Philadelphia is a great city to explore and have fun in. You'll be surprised at just how much there is to do in the "City of Brotherly Love." There are things to do in Philadelphia to suit all tastes. The city can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of his or her age or preferences.
If you live in or visit Philadelphia, you'll want to know what there is to do there. This city has everything you can imagine. If you love sports, the arts, or the outdoors, Philly is the city for you.
Here is an overview of different things to do in this great city.
Fun Things to Do in Philadelphia
History is an important part of any visit to the city of Philadelphia. This is a city that calls to mind the Founding Fathers and the American Revolution. Anyone who's spending any amount of time in Philadelphia needs to visit some of the main historical sites.
Independence Hall is probably the No. 1 historic site to visit. Independence Hall is where our Constitution was created as the Founding Fathers debated its content. It is also the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Independence Hall can be visited and toured. Another important historical site to check out nearby is the Liberty Bell Center.
There are a lot of fun things to do in Philadelphia outside. Fairmount Park is the biggest of all parks in Philadelphia. It is a wonderful place to go for a stroll and take in the landscape. There are numerous recreational facilities in the park like walking trails and tennis courts. Another thing visitors can enjoy in Fairmount Park is the many works of public art on display.
For a top Philadelphia shopping destination, head to the Reading Terminal Market. This spot is very popular among locals. It's a great place to buy the freshest foods. In particular, visitors should check out some of the various types of Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine available at the Reading Terminal Market. In addition to food, shoppers can also buy items like housewares, linens, and more.
Things to Do in Philadelphia with Kids
Philadelphia is a great place to visit with kids. Kids can appreciate the historical landmarks in the city. In fact, sites like Independence Hall have many exhibits specifically designed to educate young visitors on their historical significance.
One of the best things to do in Philadelphia with kids is head to the Philadelphia Zoo. Philadelphia has a large zoo that is located in the city's Centennial District. The zoo is found along the banks of the Schuylkill. The Philadelphia Zoo is home to some 1,300 different animals. This is great for those looking for things to do in Philadelphia with kids that love animals.
If you're entertaining toddlers in Philadelphia, Sesame Place is a good place to go to. Sesame Place is located near the city in a neighboring town called Langhorne. This is a Sesame Street theme park with rides and shows that kids love. It is a great family destination for a day trip just outside the city.
Perhaps you're looking for a Philadelphia attraction that would be appropriate for a teenager. Teenagers often enjoy a visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and features a collection of over 240,000 artifacts. In addition to enjoying the exhibits, move-loving teens will also enjoy charging up the art museum steps to mimic Rocky Balboa's famous run in Sylvester Stallone's hit boxing film.
Adult Things to Do in Philadelphia
Adults have a lot of options when they're exploring Philadelphia. The city is a great place for sports lovers. Philadelphia is home to many noteworthy professional sports teams. These include the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Philadelphia 76ers. Whether you're a football, baseball, or basketball fan, you may be able to get tickets to a sporting event to enjoy during your stay.
Philadelphia is also a great place for adults to enjoy fine dining. The center city area has some of the best restaurants to try in the city. Volvér is a fantastic fine dining restaurant located in The Kimmel Center. This is one of the finest restaurants in the city.
The Kimmel Center itself is a great destination for adults wishing to experience the best that Philadelphia has to offer in terms of the performing arts. The Kimmel Center is one of Philadelphia's primary theatre venues. Here is a place where world-class musical performances and Broadway shows are performed in Philadelphia all throughout the year.
For more adult things to do in Philadelphia, it's worth checking out the South Street area. The South Street area of Philadelphia is a great place to hang out, people-watch, and go on some wild bar crawls. Many unique and trendy bars are found along this notorious stretch of road in Philadelphia.
Free and Cheap Things to Do in Philadelphia
If you're looking for some of the best stuff to do that doesn't cost a lot, Philadelphia does offer some free activities you can take advantage of. In fact, you can experience one of the most scenic parts of the city for free. Head to the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk to go for a charming walk along the river. The Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk is a pathway that stretches 2,000 feet. The Boardwalk extends all the way from the Schuylkill River Trail to the South Street Bridge. This is one of the newest free attractions in the city.
Another interesting thing to see for free in Philadelphia is Elfreth's Alley. By walking through this part of the city, you can get a feeling of what Philadelphia was like back in the colonial days. This alleyway has been preserved to look much as it did centuries ago when the Founding Fathers walked down it. Elfreth's Alley is actually the oldest of any street that's been continuously in use and inhabited in the entire country.
There are also a lot of free historical attractions in Philadelphia. The Independence Visitor Center is free to visit and offers a lot of exhibits on the city's history and historical significance. Also, Carpenters' Hall is another free historical site to visit. This site also features free exhibits for visitors.
