Philadelphia USA: 22 Things to See and Do in 2026

Philadelphia USA is often treated as a quick day trip from New York to see a cracked bell, which is a real shame. Philadelphia, nicknamed Philly, was founded by the Quaker William Penn, and its Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.

Besides the bell, which cracked soon after arriving from London, you’ll find the 72 stone steps from the film Rocky and a bronze statue of the famous boxer. You can explore the birthplace of the United States on foot: its compact center connects historic Old City, the market beneath the Reading Railroad train shed, and the museum-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

🧭 The full destination guide: USA Travel Guide — guide and what to see

TL;DR

This year’s celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the FIFA World Cup matches, and baseball’s All-Star Game have already taken place. But the city still has several new attractions and updates that older guides don’t cover.

• Independence Hall tickets: Entry is free without a reservation from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. For time slots from 10:40 a.m. onward, you need a ticket from Recreation.gov, which costs US$1.
• How many days you need: Allow two to three days for the main sights, museums, and markets, or four if you’re planning a trip outside the city.
• When to visit: The most pleasant weather is from May to June and September to October, when average daily highs range from roughly 20 to 28 °C.
• Airport transfers and public transport: The SEPTA Airport Line train takes you downtown for US$8.75 when you pay by card, while a single public transport ride costs US$2.90.
• Rocky statue: According to Visit Philly, the Rocky statue has been moved to its permanent location at the top of the 72 steps (it previously stood at the bottom) and will be ceremonially unveiled there again on November 13, 2026. Since October 2025, the art museum has been called Philadelphia Art Museum, rather than Philadelphia Museum of Art.
• Rocky Season: The celebration marking the film Rocky’s 50th anniversary runs until December 3, 2026.
• First Bank of the United States: The historic building reopened after renovation on July 1, 2026, and admission is free.
• Safety: Avoid Kensington, especially the intersection of Kensington and Allegheny, where there is an open-air drug market. At night, take an Uber instead.
• Food for vegetarians: The city has a thriving vegan scene, from Vedge (listed in the Michelin Guide’s Michelin Selected category in 2025) to the vegan cheesesteak at HipCityVeg—a plant-based version of the local sliced-beef-and-cheese sandwich—and LUHV Vegan Deli at Reading Terminal Market.

Philadelphia USA Weather, Best Time to Visit, and Travel Tips

The best weather and time to visit are from May to June and September to October, when average daily highs range from roughly 20 to 28 °C. July and August are hot and humid, with average highs around 30 to 31 °C; the all-time August record is 41.1 °C. In January and February, average highs reach 5.2 and 6.8 °C, snow falls, and the February record low is −23.9 °C. Annual rainfall is around 1,120 millimeters.

The events calendar features several highlights throughout the year:

• Rocky Season, until December 3, 2026: Key dates are November 7, 13, and 14, and December 3 (see tip 9 for details).
• November 26, 2026: The Thanksgiving Day Parade traditionally makes its way through the city; check the exact schedule.
• January 1: Mummers Parade.
• Late March and April: Cherry Blossom Festival.
• Late June to July 4: Independence Day celebrations, known as Wawa Welcome America.

Flights from abroad: American Airlines operated seasonal daily nonstop service from Europe between May 21 and October 5 in summer 2026. Check aa.com to see whether your route will operate in 2027. Outside the season, you may need to connect at a European hub, or you can fly into New York and continue by train.

Getting from PHL Airport to downtown is straightforward on the SEPTA Airport Line commuter train, with stations right at the terminals near baggage claim. A ride to the Center City stations (Jefferson, Suburban, and 30th Street) costs US$8.75 when you pay with a contactless bank card, phone, or SEPTA Key card (the local transport operator’s travel card), or US$11 if you pay on board. The journey to Center City takes approximately 25 minutes, and trains run roughly every half hour; check SEPTA for the timetable. Tap your card both when boarding (tap on) and when leaving (tap off), otherwise you’ll be charged the highest fare. Taxis from the airport to Center City charge a flat rate of US$32, plus US$1 for each additional passenger over 12.

