Searching for nice actions and points of interest within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love? Our Philadelphia itinerary is all it’s worthwhile to plan the right journey!
When William Penn based the Province of Pennsylvania in 1682, it’s uncertain even he knew the spot it might go on to absorb US historical past.
Within the century to comply with, the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Liberty Bell was cracked proper right here in Pennsylvania’s largest metropolis.
Its historical past is a serious drawcard, with sufficient outstanding sights and well-preserved 18th and Nineteenth-century structure to fill a whole itinerary.
However whereas its previous could stay on full show, to expertise the actual Philadelphia, vacationers will even should make room for its array of artwork museums and its number of culinary treats.
Take a look at our full record of the 21 greatest issues to do in Philadelphia earlier than your journey!
Easy methods to Spend 3 Days in Philadelphia Itinerary
Philly has a unbelievable mixture of historical past, artwork, food and drinks. Our Philadelphia itinerary helps showcase all 4 sides of town, so that you’ll go away with no regrets!
Earlier than you head into this superior metropolis, take into account getting the Philadelphia CityPASS. It’s going to prevent as much as 50% on the entry charges for chosen points of interest.
It’s an effective way to economize throughout a weekend in Philadelphia!
Day 1 in Philadelphia
Your first day in Philly is filled with highlights. You’ll tick off a number of the largest points of interest on the town, together with the enduring Liberty Bell.
Afterward, you’ll have the possibility to discover the Previous Metropolis, in an old school manner, earlier than testing the attractive waterfront and leaping on a cruise.
Day 1 Morning
To leap-start your weekend in Philadelphia, make your manner into the Previous Metropolis to go to Independence Corridor. Within the years previous to American independence, the corridor was the Pennsylvania State Home.
It was right here, nevertheless, that the Declaration of Independence was signed, signaling the start of a brand new America.
Excursions of Independence Corridor are included along with your free admission. You’ll be capable of see the Meeting Corridor the place the primary strikes had been made to separate from the British Empire and the place future president George Washington turned Commander-in-Chief.
- Handle: 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Hours: 9am-5pm (Mon-Solar)
- Worth: Free
After visiting Independence Corridor, there’s just one place to go, the Liberty Bell Heart. It’s arguably essentially the most well-known attraction in Philadelphia and is the crown jewel of the Previous Metropolis.
The Liberty Bell was initially a celebration of the state’s structure and was constructed in the course of the 18th century. But it surely didn’t get its well-known crack till round 100 years later.
Makes an attempt had been made to repair it for the birthday of George Washington. However as that proved futile, the legendary bell by no means rung once more.
In the present day, it’s a easy of liberty and freedom, not simply in the US however world wide.
- Handle: 101 S Independence Mall W, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Hours: 9am-5pm (Mon-Solar)
- Worth: Free
Day 1 Afternoon
Now that you simply’ve ticked off two of the most important points of interest in Philadelphia, it’s time to get pleasure from the remainder of the attractive Previous Metropolis. What higher technique to discover town’s previous than with a historic type of transport?
On this guided tour you’ll take a step again in time as you climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage and slowly make your manner alongside the tree-lined streets.
The journey again in time will enable you to perceive not simply the occasions that result in the Declaration of Independence, but in addition the tradition and way of life lived by locals again within the 18th century.
The trip will even take you by the Independence Nationwide Historic Park, Society Hill and the Betsy Ross Home.
When you’re again on regular land, stroll a couple of blocks in the direction of the Delaware River. When the solar is out, there are few higher locations to be than at Penn’s Touchdown. The waterfront avenue is lined by leafy timber and has a vibrant environment on balmy days.
Penn’s Touchdown performs host to live shows and festivals in the summertime and you too can lease kayaks and SUPs to discover the place you’ll be able to’t stroll. Should you’re touring within the winter, you’ll additionally discover an ice skating rink.
Day 1 Night
As day turns to nightfall, get pleasure from Philadelphia’s waterfront in a unique method. You may hit the city as exhausting as you want on day two (and even later at present), however for now, get pleasure from this cruise on the Delaware River.
The Spirit of Philadelphia takes you alongside the river because it glistens underneath town skyline. From the statement decks, you’ll have 360-degree views of downtown and the neighboring state of New Jersey.
The cruise departs from Penn’s Touchdown with a scrumptious meal to enrich the numerous views and the musical tunes floating via the air.
As you make your manner across the metropolis, you’ll see such well-known sights because the Battleship New Jersey, the Naval Shipyard, and the glowing Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Go to Get Your Information to examine costs for a river cruise throughout your weekend in Philadelphia!
Day 2 in Philadelphia
After a day of revolutionary historical past, take the morning to expertise Philly’s inventive aspect as you take a look at a uncommon municipal constructing that received’t evoke yawns and discover a parkway filled with galleries.
Nice eats are added for good measure earlier than you get down, boogie and revel within the metropolis’s great nightlife.
Day 2 Morning
The quantity of historical past in Philadelphia could be exhausting to wrap your head round. The age of the buildings, the hallowed streets and the significance of singular occasions to the timeline of American life is sufficient to make any knowledgeable historian blush.
So whereas Philadelphia Metropolis Corridor could not sound as thrilling because the Liberty Bell and the Previous Metropolis, it stays a must-see. Don’t fear, there is no such thing as a pointless paperwork right here.
The Metropolis Corridor begins at present’s journey down the great Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It’s a shocking piece of structure with thorough granite foundations. In a metropolis of opulent Victorian-era structure, Metropolis Corridor is most much like a landmark construction present in Renaissance Europe.
It’s the most important municipal constructing in the US however has extra in frequent with a spectacular cathedral. On the coronary heart of Metropolis Corridor is a 548 toes tall tower, the very best such masonry tower on earth. You’ll be glad to know which you can make your technique to the highest of the tower and revel in outstanding views over Philadelphia.
- Handle: 296 Philadelphia Pedestrian Transit, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Hours: 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri)
- Worth: Free
Earlier than setting off in your stroll down the historic parkway, cease for a chunk on the Studying Terminal Market. In Heart Metropolis, the market is a culinary deal with. The large meals corridor is a success as a lot amongst vacationers as it’s locals.
You’ll discover every little thing it’s worthwhile to load up the picnic basket for lunch at Love Park. Or you’ll be able to merely feast on the numerous contemporary meals that fill the market with mouthwatering aromas.
- Handle: 51 N twelfth St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Hours: 8am-6pm (Mon-Solar)
- Worth: Free
Day 2 Afternoon
Relying on whether or not you order in or to go on the Studying Terminal Market, you’ll be able to get pleasure from a picnic or rapidly make your manner via Love Park.
Formally referred to as the John F. Kennedy Plaza, it acquired its new nickname upon the set up of Robert Indiana’s Love sculpture. Whilst you’re right here, full the ceremony of passage and snap a fast selfie with the well-known set up.
From there, it’s time to formally embark down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The long-lasting stretch of tar was designed after Paris’ Champs-Élysées and is lined with a number of the prime museums and galleries on the town.
After a lot time centered on Philadelphia’s previous, you’ll get pleasure from a glance into town’s fashionable arts tradition. In a single mile, the thoroughfare options the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork, the Franklin Institute, the Barnes Basis and others.
It ends in Fairmount Park on the banks of the Schuylkill River, the place you’ll be met with the well-known Rocky Statue. Behind it are the so-called “Rocky Steps” the place you’ll discover vacationers working as much as the highest earlier than posing like Stallone did within the film Rocky.
Proceed on to enter the preeminent museum within the metropolis, the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork. The doorway to the museum is fascinating, because the constructing was impressed by the temples of Historic Greece.
When you’re inside, your consideration will rapidly flip to the impeccable assortment that boasts Matisse, Van Gogh and Picasso. However there’s way more, together with structure from world wide akin to an Indian temple corridor from the 1500s.
Examine the web site to see what occasions and exhibitions are on on the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork while you’re on the town.
- Handle: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Hours: 10am-5pm (Thur, Sat-Mon) 10am-8.45pm (Fri)
- Worth: $25
For extra artwork, head to the immersive Magic Gardens, a labyrinth of alleyways with some unbelievable avenue artwork.
Day 2 Night
After the earlier night time’s cruise, you’ll be raring to dive into the culinary and nightlife scenes present in downtown Philadelphia.
There are two standout spots for nightlife in Philadelphia. We are able to’t break up them, so we are going to allow you to determine. The primary is the Previous Metropolis, the place you’ll be able to knock down Yuengling Lager on the identical hallowed streets as a number of the most outstanding figures in US historical past.
Exploring this a part of Philly at night time will rapidly present you why it’s such a beer loving metropolis. Eulogy is the right instance, with a mind-boggling record of brews that will take weeks to finish.
