Attractions in Philadelphia

Here are the top attractions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with my personal highlights. What makes Philadelphia so special? Find out here! I show you everything you need to know about the most important attractions in Philadelphia. You can visit the main highlights in Philadelphia in 2 to 3 days.

For the most important attractions, you should plan at least 2 days in Philadelphia. Three to four days are more relaxed, allowing you to also take excursions to the surrounding area. It is ideal to combine Philadelphia with a trip to Washington D.C., New York, or New Jersey.

I have summarized the most famous landmarks in Philadelphia as well as the historically significant places and activities. I show you which things in Philadelphia are worth seeing and share what I liked the most.

The following map gives you an overview of the attractions we visited and recommend in Philadelphia. You can also save the city map with all the attractions, places of interest, and tips for food, bars, and other highlights offline on your phone, making it easy to navigate:

Best travel time: Year-round, summer (July-August is very hot, yet a popular time).

Our tip: Spring (late March to late May) or fall (September to November).

Guidebook: Lonely Planet Pocket Philadelphia (English, compact, with everything you need to know)

Arrival: Direct flight with Eurowings Discovery from Frankfurt

Hotel: Fairfield Inn by Marriott

Save money with the Philadelphia All-inclusive Pass from Go City

Reserve activities & tickets in advance: South Philly Art Tour

Philadelphia is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the U.S. Since late 2015, it has also been the first UNESCO World Heritage City in the U.S. with a population of 1.6 million, making it the sixth-largest city in the country. Known as the City of Brotherly Love, it is famous for its historic buildings and landmarks tied to the founding of the United States. The city also served as a backdrop for many Hollywood movies. Rocky is just one of them.

In this article, we show you the attractions we visited in Philadelphia along with tips for hotels, culinary highlights, and street art.

Let us know if you have any further questions and leave a comment at the end of the article.

Here are the well-known attractions and highlights in Philadelphia, as well as the historically significant places in the city. In my opinion, these are a must-see on your first visit to Philadelphia.

Independence Hall was the place where the Declaration of Independence of the United States was signed by the Founding Fathers in 1776 and is thus an important piece of American history. The building itself is excellently preserved and can only be visited as part of a free guided tour. The only charge for online reservations is $1 (mandatory).

In Independence Hall, you will see the Assembly Room, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed.

In the Great Essentials Exhibit Museum in the West Wing, you can see printed original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Syng inkstand, which is presumably the silver inkstand into which 56 men dipped their quills to sign the declaration.

After visiting Independence Hall, it's time to visit the Liberty Bell Center. Here is Philadelphia's most famous attraction: The Liberty Bell. It represents freedom and independence and was rung after the Declaration of Independence was read. It marks the birth of the new nation and the end of British rule in the United States.

You can see the bell up close and learn more about its history from many information panels. Admission is free.

If you want to learn more about American history, you should visit the National Constitution Center. Here you can learn everything about the Constitution of the United States and its importance to the country. Unfortunately, the museum was closed during our visit until our departure. Keep an eye on the opening hours (and days).

A major highlight for us was Eastern State Penitentiary. This former prison was opened in 1829 and was the most modern and expensive prison in the world at the time. Many famous criminals like 'Scarface' Al Capone and 'Slick Willie' Sutton were imprisoned here. It is also one of the five most-visited places in the U.S. - wow!

Grab an audio guide at the entrance and learn all about the prison and its history.

We also found the special exhibition 'Prisons Today' on crime in the U.S. compared to other countries to be very well done. It's shocking how many people in the U.S. are serving life sentences. The United States currently has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with about 2 million citizens in prison or jail.

The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia are a work of art and were our most delightful surprise, making it a highlight. The gardens, created by artist Isaiah Zagar, consist of a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces completely covered in mosaics, ceramics, bottles, mirrors, and other unusual objects.

Isaiah Zagar has created many similar works in Philadelphia (even entire houses adorned with mosaics) and is often referred to as 'the city's mosaic artist.' His artworks have contributed to beautifying the cityscape and shaping Philadelphia's artistic identity.

The Magic Gardens are simply fantastic. You can really lose yourself here, as the longer you stay, the more details you discover.

I had no idea that Philadelphia is at the forefront regarding street art. Since the launch of the Art Mural Program, more than 4,000 murals and graffiti have been created.

The city regularly hosts festivals and exhibitions dedicated to street art, such as the Mural Arts Philadelphia Festival and the Philly Free Streets Festival. Unfortunately, we missed both.

One of the most famous artworks is the "Philadelphia Muses" mural by Meg Saligman. The city also has a rich history of graffiti art and has produced some of the best graffiti artists in the world, such as Cornbread and Cool Earl. You'll learn more about it on the South Philly Art Tour (more about that below).

