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Philadelphia is a historic city on the Eastern seaboard famous for its cheesesteaks, the Liberty Bell, and Rocky. There is so much to see and do that one could easily spend a week or more to see it all, but you can get a good grasp on the city in just a few days. I happen to call it home and have for the last 15 years, so I’ve put together a guide for you if you only have a long weekend in which to visit the City of Brotherly Love.
Day 1
Morning: Visit the Liberty Bell (9:00am-5:00pm, Free) and Independence Hall (9:00am-5:00pm, Free with a $1 processing fee). These are two of the most iconic landmarks in Philadelphia and are a must-see for any visitor to the city. The Liberty Bell is in a free museum displaying its paraphernalia from over the years. It also explains its history and how it got its infamous crack (plus the repair efforts). You will go through airport style security before entering the one way museum. At the end stands the Bell on display. You can walk 360 degrees around it for close up views, but keep in mind there is security to make sure you don’t touch it.
Independence Hall is the location of the Declaration of Independence signing way back in 1776. It now offers tours, but be sure to reserve your tickets online in advance because they sell out early (there are only 60 tickets available for each tour according to their website). They do however, release any “unsold” tickets at 5:00 PM the day before the tour, so you may get lucky that way. The tour visits 2 rooms in the building. The first is the court room where citizens would stand trial. The second is the room where the Declaration of Independence, and later the Constitution, were both signed.
Afternoon: Explore Old City. This historic district is home to many other important sites, such as the Betsy Ross House (9:00am-5:00pm, $7.00 for a self-guided tour, $9 for an audio tour) and Christ Church Burial Grounds (11am-5:00pm, $5 for a self-guided tour, $10 for an guided tour).
If you don’t want to commit to a tour of the Betsy Ross house, you are welcome to sit in her yard and listen to the official storytellers regale tales of what life was like in the 1700s. You can also visit her grave, which is in her front yard.
Christ Church Burial Grounds is famous for its inhabitants, most notably Benjamin Franklin. His grave is right on the corner of 5th and Arch Street. Pay for a tour, or my suggestion is to peak through the fence for a glimpse of his grave.
Evening: Have an early dinner at Reading Terminal Market (Monday-Sunday 8:00am-6:00pm). You will find many culinary options at the market. DiNic’s Pork Sandwhich (pork with broccoli rabe!) is a Philadelphia classic. But you will find many other options to satisfy your pallet: Italian, Asian, Mexican, American, Mediterranean, ice cream, smoothies, and more.
Day 2
Morning: Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Saturday-Monday, Thursday 10:00am-5:00pm, Friday 10:00am-8:45pm, Tuesday-Wednesday closed, $25 for adults). Not only does this world-renowned museum host a vast collection of art from around the world, but it’s home to the even more famous “Rocky steps”. Take a few minutes to run up the steps (it’s a right of passage) after snapping a photo with the Rocky statue (located to the right of the steps at the bottom.)
The museum itself is easy to spend hours in. You can see American, Asian, and European art including works from van Gough and Monet. There are furniture pieces on display too – even a tea pot from Paul Revere. And my favorite is the knight’s armor!
Afternoon: Take a walk through Rittenhouse Square. This beautiful park is a great place to relax and people-watch.
An alternative is to visit The Franklin Institute (daily 9:30am-5:00pm, $25 for adults, $21 for children 3-11). The Franklin Institute is a multi-level interaction science museum. It also hosts traveling exhibits frequently. In the past it’s hosted touring Harry Potter exhibits and the Disney 100 exhibition. Some of the permanent exhibits include a giant heart you can walk through, a planetarium, and “Your Brain”.
Evening: See a show at the Emsemble Arts Philly campus. The campus is made up of several gorgeous theatres that host a variety of performances, from Broadway shows to concerts. I recently saw the Broadway version of Frozen at the Academy of Music and the theatre is stunning. You can grab dinner around the corner at The Cheesecake Factory or one of the many other restaurants in the area. Check the calendar before your trip to see what’s on during your visit.
Day 3
Morning: Visit the Eastern State Penitentiary (Wednesday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm, $19 for adults). This former prison is now a popular tourist attraction, but it was once the model for modern prisons. Self-guided, audio tours (narrated by actor Steve Buscemi) are available to learn about the history of the prison and its infamous inmates, such as Al Capone.
Afternoon: Explore the Mutter Museum (Wednesday-Monday 10:00am-5:00pm, closed on Tuesday, $20 for adults). This small museum displays a collection of medical oddities and is not for the faint of heart! You can see preserved human specimens, antiquated medical instruments, and more information about it all than you know what to do with.
Evening: Have dinner at Pat’s King of Steaks or Geno’s, two of the most famous cheesesteak restaurants in Philadelphia. Both are open 24/7.
Many Philadelphians will have a different sandwich shop they prefer over Pat’s or Geno’s, but none are more iconic. Or have a bigger rivalry. Pat’s claims to have invented the steak sandwich in the 1930s and Geno’s joined the steak sandwich business a few decades later. Located across the street from each other, they are a bit of a hike from Center City, but worth the Uber ride for a taste of authentic Philly.
Where to Stay
There are some great hotel options right in Center City. If you prefer a hotel chain or have Marriott points to use both the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown or the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown are great options. I’ve personally stayed in both and would recommend them. But if you prefer a more boutique experience, The Franklin in Rittenhouse Square is a great choice. Or the aparthotel at The Divine Lorraine offers more space than a traditional hotel.
This is just a suggested itinerary, and you can customize it to fit your interests and time constraints. No matter how you choose to spend your time in Philadelphia, you’re sure to have a great time.
Honorable Mentions
- Hop On Hop Off Bus tour
- Attend a sporting event: Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, Flyers, Union
- Spruce Street Park on the Delaware River (only open during the summer)
- Philadelphia Zoo
- Adventure Aquarium (technically in Camden, NJ)
- Visit the LOVE sculpture at Love Park
- Eat at any number of James Beard award winning restaurants
Here are some additional tips for planning your trip:
- SEPTA is the local public transportation system, consisting of regional rail, subway, trolleys, and busses. Uber/Lyft is also widely available.
- Book your flights and accommodations in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.
- Purchase a Philadelphia CityPASS to save up to 45% on admission to top attractions. But make sure you do the math to see if it makes sense for you.
- Pack comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
- Be aware of your surroundings, but Philadelphia is much like any other major city in the US.
- Have fun!
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