10 Best Things to Do in Philadelphia

There isn’t a shortage of things to do in Philadelphia, and it certainly lives up to its nickname of the “City of Brotherly Love.” In addition to the friendly locals, Philadelphia has a rich history and delicious food. For this reason, Philadelphia is why it’s a great city to visit if you want to explore a destination that has something for everyone to enjoy. 

What is Philadelphia’s Claim to Fame?

Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania. It’s over six times larger than Manhattan and is packed with various sights to see and areas to explore. 

It’s a popular place for tourists to visit virtually any time of year. It’s also a very walkable city, so visitors can easily get around to where they want to go without renting a car. 

What is Philadelphia Famous for?

There are a couple of things that Philadelphia has become famous for. First, there are 67 different National Historic Landmarks located here. Second, Philadelphia has more historical landmarks than Arkansas, Colorado and Delaware combined. 

Finally, this city is also known for its cheesesteak sandwiches. They were invented here back in 1930 by hot dog vendor Pat Oliveira. 

How Many Days Should You Stay in Philadelphia?

Because many of the major sites are so close together in Philadelphia, you can easily see many of them in just a few days. In just 3 or 4 days, many tourists find that they can usually get in everything they want to do. 

Additionally, tourists are surprised to find a vast array of different hotel options available to fit almost every budget. Moreover, many of them are close to most of the major sights.

Museum of Art

The Museum of Art is one of the country’s most significant art museums. There are over 240,000 works that go back over 2,000 years located here. These pieces include paintings by Picasso, van Gogh, and Renoir. 

Visitors can also glimpse what a Buddhist temple from the 14th century was like because there is a complete one on site. After touring the inside of the museum, visitors can head outdoors to take in the sculpture garden that is roughly an acre in size. 

Those who are fans of the Rocky movies don’t want to miss taking the opportunity to get a couple of pictures of the famous 72 steps featured in it. There’s also a Rocky statue at the bottom of the steps created for the third Rocky movie.

LOVE Park

When Philadelphians want to take outdoor photos, they often head over to this park to take a picture in front of the sculpture created by Robert Indiana that spells out the word ‘LOVE.’ 

The official name of this park is the John F. Kennedy Plaza, and it was dedicated to the former president back in 1967. This area underwent significant reconstruction in 2016 to convert the space into a mostly green area. 

There is plenty of restrooms and seating here so that everyone can enjoy the park for hours on end. In addition to the green space, there’s also a visitor center that opened in 2021. It’s small in size, but visitors can find a lot of information about the area. 

Rittenhouse Square

This square has sculptures, well-manicured flower gardens, and plenty of open spaces to relax. Many locals visit the square to breathe in the fresh air or put out a blanket and have a picnic on a sunny day. 

Tourists like this spot as it is an excellent area to escape some of the busyness of the city—various events throughout the year, including things like concerts and seasonal events.

Liberty Bell

Many tourists visit this famous bell because they want to get a glimpse of history up close, and they want to see for themselves how substantial the crack in it is. In addition, the bell is easy to visit as it’s open throughout the year. 

Additionally, visitors can see x-rays that allow them to get a glimpse of what the crack in it looks like from the inside out. While most people probably won’t spend more than 30 minutes here, it is an excellent place to visit for those looking for something quick to do that is unforgettable. 

Please Touch Museum

 This museum was created with children in mind, but many adults do enjoy it as well. So for those visiting the Philadelphia area with children, this is something that they should put on your to-do list if they are looking for a way to keep little ones entertained for a few hours. 

The museum features two floors of different hands-on activities. One of the most popular areas is the Food & Family exhibit. This 3,650-square foot permanent exhibit allows children to explore three separate zones that are interconnected. 

They include an industrial kitchen, a festival area, and a shopping market. Other permanent exhibits include Adventure Camp, Centennial Innovations, Please Touch Garden, Imagination Playground, and Creative Arts Studio. 

There are also traveling exhibits that rotate throughout the year. After exploring, visitors can head over to the on-site cafe, where they can enjoy a wide variety of healthy snacks. 

Eastern State Penitentiary

There aren’t many penitentiaries as famous as this one. It was opened up in 1970 and housed some famous criminals like Willie Sutton. There are self-guided tours that allow visitors to see what prison life was like here. 

These tours are about 40 minutes long and give listeners an overview of the history of the penitentiary, and it includes ten different audio stops as well. 

Many individuals claim that former prisoners haunt this penitentiary. They claim that they have heard voices, seen strange ghostly figures, or constantly had a feeling that they were being watched while they’ve been at the prison.

Reading Terminal Market

The Reading Terminal Market is below an old railroad terminal and is over 127 years old. It features a variety of different fresh food items like seafood and produces. There are also numerous restaurants here where you can try one of the most sought-after sandwiches in the area, the Philly cheesesteak. 

It’s also a great place to stop if you want to buy some souvenirs, as you can purchase goods like jewelry, clothing, and houseware. In addition, many locals and tourists like to come here because they can do some shopping and grab a bite to eat all at the same time. 

Independence Hall

You can’t get closer to history than by visiting this hall. Located here is the Declaration of Independence that the Founding Fathers signed in 1776. This attraction was even declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. There are free guided tours available, but visitors will need to get tickets beforehand. 

Wissahickon Valley Park

The Wissahickon Valley Park takes up a massive 1800-acre space, and the park is located around 5 miles from the downtown area. Visitors can take a hike to explore, go horseback riding or rent a bike to ride around on one of the numerous trails. 

Tourists often walk along the Forbidden Drive trail to get some of the area’s best views. It’s easy to navigate, and vehicles aren’t allowed here. Many individuals are surprised to see all of the historical architecture at the park, which includes a covered bridge that dates back to 1737 and the country’s first paper mill. 

Citizens Bank Park

Baseball fans should visit this ballpark when they are in Philadelphia. With just over 43,000 seats and three levels, sports fans can easily see all of the action going on during a baseball game, no matter where they sit. 

If they want to learn more about the ballpark, they can also take one of the tours. Stops on tour include the broadcast booth and the dugout. Although this ballpark didn’t open until 2004, many consider it one of the best ones in the entire country.

Final Thoughts

Are you looking for a destination filled with history, things to do indoors and outdoors, and great food? Philadelphia won’t disappoint. There are so many different attractions here that you may decide to stay longer than you intended to take everything in.