SEPTA public transport costs US$2.90 per ride when you pay with a contactless bank card or SEPTA Key card, including two free transfers within two hours using the same card. Children under 12 travel free with a paying adult. With a SEPTA Key card (the card costs US$4.95, refundable after registration), you can buy a US$7.50 One Day Convenience Pass or a US$19 Three Day Convenience Pass. The operator is switching to letter-based line names, including the elevated L line (Market-Frankford Line) and the B line (Broad Street Line). According to local media, operating funding is secured until June 2027; check timetables before traveling.

Walking and regional train travel are made easy by the compact city center: you can walk from Old City to Rittenhouse Square in roughly 30 minutes. From 30th Street Station, Amtrak Northeast Regional trains run to New York, Washington, and Boston, while Keystone Service trains serve Lancaster and Harrisburg.

US entry requirements and insurance: Travelers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program need a biometric passport and electronic ESTA authorization, which costs around US$40. It is valid for two years for visits of up to 90 days; apply at least 72 hours in advance, using only the official website (you’ll find detailed instructions in our ESTA for the USA article). Requirements depend on your nationality, so check whether you need ESTA or a visa. Healthcare in the US is expensive, so take out travel insurance with a high coverage limit.

Money and taxes: Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Prices in shops and on menus exclude tax (8% sales tax), and hotel tax is 15.5 to 16.25%. At restaurants with table service, leave a tip of 18 to 20%; at bars, tip US$1 to US$2 per drink.

Your sightseeing and transport budget is easy to work out using the main paid attractions below (the Liberty Bell Center is free):

• Independence Hall: US$1 reservation fee
• Museum of the American Revolution: US$25
• National Constitution Center: US$19.95
• Benjamin Franklin Museum: US$7.50
• Philadelphia Art Museum: US$30
• Barnes Foundation: US$30
• Eastern State Penitentiary: US$21
• Mütter Museum: US$25

All eight admissions come to roughly US$160 per person, before tax. Add US$17.50 for the return airport train trip and US$19 for three days of public transport.

Safety

According to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), violent crime and gun crime rarely affect tourists, but it advises taking care in unfamiliar places and avoiding walking alone through quiet areas at night. Neither the FCDO nor the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs singles out Philadelphia; the latter’s US advice highlights seasonal risks from hurricanes, storms, and wildfires in the West and Hawaii. Most of the places in this article are in Old City, Center City, Rittenhouse Square, and around the Parkway.

According to Pew, the number of homicides in Philadelphia fell to 222 in 2025, the lowest figure since 1966 and 17% lower than in 2024. Local media report that the decline has continued this year: by October 2026, 138 homicides had been recorded, a decrease of 23%. Even so, you can’t describe a large city as safe without reservations.

Avoid Kensington, especially the intersection of Kensington and Allegheny and the Somerset and Allegheny stations on the L line. There is an open-air drug market around Kensington Avenue beneath the elevated railway, so don’t go there even out of curiosity. Fishtown, with its bars and restaurants, lies farther south and is fine to visit.

In the evening, more people experiencing homelessness may gather around subway stations in Center City and along the L line, so take an Uber at night instead. Expect security screening at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center, where weapons and open drinks are prohibited. The US emergency number is 911. For consular emergencies, use your own country’s foreign ministry or embassy emergency contact. Check your embassy’s location and contact details before you travel.

Where to Stay in Philadelphia

For a first visit, Old City and Society Hill are the most convenient neighborhoods. You can walk to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and evenings tend to be quieter here. Accommodation options include Penn’s View Hotel and Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, while Apple Hostels of Philadelphia is a budget-friendly choice. Rittenhouse is the most versatile location, with restaurants, shops and the museums along the Parkway close by. It is home to The Rittenhouse Hotel and Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia.

