Things to Do in Philadelphia
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Philadelphia. Birthplace of the nation, cracked bell and all, also, cheesesteaks, try one, obviously, the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and where the US capital briefly sat for roughly a decade before Washington DC was ready. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Philadelphia: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the argument. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Liberty Bell
Philadelphia is home to the cracked bell that became a famous symbol of American independence, known as the Liberty Bell, displayed near the building where the Declaration of Independence was signed, a genuinely significant piece of American history, the bell's distinctive crack, which developed over decades of use, has become as much a part of its symbolism as the bell itself, a flawed but enduring emblem.
Independence Hall, right nearby, where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and signed, is worth combining with a Liberty Bell visit, both genuinely essential stops for understanding the country's founding.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–5pm
Address Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia
Philadelphia as America's First Capital
Philadelphia served as the capital of the United States before the capital moved to Washington DC, the seat of government for roughly a decade before the purpose-built new capital was ready, a genuinely significant, if often overlooked, piece of American history, worth appreciating this context, the President's House site (near Independence Hall) marks where George Washington and John Adams both lived and worked during this period.
This history is genuinely woven throughout the city's historic district, worth a proper walking tour of Old City to see this founding-era layer directly, cobblestone streets and colonial-era buildings still surviving among the modern city.
Address Old City, Philadelphia
The Philly Cheesesteak
Philadelphia is famous for a sandwich made with thinly sliced beef and melted cheese, known as the Philly cheesesteak, a fierce local debate exists over which shop makes the definitive version, Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks, sitting directly across the street from each other in South Philadelphia, are the two most famous rival claimants, worth trying both if you want to form your own opinion on this genuinely long-running local rivalry.
Ordering properly matters here, 'wiz wit' (Cheez Whiz, with onions) is the classic order, worth knowing the lingo before you get to the counter, this is a genuinely fast-moving, no-nonsense ordering process at the most famous spots.
Best time Lunch or dinner
Address Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks, South Philadelphia
Best time to visit Philadelphia
April through June and September through October give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without summer's heat or winter's genuine cold. For the full seasonal breakdown, see our Best Time to Visit Philadelphia guide.
Philadelphia's historic sites and cheesesteak stands work well year-round, worth visiting even outside the shoulder seasons if the weather isn't your priority.
Getting around Philadelphia
Philadelphia's subway covers the city reasonably well, and Old City, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, is genuinely walkable. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in Philadelphia and 2 Day Philadelphia Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Philadelphia worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, genuinely essential for understanding American founding history, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall together represent the birthplace of the country's core founding documents.
- How many days do you need in Philadelphia?
- Two days covers the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and a proper cheesesteak comparison comfortably.
- Is Philadelphia expensive?
- No, genuinely affordable, generally cheaper than New York or Washington DC for dining and accommodation, and the historic sites remain free.
- What is Philadelphia famous for?
- The Liberty Bell, a symbol of American independence, briefly serving as the US capital before Washington DC, and the Philly cheesesteak.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
