Things to Do in Philadelphia: Tours, Tickets & Day Trips
Philadelphia is compact, walkable and easy to do in two days. Day one is Old City: Independence Hall (free, timed tickets from March to December), the Liberty Bell (free, no ticket), the Museum of the American Revolution and a guided history walk from about $25 — then Reading Terminal Market for lunch and a cheesesteak. Day two is the Parkway: run the Rocky Steps, see the Museum of Art and the Barnes, then Eastern State Penitentiary’s crumbling cell blocks. Food tours through the Italian Market and Center City run from $52 and are the best-rated thing in the city. With a third day, go to Amish Country in Lancaster (90 minutes, guided from $87) or Valley Forge (45 minutes). Spring and autumn are ideal; July 4th is the biggest party of the year.
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All experiences in Philadelphia — FAQ
What are the top 10 things to do in Philadelphia?
By traveller ratings: 1) Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, 2) a Reading Terminal Market food tour, 3) the Museum of the American Revolution, 4) the Rocky Steps and Philadelphia Museum of Art, 5) Eastern State Penitentiary, 6) Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 7) the Italian Market, 8) the Barnes Foundation, 9) Elfreth’s Alley, and 10) an Amish Country day trip to Lancaster.
How many days do you need in Philadelphia?
Two full days: one for Old City’s founding sites and Reading Terminal Market, one for the Parkway museums, the Rocky Steps and Eastern State Penitentiary. A third day goes to Amish Country or Valley Forge. Philadelphia also works as a day trip from New York or Washington, but you will only see Old City that way.
What can you do in Philadelphia for free?
Independence Hall (free timed ticket), the Liberty Bell, Elfreth’s Alley, the Rocky Steps and statue, the Mural Arts murals across the city, the Rodin Museum’s garden, Rittenhouse Square, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Independence National Historical Park’s other buildings, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the first Sunday of the month (pay what you wish).
What are the best day trips from Philadelphia?
Amish Country in Lancaster County (90 minutes, farm tours from $31 and guided days from Philadelphia from $87), Valley Forge National Historical Park (45 minutes, driving tours from $15 self-guided), Gettysburg (2.5 hours), New Hope and the Delaware River towns (1 hour) and Longwood Gardens in the Brandywine Valley (1 hour, self-drive).