Whether you’re seeking to explore a city drenched in history, or you’re wanting to surround yourself with rich culture and culinary delights, the “City of Brotherly Love” boasts iconic landmarks, renowned museums, and a thriving food scene that all types of travelers will love. Located between New York City and Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania makes for a wonderful day trip, weekend getaway, or week-long stay. Easy to reach by car or rail, visitors can also fly into the Philadelphia International Airport that is just seven miles from the city’s center and offers convenient nonstop flights from cities throughout the United States. Extremely walkable and deemed “America’s Garden Capital” for good reason, expect to see lush parks amid the collection of historic and contemporary neighborhoods.
Since the city’s history is a huge draw for visitors of all ages, let’s start with all of the must-see landmarks and must-do activities during a trip to “The Birthplace of America”. Just a quick history refresher: Philadelphia was the country’s first capital city before Washington D.C., and both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed in Independence Hall. Visitors can actually see the Assembly Room during either a self-guided tour of Independence Hall in the morning or while taking a guided tour starting mid-morning and on.
Just across Chestnut Street from Independence Hall, is the Liberty Bell Center. Admission is free, and visitors can view this iconic symbol of American freedom first-hand. You’ll be able to enjoy other exhibits while in line to see what once was the State House bell. After visiting these two iconic pieces of American history, you’ll want to continue to explore other landmarks included in the Independence National Historical Park, like the President’s House Site, National Constitution Center, Museum of the American Revolution, and more. The Independence National Historical Park spans 20 city blocks and includes both free and ticketed places of interest, so there’s a lot to cover in this area of Philadelphia.
Since this city is made up of neighborhoods, it might be helpful to know that this area can also be called the Old City, or Philadelphia’s Historic District. Either way, we’re talking about a location within Center City or Philly’s downtown. In addition to the museums and other sites (by the way, here’s a helpful website that has a complete list of all the museums located in Philadelphia), don’t forget to take a breather at one of the beautiful parks, such as Franklin Square. Eventually renamed to honor Benjamin Franklin, this park is the best for families, as it’s packed with fun activities like Philly Mini Golf, the classic Philadelphia Parx Liberty Carousel, one of the eight Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Benches, and Burger Shack, SquareBurger. And of course, you can’t forget about the Franklin Square Fountain, where you can watch the fountain show that features dancing water effects set to colored lights and music from April to the end of October. Franklin Square is also known to host can’t-miss events throughout the year.
Other popular outdoor spaces in this area include the Race Street Pier underneath the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, where you can take a stroll or a moment to relax beside the Delaware River. Just down the way, you’ll find the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, an outdoor rink where visitors can enjoy roller skating in the summer, and ice skating in the winter during Winterfest. Keep walking and you’ll run into the waterside park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, a vibrant space for people to gather and enjoy local dining experiences and bars and relax in the many colorful hammocks.
We’d also recommend visiting Fairmount Park, as it’s filled with all sorts of trails from off-road cycling, to horseback riding, and even hiking. This park includes many must-see items to check off on your itinerary, such as feeding the koi fish or watching a tea ceremony at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, jogging up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to have your Rocky moment (and maybe even going inside to tour the exhibits that span 2,000 years), taking a tour of the Colonial-era mansions nearby, saying a “hello” to all of the animals at the Philadelphia Zoo, and even visiting the 19th-century boathouses on Boathouse Row that overlook the Schuykill River.
A popular garden that you’ll want to visit is Bartram’s Garden. This historic garden is located on the Schuylkill River and is the country’s oldest surviving botanic garden that’s still growing to this day. The blooms you can see in the 14-acre Botanic Garden were all grown and studied by the Bartram family between 1728 and 1850. Bartram’s Garden is open to the public, and while admittance is free, you can choose to go on a guided tour or attend an event on the property. Find a complete list of more than 30 gardens and arboreta within 30 miles of the city on America’s Garden Capital’s website.
Philadelphia has a vibrant food scene and is a popular destination for foodies. A big part of any trip, visitors will want to know the basics of what to expect from the location’s cuisine and keep track of any specific dishes they can’t leave without trying. An obvious and iconic food you’ll need to try is a cheesesteak, and don’t forget your cash at home, since some of these longstanding institutions are cash-only.
