What to See in Philadelphia: 11 Must-Visit Attractions

Wondering what to see in Philadelphia? Let me tell you up front: there's plenty to do here, and it's easily one of the most important cities in the United States to visit.

Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and it's also the city of Benjamin Franklin, the famous inventor and patriot, and of Rocky Balboa, the boxer played by Sylvester Stallone.

The best part is that if you're in New York, it's really easy to do Philadelphia as a day trip. The two cities are close together!

You can rent a car and explore Philadelphia and Amish country on your own, take the train or the bus, or if you'd rather keep it simple, book a day trip to Philadelphia with an expert Spanish-speaking guide. I'll go over the details for each option below.

Things to do in Philadelphia

There are plenty of reasons to visit Philadelphia. Besides being the birthplace of the United States, it's the cradle of R&B, home of the juicy Philly cheesesteak, and the perfect launching point for exploring the largest Amish and Mennonite region in the country.

To help you plan the perfect trip to Philadelphia, I'll walk you through its signature attractions, the places you really shouldn't miss.

As a quick intro, here's a rundown of the activities and top places to see in Philadelphia:

🎨 The Philadelphia Museum of Art is home to the famous Rocky Balboa steps.

⚾ You can catch a Phillies baseball game.

🏈 This is the city of the Philadelphia Eagles, the football team.

🚗 Around Philadelphia you'll find Amish and Mennonite communities that welcome visitors.

💰 You can follow the tradition of tossing coins onto Benjamin Franklin's grave so he'll multiply them for you.

🎓 It's home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

💸 In Philadelphia you can buy clothing and shoes tax-free.

Now let me walk you through the most important places to see in Philadelphia and the details for visiting each one:

1. Philadelphia Museum of Art

Obviously, you have to reach the museum by climbing its 72 steps to the beat of «Gonna Fly Now,» just like in Rocky Balboa's famous run. If you don't do it, you didn't really go to Philadelphia 😜.

That scene from Rocky (1976) is so famous that the museum's front steps are commonly known as «The Rocky Steps.»

But beyond the Rocky lore, did you know the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the second-oldest museum in the United States?

Along with the Met in New York and MoMA, the Philadelphia Museum of Art ranks in the top 5 most important museums in the United States.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection holds more than 240,000 works spanning ancient art to contemporary art. One standout is its Marcel Duchamp collection, one of the most complete and celebrated in the world.

The museum sits strategically at the end of the Ben Franklin Parkway, a boulevard that hosts concerts and parades, including the famous Fourth of July celebration.

2. The Rocky Balboa Statue

Another highlight to see in Philadelphia, and one you can visit before heading into the art museum, is the bronze statue of Rocky Balboa, gifted to the city by Stallone himself in 1992.

It stands on a pedestal in the garden to the right of the museum, at the foot of the steps. Tourists and locals alike come to snap a photo here. It's a genuine city icon and one of the most visited spots in Philadelphia.

Interestingly, installing the Rocky statue next to the Philadelphia Museum of Art was controversial. Plenty of people argued it didn't have enough artistic merit to occupy the space.

But these days nobody questions the value of this Philadelphia pop icon, a monument to a beloved movie character who has brought the city so much recognition.

The film saga about the fictional Italian-American boxer has meant so much to Philadelphia that there's even a race held in his honor, the Rocky Run. So if you want to run like Rocky, check the event details.

Speaking of movies, did you know Philadelphia is the hometown of director M. Night Shyamalan? His biggest films, including The Sixth Sense (1999), Unbreakable (2000), Split (2016) and Glass (2019), were shot in the city.

So watch Rocky and Shyamalan's films before you head to Philadelphia (and while I'm at it, here's a list of movies to watch before traveling to New York 🍿).

3. Catch a Phillies game

Going to a Phillies game at their home ballpark, Citizens Bank Park in the heart of Philadelphia, makes you part of a true American sports tradition.

You can join the locals cheering on their favorite baseball team while eating a classic hot dog or shelling peanuts.

Baseball season in the United States starts in April and runs through September, so there's a good chance your visit will line up with a Phillies game.

4. The LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana

This list of what to see in Philadelphia wouldn't be complete without the famous LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana (1599 John F Kennedy Blvd).

Installed in 1976 in John F. Kennedy Plaza, the piece is so famous that it eclipsed the plaza's official name, now popularly known as Love Park. It's another landmark and a symbol of the city, much like the Rocky statue.

The LOVE sculpture went up as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations, and ever since it has been a fantastic backdrop for photos in Philadelphia.

5. Elfreth's Alley

Elfreth's Alley is the best-preserved colonial street in the United States. It's a historic and architectural gem you should see in Philadelphia, right in the heart of the historic district.

