Let’s take a look at some of the fun and incredible things we did while visiting Philadelphia. Whether you are visiting Philly for a few days or plan to spend extended time there, we assure you, there are a lot of fun things to do in Philadelphia Pa.
We spent about three days in Philly and enjoyed every bit of our time there. We spent a good amount of time outdoors and an equally good amount of time indoors.
Flew into the Philadelphia International Airport, rented a car and lodged in Hampton Inn by Hilton Philadelphia Center City – Convention Center. From there, we set off to our various points of call or places of interest.
Below Are Some Of The Different Things To Do In Philadelphia Pa
1. Explore The Philadelphia Museum Of Art
| Ticket Prices | Adults (19+) $30 Seniors (65+) $28 Students $14 Youth (13-18) Free Child (Under 13) Free |
| Hours | Sat-Mon 10am-5pm Tue-Wed Closed Thurs 10am-5pm Friday 10am-8:45pm |
| Address | 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA. 19130 |
For us, the 1st place on our list of fun things to do in Philadelphia was to visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art. After checking in and getting settled into our hotel room, we made the short drive to this majestic art museum.
Parking was a little difficult to secure but we eventually found a street side parking spot and then proceeded to the museum. It was everything we read about and more. It is pretty huge with exquisite and grand architecture.
With the self-guided tour map that we got at the front desk, we explored at our pace. Almost every exhibition room had a docent on standby, willing and eager to help answer our questions. As you would expect for a museum of this size, arts and artifacts were organized and showcased in various categories.
The golden statue up the stairs in the middle of the museum is simply spectacular. The Japanese Garden with the various wooden huts and setup were incredible. In fact, there is so much we can write about this museum, but we will do that in the Philadelphia Museum of Art specific review coming up soon.
Question: Does the Philadelphia Museum of Art offer guided tours?
Answer: Yes, the Philadelphia Museum of Art offers free guided tours with museum admission. They have so many different tours, which are offered throughout the day.
Question: Is the Philadelphia Museum of Art wheelchair friendly?
Answer: Yes, the museum is wheelchair friendly.
2. Pose and Take A Picture With Rocky
| Ticket Prices | Free |
| Hours | Daily 24hrs |
| Address | 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA. 19130 |
One of the coolest things to do in Philadelphia as a tourist is to pose and take a picture with Rocky Balboa. To show you how cool and popular this act is, we had to queue and wait for several minutes before it got to our turn.
It was free but it was quite symbolic too and because Rocky’s statute is just outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it is easy to fit taking a picture there in your itinerary.
Although the story of Rocky is recent compared to the other historic events that have taken place in Philadelphia, it still signifies the spirit of perseverance, grit, hard work and triumph.
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3. Run Up The Rocky Steps
| Ticket Prices | Free |
| Hours | Daily 24hrs |
| Address | 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA. 19130 |
While in the vicinity of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, another popular thing that tourists do is to run up the Rocky Steps. Yes, remember, the Rocky Statue is now located just off the foot of the steps.
The statue used to be at a certain level, up the stairs. Thus, the Rocky Steps. If you are dressed for it, you can run up and down. You are welcome to sit on the stairs or hang out and take pictures.
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4. Visit The Liberty Bell – Things To Do In Philadelphia
| Ticket Prices | Free |
| Hours | Daily Before Sept 5th 9AM-7PM After Sept 5th 9AM-5PM |
| Address | 526 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
Philadelphia, PA is historic and has a very rich culture. Therefore, there is really no shortage of activities to engage in. While creating a list of things to do in Philadelphia PA, a prominent area to visit is the Independence Hall District. At this district, there are a lot of historically relevant landmarks to explore.
One of such historically and culturally relevant landmarks is the Liberty Bell. When we went there, there was a long queue of people calmly waiting to get into the building where the bell is showcased. The Liberty Bell has a remarkable story and history.
5. Tour and Explore The Independence Hall
Besides the Liberty Bell, there are numerous other buildings within the Independence Hall District that are both historically and culturally important. As such, a visit to the Independence Hall District presents every tourist with the opportunity to experience and reflect on the history of our great country.
