6 of the best things to do in Philadelphia
There's much to do in Philadelphia for lovers of art, history and good food. Often referred to as the birthplace of America, thanks to its significant role in the American Revolution, the city offers world-class museums and heritage buildings within easy walking distance of downtown hotels, shops and restaurants.
The nation’s capital from 1790 to 1800, Philly is directly accessible by train from two of the other cities to have held that distinction. 90 minutes southwest of New York City and two hours northeast of Washington DC, Philadelphia is a great destination for a city break.
These are the must-sees and must-dos in the City of Brotherly Love...
1. Enjoy the city skyline
A 37-foot (11m) sculpture of William Penn, Pennsylvania’s founder, tops Philadelphia City Hall, the world’s largest freestanding masonry building.
FotosForTheFuture/Shutterstock
Pre-pandemic, surveying Philly as he does – from the top of the tower – was the perfect way to orientate yourself with the city's many moving parts. Hopefully this opportunity will return soon, but for now COVID-19 has resulted in the suspension of tower tours.
As an alternative, treat yourself to a cocktail and a bite to eat at the airy JG Sky High. On the 60th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, the chic dining room is open for breakfast, brunch and drinks in the evening. Gaze down from your seat at rows of Philly rooftops flanked by the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers.
2. Get to know the birthplace of the United States
Spend a day exploring why liberty is such an important concept in the USA. The United States Declaration of Independence was signed here in the grand Georgian building that is today known as Independence Hall.
Join a National Park Service guided tour of the rooms where the Constitution was debated and adopted, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s one of several historic buildings in Independence National Historic Park.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
The significance of the cracked Liberty Bell is explained in the free-to-visit centre across the street, while the Museum of the American Revolution delves into America’s historic split from the British Empire. Nearby, the Benjamin Franklin Museum introduces guests to the pivotal role played by one of Philadelphia’s leading citizens.
Songquan Deng/Shutterstock
If you’re not revolution-ed out, the National Constitution Center, diagonally opposite Franklin’s grave, looks at the history and legacies of America’s founding document.
3. Lock in a visit to the Eastern State Penitentiary
After immersing yourself in the origins of America’s freedoms, why not visit a place where they were suspended?
READ MORE: Notorious prisons you can spend the night in
Designed to make prisoners penitent, the Eastern State Penitentiary was the first prison of its kind when it opened in 1829, pioneering the practice of holding inmates in solitary confinement. It became a blueprint for prisons worldwide, and notorious gangster Al Capone ranks among its famous former residents.
MISHELLA/Shutterstock
Closed in 1970, the penitentiary remains a monument to the prison system's brutality, and you can see the spartan interiors during a tour. In summer, night visits bring opportunities to combine viewing cells with participation in justice-inspired activities and drinking in the Fair Chance Beer Garden.
4. Enjoy a breathtaking moment on the Rocky Steps
If you’re a sports movie fan – or just a movie fan full stop – you may well recognise sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg’s bronze statue of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa. Arms victoriously outstretched, the larger-than-life heavyweight stands near a set of steps rising to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Paula Montenegro Stock/Shutterstock
Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in the Academy Award-winning film, which takes place entirely in Philly. In one of the film’s most famous scenes, a training montage shows Rocky bounding up the 72 steps to the museum, accompanied by the pumping title music.
READ MORE: Famous movie locations in every US state
Join the many visitors to Philly who re-enact the scene, and your reward for reaching the top will be an impressive view of the city skyline along Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
5. Spend (at least) a morning in a gallery
Plan several days in Philly if you’re an art aficionado.
To view world-class artworks by Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Cy Twombly and more, prioritise a visit to the impressive Philadelphia Museum of Art. If paintings aren’t your thing, the museum’s colossal collection also encompasses medieval armour and Wedgwood porcelain. Entry tickets include the option to join insightful guided tours.
The Rodin Museum hosts one of the world’s biggest collections of Auguste Rodin’s works, and a cast of his famous sculpture The Thinker is proudly displayed in its free-to-visit garden.
Cross the street and you’re at the Barnes Foundation. Paintings by some of the great Impressionists, Post-Impressionists and Modernists are displayed alongside eclectic ‘ensembles’ that feature furniture and tribal art.
For American art, including works by Thomas Eakins and Andy Warhol, head downtown to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Prefer mosaics? Continue a few blocks south to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, a quirky, uplifting space created by artist Isaiah Zagar.
Alternatively, hire a bicycle from one of the bike share stations dotted around the city and tour its treasure trove of public art. Known as the ‘Mural Capital of the World’, Philly has more than 4,000 works on its walls.
Christian Carollo/Shutterstock
6. Get your teeth into Philly’s culinary heritage
Philly has a longstanding reputation as one of the top food cities in the USA. First produced in 1872, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was named for the region’s high-quality dairy, and the city’s 2,500 cafés and restaurants serve a range of global cuisines. For a blowout meal, pick from high-end downtown dining options like The Capital Grille steakhouse and Morimoto sushi restaurant.
Local specialities include the hoagie, a sub-like sandwich made with freshly baked bread. Always generously filled, you’ll find vegan options as well as traditional meat fillings. To the untrained eye, the hoagie looks similar to another of Philly’s delicacies, the roast pork sandwich. Tender and succulent, the meat is layered with cheese and greens.
The most famous local dish is the Philly cheesesteak: thinly chopped beef and cheese served in fresh, crusty bread. Pat’s King of Steaks has been serving them since 1930, and has a famous rivalry with near neighbours Geno’s Steaks on the other side of the East Passyunk Avenue and South 9th Street crossing.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
No food tour of Philly is complete without a trip to Reading Terminal Market. The National Historic Landmark opened in 1893 and is a popular spot for Philadelphians to grab a bite. Stalls including By George, DiNic’s and Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies and Cheesesteaks serve all the foodstuffs traditionally associated with the city. Seating is available in the market hall.
Afterwards, sip a beer or two. The Greater Philadelphia Craft Beer Trail features well over 100 breweries, and the Love City Brewing Company, Iron Hill Brewery and Cartesian Brewing Company rank among the breweries with premises within a few blocks of City Hall.
READ MORE: American cities you've never thought of visiting but should
Lead image: Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature