From historic Philadelphia to Philadelphia Center City, if you’ve only got a weekend in Philadelphia you’ll want to make sure to hit the city’s top sights! Situated along the East Coast in Pennsylvania, Philly is famous for its cheesesteaks, aggressive sports fans, Philadelphia historical sites, and of course, Rocky Balboa!
This Philadelphia itinerary will help you navigate your weekend in Philly with ease. I’ll include sections on best places to visit in Philadelphia, how to get around in Philadelphia, where to stay in Philadelphia, Philadelphia tours, best places to eat in Philadelphia, and more!
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Philadelphia Map
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Top Places to Visit in Philadelphia
Historic Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s Old City is renowned as the birthplace of American independence and is sure to be the highlight of your Philadelphia sightseeing! The neighborhood is home to a variety of Philadalphia’s historical sites, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. From the Old City, walk over to relax in scenic Washington Square and stroll through the unchanged streets of nearby Society Hill. One of the best free things to do in Philadelphia, enjoy a visit to Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest residential street in the country defined by incredibly well-preserved homes from the 1700s.
My picks for best historic Philadelphia tours: Founding Fathers Tour of Philadelphia; BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia; Old City Walking Tour in Philadelphia
Center City Philadelphia
Center City Philadelphia is the beating heart of the city. Rittenhouse Square, Reading Terminal Market, and the ornately designed City Hall are just some of the major landmarks that define Center City. Filled with charming coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, shops, and everything in between, Center City is where all the action is in Philadelphia.
My picks for best Center City Philadelphia tours: Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour; Philadelphia Prohibition Pub Crawl; Philadelphia Segway Tour
Fairmount
Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood is home to several Philadelphia museums, including the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art and the famed Rocky Steps, as well as the adjacent Rocky Statue. Here you can stroll along the picturesque Benjamin Franklin Parkway lined with flags from nearly every country. This neighborhood offers some of the best things to do in Philadelphia with kids, including the Philadelphia Zoo, the picturesque Fairmount Park, the eerie Eastern State Penitentiary Museum, and the charming Boathouse Row.
My picks for best Fairmount tours: Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Eastern State Penitentiary Admission; Rocky Statue Tours
South Philly
Renowned for its diverse neighborhoods and cultural heritage, you’ll never be lacking for things to do in the melting pot that is South Philly. Head over to the bustling Italian Market for some seriously authentic eats or take a walk down South Street for vibrant street art, funky boutiques, trendy restaurants, unique galleries, and Magic Gardens.
My picks for best South Philly tours: Lonely Planet Experiences: South Philly Markets, Mosaics, Magic Small Group Tour; Iconic 9th Street Italian Market Experience Tour in Philadelphia; Philadelphia Cheesesteak Tour by Segway
Fishtown
Brimming with trendy restaurants, fun bars, plenty of breweries and beer gardens, and a lively art and music scene, Fishtown is the place to be. This neighborhood’s bohemian vibe attracts both hipster and mainstream visitors for a variety of exciting events in Philadelphia.
My picks for best Fishtown tours: Philadelphia: 2-Hour Mural Tour by Segway
Best Philadelphia Tours
No weekend in Philadelphia is complete without some adding some great Philadelphia tours! Consider adding some of these classic tours to your Philadelphia itinerary:
Where to Stay in Philadelphia
My picks for where to stay in Philadelphia: The Windsor Suites Philadelphia; Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square; Apple Hostels of Philadelphia
You’ve got several options for where to stay in Philadelphia. The most popular and centralized option for choosing Philadelphia hotels or a Philadelphia hostel would be selecting a neighborhood in or around Philadelphia’s Center City. By far the most desirable location for where to stay in Philly is around Rittenhouse Square, especially if you’ve only got a weekend in Philadelphia. Rittenhouse is in the heart of Center City Philadelphia and lies within walking distance to the majority of Philly’s main attractions.
The Old City is another great option for where to stay in Philadelphia, as it puts you right in the center of Historic Philadelphia’s top sites including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Bordering the Old City is Society Hill, an upscale neighborhood defined by charming well-preserved 18th and 19th century homes and scenic Washington Square. None of these areas are too far from the city’s major highlights, so you’ll be happy staying anywhere around here.