We spent quite some time in the Independence Hall Area. We toured most of the buildings, including where the original declaration of independence is kept, the room that served as the venue for the 1st supreme court session, the building where the constitution was written and much more.
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6. Visit The Philadelphia Zoo
| Ticket Prices | Adults (12+) $25 Kids (2-11) $20 Kids (Under 2) Free |
| Hours | Daily 9:30AM-5:00PM |
| Address | 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104 |
Visiting the Philadelphia Zoo is usually on top or near the top of the list for tourists who come to the city of brotherly love. Curious about what to expect at the Philadelphia Zoo? Well, get ready to be captivated by a diverse array of animals from around the world.
From the lions to playful monkeys and adorable penguins. Don’t miss the enchanting penguin parade, where these charming birds waddle and entertain spectators. Fun Fact!! Yeah, penguins are flightless birds, we were surprised to learn that too. Looking for special events or shows?
The zoo regularly hosts engaging educational presentations that provide insights into the lives of various animals. It’s the perfect family-friendly destination, offering well-maintained facilities and friendly staff to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable visit. Parking is free for members but $17 for visitors.
Question: What animals can I see at the Philadelphia Zoo?
Answer: You can see lions, monkeys, giraffes, penguins, and over 1,300 animals from more than 340 species.
Question: Are there any special events or shows at the Philadelphia Zoo?
Answer: Yes, the zoo offers events like the popular penguin parade and educational presentations.
Question: Is the Philadelphia Zoo suitable for families with kids?
Answer: Absolutely, the zoo is perfect for families with specially designed exhibits and activities for children.
7. Explore The Philadelphia Magic Gardens
| Ticket Prices | Adults $15 Seniors $12 Students $12 Kids (6-12) $8 Kids (Under 5) Free |
| Hours | Tuesday Closed Wed-Mon 11AM-6PM |
| Address | 1020 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 |
The Philadelphia Magic Gardens was simply captivating. The subtle ambiance and air of serenity that pervades this garden is the magnet that keeps attracting repeat visitors. Unlike the regular kind of gardens that we see, this place isn’t a garden of flowers but rather, it is a garden of murals and art pieces.
The art space, created by Isaiah Zagar, is a masterpiece that features intricate mosaic sculptures and captivating murals. Both indoor and outdoor spaces are adorned with a stunning collection of mosaic art and whimsical installations, making it a truly immersive experience.
Question: How long does it take to tour the Philadelphia Magic Gardens?
Answer: It took us about 45mins to tour the Philly Magic Gardens.
8. Tour The Philadelphia City Hall
There are indeed many iconic places to visit in Philly. It usually will take a few days to visit most of the remarkable places in Philadelphia PA for new visitors to the city. On your list of places to visit, you should add touring the Philadelphia City Hall.
When you get to the city hall, one of your first points of call should be to go to the observation deck. They have tours scheduled throughout the day, join one of those and you will learn so much.
You could choose the option of participating in an exterior-only tour or a combo tour for both the interior and exterior. Overall, a visit to the city hall remains one of the most impressive part of our Philly Vacation.
The building’s architecture is a masterpiece, steeped in history and a great testament to the ingenuity of the past.
9. Walk or Stroll Along The Schuylkill River Trail
To be frank, there are a lot of activities to do outdoors in the city of Brotherly Love. One among that many is walking, biking, running or strolling along the Schuylkill River Trail. It is really one of the famous things to do in Philadelphia and the trail consistently has tourists flocking through it.
When all is said and done, the trail will be designed to cover about 140 miles but as tourist in Philly, you only need to hike a few miles within the city limits. So far, the best part of the Schuylkill River Trail is a 30-mile stretch that span through Philadelphia’s downtown and extends up to National Historical Park at Valley Forge.
