If you’re considering a weekend away in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of fun, and even some free, things to do and see in Philly.
Reading Terminal Market
If you want to choose from the biggest range of grilled cheeses (seriously, brie and all) then take a trip to Reading Terminal Market. Not only does it have the grilled cheese stall, but a ton of other delicacies to choose from including local produce, meats, baked goods, iconic Philly Cheesesteaks and even a bar in the middle of all the chaos. It’s bound to be busy on the weekend, so you might struggle to find a seat, but the food is definitely worth it!
Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence, located in the Independence National Historical Park in central Philadelphia. It’s worth a look – wait in a brief line to go inside the building, where you can see the distinctive crack on the bell, or just have a glance from the outside. It’s completely free to enter and see this impressive piece of American history.
Independence Hall
Independence Hall is arguably one of the prettiest bits of architecture in the city, and the centrepiece of the National Park. It’s the place where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted, and if you sign up for a free guided tour of the hall, you can see some of these original documents.
Elfreth’s Alley
The nation’s oldest residential street dates way back to 1702. With 32 houses currently on the street as well as the Elfreth’s Alley Museum, it’s now a national historic landmark in the Old City. It’s an adorably small street, with beautifully painted houses of various colours, a traditional cobblestone path, and plenty of photo opportunities.
Rocky Steps
We all know that famous scene where Sylvester Stallone as Rocky runs across Philadelphia, sprinting up the steps outside of the Museum of Art. You can recreate the moment yourself, or just get a photo of you standing at the top of the steps after slowly dragging yourself up there.The Rocky Steps are iconic, and you get a stunning view of the city skyline from the top too.
LOVE Park
Although the sign is probably going to be smaller than you expected, the LOVE statue is great for photos, and there’s also a pretty fountain in the park. It’s right in the heart of Philly, surrounded by some beautiful buildings and architecture, including Philadelphia City Hall.
Edited by Toni Moy
(Photos Courtesy of Sophie Dunne)