Philadelphia! A Guide for Your First Time Visit to the City of Brotherly Love
Philadelphia, the Birthplace of Our Nation
Suburban Philadelphia is home to us, and we’ve lived in and spent a lot of time in the beautiful city of our nation’s birth. As phl.org put it back in 2015, this city “was the meeting place for the 1st Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention, and became the first capital of the United States.” You can read more about what they had to say about our featured city in their brief article About Philadelphia: A City of Firsts at the link above (retrieved 12 May 2024). While we’re sure other places have their own firsts to claim, we know you’ll enjoy your first adventure in Philly. Think of this as a Philadelphia guide for a first time visit, and expect to come back for whatever you couldn’t fit in.
A Guide for First Time Visitors to Philadelphia
Two days is not quite enough for a first time visit to Philadelphia. So, a third day is a bonus if you want more time in the museums. Spend day one around Independence Mall and Old City, where the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and National Constitution Center are within a few blocks of each other, and have lunch at Reading Terminal Market. Spend day two along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to City Hall.
Two Days in Philadelphia at a Glance
Day one: Independence Mall and Old City
Independence Visitor Center: maps, info, clean restrooms, and a gift shop
National Constitution Center: more than 1 hour
Liberty Bell Center: about 20 minutes, not including a possible wait that can be long
Independence Hall: a 20 minute tour (timed tickets required), or the expanded tour at just under 40 minutes
Christ Church Burial Ground: a short visit (maybe attend the Sunday morning service)
Betsy Ross House and Elfreth’s Alley Museum: about 30 minutes each
Benjamin Franklin Museum: at least 1 hour
Lunch at Reading Terminal Market (round trip walk to earn the cheesesteak!)
Day two (and maybe day three): Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rocky steps: maybe 20-30 minutes outside, much longer inside
Boathouse Row photo stop
Rodin Museum
Barnes Foundation
Calder Gardens: about 30 minutes
Swann Memorial Fountain
The Franklin Institute (you'll need a couple of hours for this, great for children, or just go in and see the beautiful dome)
AMOR sculpture, Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and LOVE Park
City Hall and Dilworth Park
Masonic Temple tour: about 1 hour
Where to Start: Independence Mall
There’s so much to see and do in Philadelphia, a lot more than you can do in a weekend. So we’re here today to tell you what we would do in Philly if we were visiting for the first time and only had a couple of days. Before we jump in we need to caution you. We are literally breaking our own travel rule which is that you should avoid having more than two planned events or site visits in one day. You certainly can do this, but you'll need a few more days.
A great place to start your Philly visit is Independence Mall. Independence Mall is also known as America’s most historic square mile. To which we ask, why not take it a step further and call it Independence Mile? It’s defined as the three city blocks bounded by the National Constitution Center on the north and Independence Hall on the south. This is where you’ll see the Liberty Bell after you go to the Independence Visitor Center.
Day One: Independence Mall and Old City
Start at the Independence Visitor Center
The visitor center is a good place to start because you can get lots of info and maps to help you find your way. It may also be a good place to end your afternoon because its restrooms are impeccably clean and there’s an awesome gift shop where you can get a magnet for your fridge, for example. And we recommend that you scroll through their website before your trip.
What Else Is Near Independence Mall?
After the visitor center you could go to any of the following places in this small section of the city: the National Constitution Center, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Christ Church Burial Ground. If you have time left or if any of these don’t sound interesting to you, nearby you’ll also find the Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley and its Museum (on the same street), and the Benjamin Franklin Museum. All three of those are just a few blocks east of Independence Mall in Old City. Let’s take a glimpse at each of these places, what they have to offer, and how long you need to do them each justice.
National Constitution Center
Located at 525 Arch Street in Philly is the National Constitution Center. This is one of our favorite places. They have a round theater where they do an interactive “We the People” presentation. It’s a must in our opinion. After that you can wander through the museum where you’ll find the info you might have learned about in your elementary school American History class and much, much more. Presuming that you’ll do the “We the People” presentation, you’ll probably need at least an hour here. If you’re one who reads all of the placards, you’re going to need more time. Check it out before you go and plan accordingly.
