This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
Looking for the best things to do in Philadelphia? You’ve come to the right place!
Philadelphia – aka Philly – is one of the most famous cities in the United States, and we had a ton of fun here on our most recent trip!
Obviously, history is a big draw for travelers, but there’s also tons of art, culture, and food to enjoy on tours in Philadelphia. And it’s not just about Philly cheesesteaks either, although we ate our fair share of them, and can say they are pretty great.
All in all, we were super impressed by how much there was to do in the City of Brotherly Love, which is why we’ve put together this guide containing the best things to do in Philadelphia.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity

Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing to do in Philadelphia is going on this walking tour of the Old City! It’s the best way to learn about Philly and see what makes it so special. Check out the 1,500+ 5-star reviews and book your spot here!
Tip: Be sure to book this tour in advance – it’s popular and is likely to sell out!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Philadelphia
- 1. Explore the Old City
- 2. Go on a food tour at Reading Terminal Market
- 3. Night ghost/adult tour
- 4. See the Liberty Bell
- 5. Ride on a hop-on hop-off bus
- 6. Visit the Museum of the American Revolution
- 7. Visit the local breweries
- 8. See Philadelphia's Magic Gardens on an art tour
- 9. Join a trolley (drinking!) tour
- 10. Wander the Italian Market
- Where to Stay in Philadelphia, USA
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Philadelphia
1. Explore the Old City


The Old City is the most interesting part of Philly to explore. There are dozens of historical buildings and museums here, including the Betsy Ross House, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall. You can even visit the burial ground at Christ Church to see the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin.
The best way to experience the Old City is by taking this top-rated history tour. In a quick 1.5-hour walking tour, you’ll explore the area’s most important landmarks, including the Ben Franklin Post Office, Elfreth’s Alley, and Carpenters’ Hall. The commentary is super engaging and really helps to bring history to life! It’s especially great if it’s your first time in Philly.
As America’s first capital, the Old City holds a lot of history. We thought it was really helpful to go with a guide so we could learn about the significance of this area – it was actually really cool! This tour covers more than 10 historic sites, so you really get you’re money’s worth. Tickets are $43.50 USD and should be booked in advance, as this is one of Philly’s most popular tours.
Check out the 1,500+ positive reviews and reserve your spot here!
2. Go on a food tour at Reading Terminal Market


Philadelphia is a foodie’s dream and trust us when we say that there’s so much more to the city’s food scene than just cheesesteaks! There’s so much on offer here, so you should go on a food tour in Philadelphia to try it ALL.
We wanted to eat as much great food as possible in Philadelphia so we booked this Flavors of Philly food tour and it was amazing. Seriously, we’ve done food tours all over the world and this was one of the best ones we’ve EVER done anywhere. We were so impressed and had so much delicious food!
You get to try so much typical Philly food on this tour. Of course, cheesesteaks are involved but we also had tomato pie (more on that later in the blog) as well as pretzels, cheese whiz fries, and desserts.
We also loved exploring the historic Reading Terminal Market and going with a guide made the experience even more immersive.
Overall, we had so much fun and were really impressed by this tour. Plus, for $65 USD per person, we thought it was good value for money and 100% worth it. Just make sure to arrive hungry, because you’ll leave feeling absolutely stuffed!
With over 400 5-star reviews, this is easily one of Philly’s best food tours! Check out all the reviews here.
Book this top-rated food tour in advance and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
3. Night ghost/adult tour


Philadelphia is known for being a historic city, and some of that history is very dark and grizzly. There are tons of ghost stories surrounding the city, so it’s no surprise that nighttime ghost tours are really popular.
In addition to taking a daytime sightseeing tour, we recommend taking a quirky Philadelphia night tour – we did this adult night tour and it was awesome!
It’s a walking tour in Philly and we visited lots of historic places, including the city’s original red light district, execution sites, and haunted spots full of tales about vampires, ghosts, and pirates. Our guide was an older lady with a wicked sense of humor which made the tour so entertaining, and we loved learning about Philly’s dark side!
We did this tour during the summer and it was a great way to escape the heat. And it’s cheap, too, with a 2-hour tour going for $38-$48 USD depending on what night you go.
If we haven’t already sold you, just check out our full review of this Dark Philly Adult Night Tour here. Spoiler alert: we definitely think it’s worth it!
Book this tour with more than 3,000 5-star reviews here, before it sells out!
4. See the Liberty Bell


