unveiled in 2001. Hidden within the sci-fi imagery of the sculpture, you can find the face of Frudakis, his 20-year-old cat, a series of coins, casts of tools the artist used to make the sculpture and more. Frudakis also created an opening in the wall and included the words "stand here" so that people can place themselves inside the sculpture to take photos. The "Freedom" wall is located on the wall of the former GlaxoSmithKline building (now a charter school) on the south side of Vine St. just west of N. 16th St.
Victoria Miller is a freelance entertainment writer who also covers recreation and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
