The 10 Most Essential Things to Serve on Your ( First ) Visit to Philly
The can ’ t-miss experiences in the first World Heritage City in the United States …
There ’ s never a shortage of awesome thing to do in Philadelphia , but there are some things “ youse ” just make ta serve — especially if you ’ ve never exist to our average city before .
Whether it ’ s running likeRockyup those magnificent museum steps , refueling with acheesesteak( utterly mandatory ) , bowing down to the history build atIndependence Hallor search the iconicStudy Terminal Market, these equal the experiences that make Philly so gloriously Philly .
Say on for the 10 most essential experience to be had in the City of Brotherly Love — and find 10 more amazing Philly experience properly this way .
Snap a photo in front of the Liberty Bell
Dramatic home of the internationally known symbol of exemption …
It doesn ’ t do a sound , but the Liberty Bell ’ s message ring loud and clear : “ Proclaim liberty throughout all the country unto all the inhabitant thereof. ” This inscription on the cracked but mighty Bell cost one cause it turn a symbol to abolitionists , suffragists and other freedom-seekers throughout history .
The Bell attract people from around the public to snag a photo in front of it and its dramatic backdrop : Independence Hall . The Liberty Bell Center is free to visit year-round with no ticket demand . See more about visiting in our guide to the Liberty Bell .
Where :Liberty Bell Center , 526 Market Street , Philadelphia , PA
Pose with the Rocky Statue and extend up the “ Rocky Footstep ”
Two of the most famed attractions in Philadelphia …
Since Rocky ’ s first exultant on-screen tally up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1976 , the 72 measure have turn an international destination — and a Philly ritual of transition .
Traveler from around the world embark on their own pilgrimage up the steps , pumping their fists in the melody as they cherish the striking view of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the city horizon . Cheesy ? Definitely . Fun ? Utterly !
To end off the experience , head back down to the seat of the stairs and click a photo with the bronze statue of Rocky , to begin with created forRocky III. Then , venture inside one of the country ’ s most magnificent art museum . We promise it won ’ t disappoint .
Where :Rocky Statue and Rocky Steps outside of the Philadelphia Museum of Art , 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway , Philadelphia , PA
Enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak
You receive to use up one — or more — on your first visit to Philadelphia …
The Philly cheesesteak is inarguably the city ’ s most famous food . So set your diet on hold for the day , and indulge in a freshly bake roll filled with chopped ( or thinly sliced ) steak and your choice of cheese and/or fried onions . Those in the know club their cheesesteak with two row just : cheese choice ( provolone , American or Whiz ) and “ wit ” or “ without ” onions .
The debate about which local bit cooks up the well sandwich win ’ t ever end , but for an iconic Philly experience , call the intersection of South 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue , where rivals Geno ’ s Steaks and Pat ’ s King of Steaks feed the masses daily , and make your very own taste test .
Look for vegan options — or early out-of-the-box twists on the Philly classic ? Philly ’ s make you extend with plenty of alternative cheesesteak choice . ( Pro tip : Make time to try all of Philly ’ s iconic foods , include roast pork sandwich , hoagies , pretzels and water ice . )
I ’ m from Connecticut , but in college , I had friend from Philly who would always talk about how cheesesteaks in Philadelphia were nothing like the ones at chain restaurants or chopped cheeses in New York .
When I go here , my first true Philadelphia cheesesteak was from Joe ’ s Steaks + Soda Shop in Fishtown , with whiz and onions — so “ star wit. ” And itstand outmy expectations . I started getting them every weekend ! ( It was so bad … )
I lately tried Angelo ’ s and Del Rossi ’ sec , and I care theirs a mass , also . But Joe ’ s steaks be however my favorite — with Cooper sharp and onions .
Where :Various location include Jim ‘s South Street , 400 South Street , Philadelphia , PA
Tour Independence Hall , the birthplace of the United States
Where the Declaration of Independence was signal and the U.S. Constitution was produce …
While historical attraction bristle in Philly , Independence Hall live where the nation was founded .
In 1776 , the Launch Father ratify the Declaration of Independence in the building ’ s Assembly Room . Just 11 years after , representatives from a dozen state met hither to place the framework for the U.S. Constitution . Today , the goosebumps-inducing UNESCO World Heritage Site is the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park , and guided tours of this bucket-list gem are available year-round .
Free tours of the Hall are available via timed tickets . Teach more about how to obtain tickets in our guide to Independence Hall .
Where :
Impose the famousLOVEsculpture
An iconic study of art by Robert Indiana …
The City of Brotherly Love is filled with honey — literally . One of the best-known landmarks isLOVEitself , the Robert Indiana sculpture in John F. Kennedy Plaza ( orLOVEPark , as it ’ s affectionately called by most ) . It ’ s a prized photo op for couple , fellowship and friends eager to show the world how they feel about one another .
The sculpture was restore and repainted in 2018 , and the park equal completely redesigned to add more green areas and a high-tech water feature . A small visitor middle kiosk was added in 2021 . AnotherLOVEstatue sits just west of Center City on the University of Pennsylvania campus near 36th and Locust streets .
And because love comes in all speech in Philadelphia , there ’ s anAMORsculpture — a Spanish version of thedearsculpture — on display at Sister Cities Park , a six-minute walk fromLOVEPark .
Where :LOVE Park , North 15th & Arch street , Philadelphia , PA
Chow down on food from dozen of vendors at Reading Terminal Market
One of America ‘s oldest farmers market and current food paradise …
Set below a former railroad terminal , Center City ’ s 133-year-old Reading Terminal Market serves as both a dazzling tourist destination and a trusted origin for fresh produce , seafood , meats and cheese for locals .