The Liberty Bell is a must-see, even if you only have one day in Philly! It’s a famous symbol of not just the city of Philadelphia, but the United States as a whole.
Honestly, for such an iconic historical artifact, there’s a lot of mystery surrounding the bell. It was made in 1751 and when Colonel John Nixon publicly read out the Declaration of Independence to the citizens of Philadelphia in 1776, bells were rung all over the city. It’s believed that the Liberty Bell was among those.
On top of this, no one knows exactly how or when the bell first got its famous crack, although we do know that it was rung for the final time on President’s Day in 1846 when the crack became too big for it to continue being used.
The bell was later adopted by the anti-slavery movement as an abolitionist symbol, which is when it became known as the Liberty Bell.
The bell is kept in the Liberty Bell Center. Surprisingly, it’s free to visit! There’s no booking required, but it’s usually super busy and there’s a LONG line to get in.
With that said, the BEST way to see the Liberty Bell is on a history tour, like this one we did. This way, you get to visit and learn about lots of Philadelphia’s most historic sites in just a couple of hours, including the President’s House (the “first” White House!) and Congress Hall – which housed Congress back when Philly was the US capital.
Plus, joining a tour means you don’t need to read all of the info boards in the Liberty Bell Center because you hear it all from your guide. It really brings all the history of Philly to life, which is why it’s one of the best Philadephia history tours! For $29 USD per person, we think it’s good value for money, too.
The walking tours are offered daily and can be booked here.
5. Ride on a hop-on hop-off bus

One of the things we love about Philly is how walkable it is. Saying that, if you want to see and do everything the city has to offer, you’re going to need some kind of transport – especially if you’re only here for a few days!
Hop-on hop-off buses are super popular in Philadelphia, as they’re by far the cheapest and easiest way to get around. I also really like them because you get guided commentary along the way but you can go at your own pace and explore independently.
This hop-on, hop-off bus has a super comprehensive route and takes you to a ton of places we’ve talked about in this blog post so far, including Reading Terminal Market, City Hall, Rittenhouse Square, Love Park, Chinatown, and tons more!
Buses run between 9:30 am and 5 pm, and you can book a 1, 2, or 3-day ticket online depending on how long you’re in the city. If you’re planning a 3-day Philadelphia itinerary, it can be a good way to cover transport between multiple spots.
It costs $36 USD for a one-day ticket, $55 USD for two days, or $74 USD for three days. You also get a route map and there’s an additional free shuttle to hotels in the city center, so we think this a great bus to choose.
You can click here to reserve your hop-on, hop-off bus tour online and pay later.
6. Visit the Museum of the American Revolution


There are a ton of museums to explore in Philly, but if you’re only going to do one, then make it this one!
The Museum of the American Revolution tells the story of the insurrection against British rule which ultimately resulted in American independence.
This is a HUGE museum and it’s a fantastic place to learn more about US history. We found that you need at least two hours to do the museum properly, but you could easily spend longer here, especially if you’re a big history fan.
There are lots of different exhibits but the entire upstairs section is one large one that tells the story of the American Revolution through artifacts including weapons, personal letters and diaries, and works of art. We found it really interesting to learn more about how and why the revolution started, and you even get to see George Washington’s Revolutionary War headquarters tent and his list of grievances against the King of England.
The American Revolution Museum is also super popular so you should book your tickets in advance. It’s best to book online because it’s easier, helps you skip the ticket lines, and there are timed entry slots. If you just show up on the day then there’s a chance you will be turned away or have to wait in long lines!
The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Tickets are $24 USD or $29 USD including an audio tour, which we think is worth the extra $5. You have to choose a time slot for entry but you can stay as long as you want once you’re inside.
Save time when you book your American Revolution Museum tickets in advance here.

It’s also worth noting that tickets are valid for two consecutive days. So, if you are spending at least 2 days in Philadelphia and you run out of time, you can return the following day for free.
However, for a really special experience, we recommend booking this guided tour. You get to enter the museum an hour early, at 9 am, and enjoy an in-depth tour while there’s no one else around. Your expert guide will tell you some incredible stories about the artifacts you see and you’re in a small group, so you get to ask lots of questions about the aspects of the American Revolution that you’re most interested in. We definitely think it’s worth doing, especially because it only costs $50 USD, including your museum entry!
You can book this VIP tour of the museum with Viator here.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
7. Visit the local breweries


There’s more to the city than just history! Philadelphia has a great craft beer scene and it’s been around for a while. The first craft brewery opened in 1985, and it was the first one since Prohibition!
Since we love craft beer, we went on this guided brewery tour to try some of the best Philly has to offer. The samples are generous everywhere you go so you really get a taste for the craft beer scene and find exactly what you like (which for us was a lot!).
The tour lasts for about 3.5 hours and includes a behind-the-scenes look at how the brews are made. For $105 USD including all transport (in a beer-themed van!), 12 different drinks, and a pretzel snack, we think this tour is great value for money and a really fun way to spend some time in Philly!
Book this tour in advance here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
8. See Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens on an art tour


