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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
- 1
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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121
Places of interest Hidden gem
Strawberry Mansion Bridge
The Strawberry Mansion Bridge is a historic 19th-century bridge crossing the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, linking W...
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122
Temples Hidden gem
Center City Mosque
Center City Mosque is an active Islamic house of worship located at 1328 Walnut Street in the heart of downtown Philadel...
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123
Parks Hidden gem
Independence Square
Independence Square in Philadelphia is the landscaped urban block where both the Declaration of Independence and the Uni...
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124
Historical places Hidden gem
Declaration House
Declaration House, also known as the Graff House, is the reconstructed site where Thomas Jefferson rented rooms in the s...
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125
Museums Hidden gem
Historic Strawberry Mansion
Historic Strawberry Mansion is the largest of the historic houses located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, and overlooks...
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126
Places of interest Hidden gem
Girard Point Bridge
The Girard Point Bridge is a dual-span cantilever truss bridge carrying Interstate 95 over the Schuylkill River in Phila...
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127
Temples Hidden gem
Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church
Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church is a parish located in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The church...
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128
Historical places Hidden gem
Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the only memorial in the United States dedicated to the Vietnam War servic...
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129
Museums Hidden gem
Arch Enemy Arts
Arch Enemy Arts is a Philadelphia-based gallery specializing in contemporary surrealism, pop-surrealism, and new contemp...
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130
Museums Hidden gem
Mount Pleasant Mansion
Mount Pleasant Mansion is a historic Georgian-style country house situated within Fairmount Park overlooking the Schuylk...
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131
Places of interest Hidden gem
Clothespin Sculpture
The Clothespin Sculpture in Philadelphia is a 45-foot-tall Cor-Ten steel public art installation created by artist Claes...
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132
Places of interest Hidden gem
The Thinker
The Thinker in Philadelphia is a bronze cast of Auguste Rodin's iconic masterpiece positioned prominently outside the Ro...
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133
Historical places Hidden gem
Tun Tavern Historical Marker USMC
The Tun Tavern Historical Marker commemorates the birthplace of the United States Marine Corps, where Captain Samuel Nic...
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134
Venues Hidden gem
Hagan Arena St Joseph's University
Hagan Arena serves as the primary multi-purpose indoor venue for Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. It functions...
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135
Historical places Hidden gem
Historic RittenhouseTown
Historic RittenhouseTown is the site of America's first paper mill, established in 1690 by William Rittenhouse along the...
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136
Historical places Hidden gem
Grumblethorpe
Grumblethorpe is an 18th-century historic house museum located along Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia. Built in 1744 by...
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137
Museums Hidden gem
Hill-Physick House
The Hill-Physick House is the only remaining freestanding Federal-style mansion in Philadelphia's Society Hill neighborh...
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138
Historical places Hidden gem
Laurel Hill Mansion
Laurel Hill Mansion is a historic Georgian-style house museum situated within East Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, overl...
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139
Temples Hidden gem
St. Andrew's Russian Orthodox Cathedral
St. Andrew's Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a prominent historical Eastern Orthodox house of worship located in the North...
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140
Temples Hidden gem
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral serves as the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and is located in the U...
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141
Historical places Hidden gem
Signer's Garden
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142
Museums Hidden gem
Woodford Mansion
Woodford Mansion is an 18th-century country house located within East Fairmount Park, renowned as one of the finest exam...
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143
Museums Hidden gem
Franklin Court Printing Office
The Franklin Court Printing Office is a working 18th-century print shop operated by Independence National Historical Par...
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144
Places of interest Hidden gem
The Dream Garden
The Dream Garden is a 15-by-49-foot glass mosaic mural located in the lobby of the Curtis Center. It was designed by Max...
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145
Places of interest Hidden gem
Fountain of the Sea Horses
The Fountain of the Sea Horses in Philadelphia is a prominent historic water feature located on the Benjamin Franklin Pa...
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146
Museums Hidden gem
The SEPTA Store
The SEPTA Store is an official retail hub located inside SEPTA Headquarters at 1234 Market Street in Center City Philade...
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147
Historical places Hidden gem
First Bank of the United States
The First Bank of the United States, established in 1791, represents the first major expansion of federal authority in A...
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148
Museums Hidden gem
Philadelphia History Museum
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149
Places of interest Hidden gem
Comcast Experience
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150
Temples Hidden gem
B'nai Abraham Chabad
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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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