The Philadelphia Orchestra, Kimmel Cultural Campus

The brightest light on the Avenue of the Arts is the dazzling regional performing arts center, whose discreet brick exterior rises to a bold 150-foot glass vaulted rooftop for startling views of the city. The spacious and acoustically vaunted facility is rarely dark and on any given weekend might present a jazz quartet, French circus, The Philadelphia Orchestra, pops or family events. Eight resident compani ... es and a variety of touring soloists and ensembles perform here. The 21st century center’s mainstages are the elegant Verizon Hall, whose red mahogany 2,500-seat interior is shaped like a cello and features adjustable acoustical panels and the 650-seat Perelman Theater, with an unusual rotating stage and equipment that enables chamber music, dance and drama. Surrounding the performance spaces, welcoming Commonwealth Plaza encourages visitors to relax and enjoy the view.