Free things to do · Philadelphia · United States
7 free things to do in Philadelphia
Philadelphia without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Meihe Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Philadelphia without paying an entry fee: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, Elfreth's Alley and 9th Street Italian Market are all free. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth's Alley, Boathouse Row and the Rocky Steps cost nothing.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Historic site · Old City
1.Independence Hall
Pick up or print your tour ticket first, then visit the Liberty Bell Center across Chestnut Street while you wait for your slot.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Architecture
Landmark · Old City
2.Liberty Bell Center
Lines are shortest first thing; after closing you can still see the bell through the glass from the Chestnut Street side.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Kids
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Street · Old City
3.Elfreth's Alley
Visit early or late in the day for quiet photos, and keep voices down; people live here.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Market · South Philly
4.9th Street Italian Market
Come on a Saturday morning when every stall is set up, then walk to East Passyunk Avenue for lunch.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- History
Waterfront · Fairmount Park
5.Boathouse Row and the Schuylkill River Trail
See the lit-up boathouses from the art museum's rear terrace or the far bank on West River Drive after sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Photo spot
- Active
Park · Rittenhouse Square
6.Rittenhouse Square
Grab takeaway coffee and pastries nearby and eat on the benches on a weekday morning.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
Waterfront · Penn's Landing
7.Spruce Street Harbor Park and Penn's Landing
Go around dusk on a summer evening, when the lights come on over the water.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old City | Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center and Elfreth's Alley | 1 hour + 30–45 minutes + 20–30 minutes |
| South Philly | 9th Street Italian Market | 1–2 hours |
| Fairmount Park | Boathouse Row and the Schuylkill River Trail | 1–2 hours |
| Rittenhouse Square | Rittenhouse Square | 30–60 minutes |
| Penn's Landing | Spruce Street Harbor Park and Penn's Landing | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
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Market · Center City
Reading Terminal Market
Arrive before noon on weekdays; at weekend lunchtime the aisles and the DiNic's queue get very crowded.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Shopping
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Museum · Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Rodin Museum
Even if you skip the galleries, the garden and gateway make a calm stop on a walk up the Parkway.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Couples
- Outdoors
Gallery · South Street
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Book a morning slot; the narrow passages feel crowded by mid-afternoon on weekends.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Photo spot
- Couples
Architecture · Center City
Philadelphia City Hall and Tower
Tower tickets are limited to small groups per lift; buy them at the visitor centre inside City Hall early in the day.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Architecture
- History
Religious site · Old City
Christ Church and Burial Ground
You can see Franklin's grave through the railings on Arch Street without entering the burial ground.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
Experience · Citywide
Mural Arts walking tours
If you are short on time, walk the blocks around South Street and Washington Square West, where murals and mosaics are densest.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
More ways to save
- Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth's Alley, Boathouse Row and the Rocky Steps cost nothing.
- BYOB restaurants save a lot on dinner; buy wine at a state store beforehand.
- Reading Terminal Market lunches are filling and much cheaper than sit-down restaurants.
- Use the SEPTA Airport Line rather than a taxi if you are travelling alone or as a couple.
- Hotel rates rise sharply during big conventions, university graduations and Eagles home games; check dates before booking.
- Budget for an 8% sales tax and an 18–20% tip on top of menu prices.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Philadelphia expensive to visit?
Philadelphia is moderately priced for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Philadelphia?
Independence Hall: Pick up or print your tour ticket first, then visit the Liberty Bell Center across Chestnut Street while you wait for your slot.