A trip up Broad Street: 11 gems to try

Broad Street defines Philadelphia.

When William Penn laid out his urban plan in 1682, he designed Broad Street to be 100 feet across, wider than any street in London. At almost 13 miles in length, it's the longest straight stretch of road in any American city.

From south to north, there are plenty of attractions that draw Philadelphians to the boulevard.

But have you explored all of its nooks and crannies? Here's our guide to the parts of Broad Street you may have missed.

Note: All SEPTA stations refer to the Broad Street Line.

Port Richmond's Tacconelli's is often lauded as one of the best pizzerias in Philadelphia, yet many miss out due to its system of reserving dough ahead of time. But there's a way to try the famous brick-oven pie without planning ahead: On weekdays at the Navy Yard, step right up to the counter at Tacconelli's, nestled inside the Mercer Cafe, to order its crispy slices.

4920 S. 15th St. Information: 267-457-5585, www.mercercafephilly.com/navyyard

Cross Street: Kitty Hawk.

SEPTA: AT&T (formerly Pattison).

Founded in 1926, this is the oldest Swedish museum in the United States, which makes sense, as the Swedes occupied the Delaware Valley decades before William Penn gazed upon it. Occupying a stately building that is a mash up of a 17th-century Swedish manor house and Mount Vernon, the museum is nestled in Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park. Exhibits highlight the role of Swedes in building America. What's not to love about a museum that also offers special days celebrating waffles and cinnamon buns?

1900 Pattison Ave. Information: 215-389-1776, www.americanswedish.org Cross Street: Pattison Ave. SEPTA: AT&T (formerly Pattison).

The dueling statues of wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi and explorer Christopher Columbus stand forgotten in Marconi Plaza. Columbus was erected during the 1876 Centennial, and Marconi during the Rizzo administration. If you plan on being on the Internet or texting anyone today, thank Marconi, whose statue declares him "The Father of Modern Communications." Marconi Plaza and the surrounding park are mostly visited these days by skateboarders and dog walkers chatting on their cellphones, unaware of the man honored nearby who made it all possible.

Cross Street: Oregon Street. SEPTA: Oregon.

It doesn't get more old-school than a family-owned candy shop that has been in operation since 1916, though the chocolates and other confections are now produced in Darby. Carmella Lerro handles the in-store sales. She won't reveal her age, but does say: "I started working here on June 14, 1943. My future husband, Pasquale, was my boss." A secret to her longevity, besides being around all that wonderful candy, may be her approach to work: "We're closed Sunday and Monday, so I look forward to Tuesday. What else am I going to do?"

2434 S. Broad St.

Information: 215-336-0411, www.lerrocandy.com.

Cross Street: Porter Street. SEPTA: Oregon.

St. Rita, the Patroness of Impossible Causes, lived in 14th-century Italy, but her influence is still felt on South Broad Street in an elaborate subterranean shrine dedicated to the peacemaker. Religious pilgrims journey here to seek peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which likely will make the shrine a popular attraction during the World Meeting of Families. The Neoclassical design of the church would be at home on the streets of Rome.

1166 S. Broad St.

Information: 215-546-8333 ext. 10, www.saintritashrine.org.

Cross Street: Federal Street.

SEPTA: Ellsworth-Federal.

Located in the Gershman Y, the free museum honors Jewish sports personalities of Philadelphia. Inductees include athletic legends such as former University of Pennsylvania track coach and Olympian Irving "Moon" Mondschein, basketball great Dolph Schayes, and, in somewhat of a surprise, former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr., whose mother was Jewish. Sportscasters are well represented by Merrill Reese and Howard Eskin. A reconstructed locker room displays memorabilia related to the athletes.

401 S. Broad St.

Information: 215-900-7999, www.phillyjewishsports.org.

Cross Street: Pine Street.

SEPTA: Lombard-South.

The storied club was founded in 1862 to show support for Abraham Lincoln. It offers a well curated, yet little-known, free museum of the Civil War that is open to the public. Pride of place belongs to a rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Lincoln. Enter on the ground level right off Broad Street. It's open to the public from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 1 to 4 p.m. the second Saturday of every month.

140 S. Broad St.

Information: 215-587-6455, www.ulheritagecenter.org.

Cross Street: Sansom Street.

SEPTA: Walnut-Locust.

A trip along Broad Street is not complete without standing just below the William Penn statue (designed by Alexander Milne Calder) atop City Hall and peering up and down Broad Street. Pro tip: Trips fill up fast during peak vacation times, so call in the morning to reserve a spot.

City Hall, Broad and

Market Streets.

Information: 215-686-2840, www.phlvisitorcenter.com/attraction/city-hall-visitor-center.

Cross Street: Market Street.

SEPTA: Market.

The circa-1891 Baptist Temple, which played a role in the early years of what was then Temple College, is a fine example of repurposing a historic building for modern usage. The best way to enjoy this exuberant structure is to take in a show. Performances in the cozy Lew Klein Hall range from classical music to the rousing Temple University marching band.

1837 N. Broad St.

Information: 215-204-9860, www.templeperformingartscenter.org.

Cross Street: West Berks.

SEPTA: Cecil B. Moore.

Just above the signage for a discount furniture store, faded letters that read Joe Frazier's Gym are etched into the limestone cornice, flanked on either side by a pair of boxing gloves. The former world heavyweight champion, who just received his own statue in South Philadelphia in front of Xfinity Live, trained here for his celebrated bouts with Muhammad Ali. As his health declined in later years, he lived in an apartment above the gym. Although the interior has been heavily modified from its boxing days, workers at the store remember its former use. One commented, "I like Rocky and all, but Joe Frazier was real."

2917 N. Broad St.

Cross Street: W. Glenwood Avenue.

SEPTA: North Philadelphia.

This classic cheesesteak shop, a favorite of superstar comedian Kevin Hart, is the social center of its neighborhood a half block off Broad at the intersection of Erie and Germantown Avenues. It's the perfect place to stop after an amble up Broad Street. While it doesn't draw the tourist crowds of its famous brethren to the south, it offers one of the most authentic cheesesteak experiences in Philadelphia.

3653 Germantown Ave.

Information: 215-229-9048. Cross Street: Erie Avenue.

SEPTA: Erie.