South Street is known for its many bars, restaurants, and shops and is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike. You will also find plenty of street art, artist galleries, and mosaics by Isaiah Zagar. We highly recommend the South Philly Street Art Tour.

The Italian Market is the largest outdoor market in the world and a paradise for foodies and gourmets. The market stretches over several blocks and offers a wide selection of Italian foods, spices, seafood, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and much more. It attracts both locals and tourists.

The market has a rich history and was established by Italian immigrants in the late 19th century. Today, it is an important part of Philadelphia's culinary scene and one of the city's most popular attractions. If I hadn't just come from Tuscany to Philadelphia, I could have spent the whole day indulging here.

Choose one of the cafes and order an espresso. It's a truly Italian experience. We love it.

Tip: Nearby is the best Philly cheesesteak for us at Angelo's Pizza. It was so good that we stopped by again just before leaving and almost missed our train.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a highlight for art lovers. It is the third-largest art museum in the U.S. and houses an extensive collection, including works by van Gogh, Monet, and Cézanne. We skipped the museum on a sunny day because we had just spent a lot of time at Eastern State Penitentiary and wanted to experience other places.

Don't forget to take a photo on the steps of the museum, which became famous through the film Rocky ("Rocky Steps"). Another highlight for fans is the Rocky Statue at the bottom of the steps, which commemorates the famous film.

From the steps, you have a great view of the skyscrapers downtown. Sit on the steps, enjoy the view, listen to the music (usually the Rocky soundtrack is playing), and watch people jogging up who are reenacting film scenes.

Admission to the museum is included in the Philadelphia Pass

If you're really hungry, you should visit the Reading Terminal Market in the afternoon. The market has been an important part of Philly's culture for over 125 years, offering a wide range of regional foods and products.

Definitely try the famous Pretzel Dog at Miller's Twist, along with Philly cheesesteaks and other local delicacies. If you're a foodie, the Reading Terminal Market is a must.

Things we tried and our verdict:

One of the most famous sculptures in Philadelphia is the "Love" sculpture by Robert Indiana. It is located in John F. Kennedy Plaza aka "Love Park." If you're not here early in the morning, you will have to queue for your photo with "plenty of love." The park, located near City Hall, is small but lovely.

On nice days, you can sit in the lounge chairs and watch the hustle and bustle.

Elfreth's Alley in Philadelphia is a historic street that is regarded as the oldest inhabited street in the U.S. The alley consists of 32 historic homes from the 18th century and symbolizes the city's colonial past. The houses are built in Georgian and Federal styles, and some are open to the public as museums and shops.

As these beautiful houses are a rarity in the U.S., they are considered an important attraction and a popular tourist destination in Philadelphia. We found the little alley with the colorful houses to be a nice change, although we missed the opening hours (due to the time of year).

City Hall in Philadelphia is one of the city's most famous landmarks and is considered one of the finest examples of French architecture in the U.S. It is the tallest masonry building in the world (167.03 m at the clock tower) and has an 11-meter-tall statue of William Penn on its top. City Hall is also known for its beautiful interiors, including the historic council chamber, the offices of the mayor and city council, and the dome, which offers panoramic views of the city.

Unfortunately, we missed the reopening of the interiors, including the tower. They are open from Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM, and guests can book tours online for the largest municipal building in the country. We missed the opening for tours and climbing the tower by 2 weeks.

The best photo of City Hall can be taken from South Broad Street, as from here its splendid architecture and size are most impressive. City Hall can be seen approaching from any direction, allowing for various angles on the building.

Surrounding City Hall, you will also find a lot of public art and sculptures. It's worth spending some time here.

Here you will find all the important information for visiting City Hall

In summer, we walked along the Benjamin Franklin Bridge along the Delaware River Waterfront, past Penn's Landing.

In the summer, there's Spruce Street Harbor Park, a seasonal pop-up park by the water that is only open in summer and features a beer garden with live music, hammocks to chill in, and food trucks.

The covered Cherry Street Pier looked very inviting. Unfortunately, it seemed closed as well. Be sure to come here if you're in Philly in the summer.

There are also a few restaurants and bars that were open during our visit along the waterfront. You get great views of the river and the Philadelphia skyline from here, especially at night.

A walk across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge is worth it at sunset - at least to the middle. The pedestrian walkway closes after sunset (at least that's what the signs said).

From the right side, you get better views. From the left side, you still get great views across to New Jersey and the skyline in Philadelphia.

The South Philly Art Tour is a unique experience that combines art, culture, and history. During the tour, you visit various galleries and murals in South Philly and learn more about the artistic scene in this neighborhood. You will also see some of the city's most famous murals and street art works. We were especially captivated by Isaiah Zagar and his mosaic artworks. You see this kind of art in abundance nowhere else.