10. Visit The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
| Ticket Prices | Adults (13+) $27 Kids (2-12) $23 Kids (Under 2) Free Seniors (65+) $24 Military $24 Students $24 |
| Hours | Tue-Fri 10AM-4:30PM Sat-Sun 10AM-5PM |
| Address | 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
Like many other big cities in the United States, Philly has its fair share of remarkable museums. Another museum to visit while in this city is the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
For fun indoor things to do in Philadelphia, this museum should be on the list. It is kids, teenagers and adult friendly. It is worthy of note that this museum is the oldest natural science museum in this part of the world.
Question: Does the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University have discounts on their admission tickets?
Answer: Yes, they do. You can save $2 for each ticket by purchasing it online. They also have $10 Tuesdays.
11. Rent and Ride A Bike Through Most Philly Areas
There are several areas in Philly that are both pedestrian and bike friendly. The Parkway Museum District is one of such areas. There are also many companies that offer bike rental services, a popular one in Philadelphia is Indego.
The beauty of this ride share arrangement is that tourists can just walk up to any of the many stations scattered throughout the city, pay and get a bike and start their tour. This is indeed one of the best outdoor and coolest things to do in Philadelphia Pa.
12. Check Out The Eternal Flame At Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier
| Ticket Prices | Free |
| Hours | All Day 24Hrs |
| Address | 210 W. Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
The Eternal Flame At The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier is within the general vicinity of the Independence Hall. It is free to visit and it takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the more remarkable Independence Hall arena.
There is the monument with some engravings as well as the eternal flame, burning bright in remembrance. You do not have to spend too much time here, but we highly recommend a brief stop here.
13. Relax In The Washington Square Park
| Ticket Prices | Free |
| Hours | All Day 24Hrs |
| Address | 210 W. Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
The Washington Square is another place that we recommend you visit. In fact, the Eternal Flame At The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier is in the Washington Square. This square has a lot of benches, well-spaced within the park and lots of trees which provide plenty of shade. The ambience is very calming and you can sit here for as long as you wish, catch up and relax.
14. Hop On The City Bus For Philadelphia Sightseeing
You guessed right, yes the city of Brotherly Love has double decker – open top buses that are used for sightseeing. The hop-on-hop-off buses are designed to allow you to have clear and unobstructed views of several of Philly’s historical landmarks.
There are at least 25 stops where you can hop-on or hop-off along the sightseeing route. You have the option of either sitting inside the bus or on top of the deck. Usually, during the guide there will be ongoing commentary about the locations that you come across.
We got on a bus in the Independence Hall District and thoroughly enjoyed the views and of course, the fresh air blowing across the deck.
Tickets start from $30.
15. Tour The City Aboard Franklin Mobile Tours
| Ticket Prices | It depends on the time length of the tour. Starts from $60. |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 10AM-4:30PM Sat-Sun 10AM-6:30PM |
| Address | 6th and Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19106 |
You can also tour the city of Philadelphia aboard Franklin Mobile Tours. Especially, if you prefer a more exclusive tour on a golf “cart-esque” mobile whip. With this kind of tour, you can have the driver’s personal attention and ask all the questions that you have about different landmarks that you come across during the tour.
Question: Is there an age limit to get aboard the Franklin Mobile Tours?
Answer: Yes, there is an age limit. All passengers must be at least 8 year old.
Question: How is a tour aboard the Franklin Mobile Tour priced?
Answer: The price is exclusive to the car and it is for up to 4 people.
Summary Of The Coolest Things To Do In Philadelphia
- Explore The Philadelphia Museum Of Art
- Pose and Take A Picture With Rocky
- Run Up The Rocky Steps
- Visit The Liberty Bell – Things To Do In Philadelphia
- Tour and Explore The Independence Hall
- Visit The Philadelphia Zoo
- Explore The Philadelphia Magic Gardens
- Tour The Philadelphia City Hall
- Walk or Stroll Along The Schuylkill River Trail
- Visit The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Rent and Ride A Bike Through Most Philly Areas
- Check Out The Eternal Flame At Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier
- Relax In The Washington Square Park
- Hop On The City Bus For Philadelphia Sightseeing
- Tour The City Aboard Franklin Mobile Tours
