How many days · Philadelphia · United States
How many days do you need in Philadelphia?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: William Zhang, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Philadelphia, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. 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.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 9.3 h (Dec) to 15 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia Art Museum and the Rocky Steps and Reading Terminal Market |
| 2 days | Good | Reading Terminal Market, Museum of the American Revolution and Eastern State Penitentiary |
| 3 days | Ideal | Elfreth's Alley, Barnes Foundation and Rodin Museum |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Valley Forge National Historical Park |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Valley Forge National Historical Park and Longwood Gardens |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Philadelphia add up to roughly 18–22 hours of visiting time — about 3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Philadelphia Art Museum and the Rocky Steps (2–4 hours), Museum of the American Revolution (2–3 hours) and The Franklin Institute (3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Hall | 1 hour | Old City |
| Liberty Bell Center | 30–45 minutes | Old City |
| Philadelphia Art Museum and the Rocky Steps | 2–4 hours | Fairmount |
| Reading Terminal Market | 1–1.5 hours | Center City |
| Museum of the American Revolution | 2–3 hours | Old City |
| Eastern State Penitentiary | 2 hours | Fairmount |
| Elfreth's Alley | 20–30 minutes | Old City |
| Barnes Foundation | 2 hours | Benjamin Franklin Parkway |
| Rodin Museum | 45 minutes | Benjamin Franklin Parkway |
| The Franklin Institute | 3 hours | Benjamin Franklin Parkway |
| Academy of Natural Sciences | 2 hours | Logan Square |
| Philadelphia's Magic Gardens | 1 hour | South Street |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Independence Hall and Liberty Bell Center |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Liberty Bell Center |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Valley Forge National Historical Park and Longwood Gardens |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.3 hours of daylight) than in June (about 15 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Philadelphia with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | About 130 km | 5 days |
| Washington, D.C. | About 198 km | 4 days |
| Boston | About 436 km | 4 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Philadelphia?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. 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.
+Is a week too long in Philadelphia?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Valley Forge National Historical Park and Longwood Gardens.