The tour also includes a visit to the Magic Gardens. A must-see in Philadelphia.

Many people think that hop-on hop-off buses are absolute tourist traps and avoid them. However, in Philadelphia, we highly recommend the buses. We had the day ticket for both bus companies included in our Philadelphia Pass (all-inclusive from Go City). It was ideal, as we had live commentators on board and thanks to the bus, we could also get to the two locations outside of town: the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Eastern State Penitentiary. It's worth it!

The ticket for the hop-on-hop-off tour is included in the Philadelphia Pass

Now that you know the best attractions and must-sees in Philadelphia, we want to share a few important tips with you.

I recommend purchasing the Lonely Planet Pocket Philadelphia. This English guidebook contains everything you should know, compact and ideal for your handbag.

The best time to visit Philadelphia is in the spring from March to May or in the fall from September to November. During these seasons, the weather is mild and pleasant, with agreeable temperatures and less rain than in the summer. Additionally, there are many festivals and events that take place during this time, such as the famous Cherry Blossom Festival in spring and the Philadelphia Film Festival in fall.

Winter can be cold and snowy, while summer can be hot and humid. We visited Philadelphia in mid-April and experienced quite cool days. Fortunately, it never rained.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is located just 11 kilometers outside downtown Philadelphia. There are currently direct flights from Germany with Eurowings Discovery from Frankfurt. The flight takes about 9 hours from Frankfurt.

In the event of a flight cancellation, it is always better to book directly with the airline. Ever since Corona, we know that this scenario occurs more frequently (at least for me).

BOOK FLIGHTS ✈️ We always look for budget flights at Kayak. Here you can find my tips for finding budget flights. Make sure to specify checked baggage, as basic flights only include carry-on baggage. This initially distorts the price, making it look cheaper.

You can reach Philadelphia from New York in just 1 hour via Amtrak train. We bought the tickets in advance on the official website. The earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets. Traveling was quite comfortable, and we had plenty of space.

Traveling by train in the U.S. works similarly to airports. You may only enter the platform once the train is arriving. Don't be deterred by long lines; everything moves quickly and distributes well across the long trains.

Otherwise, we used Lyft. It was simply more convenient, as we didn't want to walk back to our hotel from dinner in South Street late at night. There is also UBER, but it was more expensive during our comparisons on each trip.

I took Lyft to the center to the hotel. Depending on the time and location of the hotel, this is the fastest option. The Regional Rail Line train connection brings you from the airport to downtown. The trains run every 30 minutes on weekdays from 4:13 AM to 11:03 PM (downtown to the airport) and from 5:07 AM to 12:07 AM (airport to downtown). On weekends, the trains run hourly from 5:13 AM to 11:13 PM (Center City to the airport) and from 6:07 AM to 12:07 AM (airport to Center City).

Check the official website for precise departure times at the terminals.

In Philadelphia, you can explore all the highlights on foot. For attractions located further out, we had a day of the hop-on hop-off bus ticket, which was included in the Philadelphia Pass. Thus, we did Eastern State Penitentiary and the Philadelphia Museum of Art by bus.

For getting around in Philadelphia, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) offers a wide range of transportation options including buses, subways, elevated trains, light rail, commuter trains, and electric trolley buses. Here you can find everything you need to know about it.

We spent three nights at the Fairfield Inn Boutique Hotel in the center (Center City) in an excellent location. From here we could reach everything on foot: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Avenue of Arts, City Hall, and Reading Terminal Market.

The rooms were adequately sized, and the bathroom was spacious. Everything was very modern, and the free Wi-Fi worked well too. Unfortunately, as is often the case in the U.S., hotels have a very loud ventilation system that cannot be turned off. Pack some earplugs.

Breakfast is included for free, and there is also a gym for those who want to stay active.

There are so many excellent restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy great meals. Philadelphia offers everything from Philly cheesesteaks to fine dining.

We indulged a bit. The sandwiches are so filling that we shared one each time.

The best Philly cheesesteak we had was at Angelo's Pizzeria South Philly. When ordering, Dom received a slice of pizza for free. It was also very delicious and authentically Italian (not American). By the way, it was so good that we went back there right after opening at 11 AM before our departure. Even then, there was a line.

Here are some facts and information:

Philadelphia is a city that will surprise you. From the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Institute, there is something to see and experience for everyone. If you're looking for inspiration for your next city trip in the U.S., I believe a city trip to Philadelphia should be at the top of your list.

We were particularly enchanted by the mosaic art of Isaiah Zagar. Also, the culinary diversity - from Philly cheesesteaks to fine dining - really convinced us.

These were our top attractions in Philadelphia.

Tell us your favorites! Which attractions in Philly should a tourist not miss? Do you have any further questions or useful information? We look forward to your comment at the end of the article.

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