Philadelphia · Pennsylvania, USA
Things to Do in Philadelphia: Tours, Tickets & Day Trips
The best things to do in Philadelphia, ranked by real traveller reviews: Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, a Reading Terminal Market food tour, the Rocky Steps and the Museum of Art, the Museum of the American Revolution, Eastern State Penitentiary, the Magic Gardens and an Amish Country day trip to Lancaster. Compare 100+ tours, tickets and day trips side by side — most with free cancellation.
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Explore Philadelphia by interest
Whatever brings you to Philadelphia — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Philadelphia
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Independence Hall
Nation’s birthplace.
40 toursView tours
Liberty Bell
Iconic symbol.
30 toursView tours
City Hall
Skyline landmark.
30 toursView tours
Rocky Steps
Art museum.
25 toursView tours
Cheesesteaks
Philly classic.
20 toursView tours
Reading Terminal
Historic market.
20 toursView tours
Eastern State
Haunted prison.
20 toursView tours
Valley Forge
Historic park.
15 toursView tours
History & culture
Philadelphia history & culture
- 1Independence Hall
- 2Old City
- 3Museums
- 4Murals
1.5 hrs awayAmish Country
Lancaster County’s farms and buggies on a guided day from Philadelphia, usually with a farm visit and a meal in an Amish home.
from $87View trips
1.5 hrs awayLancaster Amish Farm & House
For self-drivers: the Amish Farm and House tour in Lancaster, buggy rides and the farmlands trolley through Bird-in-Hand.
from $31View trips
45 min awayValley Forge
Washington’s 1777–78 winter camp: log huts, the Memorial Arch and his headquarters on a guided or self-guided driving tour.
from $15View trips
In city awayIndependence Hall & Old City
Where the Declaration was signed, the Liberty Bell and Elfreth’s Alley on a guided history walk through the founding district.
from $25View trips
In city awayItalian Market Food Tour
The oldest outdoor market in the US: cheesesteaks, cannoli and cheese shops on South 9th Street with a local guide.
from $52View trips
In city awayRocky Steps & Museum of Art
Run the 72 steps, see the statue and the skyline, then the Museum of Art and the Barnes along the Parkway.
from $25View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Philadelphia visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild and blooming — a lovely time to visit.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and lively, with July 4th celebrations.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp and colourful — the best time.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold but festive, with holiday markets.
For July 4th
Independence Day is a huge celebration here.
Best overall
Spring and autumn are ideal.
One day
The history, food and Rocky Steps.
Two days
Add the art, murals and a day trip.
Three days
Add ghosts, cruises and more museums.
For history
Old City and Independence Hall.
For food
Cheesesteaks and the markets.
With kids
The Liberty Bell and river cruise.
On foot
Old City and Center City are best explored on foot.
Hop-on bus
Double-decker buses link the main sights.
Public transit
SEPTA buses and trains serve the wider city.
Car & rideshare
Handy for Amish Country and Valley Forge.
Where to stay
Stay in Old City or Center City near the sights.
US dollar
The USA uses the dollar; cards are widely accepted.
Free Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is free; arrive early to skip queues.
Independence Hall
Independence Hall needs a free timed ticket in peak season.
Try a cheesesteak
Sample a classic Philly cheesesteak on a food tour.
Run the Rocky Steps
Climb the art-museum steps like Rocky for the view.
Day trip out
Set aside a day for Amish Country or Valley Forge.
Spring & autumn
Visit in spring or autumn for the best weather.
Independence Hall
Timed tickets go fast in summer — book ahead.
Food tours
Popular cheesesteak tours fill up — reserve early.
Day trips
Amish Country trips have limited spots — book ahead.
Dinner cruises
River dinner cruises sell out on weekends — reserve early.
Ghost tours
Evening ghost tours book out — reserve ahead.
July 4th
Independence Day weekend is busiest — book everything ahead.
History walk
Around $25–45 for an Old City history walking tour.
Hop-on bus
About $30–50 for a hop-on-hop-off bus pass.
Food tour
Roughly $60–90 for a cheesesteak food tour.
Day trip
Around $80–130 for an Amish Country day trip.
Dinner cruise
About $70–120 for a Delaware River dinner cruise.
How to save
Use a city pass and combine history with a food tour.
When to visit
Philadelphia through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mar–May
- Best for
- Blooms & mild.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- July 4th.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Sep–Nov
- Best for
- Crisp colour.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- Holiday markets.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold.
People also ask
Philadelphia travel FAQ
What are the top 10 things to do in Philadelphia?
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, a Reading Terminal Market food tour, the Museum of the American Revolution, the Rocky Steps and Museum of Art, Eastern State Penitentiary, the Magic Gardens, the Italian Market, the Barnes Foundation, Elfreth’s Alley and an Amish Country day trip. The first three are within a five-minute walk of each other in Old City.
How many days do you need in Philadelphia?
Two days: Old City and the markets on the first, the Parkway museums, the Rocky Steps and Eastern State on the second. Add a third for Amish Country or Valley Forge. It is the easiest big East Coast city to do without a car — the centre is a 30-minute walk end to end.
What can you do in Philadelphia for free?
Independence Hall with a free timed ticket, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth’s Alley, the Rocky Steps and statue, Rittenhouse Square, the Rodin Museum garden, the city’s 4,000 murals, Independence National Historical Park’s smaller sites such as Carpenters’ Hall, and the Museum of Art on the first Sunday of each month (pay what you wish).
What are the best day trips from Philadelphia?
Amish Country in Lancaster County (90 minutes, guided from $87), Valley Forge (45 minutes, from $15 self-guided), Gettysburg (2.5 hours), New Hope on the Delaware (1 hour) and Longwood Gardens (1 hour). Guided tours run to the first two; the rest need a car.
What is there to do in Philadelphia at night?
Ghost tours of Old City and its colonial graveyards, Eastern State Penitentiary’s Halloween nights in autumn, Delaware River dinner cruises from Penn’s Landing, the Spruce Street Harbor Park lights in summer, BYOB trolley tours, rooftop bars in Center City and a Philly-by-night double-decker bus ride past the lit-up Parkway and City Hall.
What can you do in Philadelphia in winter?
Winter is cold but cheap and uncrowded: Independence Hall needs no ticket from January to February, the Christmas Village at LOVE Park and the Macy’s light show run through December, the Museum of Art and the Barnes are ideal for cold days, and Reading Terminal Market is warm and open year-round. The Mummers Parade fills Broad Street on New Year’s Day.
What are the best things to do in Philadelphia with kids?
The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (short and free), the Franklin Institute’s giant walk-through heart, the Please Touch Museum, the Adventure Aquarium across the river in Camden, running the Rocky Steps, Spruce Street Harbor Park in summer, a Delaware River cruise, and the Amish Country buggy rides in Lancaster.
When is the best time to visit Philadelphia?
April to June and September to October: mild weather, cherry blossoms in spring and colour in the parks in autumn. Summer is hot and humid but has the July 4th Wawa Welcome America festival; winter is cold, quiet and the cheapest time for hotels.
Is Philadelphia worth visiting?
Yes — it is where the United States was founded, the sites are free or cheap and walkable, the food scene from cheesesteaks to the Italian Market is among the best in the country, and it costs a fraction of New York or Washington. Two days is enough to see why.
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