Washington Square West and Midtown Village have plenty of chain hotels, and Reading Terminal Market is just around the corner. In the evenings, you may encounter more people experiencing homelessness around Market East and City Hall; the area is mostly home to large hotel chains. In Logan Square, you will find The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Younger crowds head to Fishtown and Northern Liberties for bars, cafés and pizza. Kensington borders them to the north (see the Safety section), so avoid choosing accommodation just because it is “cheap in Kensington.” For onward travel, University City is convenient near 30th Street Station, on the other side of the Schuylkill River. It works well for trains to New York or Washington and for visiting the Penn Museum. Airport hotels make sense only for your first or last night.

According to a hotel search engine (as of October 22, 2026), the indicative median price for a double room in Center City and Old City on the weekday of November 18, 2026 was about €125 per night (ranging from €70 to €280). For Wednesday, June 9, 2027, it was €235 (some offers exceeded €570), and for Wednesday, February 10, 2027, €90 (ranging from €60 to €200). Before booking, check whether the total price includes the hotel tax of 15.5%, or 16.25% for hotels with 50 or more rooms (a planned tax increase in 2026 did not go ahead). For a more detailed overview of neighborhoods and hotels, read Where to Stay in Philadelphia.

💡 Compare current availability on this map and see at a glance how prices change just a few blocks away.

22 Things to See and Do in Philadelphia

Two to three days is enough to explore central Philadelphia; add another day if you want to take a trip nearby. The tips are arranged roughly from Old City through the Parkway and southern parts of the city, then on to its neighborhoods, rivers and parks. Opening hours and prices can change, so check them before your visit (prices exclude tax; see Money and Taxes).

1. Independence Hall, Congress Hall, and First Bank of the United States

It would be a shame to miss Independence Hall at 520 Chestnut Street, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Philadelphia served as the capital of the United States at various times between 1776 and 1800.

From 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., Independence Hall offers walk-in entry without tickets. From 10:40 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (until 4:40 p.m. from November 1, 2026), guided tours run every 20 minutes. Admission is free, but reservations on Recreation.gov cost USD 1 (€1) per person, and the fee is non-refundable. You can book up to 10 tickets per account, starting 30 days in advance; additional tickets are released at 5:00 p.m. the day before. Arrive 30 minutes before your tour, as security screening at the entrance on 5th Street (between Chestnut and Walnut) closes 15 minutes before the site shuts.

Congress Hall follows the same morning walk-in schedule, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., followed by tours every 20 minutes until 4:40 p.m. A major recent addition is the First Bank of the United States, which reopened after renovation on July 1, 2026. Admission is free Thursday through Monday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Park rangers give talks at noon, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m., and reports say a temporary exhibition about the city’s anniversaries will be on view until February 15, 2027.

💡 Tip: A free ranger-led walking tour leaves from the window at the Liberty Bell Center (see tip 2) every day at 10:00 a.m.

2. Liberty Bell Center

The Liberty Bell Center is at 101 S Independence Mall W, where the pavilion houses the Liberty Bell. It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with free admission and no tickets required, so visitors enter in the order they arrive. You will go through a security check before entering. Weapons and open drinks are prohibited, but bottles with screw caps are allowed.

The Pennsylvania Assembly commissioned the bell in 1752 from the London foundry Lester and Pack (later the Whitechapel Bell Foundry), with the biblical inscription “Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof.” The bell cracked shortly after it arrived in Philadelphia from London, and local founders recast it twice. Abolitionists gave it the name Liberty Bell in the 1830s.

The large crack visible today appeared in the first half of the 19th century. The story that the bell split in 1835 at the funeral of Chief Justice Marshall is a legend. Inside, you can read information in around a dozen languages. There are no restrooms in the pavilion; the nearest are at the Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street (open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

💡 Tip: They say you can also see the bell through the glass from 6th Street.

3. Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution is at 101 S 3rd Street and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. According to guidebooks, its star exhibit is George Washington’s field tent. To mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the museum has prepared “The Declaration’s Journey,” an exhibition tracing the document’s history and global impact.

Tickets are cheaper online: admission for adults is USD 25 (€11) when booked online, or USD 27 at the door. Visitors aged 65 and over, students and teachers pay USD 21 (€10), while children aged 6 to 17 pay USD 14 (€5). Admission is free for children under 5.

4. National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center at 525 Arch Street tells the story of the U.S. Constitution. Check its opening hours carefully: it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission includes the live show Freedom Rising and Signers’ Hall, featuring 42 life-size bronze statues depicting the delegates as they signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787.

Once again, buying online saves you money: admission for adults is USD 19.95 (€10) online, compared with USD 24.95 at the door. Seniors aged 65 and over, students and young visitors aged 6 to 18 pay USD 14.95 (€5) online or USD 19.95 at the door. Children under 5 enter free. A family bundle for two adults and two children is good value at USD 63.95 (€30) online, or USD 78.95 (€35) at the door.

5. Franklin Court, Benjamin Franklin Museum, Christ Church, and Franklin’s Grave

At Franklin Court, 317 Chestnut Street, a steel “ghost house” structure marks the outline of Franklin’s home. Beneath it is the Benjamin Franklin Museum, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is USD 7.50 (€3) for adults, USD 5 (€2) for seniors aged 65 and over and children aged 6 to 17, and free for children under 5. The Franklin Court Printing Office also operates here Thursday through Monday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (the last printing demonstration begins at 4:20 p.m.).

Christ Church, whose congregation was founded in 1695, is at 20 N American Street. It is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 9:45 to 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is USD 10 (€5) for a guided visit or USD 5 (€2) to explore on your own. Children aged 5 to 12 pay USD 5 (€2) with a guide or USD 2 (€1) for a self-guided visit.

Benjamin Franklin’s grave is at Christ Church Burial Ground, 340 N 5th Street (open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). According to the church website, admission is USD 8 (€3) for adults and USD 3 (€1) for children; tradition has it that visitors toss pennies onto the grave. You can round out your neighborhood walk with Carpenters’ Hall (Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), where the First Continental Congress met in 1774, and the portrait gallery at Second Bank (Thursday through Monday, noon to 5:00 p.m.).

💡 Tip: The B. Free Franklin Post Office operates at Franklin Court Monday through Saturday (9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.). It is said you can send a postcard from here bearing a “B. Free Franklin” postmark.

6. Elfreth’s Alley and the Betsy Ross House

Between N Front Street and N 2nd Street, Elfreth’s Alley dates back to 1702–1704 and is often described as the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the United States. It is lined with 32 houses dating from 1703 to 1836, and the entire street is a National Historic Landmark.

In the 2026 season, the museum in houses 124 and 126 is open Friday through Sunday from 12:00 to 16:00. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children aged 7 to 12. A 40-minute guided tour starts at 14:30 on Saturdays and Sundays and costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are available only on site, with cash, card, or Apple Pay.

At 239 Arch Street, you’ll find the Betsy Ross House, open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. According to tradition, seamstress Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag here in 1776, although historians have questioned this story.

💡 Tip: The houses in Elfreth’s Alley are private homes, so keep your voice down and don’t take photos through the windows.

7. Reading Terminal Market

Since 1893, Reading Terminal Market has operated beneath the Reading Railroad terminal at 1136 Arch Street. It had 380 merchants in its first year. Today, it is open daily from 8:00 to 18:00, closing only on certain holidays. If you visit at the weekend, keep in mind that Amish merchants (Pennsylvania Dutch, originally German-speaking) are usually closed on Sundays.