If you’re looking for a trendier, more bohemian vibe, Fishtown and South Philly also offer unique alternatives for where to stay in Philadelphia, but you won’t be as close to the action in Center City.
How to Get Around in Philadelphia
You have a few options as far as how to get around in Philadelphia. Philly is an incredibly walkable city, so if you’re just spending a weekend in Philadelphia, your best option will be to navigate the city on foot! For longer distances, the city’s SEPTA system will take you anywhere you want to go. SEPTA includes train, trolley, subway, and bus, and is incredibly affordable. City bikes are also an option for getting around in Philly, and Uber and Lyft also provide quick and reliable transportation for Philadelphia travel.
Best Places to Eat in Philadelphia
If Philly does one thing right, it’s food! From Philly cheesesteaks to hoagies and traditional Italian fare, you’ve got endless options when it comes to what to eat and where to eat in Philadelphia. Here are some of my favorite places to eat in Philadelphia to check out during your weekend in Philly!
My Favorite Restaurants in Philly
Zahav – Society Hill, Mediterranean, consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in the country
Suraya – Fishtown, Mediterranean
Fiorella – South Philly, Italian
Parc – Center City, French, brunch
Sabrina’s Cafe – Fairmount, American, brunch
El Vez – Center City, Mexican
Tria – Center City, Wine and cheese
Bocconcini – Center City, Italian
Angelo’s Pizzeria South Philly – South Philly, Pizza and cheesesteaks
Best Spots for Philly Cheesesteak and Classic Philly foods
Jim’s South Street – Cheesesteak
Angelo’s Pizzeria South Philly – Cheesesteak, pizza
Dalessandro’s Steaks – Cheesesteak
John’s Roast Pork – Roast pork sandwich, cheesesteak
Rita’s Italian Ice – Water ice (pronounced “wooder ice” in Philly)
John’s Water Ice – Water ice
Check out my Recommended Travel Essentials page for more useful resources for spending a weekend in Philadelphia!
Philadelphia Tips and FAQs
Is Philadelphia safe?
Though the main tourist areas in Philadelphia are typically safe for visitors, it’s important to always have your wits about you when exploring the city, both during the day and at night. Never walk alone at night and always keep your valuables out of sight when in public. Tourists should avoid visiting North Philly, and parts of West and South Philly can be very dangerous as well.
When is the best time to visit Philadelphia?
Fall in Philadelphia is beautiful with the scenic foliage and changing leaves. The weather is mild and there are plenty of autumn-inspired activities to do in and around the city. Similarly, spring in Philly experiences warm, pleasant temperatures and the city begins to come alive again after the winter, making it one of the best times to visit Philadelphia. Summer in Philly experiences the best weather of the year, but the majority of Philadelphia residents flee to the Jersey Shore for much of the summer, leaving the city emptier than other American cities during those months. Though winters aren’t as cold as other cities, most travelers avoid visiting Philly during the winter unless they’re partial to cold weather and snow!
What should I eat in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is known as a foodie city, and there are a few things you can’t come to Philly without trying! Some of these include traditional Italian food, Philly cheesesteaks, hoagies, water ice (Italian ice), Tastykakes (available at Wawa), and Philadelphia soft pretzels.
What is Philadelphia known for?
Philadelphia has earned itself a reputation for its fantastic food (especially Philly cheesesteaks) and world-renowned restaurants, its rowdy sports fans (particularly Philadelphia Eagles fans), its Historic Philadelphia which includes sites like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and for its proximity to New York City. Philly is also recognized for the iconic Rocky Steps leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which can’t be missed on any Philadelphia vacation!
Where can you buy alcohol in Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania was established as a Quaker state and some alcohol restrictions are still in place. It’s important to note that you can only buy alcohol in designated alcohol stores; beer in beer stores, wine in wine stores, and liquor in liquor stores, with some exceptions. Some grocery stores sell wine, but you should check with your specific shop before you go.
Traveling Alone or Want to Join a Tour?
If you’re looking to spend more than just a weekend in Philadelphia and would like to join an organized tour that’ll take you through both Philly and the East Coast, consider signing up for a tour with Intrepid Travel! Intrepid offers travelers an authentic local experience with a knowledgeable guide. I always use Intrepid for my travels because they put on a great trip, they’re affordable and as a company, they focus on sustainable travel. What’s not to love?!
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