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Philadelphia

Blessed with the glamour and culture of a big city, 'Philly' as it's affectionately known, also delights visitors with its rich history and small-town charm.

William Penn's Project

Declared a World Heritage City by Unesco in 2015, Philadelphia was at the heart of US colonial and revolutionary history. Founded by British Quaker William Penn in the late 17th century, the 'City of Brotherly Love' cherishes and protects its earliest days within the Independence National Historical Park of the Old City. Visiting original institutions such as Independence Hall and the seeing iconic landmarks like the Liberty Bell will help you appreciate the deep passion for freedom that motivated the new nation's founders. Excellent museums devoted to the Constitution, the American Revolution and Benjamin Franklin round out that education.

Civic Pride

By the late 19th century Philly had evolved into the 'Workshop of the World.' Its industries generated abundant wealth, which funded large construction projects, including City Hall and the Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, and filled cultural storehouses such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Penn Museum. Experiments in architecture and social policy resulted in buildings like Eastern State Penitentiary, while philanthropist Dr Albert C Barnes built up an astounding collection of art for public consumption. This spirit of civic pride and sharing continues in contemporary projects such as Isaiah Zagar's Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.

Urban Beauty

In the 20th century the city slipped into economic decline, but nothing lasts forever and while some areas of Philly remain blighted, urban beautification and neighborhood regeneration projects, such as the marvelous Mural Art Program, have transformed the city into a dazzling outdoor gallery of street art. The glory of Philly's early days is preserved in the redbrick terraces of Society Hill through to the areas around the hallowed campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Sprawling Fairmount Park ensures nature and greenery are both within easy access, and the bicycle and jogging paths of the Schuylkill River Trails are prime urban resources.

Multifaceted Food Scene

Eating is a highlight here, with two of the city's most loved attractions – Reading Terminal Market and the South 9th Street Italian Market – placing food front and center. The city's culinary scene is nothing if not democratic, embracing everything from artisan pizza and vegan creations to the blue-collar heartiness of a cheesesteak sandwich or a soft, salty pretzel. Philly's ethnic and cultural diversity is also reflected on the plate: in one day you could tuck into an Amish breakfast, lunch on spicy Asian noodles and enjoy Mexican tacos for dinner.

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Philadelphia.

  • See

    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    The premier cultural institution in Philadelphia, this epic art museum would stand out even without Rocky's famous antics on the east steps. Every visitor is entitled to one two-gloves-raised salute to the city at the top of the stairway before leaving the movies behind and concentrating instead on the great works of art from Europe, Asia and the Americas displayed in the galleries inside. The iconic frontage of the Philadelphia Museum of Art ©Fotos593 / Shutterstock Exploring the Philadelphia Museum of Art Many Philly attractions are free, but the Philadelphia Museum of Art is definitely worth the entry fee. Walking through the towering, column-flanked doorway is a journey into a temple to art. Alongside works by great European masters and modern artists, you can take a whirlwind tour through Asian creativity, from Japan and Korea to the Indian subcontinent, and be transported to other worlds by complete architectural ensembles, including a medieval cloister, Chinese and Indian temples and a Japanese teahouse. Starting with the painting collection, the Renaissance, post-impressionism, and French impressionism are particularly well-represented. Standout pieces include Renoir's The Large Bathers, Rubens' Prometheus Bound, Picasso's Three Musicians, Turner's The Burning of the Houses of Lords & Commons and Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky by Benjamin West, marking an event that took place just a mile away in 1752. European artworks at the Philadelphia Museum of Art ©Shutterstock / Andrea Izzotti American artists get their time in the sun, with displays of Pennsylvania furniture and jewellery and artworks by home-grown artists, such as gifted realist Thomas Eakins and African American painter Henry Ossawa Tanner (look for his moody The Annunciation). The museum also has impressive collections of Asian ceramics, and a bristling array of arms and armor amassed by collector Carl Otto Kretzschmar von Kienbusch. The sculpture collection focuses on European greats (Rodin, Giacometti et al), joined by a bronze of Rocky at the bottom of the east steps (originally a prop from the movie Rocky III). The best of the Rodin works are displayed in the Rodin Museum (covered by the same ticket), a short stroll southeast through Fairmount Park along Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. Museum of Art tickets also cover entry to the Perelman Building across Pennsylvania Ave, an imposing art deco building housing collections of costumes, textiles, prints, drawings, photographs, and modern and contemporary design. On the same ticket, you can also visit two historic homes: Mount Pleasant, a handsome 18th-century mansion described by John Adams 'as the most elegant seat in Pennsylvania',  and Cedar Grove, a typical gambrel-roofed home from the 1750s, moved here from the suburb of Frankford in 1928. The ornate entrance to the Perelman Building ©4kclips / Shutterstock The history of the Philadelphia Museum of Art The grand, neoclassical building housing the Museum of Art is a surprisingly recent construction, completed in 1928. The design was influenced by the architecture of London 's great museums, and the Victoria & Albert Museum inspired its philosophical direction as a center for both education and training. However, the first pieces in the museum collection were gathered together in 1876 as part of the celebrations for the centennial of the Declaration of Independence. The collection was initially displayed on the premises of the Franklin Institute (now the Philadelphia History Museum), which also ran regular classes aimed at cultivating new artistic talent. The collection soon swelled with donations of European artworks and Asian craft objects, leading to the construction of the present sprawling premises on Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. In fact, despite many renovations, the original plans were never completed. Polychrome friezes of classical Greek deities were intended to grace all the pediments, but only the group on the east entrance of the north wing were finished. The building has since been modernised many times, most recently by Frank Gehry, who revamped many of the interior spaces in minimalist modernist style in 2021. The Philadelphia Museum of Art looms above the Fairmount Water Works and Schuylkill River  ©aimintang / Getty Images Tickets & Practicalities There's so much to see that a ticket covers admission for two days, here and at the separate Perelman Building, Rodin Museum, Mount Pleasant and Cedar Grove. Advance booking online is a wise move – the museum can be mobbed by weekday school groups and weekend tours. Tickets are released four weeks ahead, on Tuesdays.  It's worth dipping into the museum store for neat gifts inspired by the collection.

  • See

    Barnes Foundation

    Since 2012, Dr Albert C Barnes' eye-popping collection of artworks – predominantly focused on French masterpieces from the late 19th and early 20th centuries – has taken pride of place at the end of Benjamin Franklin Pkwy in the Logan Square & Fairmount district in Philadelphia. Set inside a stylish, contemporary shell is a faithful reproduction of the galleries that once filled Barnes' original mansion (which still stands in the Philadelphia suburbs). It's a great spot for families, with a regular program of kid-friendly activities. European artworks on display at the Barnes Foundation ©Corbis / Getty Images Visiting the Barnes Foundation Dr Albert C Barnes wasn't the only Philadelphia philanthropist to bring fine art to the masses, but he was a pioneer in placing African folk art and native art from the Americas at the same level as masterpieces from Europe – so, as works of art, rather than ethnographic curios. The collection displayed in the modernist gallery on Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a walking tour through the history of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modernist art, and also a journey through the artistic traditions of Africa and the Americas, a gripping combination. The scale of Barnes' collection has to be seen to be believed. The museum has more than 180 paintings by Renoir, more than 50 paintings by Matisse, more than 40 paintings by Picasso, and 7 works by Van Gogh, plus priceless paintings by Rousseau, Monet, Gauguin, Goya, Cézanne, Rubens, Titian and more. Standout works include Renoir's Jeune garçon sur la plage d'Yport, Van Gogh's Portrait of the Postman Joseph Roulin and Courbet's risque Les Bas Blancs. While the main galleries remain faithful to the collection's original home in Lower Merion, the beautiful contemporary building offers extra space for special exhibitions, gallery resources and a restaurant that's popular with Philly's cultured set. The eye-catching modern building at the Barnes Foundation ©Gonzalo Azumendi/Getty Images History of the Barnes Foundation In the first half of the 20th century, Philadelphia native Dr Albert C Barnes amassed a remarkable treasure trove of artwork by Cézanne, Degas, Matisse, Renoir, Van Gogh and other European stars, but he wasn't born into art circles. Barnes trained as a medical doctor, worked as a chemist, and built his fortune on an antiseptic treatment for eye infections. Barnes' first foray into the world of art buying came in 1912, when he dispatched an old school classmate to Paris to buy $20,000 worth of paintings. The trip was so successful that Barnes made two trips to Paris himself the same year, returning with two works by Matisse, alongside other treasures. The collection continued to grow throughout Barnes' lifetime. Although his passion was European art, Barnes displayed these works alongside beautiful pieces of folk art from Africa and the Americas – an artistic desegregation that was shocking at the time. When the Barnes Foundation collection moved to its stylish modern home in 2012, it caused considerable controversy as the new museum didn't stick strictly to the stipulations in Barnes' will about opening times, public access and days devoted to educational programs. The new gallery did however make great efforts to display artworks as Barnes intended, recreating the interiors from the collector's Lower Merion home at the time of his death. While her husband was tending to his art collection, Laura Leggett Barnes concentrated on the garden of their home at Lower Merion, founding a horticultural school in 1940. Today, the garden is open to the public as a 12-acre arboretum, with more than 2500 varieties of plants and more than 10,000 herb specimens. Natural and man-made forms juxtaposed at the Barnes Foundation ©Universal Images Group / Getty Tickets & Practicalities Tickets for the museum are best bought online in advance to avoid queues on the day. Entry is free on the first Sunday or each month, a great addition to the list of free things to do in Philadelphia; tickets are only handed out on the day and families take priority so arrive before 10am to maximize your chances. On site parking is available but limited. It's easier to come on foot or by bus; numerous SEPTA bus lines stop nearby and the museum is also a stop for the Philly Phlash, a tourist bus that loops around Center City. Where to eat near the Barnes Foundation Aside from the Barnes Foundation's popular Garden Restaurant, consider the following conveniently located cafes, food courts and pubs with food menus. Sabrina's Cafe Whole Foods Market Kite & Key