Vegetarians and vegans can eat at LUHV Vegan Deli, which is 100% vegan and open daily from 8:00 to 18:00. Chef Beth’s Kitchen and Nanee’s Kitchen also offer vegetarian and vegan options. For sweets and baked goods, try Amish pretzels at Miller’s Twist or choose from more than 50 kinds of doughnuts at Beiler’s Doughnuts (both are closed on Sundays). Bassetts Ice Cream serves more than 40 flavors.

For meat dishes, stop by DiNic’s for roast pork and beef sandwiches, or Dutch Eating Place for Amish-style breakfasts (also closed on Sundays).

💡 Tip: Chinatown starts right next to the market, at the intersection of 10th and Arch Streets, marked by the Friendship Arch.

8. City Hall Tower View, LOVE Park, and Dilworth Park

Philadelphia’s City Hall was built between 1871 and 1901. Including the statue of city founder William Penn, it stands 548 feet (167 meters) tall. According to Wikipedia, it was the world’s tallest habitable building from 1894 to 1908 and is the world’s largest free-standing masonry building. It has around 700 rooms, and its clock faces are said to be larger than those of Big Ben.

The City Hall tower is the main viewpoint in the city center. On the Tower Tour, a small-capacity elevator takes you to the observation deck below William Penn’s statue. The viewpoint is not wheelchair accessible, operates subject to weather, and is generally open on weekdays from around 10:00 to 14:45. Buy tickets in advance at tickets.phlvisitorcenter.com (check the site for prices). You can also get information at the City Hall Visitor Center (1400 JFK Blvd, Room 121, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 16:00).

Dilworth Park sits beside City Hall, with a fountain in summer and an ice rink in winter. Right next door, LOVE Park (JFK Plaza) is home to Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture.

💡 Tip: In addition to the tower visit, you can take an Interior Tour of City Hall, which runs every hour.

9. Philadelphia Art Museum and the Rocky Steps

At 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, the museum officially became the Philadelphia Art Museum (formerly the Philadelphia Museum of Art) on October 8, 2025, although its old name still appears in places on its website. It is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, and Friday from 10:00 to 20:45. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Adult admission is $30, and visitors under 18 enter free.

Seventy-two stone steps lead to the east entrance, made famous by the 1976 film Rocky (which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and tells the story of a boxer from the Kensington neighborhood, discussed in the Safety section). At the top, you’ll find Rocky’s footprints and views over Eakins Oval, the Parkway, and City Hall. According to Visit Philly, the Rocky statue has been moved to its permanent spot at the top of the 72 steps (it previously stood at the bottom), where it will be officially unveiled again on November 13, 2026. The steps and statue are free to visit 24 hours a day. Visit Philly estimates that around 4 million people come here each year, more than visit the Statue of Liberty.

Rocky Season, marking the film’s 50th anniversary, runs through December 3, 2026:

• From November 7 to 11, the original film returns to cinemas.
• On November 7, the Rocky Challenge is a race up the 72 steps.
• On November 13, the statue will be officially unveiled again.
• On November 14, the Rocky Run takes place, with 5 km, 10-mile, and half-marathon races for around 40,000 runners.
• On November 29, the final weekend Rocky bus tours depart.
• On December 3, the celebrations wrap up with a Flyers vs. Islanders NHL game and Rocky 50 skating.

Find more film locations in the article Film Locations.

💡 Tip: Pay What You Wish admission is available on the first Sunday of each month and on Friday evenings until 20:45. Local media report that the Friday program is being extended through June 25, 2027; check the terms before you go.

10. Barnes Foundation

Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Barnes Foundation at 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. The foundation moved to Philadelphia from Merion and opened its new building on May 19, 2012. Its collection includes more than 4,000 objects and over 900 paintings, including works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Van Gogh.

The paintings are displayed in wall ensembles, arranged according to the principles of collection founder Barnes. The foundation is open Thursday through Monday from 11:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, July 4, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Adult admission is $30, $28 for seniors, and $5 for visitors aged 13 to 18 and students with ID; the $5 ticket must be purchased by phone. Children under 12 enter free.