In addition to a modern dining scene that has chefs pushing boundaries and breaking out of the norm, you’ll also find many eateries prioritizing local sourcing for a farm-to-table experience. Which, if you think about it, makes a lot of sense because of the city’s location to farmland. Neighborhoods like Fishtown, East Passyunk, and Center City are often recommended for their renowned dining experiences but look to South Philly for cheesesteaks along with really good Italian food. In fact, the Italian Market in South Philadelphia attracts visitors on its own, as it is one of the oldest and largest open-air markets in the United States.
Philadelphia is also known for its craft beer scene, so you’ll have plenty of breweries and taprooms to choose from. The city’s cocktail bars are also popular, however, due to the state’s liquor laws that have driven some restaurants to skip having a liquor license entirely. Look ahead at the restaurant you’ll be dining in, and see if they have a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) option. The restaurant might have a corkage fee, but you’ll still save enough money on the bill that you’ll definitely want to order dessert!
We’ve included some activities and places to see that are great additions to any type of traveler’s itinerary, but we’d also like to highlight some additional family-friendly options. In addition to the Philadelphia Zoo, you’ll also want to stop by the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. Not only is this a great indoor activity, but this aquarium also features exciting shows and exhibits, a touch tank, and marine life favorites like sharks and sea turtles. For kiddos who love learning, make sure to head to the Please Touch Museum. Normally, museums frown on touching their exhibits, but this one encourages it! The Franklin Institute Science Museum also includes some interactive displays that kids will love.
Summer in Philly is a lot of fun, and June to August is considered to be the peak season. A great place to spend a bit of your summer vacation, families especially love how much there is to do, how bright and sunny it is, and of course, the many opportunities for students to still learn when class isn’t in session. That being said, peak season means it’s the busiest. We’re not trying to discourage you whatsoever, just know that if you’re wanting to find more discounts and fewer crowds, you should opt for dates in the shoulder season.
Speaking of, the shoulder seasons for Philly are spring and fall. Spring offers more discounts and mostly beautiful weather, and makes a good substitute for a summer visit, especially if you’re looking forward to exploring the parks and gardens in search of blooms. The temperature can range anywhere from the mid-50s to the mid-70s, so check ahead and pack accordingly. You’ll also find that the city starts becoming lively again, with lots of outdoor events and festivals on the calendar. Fall is the other shoulder season, and while you’ll still be able to enjoy beautiful weather, visitors would rather see fall foliage than flowers blooming—and that’s completely fine!
Winter brings a chill to the air, but visitors always enjoy the significantly fewer crowds, great deals on accommodations, and the city’s holiday spirit. While average temperatures stick to the mid-30s between December and February, there are still plenty of indoor activities to enjoy with your group. This is a great time for those mostly interested in exploring Philly’s historic sites and museums, as well as a perfect time for foodies to plan their trip!
Check out Visit Philly’s website to find a list of all of the upcoming events to help plan your trip.
As previously mentioned, Philadelphia is made up of many distinct neighborhoods. If you don’t know anything about the differences between the neighborhoods, you may be missing out on the best location for you!
There are some neighborhoods that are more popular than others for visitors. We’ll quickly go over a few that are mostly located within Center City, Philadelphia’s downtown:
Old City is popular with visitors who want to focus mainly on the city’s history. You’ll be surrounded by important sites and landmarks that changed the course of history in this historic neighborhood complete with cobblestone streets. You’ll be close to Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and other attractions.
Rittenhouse Square is another popular area for visitors, and the neighborhood around the park is mostly just called Rittenhouse. Here you’ll find some of the most luxurious accommodations, world-class dining, and fantastic boutiques and stores.
Those looking for a vibrant scene with plenty of restaurants and nightlife, look for accommodations within University City, Northern Liberties, and Manayunk. Foodies will want to look into staying in Fishtown, South Philly, or East Passyunk. All of these neighborhoods have their own charm, and that’s what makes Philadelphia as a whole so special!
Here are a few random options we’ve found using Palmera Vacation Club’s Six Ways to Travel:
The above selections are from Quest Travel Club. Discounts and rates are subject to change.
