Philadelphia Architecture Bonus Hike: Greatest Misses

3-4 hours, 4-5 miles, brisk pace between stops, worst examples of Philadelphia architecture, lunch afterward if there's interest.

Over the past several weeks, we've hiked to see the best buildings Philadelphia has to offer. Now it's time to seek out the worst! For this hike I'll choose 10 eyesore buildings that raise such questions as "Why?" and "What were they thinking?" We'll visit each of these 10, and at the end the group will get to choose the Worst Building in Philadelphia™!

First we'll check out Philadelphia's ugliest theater, which is tragically surrounded by one of the city's prettiest neighborhoods. Then we'll head west for a lesson on the absolute worst way to renovate a beautiful historic building. Then we'll "admire" a series of truly awful apartment buildings and office towers. We'll finish at the city's ugliest hotel, which has the distinction of being equally horrible from the front and the back.

We will move quickly between locations, while stopping for enough time to enjoy and discuss each one. As always, no knowledge of architecture is needed . . . just an interest in seeing beautiful places (well, interesting places) and a willingness to stay with the group.

GENERAL RULES: ••Hike at my pace. ••Hike lengths are approx.: allow 30 min - 1 hour extra. ••Donation requested. All monies donated to recreational charities like Natural Lands and the Friends of Wissahickon. ••For ~360 events each year donate $20 (2026), $30 for 2 or family or donate $5 for each event. ••Pay in person or at Zelle (Sidney Goldstein 215-247-4459). Please text Sidney after you donate so he can properly give you credit. The yearly donation goes down to $15 in July; to $10 in Sept-Nov; Dec new year. Thanks.