The city of Philadelphia is famous for its murals and street art. Most businesses are actually required to paint a mural of some sort! Street art became famous when an anti-graffiti initiative was launched, which connected with graffiti artists and encouraged them to create public artworks instead.
Today, the city is home to over 4,000 murals, so it can be hard to see all of the best ones on your own! That’s why we would recommend joining this street art tour that will take you to the best neighborhoods and tell you the stories behind Philly’s most vibrant and creative murals.
This art tour also includes entry to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens. This is an open-air gallery on South Street that was once a pretty run-down neighborhood, but local artists came together to beautify the area, and this quirky garden is at the heart of it all. It’s known for its mosaics, which remind me a bit of Gaudi.
The Magic Gardens were created by Isaiah Zagar, who used an array of materials including bottles, kitchen tiles, mirrors, bicycle wheels, and many other materials to make these beautiful mosaics.
This street art and Magic Gardens tour is a unique way to see the city. It’s only 2 hours, so it’s easy to fit into your itinerary. It includes entry to the Magic Gardens, your amazing local guide, and some of your ticket proceeds to go a community art program. I’d say that’s well worth $42 USD!
Check availability and book this tour in advance here!
9. Join a trolley (drinking!) tour

Philadelphia’s historic trolleys are great for sightseeing, but what’s even better is taking a Philly tour that lets you bring your own booze and drink as you learn all about the city’s history!
This BYOB super fun trolley tour aims to bring history to life. The guides create a fun and lively atmosphere, and of course, the fact that you can bring your own drinks with you helps, too. Plus, it probably works out a lot cheaper than just hitting the bars, and you get to learn something too – it’s a win-win as far as we’re concerned!
As you tour around the city, you’ll see some of Philly’s most famous sights, including Betsy Ross House, City Hall, Eastern State Penitentiary (where Al Capone was briefly held), and the famous Rocky Statue. You’ll get off to snap some photos along the way and your guides will tell you stories that really bring these historic places to life.
Unfortunately, we didn’t actually get time to do this tour ourselves, but we heard really good things from friends and the tour has glowing reviews. It’s definitely at the top of our list for the next time we travel to Philly!
Check out the 500+ 5-star reviews and book this trolley tour here!
10. Wander the Italian Market


The Italian Market has been around since the 19th century, but it’s another Philly landmark that was made famous by the Rocky movies!
For the most in-depth experience of the Italian Market, you can also take this tour of the Italian Market which is led by a local chef! It’s an awesome way to learn more about Philly’s culinary heritage, discover the best stalls, and try a ton of locally made goodies, from cheese and Philly pizza to Mexican tortillas.
You might recognize the market from the scene where Rocky runs on the street and market vendors are throwing fruit was filmed here, and it looks pretty much the same today as it did in 1976.
It really takes you back to the days before big supermarkets took over and everyone used to get their groceries from local markets, although you can now find a ton of international foods here that probably wouldn’t have been available in the 70s.
When we went to the Italian Market, we went to Anthony’s Italian Coffee and Chocolate House, and we loved it. They make amazing chocolates here, which you just have to try, and they serve strong coffee, so it’s a great pick-me-up. They even do chocolate-covered bacon, which is so unique and a must-try!
You can book this top-rated tour with hundreds of 5-star reviews here!
Where to Stay in Philadelphia, USA

Philadelphia is a big city, and deciding where to stay can be overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve narrowed it down to our top choices for each budget range. So keep reading to find the best accommodations for you!
The Rittenhouse Hotel – $$$
The Rittenhouse Hotel is a centrally located, award-winning accommodation. It has that old-school Philadelphia feel with modern amenities. They offer a gym, an indoor heated pool, a sun terrace, and a fabulous restaurant. You can also enjoy British tea and cocktails in their tea room, which is connected to a gorgeous garden.
Prices range from $350 – $1,000 USD depending on the type of room and your dates. You can check prices and availability online here.
Element Philadelphia Downtown – $$
The Element Philadelphia Downtown is just a block from City Hall. It has a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, a shared lounge, and free bikes. The place has modern, well-equipped rooms, friendly staff, and a decent continental breakfast. Request a room higher up for an awesome city view.
This place is a great value for money, with prices starting as low as $160 USD when you book in advance.
Apple Hostels of Philadelphia – $
Apple Hostels of Philadelphia is my favorite budget accommodation in Philadelphia. It’s located in the Old City, within walking distance of the Liberty Bell and Center City. This hostel has it all, including a shared kitchen, laundry, pool table, foosball, Xbox, computers/iPads, guitars, and a TV area. You won’t have any trouble socializing, and they even offer free drinks and dinner sometimes. It’s clean, comfortable, and has a great vibe.
Shared rooms start at $34 USD, and private rooms begin at $85 USD. You can book your stay on Booking.com or through Hostelworld.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!

Whew, that’s quite the list of all the best things to do in Philadelphia! We loved the charm and history of this city that was around every corner and probably most of all … the food. But that should be no surprise! If you’re going to eat Philly cheesesteak, there’s no better place than Philly right?!
If you’re traveling to other cities in the United States, check out our other USA blogs. Or if you’re off to explore north of the border, we’ve lived and traveled across Canada, so we have lots of info to share!
15 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting: Empire State Building Observation Deck
34 BEST Things to do in New York City in Summer – Events, Festivals, and More!