What makes this charming cobblestone street special, with its 32 red-brick homes in Georgian and Federal style, is that it has been continuously inhabited for more than 300 years.

It's a glimpse of what the earliest colonial developments in the United States looked like, built between 1720 and 1830. As you walk through, look for houses 122 and 124, believed to be the oldest on Elfreth's Alley.

Elfreth's Alley speaks to the past, but in the voices of its own residents, who have evolved alongside Philadelphia over the years without ever losing sight of its history.

If you have time, visit the Elfreth's Alley Museum housed in numbers 124 and 126.

6. Benjamin Franklin's grave

When you're in Philadelphia, it's a tradition to stop by Benjamin Franklin's grave (1706-1790) at the old Christ Church Burial Ground and toss a coin onto his headstone.

Popular belief says doing so will multiply your fortune, thanks to the generous spirit of one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States.

Whether or not you buy into the tradition, it feels right to pay tribute to Benjamin Franklin, a Renaissance mind whose genius shaped many aspects of life in Philadelphia and well beyond it. Remember, he's internationally recognized as a pioneer in the study of electricity.

A plaque at the cemetery entrance carries several tributes to Franklin, including one from George Washington:

«Venerated for benevolence, admired for talents, esteemed for patriotism, beloved for philanthropy.»

The cemetery sits on Arch Street, between 5th and 4th. It's a beautiful, peaceful tree-lined street in the historic heart of Philadelphia, and I'd recommend discovering it on foot.

And if you want to learn more about Benjamin Franklin, you can visit the Benjamin Franklyn Museum (317 Chesnut Street), an institution «dedicated to the life and legacy of America's favorite Renaissance man,» as its tagline puts it.

7. Philadelphia Zoo

If you're traveling with kids, a visit to the Philadelphia Zoo is a great plan. You'll also get to see the first zoo in the United States.

Beyond its lovely gardens and range of animals, the Philadelphia Zoo has interactive exhibits that help little ones learn why protecting wildlife and the environment matters.

Continuing with the Rocky Balboa saga, it was in front of the tiger cage that Rocky proposed to Adrian, in his own inimitable way: «I wanted to know if you wouldn't mind marryin' me very much.»

It has been renovated since, but the iconic spot is still there, though I can't promise the lone tiger who witnessed that declaration of love is still around. Keep in mind Rocky was filmed in 1976, almost half a century ago!

The Philadelphia Zoo is at 3400 W Girard Ave.

8. Historic sites to see in Philadelphia

If the history of American independence interests you, Philadelphia is the place.

This is where you'll find the most important historic sites tied to the founding of the United States, among them Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Philadelphia's historic sites are clustered in Independence National Historical Park and sit very close to one another. Here are the details for visiting the most important ones:

Independence Hall

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were both signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. As you can see, this is the official birthplace of the United States of America.

You can visit daily between 9 am and 5 pm, but bear in mind that from March through December you'll need tickets to get in. Tickets are reserved on the National Park Service's official site and cost $1 each.

If you don't book tickets, you may end up in a long line at the entrance. If there's space left on the 20-minute guided tours inside Independence Hall, you'll get in. But you'll waste valuable time waiting, so grab your tickets ahead of time!

To enter the hall you'll need to pass through a security screening area at Chestnut Street and 5th Street.

Liberty Bell Center

You have to see the symbol of liberty and independence in the United States: the Liberty Bell, housed at Philadelphia's Liberty Bell Center.

The exhibit walks you through the story of this bell, nearly 12 feet around, with a biblical verse inscribed on its surface: «Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof.»

The bell's story spans many years of American history.

It all starts in England in 1751, where it was cast and shipped over to crown the bell tower of the Pennsylvania State House, the building that would later go down in history as Independence Hall. Originally the bell was used to call people to meetings and community events.

On July 8, 1776, it became a symbol of liberty when it rang out during the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Later, abolitionists adopted it as a symbol of the fight against slavery, and after the Civil War (1865), the bell traveled the country as a symbol of the union between the states.

In 2003 it was moved permanently to the Liberty Bell Center, across from its old bell tower at Independence Hall.

There are several versions of how the crack in the bell happened. One of the most popular says it occurred in 1846 when they tried to ring it during a celebration of George Washington's birthday.

The Liberty Bell Center (526 Market Street) is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free and no tickets are needed. Just wait in line and go through the security check at the entrance.

Betsy Ross House

The Betsy Ross House is a small museum a few blocks from Independence National Historical Park, near Elfreth's Alley and Benjamin Franklin's grave. It may be small, but it's one of the most beloved places to see in Philadelphia for Americans.

Betsy Ross (1752-1836) was a successful upholsterer, known for having made the first stars-and-stripes flag of the United States, a powerful symbol of the fight for independence.