Liberty Bell Center: Get a Close Up View
From the National Constitution Center, walk a few minutes south, past the Visitor Center, and you’ll find the Liberty Bell Center where you’ll get to see the famous bell. There might be a line to get in. If there’s a wait, it’ll be 30 minutes or less. You’ll only spend about ten minutes viewing the bell and the entrance exhibit. So, maybe budget 45 minutes for this just to be safe.
This is the bell that was originally hung in the tower of Independence Hall. We just learned that there are 57 replicas of the Liberty Bell. While you may have seen one of them, the original is found here. If you want a preview, you could spend hours learning about it online. We haven’t done this but we have visited the Liberty Bell, both in its current location and before, and we peek through the window at it whenever we find ourselves at 6th and Chestnut. It’s an enduring symbol of American independence and one you will be delighted to see.
Independence Hall: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Philly
Just across Chestnut Street to the south is Independence Hall, originally the Pennsylvania State House. This beautiful example of Georgian architecture was begun in 1732. It’s distinguished as the place where both our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution were debated, drafted, and signed. You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy this place. We got a little emotional while writing about it. For a virtual preview of this UNESCO World Heritage Site you could watch the movie National Treasure.
To see it in person, you’ll need timed tickets (info at the link above). The tour is about 20 minutes long, but you must arrive half an hour early to clear security.
We recently did the expanded tour, which goes beyond the standard 20-minute visit. The expanded tour is only offered once per day in the afternoon just before closing time. It takes you to the second floor with an introduction to what the three rooms there were used for. It lasted a little under 40 minutes and we would recommend doing it if you can get tickets. It’s open to about 50 people with half of the tickets released about a month ahead and the rest the day before. Reservations go through recreation.gov for a nonrefundable $1 fee, and it’s not wheelchair accessible since it involves several flights of stairs. Find out more and reserve your spot here.
Explore Christ Church Burial Ground
Another place of interest across South Independence Mall East (we think of it as 5th Street) from the Liberty Bell is the Christ Church Burial Ground. According to the National Park Service, “Christ Church Burial Ground opened in 1719 and remains active today. This is the final resting place of some of our nation’s most prominent founders, including five signers of the Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Franklin, Francis Hopkinson, Benjamin Rush, Joseph Hewes and George Ross.” (retrieved 12 May 2024; their decision to exclude the Oxford comma did not go unnoticed)
Your visit may not take much time. But bring a few pennies. Ben Franklin gets credit for saying “a penny saved is a penny earned.” He actually wrote “a penny saved is two pence clear,” but we’re frugal, so we love the sentiment either way. In tribute, people leave a penny on his grave.
Betsy Ross House
Betsy Ross was allegedly the seamstress who sewed the first American flag. Her first husband, John Ross, was a nephew of George Ross, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Her house is now a museum you might want to visit. This is definitely a fun family activity. We still remember our first visit as children many years ago. Plan on about 30 minutes.
Elfreth’s Alley and Museum
Elfreth’s Alley is America’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street. There’s a museum you can visit if you go, and it takes about 30 minutes. Head here to plan your visit. We still haven’t made it into the museum itself, though we’ve walked the alley plenty of times. It’s on the list for next time, that is if next time is a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. It's only open on those days of the week.
Benjamin Franklin Museum
And if you and your family want to learn more about the life and contributions of Ben Franklin, we’ve since visited the museum dedicated to him, with artifacts and interactive exhibits. You’ll need at least an hour here.
Lunch at Reading Terminal Market
With all this sightseeing you’re going to need to eat (and shop). You’re in luck because at some point during your day you can head to the Reading Terminal Market at 12th Street between Filbert and Arch. This place is sort of a food Mecca of stalls where you can find everything from flowers, to roasted coffee, to cheeses, cannolis, flavored oils, and various dining options. Think European market with Philly grit.
Philly Cheesesteaks at Reading Terminal Market
If you’re craving a Philly cheesesteak you can get one at Carmen’s or Spataro’s. Apparently the jury is still out on which one has the best “steaks.” In 2016 Philadelphia Magazine chose Carmen’s. We’ve had both and TBH neither disappoints.