Afterward, head to The Olde Bar set inside a former bookbinder retailer that’s filled with nostalgia. End up on the divey Khyber Move Pub the place you’ll be able to assist out your future self with some hangover-curing bacon grease popcorn.
The opposite excellent place to hit the city in South Philly. Not solely is South Philadelphia the culinary hub of town, but it surely’s laden with charming pubs, and quirky bars. The latter contains the Storage, that appears precisely because the title suggests. Till you wander inside and discover arcade video games and a full of life environment.
Day 3 in Philadelphia
Your third and closing day in Philadelphia will assist showcase a unique aspect of town. You’ll start within the Fairmount neighborhood to discover a captivating, cobblestone-filled district that’s additionally dwelling to an notorious jail.
Later, expertise Philly’s culinary aspect on a mouthwatering meals tour. To spherical out the day, wander down the memorable South Road for extra nice eats and eclectic bars.
Day 3 Morning
The ultimate day of your weekend in Philadelphia begins within the lovely neighborhood of Fairmount. You should have caught a glimpse of this colourful district in your travels down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, but it surely’s nicely price discovering by itself.
It might be part of Philly’s Artwork Museum Space, but it surely strikes an unbiased pose that separates it from different components of the Metropolis of Brotherly Love.
Together with your favourite morning beverage, make your manner down the streets as storied as any in Philadelphia. The cobblestone lanes result in old-time e book shops just like the E-book Nook and are affected by fascinating monuments and marble artwork.
However the perfect a part of visiting Fairmount is the Jap State Penitentiary. A Nationwide Historic Landmark, the penitentiary was constructed within the 1820s and lots of thought it was essentially the most superior jail in the US.
However regardless of all of the “fashionable” know-how, life right here for prisoners was ugly, with ample use of solitary confinement. It was till the Sixties that the jail closed. Throughout that interval, it housed quite a few notorious characters, like Al Capone and Willie Sutton.
Now reworked right into a museum expertise, components of the jail stay unchanged. It’s an interesting look into America’s legal historical past and the way it treats people who find yourself behind bars.
- Handle: 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Hours: 10am-5pm (Mon-Solar) Plus night time excursions
- Worth: $17
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Day 3 Afternoon
In a metropolis with such historical past, it’s straightforward to miss the truth that Philadelphia has added loads to the broader American delicacies.
Nevertheless, the congregation of such well-known websites, means it may be difficult to seek out genuine, unapologetic Philadelphian meals within the standard Metropolis Heart and Previous Metropolis. To allay this problem, join this meals tour.
Together with your pleasant native culinary knowledgeable, you’ll stroll round Philly for 2 and a half hours stopping at 5 beloved native establishments to pattern mouthwatering cheesesteaks, tomato pie and cheese whiz fries, all served alongside a wholesome dose of native tradition and tales of yore.
Vacationers will study all in regards to the humble beginnings of the now iconic Philly Cheesesteak. The dish spikes your ldl cholesterol as a lot as your love for tacky, meaty goodness. Like many good issues, it started on a whim, as hotdog vendor, Pat Olivieri chucked beef on the grill and served it in a hoagie, creating an instantaneous hit.
The expertise ends again on the Studying Terminal Market. However with the assistance of an area eye, you’ll savor two distinctive deserts whereas writing down all of the low-key meals gems it’s essential to strive in your subsequent weekend in Philadelphia.
Day 3 Night
Your adventures in Philadelphia come to a detailed on the prismatic South Road. A couple of blocks under the Independence Nationwide Historic Park, South Road is a colourful instance of Philadelphia’s Twenty first-century persona. Its upbeat environment, rows of outlets and eating places, is the spot to replicate on the earlier 72 hours.
Because the solar falls, the colourful houses on South Road glow underneath the low-hanging gentle. The outdated structure has been reinvigorated because of the road’s creativity, which has seen it turn into a man-made rainbow. The leafy streets have nice power they usually information you to an countless record of eating places cooking up delicacies from all world wide.
After a day of basic Philly eats, department out and check out Thai meals at Tamarind, Indonesian at Hardena, or Moroccan at Marrakesh. All of the whereas, the South Road nightlife awakens.
After a scrumptious feed, discover the appropriate bar so that you can toast your memorable 3 days in Philadelphia. Absorb some dwell music on the Theatre of Residing Arts, or relax on the a number of dive bars like Tattooed Mother, an area favourite. You may even sit in an outdated bumper automobile and knock again a couple of pints!
