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United States of America
Things to do in Philadelphia
242 attractions · United States of America
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0
Pennsylvania, United States of America · 39.953, -75.163
About Philadelphia
Philadelphia serves as the birthplace of the United States, famously housing the Liberty Bell and serving as the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The city maintains a distinct grid plan designed by William Penn that centers around green spaces like Rittenhouse Square. Visitors can scale the Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps to reenact cinematic history or explore the mosaic-covered walls of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. As a major urban center, it blends dense historic districts with a robust modern cultural scene.
Good to know
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Philadelphia was the first World Heritage City in the United States, designated by the Organization of World Heritage Cities in 2015.
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The city's nickname, the 'City of Brotherly Love,' is derived from the Greek words philos (love) and adelphos (brother).
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It contains the highest concentration of public art in the United States, a legacy of the city's Percent for Art program.
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The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, connecting Philadelphia to New Jersey, was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1926.
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Philadelphia was the only American city to serve as the capital of the United States before the permanent establishment of Washington, D.C.
Plan your visit to Philadelphia
Best time to visit
Spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) offer the most temperate weather for walking between historic sites.
How many days
3-4 days to sufficiently cover the historic district, major art museums, and local neighborhoods.
Getting around
The city is highly walkable in the center, complemented by the SEPTA transit system including subways, regional rail, and trolleys.
Where to stay
Center City provides the best access to major landmarks, while Old City is ideal for those prioritizing proximity to the historic district.
Budget
Mid-range; while luxury accommodations exist, the city offers a wide variety of affordable dining and free public parks.
Highlights of Philadelphia
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
Liberty Bell
View the iconic cracked symbol of American independence and constitutional governance.
Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps
Run up the grand stone staircase to overlook the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Rittenhouse Square
Relax in this historic urban square surrounded by high-end dining and architecture.
The Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Explore an extensive collection of medical oddities and anatomical specimens in a historic setting.
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Walk through an immersive, labyrinthine space decorated with thousands of handcrafted tiles and mirrors.
Barnes Foundation
View an unparalleled collection of Post-Impressionist and Early Modernist paintings in a purpose-built gallery.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Enjoy seasonal waterfront lounging with hammocks and local food vendors along the Delaware River.
JFK Plaza (Love Park)
Visit the site of the famous Robert Indiana sculpture located at the western terminus of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Top things to do in Philadelphia
The 242 most popular places in Philadelphia.
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91
Temples Known locally
St. Augustine's Catholic Church
St. Augustine's Catholic Church, located at 243 N Lawrence St in Philadelphia, is a historic parish founded in 1796 by t...
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92
Places of interest Known locally
The Gates of Hell
The Gates of Hell is a monumental bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin located at the entrance to the Rodin Museum in Phila...
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93
Temples Known locally
Christ Community Church
Christ Community Church is an active Christian congregation located at 4017 Chestnut Street in West Philadelphia. The ch...
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94
Temples Known locally
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship \ Mosque
The Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship is a non-profit organization and spiritual community established by M. R. Bawa Muhaiyad...
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95
Museums Known locally
Second Bank of the United States Portrait Gallery
The Second Bank of the United States Portrait Gallery, housed within a Greek Revival building designed by William Strick...
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96
Temples Known locally
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in Philadelphia, established in 1832....
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97
Museums Known locally
Wagner Free Institute of Science
The Wagner Free Institute of Science is a unique Victorian-era natural history museum that remains largely unchanged sin...
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98
Historical places Known locally
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Philadelphia is a solemn memorial dedicated to unidentified American Revolutionary Wa...
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99
Temples Known locally
Old Saint Joseph's Catholic Church
Old Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, founded in 1733, holds the distinction of being the oldest Roman Catholic parish in...
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100
Museums Known locally
Underground Railroad Museum
The Underground Railroad Museum is housed within the historic Belmont Mansion, a prominent 18th-century Palladian villa...
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101
Parks Known locally
Gold Star Park
Gold Star Park is a compact, neighborhood green space located at 613 Wharton Street in the Italian Market / Passyunk Squ...
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102
Venues Known locally
Painted Bride Art Center
The Painted Bride Art Center is a multidisciplinary venue in Philadelphia known for hosting contemporary performances, v...
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103
Historical places Known locally
Fragments of Franklin Court
Franklin Court preserves the site of Benjamin Franklin’s final Philadelphia residence, though his original home was demo...
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104
Historical places Known locally
Smith Memorial Arch
The Smith Memorial Arch is a monumental gateway located in West Fairmount Park, dedicated to Richard Smith and his wife,...
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105
Zoos Known locally
Reptile and Amphibian House
The Reptile and Amphibian House at the Philadelphia Zoo houses a diverse collection of cold-blooded species from around...
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106
Places of interest Known locally
The Irish Memorial
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107
Temples Known locally
Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia serves as the mother church of the Ukraini...
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108
Temples Known locally
St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church
St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church is a historically significant Roman Catholic parish located in West Philadelphia at...
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109
Places of interest Known locally
UPenn Love Sculpture
The UPenn Love Sculpture is a permanent public art installation featuring Robert Indiana’s iconic stacked-letter 'LOVE'...
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110
Museums Hidden gem
Powel House
The Powel House is a historic Georgian brick mansion located at 244 South 3rd Street in Philadelphia, serving as the res...
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111
Museums Hidden gem
Paul Robeson House & Museum
The Paul Robeson House & Museum is located in the West Philadelphia home where the iconic activist, singer, and actor sp...
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112
Historical places Hidden gem
Stenton
Stenton is an exceptionally well-preserved 18th-century Georgian plantation house built between 1728 and 1730 for James...
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113
Temples Hidden gem
St. Agatha - St. James Parish/Roman Catholic Church
St. Agatha - St. James Parish is a Roman Catholic church located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in West...
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114
Temples Hidden gem
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish is an active Roman Catholic church located on Woodbine Avenue in West Philadelphia....
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115
Places of interest Hidden gem
The Woodlands
The Woodlands is a 54-acre National Historic Landmark in West Philadelphia that functions simultaneously as a historic 1...
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116
Parks Hidden gem
Washington Avenue Green
Washington Avenue Green is a waterfront pocket park situated along the Delaware River waterfront in South Philadelphia....
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117
Temples Hidden gem
Old Saint Mary's Parish/Roman Catholic Church
Old Saint Mary's Parish is a historic Roman Catholic church located at 252 South 4th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvani...
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118
Temples Hidden gem
Kahal Kadosh Mikveh Israel
Kahal Kadosh Mikveh Israel, established in 1740, is the oldest continuously operating synagogue in Pennsylvania and hold...
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119
Parks Hidden gem
Centennial Arboretum
The Centennial Arboretum is a historic public green space located along Montgomery Drive in West Fairmount Park, Philade...
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120
Parks Hidden gem
Cloverly Park
Cloverly Park is a historic neighborhood green space located at 5407 Wissahickon Avenue in the Germantown section of Phi...
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Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in Philadelphia?
Aventuro lists 242 curated attractions in and around Philadelphia, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in Philadelphia?
Reading Terminal Market is the most popular place to visit in Philadelphia right now.
What kind of attractions does Philadelphia have?
The largest category is museums, with 51 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Boston.
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