Month guide · Philadelphia · United States
Philadelphia in March
What March is really like in Philadelphia: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 12°C (54°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. Changeable weather, from snow showers to mild days; early blossom appears late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 12°C (54°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in March
March is the 9th-warmest month in Philadelphia: days average 12°C (54°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with February (7°C (45°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 18°C (64°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 07:13
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 19:08
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
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.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in May). That makes March one of the better-value months to book.
Events in March
- Philadelphia Flower Show — large indoor horticultural show (usually early March)
- St. Patrick's Day Parade (usually the Sunday before 17 March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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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
Mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar covered a lot on South Street with a maze of tiles, mirrors, bottles and bicycle wheels, creating an immersive outdoor labyrinth and indoor galleries.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Photo spot
- Couples
Market · South Philly
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
Boathouse Row and the Schuylkill River Trail
A line of 19th-century rowing clubhouses on the Schuylkill River behind the art museum, outlined in lights after dark.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Photo spot
- Active
What to pack
For highs near 12°C, lows near 2°C and 11 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Philadelphia?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Philadelphia in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Philadelphia?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Changeable weather, from snow showers to mild days; early blossom appears late in the month.
+How warm is Philadelphia in March?
Average highs are around 12°C (54°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Philadelphia in March?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.