UPDATE: Just a year after we wrote this we visited the Reading Terminal Market a couple of times to find that Spataro’s is gonzo… Now Uncle Gus Cheesesteaks opened near Carmen’s and the Spataro stall is vacant (as of April 22, 2025). We had an Uncle Gus Cheesesteak on February 15, 2025 and it was one of the best we’ve eaten (and we’ve eaten quite a few). Anyway, things change and we don’t tend to edit our blog articles for this sort of thing. So check their merchant directory to plan your visit.
Roast Pork with Broccoli Rabe at Tommy DiNic’s
There’s another popular Philly sandwich you might want to try. It’s roast pork with broccoli rabe. Tommy DiNic’s has them here and they won a Best of Philly award from Philadelphia Magazine in 2013. The brief, Philly-style order is something like "roast pork, greens, and cheese." I don't think you need to specify the type of greens, but they might ask if you want broccoli rabe or spinach... and if you want cheese, provolone is the only option. If you don’t eat meat, there are other varieties of food around the market. Frankly, we don’t avoid meat. So, we don’t really know. But Google is your friend.
More to Eat: Down Home Diner and Termini Brothers Cannoli
We’ll be writing more about Philly sandwiches in a future article. We also enjoy the Down Home Diner when we’re not looking for a cheesesteak. After your sandwich or lunch, make room for a cannoli from Termini Brothers. We like the ones with mascarpone and mini chocolate chips. They only have the large ones and they pipe in the filling while you wait. Divine!
This market is just a short six block walk from Independence Mall (or take a cab). So, you can split the day and have lunch there, then walk it off in the afternoon. You’ll need to because Philly is a foodie city with many great restaurants covering countless cuisines. After dinner, get a good night’s sleep because you’ll have plenty more to do the next day.
Day Two (and Maybe Day Three): The Benjamin Franklin Parkway
You’ll be spending day two (and maybe day three) along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway between the Philadelphia Museum of Art and City Hall.
Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rocky Steps
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a very large museum with 200 galleries, and it's the place with the famous steps Rocky ran up in the movie. As of September 2026, the city's Rocky statue stands at the top of those steps, a short distance back from the edge and right beside the bronze Rocky footprints set into the walkway. For twenty years it greeted visitors at street level, off to the right of the steps. That spot now belongs to a statue of Philadelphia's real-life heavyweight champion, "Smokin'" Joe Frazier, with a nice tribute alongside it.
When we were there recently on a Saturday around noon, there were plenty of visitors on the steps, some making their way to see the Rocky statue up close. So there’s no line like there used to be, though reaching the statue now means climbing all the way to the top of the steps, which isn’t accessible for everyone. You could spend an hour just exploring the area around the museum, running up the steps yourself, checking out the beautiful statues and hanging out in Eakins Oval in front, or learning about the Waterworks behind the museum.
Get a Photo of Boathouse Row
To the rear of the Waterworks is a large patio overlooking the Schuylkill River where you can get photos of the famous Boathouse Row. Rowing clubs have stored their boats in these boathouses since the 1800s.
Inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Of course you could also spend hours seeing the galleries inside the museum. The admission ticket covers two consecutive days and their collection includes works of famous artists from around the world. They have various tours, some of which are free with the admission ticket. But there’s a maximum group size for each and they’re first come first served. Audio guides are available so you can do a self-guided tour. Visit the museum’s website to learn more.
Boathouse Row Philadelphia Waterworks Element of the Eakins Oval Monument Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Statue of Rocky Balboa Looking Southeast down the Ben Franklin Parkway Statue of Joe Frazier Joe Frazier Tribute Banner Statue of Joe Frazier
Walking the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is the wide avenue that runs southeast from Eakins Oval to JFK Plaza (AKA LOVE Park where you can see the iconic LOVE sculpture). The parkway is lined with national flags from around the world, with signs indicating the country names. We love just walking along the parkway in the shade of the trees, admiring the architecture and the flags. There is the occasional bench where you can relax and take it all in.