You can take photos inside for personal use, but flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks are not allowed.

💡 Tip: A Barnes Foundation ticket includes the exhibitions and is valid for two consecutive days.

11. Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum, at 2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, is managed by the Philadelphia Art Museum. Travel guides describe it as home to one of the largest collections of Auguste Rodin’s work outside Paris, and a statue of The Thinker stands by the entrance.

Check the museum’s website for opening days and admission prices.

💡 Tip: The Rodin Museum is on the same Benjamin Franklin Parkway as the Barnes Foundation and Philadelphia Art Museum, so you can walk between all three institutions.

12. Eastern State Penitentiary

The former Eastern State Penitentiary at 2027 Fairmount Ave opened on October 25, 1829, and closed in 1971. Architect John Haviland designed it with a radial layout resembling a wagon wheel, with cell blocks for solitary confinement. It is often considered the world’s first penitentiary.

Former inmates included Al Capone and Willie Sutton. The site is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Admission includes an audio guide with ten stops, which takes around 40 minutes.

Online tickets cost $21 for adults, $19 for seniors, and $17 for students and visitors aged 7 to 17. Tickets purchased on site cost $2 more: $23, $21, and $19, respectively.

💡 Tip: A visit is not recommended for children under 7. With younger children, choose the Franklin Institute instead (tip 13).

13. The Franklin Institute and Academy of Natural Sciences

If you fancy a change of pace after exploring the historic sights, head to The Franklin Institute at 222 N 20th St. This interactive science museum with a planetarium is a great choice for families with children and is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

At 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, you’ll find the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. This natural history museum draws visitors with its dinosaur exhibition and butterfly house.

💡 Tip: For lunch or dinner, try the vegetarian Chinese restaurant Unit Su Vege at 2000 Hamilton St. It’s BYOB (bring your own alcohol) and stays open until 10:00 pm daily.

14. Mütter Museum

For a different perspective on medicine, visit the Mütter Museum at 19 S 22nd St, part of the College of Physicians (founded in 1787). Its collection contains more than 20,000 anatomical and medical specimens, so this isn’t a museum for the squeamish or young children.

It’s open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and adult admission costs US$25 (approximately €20). Other categories, including seniors and students, are listed at US$20 (approximately €18), but check the museum’s website for current prices. Weekday tickets aren’t timed, but weekends use timed entry slots limited to 50 visitors per half-hour, so buy your weekend ticket in advance.

You can also buy a discounted combination ticket covering the Mütter Museum and the Penn Museum at 3260 South St (closed on Mondays). The Penn Museum focuses on the ancient world and reportedly even has an Egyptian sphinx.

💡 Tip: Stop for a bite at the kosher vegetarian restaurant Mama’s Vegetarian Falafel at 18 S 20th St. It’s open Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

15. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and South Street

If you love unconventional art, you’ll enjoy Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens at 1020 South St. The space consists of mosaic labyrinths made from broken mirrors, bottles, and tiles, attributed in guidebooks to Isaiah Zagar. It’s open Wednesday to Monday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed on Tuesdays).

Check phillymagicgardens.org for admission prices. If you’d also like to see the basement, which is otherwise closed, the guided tour for US$20 (approximately €18) is worth it. It lasts 75 minutes and, according to the tour listings, runs on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at noon. South Street is a bohemian street lined with bars, shops, and music venues.

💡 Tip: For coffee, head to Grindcore House at 1515 S 4th St, a café with vegan options that’s open from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.

16. Italian Market and the Pat’s vs. Geno’s Cheesesteak Rivalry

The Italian Market stretches for roughly ten blocks along S 9th Street. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday (Sunday hours are 9:00 am to 2:00 pm) and closed on Mondays. For a sweet cannoli, pop into Termini Bros Bakery at 1523 S 8th St.