These are just a few of the many free and cheap things to do in Philadelphia. There are also many parks and historical buildings in the city that can be visited and viewed for free or for an inexpensive admission fee.
Things to Do in Downtown Philadelphia
The Center City area of Philadelphia is generally just a great place to walk around. If you're looking for things to do in downtown Philadelphia, the first thing to do is just go for a walk and take it all in. The Center City downtown area of Philadelphia includes the Old City and Society Hill neighborhoods.
One landmark you'll definitely want to check out while exploring downtown is City Hall. City Hall is located at the intersection of Broad Street and Market Street. This impressive structure took 30 years to build and was completed in 1901. Today, the building serves as a courthouse as well as the seat of Philadelphia's municipal government.
The downtown area is a great place for shopping and dining. In terms of both shopping and dining, Rittenhouse Row is the place to be. This is a commercial district in downtown Philadelphia where many retail establishments and restaurants are located. This area is also the site of Rittenhouse Square Park. This park is widely considered to be one of the most attractive urban parks in the country.
Things to Do in Philadelphia at Night
Philadelphia has a bustling nightlife scene. Whether you're in the mood for dinner, drinks, live music, or all three, the Philadelphia nightlife scene can give you what you're looking for. There are many different Philadelphia neighborhoods that are great for things to do in Philadelphia at night.
The Center City area is one of the best spots for nightlife. It's also a spot where numerous rooftop bars are located like the Vango Lounge and Skybar on South 18th Street. If you're in the mood to dance, consider heading to Voyeur Nightclub or Pulse Night Club on Sansom Street.
Other areas of Philadelphia also offer trendy nightlife venues. Fishtown in particular has been gaining in popularity in recent years. Fishtown is a neighborhood located to the northeast of the Center City area. There are all different kinds of bars and restaurants that have sprung up in this neighborhood as it has grown and become a popular spot for nightlife.
Romantic Things to Do
Philadelphia can be a romantic city for couples. If you're looking for things to do for couples, one thing that should be at the top of your list is visiting Philadelphia's LOVE Sculpture. The LOVE Sculpture is found in the John F. Kennedy Plaza. This is located in LOVE Park right to the northwest of City Hall. This sculpture was put up in the 1970's and has become extremely popular among couples since then. It's a great spot to get a romantic snapshot with your significant other.
Philadelphia also offers a lot of romantic hotels that are great for couple’s getaways. One example is the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia at Comcast Center. This luxury hotel has an indoor swimming pool. It also features a spa as well as a great restaurant. If you want to treat your significant other to boundless luxury, this is the place to do it.
For things to do for couples outside, it's a good idea to go for a walk along Boathouse Row. This is a truly charming and picturesque stretch along the Schuylkill River. Boathouse Row features a line of quaint boathouses that are lit up each evening. This makes for a great moonlight or sunset stroll for couples.
Cool Things to Do in Philadelphia
Oddly enough, one extremely popular and adventurous attraction in Philadelphia is the Eastern State Penitentiary. The Eastern State Penitentiary was at one time one of the most prominent prisons in the country. However, it stopped being used as a prison back in 1971. Since then, it has become popular as a tourist attraction. Those who visit the Eastern State Penitentiary can go on a tour and learn about the history of the site.
Another option among cool things to do in Philadelphia is to head to the Mütter Museum. This unique museum is found on South 22nd Street. The Mütter Museum is found in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. One of the things that make this destination unique is that remains of Albert Einstein's brain are located here. Visitors can see remnants of Einstein's brain as well as a variety of other exhibits of medical oddities.
You might also head to the Edgar Allen Poe National Historical Site if you're looking for an unusual Philadelphia destination to check out. Although poet Edgar Allen Poe is more often associated with Baltimore than Philadelphia, he did live in Philadelphia for a time. Poe's former home in Philadelphia has been made into a National Historic Site. Those who visit can view the living quarters of Poe and his family between 1843 and 1844. It was in this location that Poe wrote two of his most famous works: "The Gold Bug" and "The Tell-Tale Heart."
Indoor Things to Do in Philadelphia
There are many indoor things to do in Philadelphia if the weather doesn't cooperate during your visit. In addition to the numerous museums in the city, there are also indoor shopping destinations to visit. If you find yourself in the Center City area during poor weather, you might want to pass some time at The Shops at Liberty Place. This is a great place to kill some time by doing some shopping until the weather improves.
These are just a few great ideas of things to do in Philadelphia. You need to experience Philadelphia for yourself to determine what you like best. Philadelphia is a city that gives you unforgettable experiences. It's also a city that will keep you entertained. As a large city with a population of more than 1.5 million, Philadelphia is energetic and diverse with all different kinds of people to meet and explore it with!