Rodin Museum and the Barnes Foundation
On the north side of the parkway you’ll find the Rodin Museum and the Barnes Foundation. The Rodin Museum has the largest collection of sculptures by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris. The beaux-arts style building is itself a work of art. There you can wander in the gardens with sculptures free of charge, and then go inside for a bit to contemplate The Kiss which is a centerpiece in the main exhibit space, and the many other sculptures. There is a focus on the human hand and busts. If you enjoy sculpture, this is a must see museum in Philadelphia.
A little farther down is the Barnes Foundation, a unique art museum in that the art is displayed in a very special way. It’s a very large collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern art in a remarkable modern building.
A pair of Rodin's bronze hand studies Rodin's The Kiss Rodin hand study A young woman in blue by Amedeo Modigliani Vincent van Gogh's The Smoker (Le Fumeur) one of the many Renoirs at the Barnes
Calder Gardens
Also along this stretch of the parkway is Calder Gardens, which we visited recently. You can see the sculpture museum in about half an hour, though you could easily spend longer if you want to sit with the pieces. When we visited, half the gardens were under construction, which was a bit of a letdown, but the museum itself was genuinely interesting. We especially liked that there were no placards telling you what you were looking at. It left you to just take it in on your own terms. The gardens themselves are also a nice place to sit. There’s a bench along the entrance path near the 22nd Street corner where you can watch honeybees and dragonflies visiting the flowering plants.
Piet Oudolf's gardens at Calder Gardens Calder mobile in a quiet gallery Calder in Red and Black
Three Generations of Calders on One Street
There’s a nice bit of family history tying this stretch of the parkway together. The William Penn statue atop City Hall was sculpted by Alexander Milne Calder. His son, Alexander Stirling Calder, made the Swann Memorial Fountain you’ll reach a little farther along. And his son, Alexander Calder, is the artist behind the mobiles and sculptures that Calder Gardens now celebrates. Three generations of the same family, all within a mile of each other on the same street.
Swann Memorial Fountain and Sister Cities Park
At the end of the block you'll reach Logan Circle, with the Swann Memorial Fountain at its center. This was originally Northwest Square, one of the five public squares in William Penn's 1680s plan, and it served as a burial ground and site of public hangings before being renamed in 1825 for James Logan, Penn's secretary. The fountain, dedicated in 1924, is the work of Alexander Stirling Calder, whose father made the William Penn statue atop City Hall and whose son invented the mobile. Its three bronze figures represent the Delaware, Schuylkill, and Wissahickon waterways, and the swans are a nod to Dr. Wilson Cary Swann, founder of the Philadelphia Fountain Society. Just east of the circle is Sister Cities Park, first dedicated during the 1976 Bicentennial and handsomely renovated in 2012. Its fountain places Philadelphia at the center of an abstracted globe, with water jets marking the locations of its sister cities. There's also a café, a children's garden with a boat pond, and Robert Indiana's AMOR sculpture, a Spanish-language cousin of his famous LOVE.
The Franklin Institute
On the west side across 20th Street is the Franklin Institute, a science museum that’s fun for the whole family. This is one of our favorite museums with its interactive exhibits where adults and kids alike can learn about everything from electricity to the human heart. If you don’t have time to tour the museum, at least step inside the main entrance to see the beautiful dome and impressive statue of Benjamin Franklin.
The Thinker keeps watch at the gated entrance of the Rodin Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway The Barnes Foundation's modern gallery building, seen across a quiet lawn and a bare sycamore. The Franklin Institute's neoclassical façade, with banners for the Art of the Brick LEGO exhibit. Looking straight up into the coffered dome of the Franklin Institute rotunda, with central oculus. A quiet morning on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the far end Robert Indiana's AMOR, the Spanish-language cousin of his famous LOVE sculpture
AMOR Sculpture
At the south end of Sister Cities Park is the AMOR sculpture (2015) and a little farther down the parkway is LOVE Park, home of the iconic LOVE sculpture. According to the Association for Public Art “Robert Indiana is the artist behind the iconic LOVE (1976) sculpture, located in nearby LOVE Park. He created this Latin/Spanish version of the sculpture in response to the changing demographics of the U.S. and his desire to speak to his fellow citizens. As a permanent part of the City of Philadelphia’s public art collection, AMOR serves as a companion artwork to LOVE.”