On opposite corners at the intersection of Passyunk and 9th, you’ll find Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks, both open around the clock. These spots are closely associated with the local specialty, the cheesesteak, whose invention is credited to Pat and Harry Olivieri in the early 1930s. It consists of sliced grilled beef in a long Amoroso roll, topped with onions and provolone, American cheese, or Cheez Whiz. Order using the local slang “wit” or “witout”, meaning with or without onions. Their rivalry draws mostly tourists, while locals often give both places low ratings.

Vegetarians and vegans can find a plant-based alternative in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. HipCityVeg at 127 S 18th St (open daily from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm) serves a vegan “Philly Cheesesteak” made, according to the menu, with oyster mushrooms, onions, mozzarella, and ketchup.

💡 Tip: In this part of the city, you can also stop at the vegan bakery and café Batter & Crumbs (1401 Reed St) or Herman’s Coffee, a café in a former auto repair shop (1313 S 3rd St).

17. Murals (Mural Arts Philadelphia)

Philadelphia is known as a city of murals. Reports also describe a mural being created with public participation to leave a lasting legacy for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

To learn the stories behind individual artworks, Mural Arts Philadelphia runs guided walking tours through the city’s neighborhoods; check with the organizer for prices and dates. You can also discover the murals for free on your own: keep an eye out as you walk along South Street or through the side streets of Fishtown.

18. Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive, and Schuylkill River Trail

Walk down from the Philadelphia Art Museum toward the Schuylkill River, and you’ll first pass Fairmount Water Works, a former 19th-century waterworks below the art museum. You can explore the exterior and terrace for free, while the interior has its own opening hours.

Farther along the river, you’ll reach Boathouse Row, a line of historic boathouses belonging to local rowing clubs. According to guidebooks, the oldest dates back to 1853, and their outlines are reportedly lit up in the evening. Kelly Drive runs past the boathouses, with the Schuylkill River Trail alongside it for walkers and cyclists.

💡 Tip: Rent a city bike through the Indego bike-share network for a ride along the river.

19. Fishtown and Northern Liberties

For bars, cafés, and restaurants, head to Fishtown and Northern Liberties around Frankford Avenue. Start your morning at Fiore (open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm), which serves Italian pastries and coffee. In Northern Liberties, you’ll find Federal Donuts at 701 N 7th St, serving fried chicken as well as donuts.

For dinner in Fishtown, try Pizzeria Beddia at 1313 N Lee St, which only opens in the evening (Monday hours are 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm). At 4 W Palmer St, you’ll find the Thai restaurant Kalaya; ask the staff about vegetarian options.

Kensington begins immediately north of Fishtown. Don’t travel farther north; you’ll find more details in the Safety section.

💡 Tip: If you take the L line to Fishtown, get off at Girard or Berks and don’t continue farther north.

20. Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square

When laying out the city, William Penn designed five squares, including Washington Square and Rittenhouse Square. Washington Square is open 24 hours a day and contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution, while Rittenhouse Square is an elegant park surrounded by cafés and shops.

The area around Rittenhouse Square and Midtown Village has a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian restaurants. In a mansion at 1221 Locust St, you’ll find Vedge, a fully plant-based fine-dining restaurant run by chefs Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby. It appears in the Michelin Guide as a Michelin Selected Restaurant 2025; dinner service starts at 5:00 pm, and you should book a table through Resy.

During the day, stop at the vegan spot Goldie (1911 Sansom St, daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm) for falafel in pita and tahini shakes. On 18th Street, you’ll find HipCityVeg (see tip 16) and the vegan Latin American restaurant Bar Bombón (133 S 18th St, closed on Mondays), serving arepas, tacos, and empanadas. In Midtown Village, head to Charlie was a sinner. at 131 S 13th St (daily from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm) for cocktails and vegan small plates.