She made flags for the government for more than 50 years. For Americans, she represents the tenacity of the women who supported their families through the American Revolution and the difficult early years of the Republic.

9. Eat the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia

This sandwich has become so popular that you'll find it on Subway menus around the world. But the real cheesesteak comes from Philadelphia.

The most traditional spots serving this globe-trotting sandwich are another of the places to see in Philadelphia that I'd recommend. Go hungry!

Tradition has it that in the 1930s Pasquale «Pat» Olivieri, an Italian hot dog vendor tired of eating the same thing, decided to chop up some beef, cook it on the sausage griddle, and tuck it into an Italian roll.

A customer saw him at it and pushed so hard to buy one that the Italian gave in. The rest is history.

He created a shop that still exists, and you can visit it to see «where it all began»: Pat's King of Steaks (1237 E. Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia).

Later on, Joe Vento set up another spot right across the street from Pat's, Geno's, and he insists he was the first to add melted provolone to the recipe.

Which cheesesteak is better? That's an endless argument among Philadelphians. You'll have to decide for yourself.

If you want to try other foods and ingredients typical of Philadelphia and Amish country, head to the Reading Terminal Market!

10. Go shopping in Philadelphia

If you've already seen everything there is to see in Philadelphia and still have time, a shopping day is another excellent idea: Philadelphia charges no tax on clothing or shoes, so if you were planning to arrive with empty suitcases and go home with full ones, a trip to Philadelphia is the best move you can make.

As in New York, Philadelphia has shops lining its streets, but also big malls like the King of Prussia Mall.

11. Visit Amish communities near Philadelphia

From Philadelphia it's easy to visit Pennsylvania's Amish Country, the name given to the region inhabited by the Amish and Mennonite communities of the United States, concentrated in Lancaster County, about a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia.

Visiting Amish country gives you a close look at these Anabaptist communities that emigrated from Switzerland and Germany to North America in the 17th century in search of religious freedom.

Ever since, they've kept their traditions and a way of life rooted in farming and a rejection of modern technology, to the point that the Amish live without electricity, telephones, or motor vehicles.

The Mennonites, for their part, are more permissive when it comes to technology and modern dress. Look closely and you'll even spot some wearing brand-name sneakers.

As you travel through Amish Country you'll see them getting around in horse-drawn buggies, dressed in Quaker style (wide-brimmed hats, plain dresses for the women, black shirts and trousers for the men).

When you visit these communities, it's important to respect their privacy and their way of life. For starters, they don't like being photographed.

There are respectful ways to learn about their history and lifestyle, for example by visiting interpretation centers like The Amish Village. They offer guided tours of their grounds, which are dedicated to showcasing Amish traditions and daily life.

Another great way to learn more about their culture is to try their food and buy their crafts at wonderful spots like The Kitchen Kettle Village.

How to get to Philadelphia from New York

The distance from Philadelphia to New York is short: just 95 miles. As you can see, the two cities are very close. Depending on traffic and the transportation you choose, you can be there in under 2 hours!

If you're visiting NYC and want to see another of the most important cities in the United States, Philadelphia is a logical choice thanks to how close it is and its starring role in the birth of the country.

You can cover the most important things to see in Philadelphia in a single day. But if you want to visit the museums, the zoo, or do some shopping, it's worth staying at least one night.

There are several ways to get to Philadelphia from New York, and a lot depends on how much time and money you have:

1. Road trip through Philadelphia and Amish Country

One great option is to rent a car and explore Philadelphia and the Amish region at your own pace.

This road trip from New York to Philadelphia will help you put together your itinerary, plus give you tips for driving in the United States.

2. Day trip to Philadelphia from New York

On this guided round-trip day tour, you'll be taken to the main sights and also to visit Amish communities in Lancaster County.

3. Greyhound bus to Philadelphia

Greyhound is the most popular line and runs the most frequent departures.

It has several departures from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (between 40th and 42nd Streets and 8th and 9th Avenues in Manhattan).

Tickets are cheaper the earlier you buy them, and run around $35 to $50 per person round trip (check prices on Greyhound's official site)

4. New York to Philadelphia by train

From Penn Station (between 7th and 8th Avenues and 31st and 33rd Streets in Manhattan), there are very fast train services and others that are very slow but cheap.

Depending on how far in advance you buy your tickets, a round-trip train to Philadelphia can cost between $60 and $200 per person.

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As you can see, there's plenty to see in Philadelphia. Not as much as in New York, true, but it's always interesting to get to know another city, especially when it's this close!

Have a great trip!

The weather in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's temperatures are very similar to New York's or Washington DC's.

More day trips from New York

If you're already in New York, take advantage and check out other places nearby. In the guide to day trips from New York I give you plenty of ideas 😉