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Philadelphia

242 attractions · United States of America

Philadelphia
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. 1

    Philadelphia was the first World Heritage City in the United States, designated by the Organization of World Heritage Cities in 2015.

  2. 2

    The city's nickname, the 'City of Brotherly Love,' is derived from the Greek words philos (love) and adelphos (brother).

  3. 3

    It contains the highest concentration of public art in the United States, a legacy of the city's Percent for Art program.

  4. 4

    The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, connecting Philadelphia to New Jersey, was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1926.

  5. 5

    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.

Top things to do in Philadelphia

The 242 most popular places in Philadelphia.

Filtered by
  1. 151 Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

  2. 152 Henry Avenue Bridge
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Henry Avenue Bridge

  3. 153 McNeil Avian Center
    Natural attractions Hidden gem

    McNeil Avian Center

  4. 154 Girard Fountain Park
    Parks Hidden gem

    Girard Fountain Park

  5. 155 Nazarene Baptist Church
    Temples Hidden gem

    Nazarene Baptist Church

  6. 156 George C. Platt Memorial Bridge
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    George C. Platt Memorial Bridge

  7. 157 Once Upon A Nation
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Once Upon A Nation

  8. 158 Stone Spiral Arch Bridge
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Stone Spiral Arch Bridge

  9. 159 Shakespeare Memorial
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Shakespeare Memorial

  10. 160 Girard Avenue Bridge
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Girard Avenue Bridge

  11. 161 The Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden
    Parks Hidden gem

    The Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden

  12. 162 Resurrection Philadelphia
    Temples Hidden gem

    Resurrection Philadelphia

  13. 163 Cat park
    Parks Hidden gem

    Cat park

  14. 164 The Cliffs
    Historical places Hidden gem

    The Cliffs

  15. 165 Schuylkill River Park Community Garden
    Parks Hidden gem

    Schuylkill River Park Community Garden

  16. 166 Nelson Playground
    Playgrounds Hidden gem

    Nelson Playground

  17. 167 Locks Gallery
    Museums Hidden gem

    Locks Gallery

  18. 168 Cedar Grove
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Cedar Grove

  19. 169 Thomas Paine Plaza
    Parks Hidden gem

    Thomas Paine Plaza

  20. 170 Water is Life
    Zoos Hidden gem

    Water is Life

  21. 171 Society Hill Synagogue
    Temples Hidden gem

    Society Hill Synagogue

  22. 172 Ohio House
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Ohio House

  23. 173 Split Button
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Split Button

  24. 174 Bolt of Lightning Memorial to Benjamin Franklin
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Bolt of Lightning Memorial to Benjamin Franklin

  25. 175 The Yard on John Coltrane Street
    Parks Hidden gem

    The Yard on John Coltrane Street

  26. 176 Abraham Lincoln Monument
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Abraham Lincoln Monument

  27. 177 The Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden
    Parks Hidden gem

    The Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden

  28. 178 William Penn
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    William Penn

  29. 179 The Historic Enon Baptist Church
    Temples Hidden gem

    The Historic Enon Baptist Church

  30. 180 Canaan Baptist Church
    Temples Hidden gem

    Canaan Baptist Church

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Philadelphia on the map

Top attractions plotted across the city.

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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.