Things to Do in Philadelphia

Congress Hall played an important role in the history of the United States. Following the American Revolutionary War, Philadelphia was declared the capital city and Congress Hall served as the home of the U.S. Congress from 1790-1800. Today, the building is part of Independence National Historic Park and is open to the public for tours.

Originally settled in the mid-19th century by Cantonese immigrants, Philadelphia's Chinatown is a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood known for its fresh-food markets, authentic restaurants, and diverse crowds. Its streets and alleyways are jam-packed with shops, including those selling gifts and souvenirs, novelty items, and artisan crafts.

Located on Philadelphia’s historic Independence Mall, the National Constitution Center is dedicated to honoring and exploring the United States Constitution, which (ratified in 1788) is the supreme law of the nation. The sprawling, tech-savvy museum brings the Constitution to life via interactive exhibits and dramatic presentations.

Spanning 55 acres and bridging two neighborhoods—Old City and Society Hill—this national park is often called "America's most historic square mile" for encompassing many of Philadelphia’s famous historical landmarks. These include the UNESCO-listedIndependence Hall; theLiberty Bell Center;Franklin Court; theFirst and Second Banks of the United States; and theNational Constitution Center, among many others. Visitors should plan to spend one to two days in the park in order to visit several of these sites and explore the extensive grounds.

TheIndependence Visitor Center, set at the corner of Sixth and Market streets, is the nerve center of the park. Tourists can pick up area maps; get free, timed tickets to Independence Hall (required from March to December); and find bathrooms, WiFi, and snacks.

The larger-than-life bronze statue standing at the base of the steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art has become an essential stop on any visit to the hometown of fictional fighter Rocky Balboa. The massive Rocky Statue—both arms raised—was made for the movie Rocky III (1982) and gifted to the city by actor Sylvester Stallone.

Philadelphia is home to plenty of old-school American history, and the roots of its local music scene run deep, too. Travelers in search of an elegant establishment showcasing some of the best international talent will find it all at the Academy of Music.

This unassuming building in the heart of Philadelphia is actually the nation’s oldest continually operational opera house. Its stunning interior houses a 5,000-pound chandelier and is modeled after Milan’s La Scala Opera House. In addition to being a destination for travelers seeking live, classical entertainment, the Academy of Music is a worthy stop for history buffs as well. The National Historic Landmark is the site where President Ulysses S. Grant was nominated for his second term and it’s the site where Martha Graham first performed “The Rite of Spring”. Visitors who arrive during the month of January can watch the Philadelphia Orchestra perform their anniversary concert, which has occurred each year for more than a century.

One of Philadelphia’s oldest and most popular destinations for food lovers, Reading Terminal Market has catered to hungry visitors since the 1860s. Just steps from Jefferson Station and the Philadelphia Convention Center, the market hosts dozens of stalls, from hot food vendors to gift shops and Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods sellers.

An extension of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum houses the largest collection of works by French sculptor Auguste Rodin outside of Paris. Inside you’ll find more than 140 sculptures, including bronze casts of The Gates of Hell and The Thinker. Many of Rodin’s sculptures are displayed outdoors in the surrounding gardens.

If you love people watching, love fountains, and love the history of skateboarding, then chances are you’ll love Love Park when visiting Philadelphia. Officially known as JFK Plaza, the nickname is derived from the iconic “LOVE” sculpture that graces the downtown park. Originally constructed for the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, the sculpture lasted only two years before its temporary removal from the park. It wasn’t until the Chairman of the Philadelphia Art Commission purchased the sculpture and returned it to the park that it was once again open to the public. Though the sculpture is smaller than you’d originally think, what isn’t small is the level of crowds all waiting to snap a photo. Seemingly as iconic as the Liberty Bell and a modern symbol of the city, the sculpture is an artsy, feel-good centerpiece in the City of Brotherly Love. The sculpture, its crowds, and onlookers aside, Love Park is famous as an urban birthplace of the modern sport of skateboarding. Though skateboarding in the park is banned today, skaters still make pilgrimages to the park to see where their idols honed their skills and pulled their most famous tricks. Now, the activities of choice in Love Park are splashing about in the fountain, and soaking up the energetic vibe of the international crowd. As of 2015, the city is planning to give the park a large scale renovation, which will add more green space, clean the park up—and keep the famous sculpture.

At the time of its construction in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was the most expensive public structure ever built, housing notorious criminals such as gangster boss Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton. No longer a functioning prison, the structure is now open to the public as a National Historic Landmark.

One of the country’s first science museums, the Franklin Institute takes its name from inventor and former Philadelphian Benjamin Franklin. Today, it serves as an entertaining and educational destination for visitors of all ages—its hands-on exhibits, temporary exhibitions, planetarium, and other offerings make it a family-friendly must.

Set within Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, the Second Bank of the United States was the country’s national bank from 1816 to 1833. An architectural inspiration for later American banks, the Greek Revival building now houses a “People of Independence” collection of portraits and sculptures of leading 18th-and 19th-century Americans.

One of the most popular spots for visitors to Philadelphia is bohemian South Street on the southern edge of downtown Philly. The stretch of South Street from Front to Seventh Streets is known for its eclectic scene and lively nightlife, where the crowds comprise a diverse mix of people, from punk rockers to local business people. South Street is loaded with great bars and restaurants, but most first timers make a beeline to Jim’s Steaks South Street for an award-winning Philly cheesesteak sandwich. During the day, you can visit the nearby Mummers Museum to learn about Philadelphia’s history of Mummers—costumed citizens who dress up to parade around the city on New Year’s Day. And after the sun goes down, hit local spots like Legendary Dobbs or Bob and Barbara’s for drinks and live music.

In the early days of the nation, Philadelphia served as the capital of the United States, and the Philadelphia mansion at 6th and Market streets was the first President’s House. Here George Washington served his entire presidency, and John Adams served three years, until June of 1800 when he moved to the newly completed White House in the District of Columbia. Today, much of the original house is gone—only the side walls and foundation remain. Visitors can walk through the historic site, exploring the footprint of the building. There’s also a a commemorative exhibition called "The President's House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation" located on the grounds.