Heading additional north? Take a look at this record of the greatest issues to do in Boston, Massachusetts.
Philadelphia Journey Information
Now that you understand what to do throughout your Philadelphia itinerary, right here a couple of recommendations for the perfect time to go to, how you can get round, and the place to remain while you go to.
When is the Greatest Time to Go to Philadelphia
Summer season brings the perfect and most dependable climate and is a well-liked time to go to Philadelphia. The temps can attain the excessive 80s so be ready to interrupt a sweat as you make your manner via town’s very walkable downtown.
To keep away from the summer time crowds, take into account arriving within the spring or fall. Not solely will you cope with extra nice temperatures, however the strains on the Liberty Bell and main museums can be smaller. It’s additionally an exquisite time to go to Penn’s Touchdown and kayak alongside the Delaware River.
Winter snow and ice skating could create a magical environment, but it surely’s price ready for spring to journey to Philadelphia. Even when you’re used to the chilly, as a traveler, the Metropolis of Brotherly Love is much extra pleasant to discover within the hotter months.
Having mentioned that, there are some main occasions that winter vacationers can stay up for, together with the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the US and town’s great Christmas market.
Getting Round Philadelphia
The center of Philadelphia is basically simply 25 metropolis blocks unfold between the Schuylkill and the Delaware rivers. The town’s wealthy historical past is crammed into this space, which means you’ll have a simple time getting round on foot.
For reference, it’s round a 45-minute stroll from one river to the following. So you should definitely pack your most comfy strolling sneakers.
A rental automobile could also be tempting, however as you’ll be exploring primarily the dense interior metropolis, a automobile can show to be extra of a trouble than its price, particularly while you consider Philadelphia’s costly avenue parking.
You’ll discover there’s a first rate public transportation community referred to as SEPTA. It is a standard alternative for vacationers who’re staying within the metropolis’s surrounding suburbs.
You’ll discover a mixture of busses, trolleys and subway routes to get you from A to B. It’s additionally an incredible possibility to connect with Philadelphia Worldwide Airport.
Talking of getting round Philadelphia, a Go Metropolis Move can get you into 30 prime points of interest (together with the foremost locations on our Philadelphia itinerary) and excursions throughout your chosen variety of days. A type of is the hop-on, hop-off bus, an environment friendly and enjoyable manner of exploring town.
Click on right here to e book the Philadelphia Go Metropolis PASS on Get Your Information!
The place to Keep in Philadelphia
The most typical locations to remain in Philadelphia are the Metropolis Heart and the Previous Metropolis. Each place you within the coronary heart of the motion, with the overwhelming majority of our itinerary inside strolling distance. Importantly, regardless of the recognition of every space, you’ll nonetheless discover lodging to go well with most budgets.
In its place, Philly has some gem neighborhoods which have their very own tales to inform. Locations like Rittenhouse Sq., Society Hill and Fairmount have beautiful parks, cobblestone streets and a definite native vibe whereas being shut sufficient to Heart Metropolis that you simply received’t miss a beat.
Should you’re questioning the place to remain within the metropolis, our suggestions for the perfect lodging in Dallas will enable you to select the highest spot to your funds!
Greatest Hostel in Philadelphia: Apple Hostels
At Apple Hostels you’ll be able to keep in a central location with out breaking the financial institution. Your lodging is underneath 200 toes from the Liberty Bell!
The hostel has a well-appointed communal house to associate with the clear dorms. You’ll discover free WiFi, pool tables, X-Field and an incredible kitchen.
Greatest Mid-Vary Lodge in Philadelphia: La Reserve Mattress and Breakfast
Set inside a historic dwelling within the lovely Rittenhouse Sq. district, La Reserve Mattress and Breakfast is luxurious on a smaller funds. Visitors will love the Nineteenth-century decor set round a big parlor, the scene to your morning breakfast. You’ll even be near the Parkway and Love Park.
Greatest Luxurious Lodge in Philadelphia: 4 Seasons Lodge
You’ll discover the luxurious 4 Seasons Lodge contained in the Comcast Heart, in any other case referred to as the tallest constructing in Philadelphia.
The lodge boasts Michelin star eating, a spa, and an infinity pool on the spectacular 57th ground, together with a health heart. Every upscale room could have you refreshed and prepared for a day of exploration.
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