Travel guide · United States
Philadelphia travel guide
Independence Hall, Rocky Steps, cheesesteaks and walkable colonial streets
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 颐园居, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and signed, and Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Elfreth's Alley still sit within a few blocks of each other in Old City. Center City is a flat, compact grid laid out by William Penn in 1682, so you can walk from the colonial quarter to Rittenhouse Square in about half an hour. Beyond the history, the city has the Barnes Foundation and the art museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Reading Terminal Market, the Italian Market and some of the most distinctive sandwiches in the country. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- PHL
- Mid-range daily budget
- $220–$380 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Cheesesteaks and Rocky Steps
Why visit Philadelphia
- Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Carpenters' Hall and Franklin's grave are all within a 10-minute walk of each other in Old City, and most cost nothing to visit.
- The Benjamin Franklin Parkway lines up the Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum, the Franklin Institute and the art museum at the top of the Rocky Steps.
- Reading Terminal Market and the 9th Street Italian Market are two of the oldest food markets in the country and good places to eat your way through the city.
- Center City is flat and compact, and SEPTA trains link the airport, 30th Street Station and the main sights without a car.
- Amtrak puts New York and Washington, D.C. within easy reach, and Valley Forge, Longwood Gardens and Lancaster County are short drives away.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 20 things to do.
Historic site · Old City
Independence Hall
The Georgian brick State House where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 and the US Constitution was drafted in 1787 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Architecture
Landmark · Old City
Liberty Bell Center
The cracked bell, inscribed with 'Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land', became a symbol for abolitionists and suffragists long after it hung in the State House.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Kids
Museum · Fairmount
Philadelphia Art Museum and the Rocky Steps
The Greek Revival temple at the top of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (long known as the Philadelphia Museum of Art) holds Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Cézanne's The Large Bathers and the world's leading collection of Marcel Duchamp, plus period rooms and armour.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
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Market · Center City
Reading Terminal Market
Opened in 1893 beneath the Reading Railroad's train shed at 12th and Arch Streets, the market has dozens of vendors selling roast pork sandwiches, Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods, scrapple, cheesesteaks and Bassetts ice cream.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Shopping
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Museum · Old City
Museum of the American Revolution
A modern museum at 3rd and Chestnut Streets that tells the story of the Revolution through weapons, letters and immersive galleries, including a replica Boston street and a privateer ship children can board.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Historic site · Fairmount
Eastern State Penitentiary
Opened in 1829, this castle-fronted prison pioneered solitary confinement with cell blocks radiating from a central hub, and held Al Capone in a furnished cell in 1929–1930.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Old City is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, couples and families
Old City
Cobbled colonial blocks around Independence Mall, galleries and First Friday art nights
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury, food lovers and shopping
Rittenhouse Square
Leafy square, Walnut Street shops and the city's most polished restaurant strip
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and culture
Society Hill
Brick Federal rowhouses, gas lamps and Headhouse Square
$$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, solo travellers and first-timers
Washington Square West and Midtown Village
The Gayborhood's rainbow street signs, 13th Street bars and Antique Row
What to eat
- Cheesesteak — Thin-sliced ribeye griddled and piled into a long roll with Cheez Whiz, provolone or American cheese.
- Roast pork sandwich — Many Philadelphians rate this above the cheesesteak: thin-sliced roast pork in its juices with sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe on a seeded Italian roll.
- Hoagie — Philadelphia's name for a long sub sandwich, declared the city's official sandwich in 1992.
- Soft pretzel — Philadelphia pretzels are baked in a figure-eight shape and sold in joined strips, best warm with yellow mustard.
- Water ice — The city's smooth Italian ice, scooped in flavours like lemon, cherry and mango.
- Tomato pie — A thick, focaccia-like square of dough topped with sweet, chunky tomato sauce and little or no cheese, eaten at room temperature.
When to go
The best times to visit Philadelphia are May to June and September to October, when days are warm without the July humidity and walking between sights is comfortable. Spring brings blossom and autumn brings colour along the Schuylkill. Winter is cold but quiet and good value, especially for museum-focused trips.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Blossom on the Parkway and in Fairmount Park, the Flower Show and Penn Relays; weather is changeable and school groups crowd the Independence sites. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, humid days with thunderstorms, long evenings on the waterfront and the big Fourth of July celebrations, when the historic sites are busiest. |
| Autumn | September–November | Sunny, crisp days, autumn colour, Fringe Festival theatre and Halloween Nights at Eastern State; hotel prices stay fairly high. |
| Winter | December–February | Cold with occasional snow, but holiday markets, the Mummers Parade and quiet museums at the lowest hotel prices of the year. |
Getting there and around
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is about 11 km southwest of Center City. SEPTA's Airport Line Regional Rail train reaches University City and Center City stations in about 25 minutes, and taxis charge a flat fare to Center City; the drive takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Center City is a flat grid about 3.5 km wide between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, and most sights are walkable: Independence Hall to Rittenhouse Square is about 30 minutes on foot. SEPTA runs the subway, trolleys, buses and Regional Rail for longer trips.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Independence sites, Reading Terminal Market and the Parkway museums. A third day adds Eastern State Penitentiary, South Philly and the Magic Gardens; with four or five you can add Valley Forge, Longwood Gardens or a train day to New York.
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, $1–$2 per drink at a counter, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
The main visitor areas are busy and generally comfortable, but car break-ins are common, so leave nothing visible in parked cars. Late at night, stick to well-lit streets and take a ride-hail rather than waiting at quiet subway stations, especially on the northern Market–Frankford Line.
Flights to Philadelphia
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Philadelphia?
Two days covers the Independence sites, Reading Terminal Market and the Parkway museums. A third day adds Eastern State Penitentiary, South Philly and the Magic Gardens; with four or five you can add Valley Forge, Longwood Gardens or a train day to New York. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Philadelphia?
The best times to visit Philadelphia are May to June and September to October, when days are warm without the July humidity and walking between sights is comfortable. Spring brings blossom and autumn brings colour along the Schuylkill. Winter is cold but quiet and good value, especially for museum-focused trips.
+What is Philadelphia known for?
Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Cheesesteaks, Rocky Steps, Reading Terminal Market, Murals and Colonial history. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Carpenters' Hall and Franklin's grave are all within a 10-minute walk of each other in Old City, and most cost nothing to visit.
+Is Philadelphia expensive?
Philadelphia is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $220–$380 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Philadelphia?
No for the city itself: walking, SEPTA and ride-hailing cover Center City and nearby neighbourhoods, and parking is expensive. A car helps for Valley Forge, Longwood Gardens and Lancaster County.