Month guide · Philadelphia · United States
Philadelphia in September
What September is really like in Philadelphia: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daderot, Public domain
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Philadelphia. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 16°C (61°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 12.4 hours of daylight. Warm, drier and often sunny; one of the best months for walking the city.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in September
September is the 4th-warmest month in Philadelphia: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 16°C (61°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 30 days. Compared with August (30°C (86°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:41
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 19:10
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
Autumn (September–November). Sunny, crisp days, autumn colour, Fringe Festival theatre and Halloween Nights at Eastern State; hotel prices stay fairly high.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: September is one of the pricier months.
Events in September
- Philadelphia Fringe Festival — experimental theatre and performance (usually September)
- Eastern State Penitentiary's Halloween Nights begin (usually late September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Museum · Fairmount
Philadelphia Art Museum and the Rocky Steps
Run the steps and take the photo with the Rocky statue at the bottom right early in the morning, before the queue forms.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
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Museum · Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Rodin Museum
Opened in 1929, this small Beaux-Arts museum and garden holds one of the largest Rodin collections outside Paris.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Couples
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Fairmount Park
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
Architecture · Center City
Philadelphia City Hall and Tower
Completed in 1901, City Hall is a massive Second Empire building of granite and marble, topped by a 37-foot bronze William Penn.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Architecture
- History
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 16°C and 9 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Philadelphia?
One of the best months to visit Philadelphia, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are May–June and October. Compare every month.
Philadelphia in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Philadelphia?
It is one of the best months to visit Philadelphia. Warm, drier and often sunny; one of the best months for walking the city.
+How warm is Philadelphia in September?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Philadelphia in September?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.