💡 Tip: For a gluten-free, vegan breakfast or lunch, stop at P.S. & Co. at 1706 Locust St (Monday hours are 7:00 am to 6:00 pm), or try kosher falafel at Mama’s Vegetarian Falafel (see tip 14).

21. Delaware River: Spruce Street Harbor Park, Cherry Street Pier, and Penn’s Landing

Along the city’s eastern edge, the waterfront around Penn’s Landing runs beside the Delaware River, with views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Right by the water, Cherry Street Pier is an early-20th-century pier home to artists’ studios, exhibitions, and a beer garden. You can visit on Mondays from 12:00 to 21:00 or Sundays from 11:00 to 21:00.

The waterfront changes with the seasons. In summer, Spruce Street Harbor Park opens with hammocks, lights, and food stalls; in winter, you can go ice skating by the river at Blue Cross RiverRink.

22. Wissahickon Valley Park and Fairmount Park (+ Shofuso)

For a break in nature, head to Wissahickon Valley Park, which is described as part of Fairmount Park and is open daily from 6:00 to 18:00. More than 50 miles (80 km) of trails wind along the creek and around the Valley Green area.

Fairmount Park is also home to Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, a traditional Japanese house built in Japan in 1953. The site is open seasonally; on Sundays, it opens from 11:00 to 17:00 and is closed on Mondays.

If you’re visiting with children aged 3 to 12, you can take them to the Please Touch Museum in the park. The park is also home to the Philadelphia Zoo, which houses around 1,700 animals and is open daily from 9:30 to 17:00.

Day Trips from Philadelphia

It’s easy to plan day trips from the city. History buffs can visit Valley Forge National Historical Park, where Washington’s army camped during the winter of 1777–1778. The park covers 3,500 acres (about 14 km²) and has 35 miles (56 km) of trails. Around 2 million people visit each year, and admission is free year-round. The drive takes about 35 to 40 minutes, while getting there by public transport is complicated. The park offers 90-minute trolley tours (reservations required) and seasonal bike rentals.

Longwood Gardens, near Kennett Square, is about an hour’s drive away. You’ll find gardens, greenhouses, and fountain shows, as well as Christmas decorations in winter. The gardens are closed on Tuesdays, and tickets are usually sold for a specific time slot; check their website for current conditions and prices.

Another option is Amish Country in Lancaster County, home to Amish communities (also known as Pennsylvania Dutch, from the German word Deitsch; they are not Dutch). The Amtrak Keystone train leaves 30th Street Station 13 times a day and takes about an hour to reach Lancaster. From there, you’ll need a car or an organized tour; driving from Philadelphia takes about 1.5 hours. You can visit Amish Farm and House or ride the Strasburg Rail Road steam train through Amish farmland. Keep in mind that much of Amish Country is closed on Sundays, including Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, and avoid taking close-up photos of Amish people facing the camera.

From 30th Street Station, Amtrak trains take about 1 to 1.5 hours to reach New York (see our guide to Things to See in New York) and around 2 hours to reach Washington in the opposite direction (see Things to See in Washington). The Northeast Regional continues north to Boston, where the Freedom Trail takes you through sites connected to the American Revolution; learn more in our guide to Things to See in Boston. You can reach Atlantic City, with its casinos, boardwalk, and beaches in summer, on the NJ Transit Atlantic City Line in about 1.5 hours. Trains run 12 times a day in each direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

More from USA Travel Guide

Full guide →

What to seeWhere Gilmore Girls Was Filmed: Stars Hollow Then and Now in 2026

Where to stayWhere to Stay in Washington DC: 18 Hotels and Districts in 2026What to seeWashington D.C., USA: 22 Things to See and Do in 2026Where to stayWhere to Stay in Seattle: 18 Best Hotels & Safe Neighborhoods in 2026Where to stayWhere to Stay in New Orleans: 18 Hotels and Neighborhoods in 2026

🧭The full USA Travel Guide travel guide99 guides→