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
After you visit the AMOR sculpture, and before you head to LOVE Park, take a step inside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul to see the beautiful architecture, paintings, stained glass, altar, and chapels. You won’t be disappointed. It’s truly a wonderful sacred space. We even recommend attending mass there, especially if your personal beliefs are in alignment. We have and it was a lovely and memorable experience.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
LOVE Park and the LOVE Sculpture
Then stroll down to LOVE Park and get a selfie in front of the LOVE sculpture. Pro tip: since the selfie will be a mirror image, take it from the back side of the sculpture.
City Hall and Dilworth Park
If you have more time, take a walk around nearby City Hall. You can read about its history and that of Philadelphia on the placards in Dilworth Park on the west side of the building. The statue of William Penn tops the tower of City Hall. There’s Philly history associated with this statue. We wrote about it, including some fun facts, in a separate article. There are a couple of tours available to experience City Hall. We recommend the tour of the tower which gives you soe charming history and unforgettable views. There are so few spots that you must order in advance here.
Masonic Temple Tour
Steps away from City Hall is the Masonic Temple. It’s a beautiful place and you can take a tour to see it. We recently took the tour ourselves and found it genuinely interesting. It covers the history of freemasonry in the United States and how it’s organized by state, along with the couple of earlier buildings that came before the current temple. Inside, you’ll learn what each of the meeting halls was used for, how the furniture is arranged, and how the artistic style and theme shifts from room to room. The guide also gets into the meaning behind the artistic motifs, the portraiture in the hallways outside the halls, and the stained glass at the front of the building, which represents temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice. One small detail that stuck with us: there are actual fossils embedded in the floor tiles.
Per the website, tours are approximately one hour long and offered Wednesday through Saturday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. There are no tours on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, major holidays, or when Pennsylvania Masonic functions or special events are happening.
View of Philadelphia's City Hall looking down North Broad Street Spire of Philadelphia's City Hall With the William Penn Statue Norman Hall, one of the meeting halls of Philadelphia's Masonic Temple Masonic Temple Placard One of the Views from the Top of Philadelphia's City Hall Tower. Christ Church Central Aisle and Altar on a Summer Sunday before the Service
First Time Visit to Philadelphia: Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for a first time visit to Philadelphia?
Two days barely covers the highlights. Spend day one around Independence Mall and Old City, and day two along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. If you want more time in the museums or a slower pace, add a third day. Even with three days, many people will want to come back again to see all of the places they missed.
What should you see first in Philadelphia?
Start at Independence Mall. Stop at the Independence Visitor Center for maps, then see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center, all within a few blocks of each other.
Do you need tickets for Independence Hall?
Yes. Independence Hall requires timed tickets. They are free apart from a $1 reservation fee through Recreation.gov, and you should arrive 30 minutes before your tour to clear security. Tickets can be reserved up to 30 days ahead, and more are released at 5 p.m. the day before.
How long does it take to see the Liberty Bell?
Plan on about 45 minutes. You’ll spend about ten minutes viewing the bell, and if there’s a line, the wait is usually 30 minutes or less.
Is Philadelphia walkable for first time visitors?
Yes, especially around Independence Mall, where the major sights are a few blocks apart. Reading Terminal Market is a short six block walk from the mall, and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway sights line one wide, tree-shaded avenue, so you can walk it in stages and stop at each museum along the way.
Where should you eat on a first time visit to Philadelphia?
Reading Terminal Market is our pick for lunch. It’s a food hall of stalls where you can try a Philly cheesesteak, a roast pork sandwich from Tommy DiNic’s, and a cannoli from Termini Brothers, then walk it off among the sights in the afternoon. Philly is full of top notch restaurants and many are difficult to get into. So, research and reserve as far ahead a you can.
Have More Time? Keep Exploring Philadelphia
If you have more than two or three days to visit Philly, there’s a lot more to see and do. We’ve shared many of them in other posts. Just find the Philadelphia blog category page on our site to find them.
We recently left a few pennies on Ben Franklin’s grave. Have you done this? What are you looking most forward to doing in Philadelphia?
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