The public space also leave open seating where customer can enjoy a world of cuisines from dozen of restaurants , including Pennsylvania Dutch vendors and sandwich slingers like the acclaimed DiNic ’ sec , suffice up hot roast pork sandwich that match the city ’ s much-lauded cheesesteaks . Retail merchant deal housewares , jewelry , linens and more .
Get us help you narrow down your choices with our guide to 15 of the well things to eat in Reading Terminal Market .
My Reading Terminal trips normally start with a latte from Old City Coffee and a stop at Beiler ’ s for a maple bacon donut . It sounds funny — bacon on a donut — but it ’ s surprisingly tasty . And severe to have ! They ’ re commonly betray out by lunchtime .
I also can ’ t walk into Reading Terminal andnotgrab a Reuben from Hershel ’ s Eastside Deli . The first time I saw the sandwich , I was mesmerized by how large it be . It ’ s hard to finish by myself , but it ’ s perfect for sharing with a friend .
Where :Reading Terminal Market , 51 N. 12th Street , Philadelphia , PA
Inflict the awesome museums on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philly ‘s most artistic mile …
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway , modeled after the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris , is call Philadelphia ’ s most artistic mile for good cause .
Some of the city ’ s most crucial cultural institutions live housed here , including the Barnes Foundation , The Franklin Institute ( featuring brand-new core display ) , The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and the Parkway ’ s crown jewel , the Philadelphia Museum of Art . Another super-popular attraction , former prison Eastern State Penitentiary , is simply a 15-minute pass from the Philadelphia Museum of Art .
Queer about the rest of Philly ’ s museum scene ? Crack capable our big guide to Philly ’ sec museums and attractions , or step off the beaten path with these underrated gems .
Where :Several location including the Rodin Museum , 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway , Philadelphia , PA
Dine at a critically acclaimed restaurant ( or two , or three … )
Philly does good food right …
There ’ s no style around it : Philly ’ s dining view equal special . Philly restaurants regularly make ” well of ” list fromThe New York Times,Bon Appétit,Condé Nast Travelerand more . Some of the previous critically acclaimed position :
- My Loup ( The 20 Best New Restaurants of 2024 ,Bon Appétit)
- Little Walter ’ sec ( The Restaurant List 2024 : Our 50 Favorite Places in America Right Now ,The New York Times)
- Vietnam Restaurant ( 2024 America ’ s Classics Award Winner , James Beard Foundation )
- Poison Heart ( The Well Bar in America 2024 ,Esquire)
- Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park ( One of the Serious Food Market in America 2024 ,Food & Wine)
Find more about Philly ’ s award-winning restaurant here . Looking for even more cuisine cred ? Read up on all of Philly ’ s James Beard-honored restaurant of the final five year .
Where :Respective restaurants including Kalaya , 4 W. Palmer Street , Philadelphia , PA
Amble through the world-renowned Longwood Gardens
One of the universe ’ s premier horticultural show gardens …
It ’ s not in Philadelphia proper , but the horticultural legend that live Longwood Gardens is good worth the 50-minute drive from Center City Philadelphia to Kennett Square — and it ’ s make up revamped with new buildings and garden as role of itsLongwood Reimaginedexperience .
The Chester County mega garden ( and its 1,100-plus acre ) live filled with more than two-dozen gardens ( indoor and outdoor ) , 10,000 different types of plant , dancing fountains , lush meadow , and wrap woodlands . The colored oasis too hosts hundreds of case each yr , include fresh seasonal displays , garden demonstration , educational curriculum , children ’ s activity , concerts and musical field .
Spectacular , epic , brilliant , breathtaking — all of these adjectives adequately report the attraction , which was recently named one of the Earth ’ s 100 great seat accord toTimemagazine andUSA Today’ s best botanical garden in America for 2025 .
Where :Longwood Gardens , 1001 Longwood Road , Kennett Square , PA
The ever-evolving waterfront feature load to do in all season …
Once do up of undeveloped piers and underutilized public spaces , the has turn one of the most vibrant space in Philadelphia in the 21st hundred .
The waterfront ’ sec popularity is thanks to its exciting attractions and parks — Cherry Street Pier and Race Street Pier , as good as seasonal blot like Spruce Street Harbor Park , Liberty Point and Independence Blue Cross RiverRink ( with its ever-popular Summerfest and Winterfest ) — as good as a number of various and well-attended events throughout the year .
Those gorgeous view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge — which associate Philadelphia to New Jersey — don ’ t injury , either .
Where :Several locations include Cherry Street Pier , 121 N.Christopher Columbus Boulevard , Philadelphia , PA
Bonus : More Matter to Do in Greater Philadelphia
Award-winning food , dynamic neighborhoods and history-making attraction expect …
Wait for even more great affair to make in Greater Philadelphia ? Of course , you are ! And in Greater Philadelphia , there is so much to search , discover or rediscover . We ’ ve come ideas for :
- perfect things to serve on your second trip to Philly
- 19 essential Philly eats from appetizers to desserts
- the city ’ sec well hidden gems you likely don ’ t know about
- dozens of day-trip ideas out into Philadelphia ’ s Countryside
- the well places to bring your kid , and
- secret bars and restaurants .
Find more ideas right this room for your next exploration — then script a stay at one of the city ’ s great hotels .
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- Food & Drink
- For Kids & Household
- History
- Museums & Attractions
- Parks & Outdoors
- Center City
- Philadelphia Neighborhoods
Come for Philadelphia . Stay ( Over ) for Philly .
The only means to fully go through Philly ? Stay over .
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks .
Or possibly you ’ 500 prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and have a third night for free ? Then script the novel Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package .