  • See

    Reading Terminal Market

    Getting the balance just right between food shopping hub and dining destination, Reading Terminal Market opened way back in 1893 and it's been a Philadelphia institution ever since. The 75 local stalls crammed into this aircraft hangar of a marketplace provide a strong taste of Philly's cultural melting pot, embracing everything from Pennsylvania Dutch cooking and cheesesteaks to sushi, Caribbean patties and Thai curries, attracting everyone from billionaires to Philly's blue-collar workers. Doughnuts and ribs are just two of the treats on offer at Reading Terminal Market ©f11photo / Shutterstock The best food at Reading Terminal Market There's food to spare at Reading Terminal Market, from quality Pennsylvania ingredients to ready-made meals to go. Regulars swear by the Philly cheesesteaks at Carmen's Famous Italian Hoagies & Cheesesteaks and Beck’s Cajun Cafe, best followed up with a scoop of icy refreshment from Bassetts ice cream. Other top local favorites include buttery pretzels from Miller's Twist, lip-smacking roast pork sandwiches from DiNic's Roast Pork & Beef, and wholesome, homey Amish dishes at Dutch Eating Place. If you're just shopping for ingredients, you'll find fine sausages, prime cuts, and charcuterie, great cheeses from Downtown Cheese and Riehl Deli & Cheese Shop, piles of fresh fruit and veg, and great freshly baked goods – great if you're planning a picnic elsewhere in Philly. It's only a few blocks to Franklin Square and the string of parks leading south to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. If you're just looking for something free (or at least inexpensive) to do in Philadelphia, you could do a lot worse. DiNic's Roast Pork and Beef – an essential Reading Terminal Market stop ©James Kirkikis / Shutterstock Practicalities The market is open daily but on weekends and around lunchtime on weekdays, it gets busy; think twice about visiting with small children or large groups (though at least with the latter, you can fan out to join different lines). To really get under the skin of the market, join the Taste of Philly Food Tour for an in-depth look around the market, including tastings.

  • See

    Masonic Temple

    Although the fortress-like exterior of this 1873 building is pretty impressive, it's the spectacular interiors – which took a further 15 years to complete – that really blow visitors away. Fans of secret societies and theatrical design will be in raptures as each meeting room sports an astonishingly detailed theme – Moorish, Egyptian, Renaissance and more. Freemasonry's roots in the city stretch back to colonial times – in the library, where tours of the building start and finish, you can view George Washington's masonic apron. Most of the mural paintings and primary designs are by German immigrant George Herzog. This was also one of the first buildings in the city to be lighted by electricity.

  • See

    Fairmount Park

    The snaking Schuylkill River bisects this 2050-acre green space, the largest city park in the US, splitting it into east and west sections. On either side of the river are cycling and jogging paths, playing fields, lawns, public art and several historic mansions. In East Fairmount Park you can admire the Victorian-era rowing clubs at Boathouse Row; there's a fine view from the terraces of the Fairmount Waterworks, which is home to an excellent interpretive center on the city's water system and the park's natural environment. West Fairmount Park was the site of the nation’s Centennial Exposition in 1876. Memorial Hall, built for the expo, now houses the Please Touch Museum. Nearby is beautiful Shofuso Japanese House & Garden, which is a particular treat to see in cherry-blossom season. This section of the park also includes the 42-acre Philadelphia Zoo, the first zoo in the US.

  • See

    Franklin Institute

    You could easily spend the better part of the day touring this world-class science museum. As well as being the venue for temporary blockbuster science exhibitions, there's a planetarium, IMAX cinema and great permanent features such as a giant two-story replica of a beating heart where kids can crawl through the arteries. The institute was founded in 1824 by Benjamin Franklin; a memorial to him in the lobby includes a stunning 20ft-high marble statue in a rotunda modeled after the Pantheon in Rome. The museum hosts much of the Philadelphia Science Festival each April.

  • See

    Parkway Central Library

    Worth visiting for its splendid architecture, this main branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia has free tours at 10am on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and the first Sunday of the month, and at 2pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. From Monday to Saturday there's a tour at 11am of the Rare Book Department, with its collection of works and manuscripts relating to Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe and Americana. Also based in the library is the Culinary Literacy Center, which offers a wide range of programs for those interested in learning about cooking and nutrition.

  • See

    Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

    The ongoing life's work of mosaic mural artist Isaiah Zagar, this is a folk-art wonderland of mirror mosaics, bottle walls and quirky sculpture. Zagar's mosaic murals can be seen around the city – visit here first, and you'll know what to look for. It also hosts small exhibitions of other artists' work with a focus on those who are self-taught and making mosaics or folk-art works. Between November and March site tours (adult/student/child $15/12/8) are held at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Between April and October there are walking tours around the area at 3pm Friday through Sunday.

  • See

    Fairmount Waterworks

    A National Historic Engineering Landmark, this beautiful Greek Revival complex was built in 1815 and pumped water from the Schuylkill River for the city's consumption until 1909. It was one of Philadelphia's biggest tourist attractions in its day and is still well worth a visit for its excellent interpretative center, where you can learn about the pumping station's history, the area's natural history, and conservation of water resources and the environment. See the website for various guided tours of the center and around the park.

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Beyond the cheesesteak in Philadelphia

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