2024 Philadelphia Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)

Philadelphia Zoo 🐪🇺🇸

#timetotravel The Philadelphia Zoo, located at 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA, is a delightful haven for both nature enthusiasts and families alike. Stepping into this urban oasis, I was immediately immersed in a world of fascinating wildlife from around the globe. The zoo's commitment to conservation and education was evident as I explored its diverse exhibits, from big cats prowling in lush enclosures to the exotic creatures of the McNeil Avian Center. The primate reserve, in particular, left me captivated, observing these intelligent beings up close. One of the standout features is Zoo360, a series of elevated walkways that allow animals to roam freely above visitors, creating a more natural and immersive experience. With beautiful landscaping and informative signage, the Philadelphia Zoo seamlessly combines entertainment with learning, making it a perfect destination for all ages. It's a place where you can connect with the wonders of the animal kingdom while supporting important conservation efforts. A day at this zoo is both educational and a ton of fun.

Philadelphia Old City has its own charm

🏢Within walking distance from Independence Hall, Philadelphia Old City has many charming elements to offer, from its cobblestone streets and plenty of 18th-century houses. The neighborhood has interesting boutiques, great restaurants, good cafe, and vibrant nightlife. 🏦 Start of from the First National Bank along Chestnut Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Museum, to Museum of American Revolution and Market Street. You can end your walk at Elfreth’s Alley. #wecreate

Historic bell - icon of Freedom in 🇺🇸

📍 Address - 526 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 🔔 This Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom. The exhibit will walk you through history. It is free and you can just follow the line to the “Entrance of Liberty Bell”. The line can be very long during Memorial Day and weekend. Once inside, you are free to read through the history scripts and understand more about the significance of this freedom icon. If you are rushing for time, walk towards the end of the line to see the side of the Liberty Bell. ##wecreate

Self-walk around Philadelphia Historic city

🏛️Philadelphia is very walkable and you can definitely do a self-walking tour around the historic city. Start off from the Independence Palace to the Old City Hall, Congress Hall along Chestnut Avenue. After that you can turn to see the First Bank of the United States. Before New York Wall Street, Philadelphia used to be the financial hub of America as well. You can also proceed to Betsy Ross’ house. This is a very easy walk and definitely recommend to do if you are in Philly. #wecreate

The oldest continuously occupied street

🏚️Located in Philadelphia Old City, Elfreth’s Alley is the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the United States. It is very easy to walk around and please be mindful that this area is still being occupied by real residents. The museum tour cost $3 and you can get a glimpse into the house which is the museum. There is also a small court yard near the end if the alley to explore. #wecreate

One of the great museum to visit in 🇺🇸

🏛️Philadelphia Museum of Art is famous as featured in Rocky Balboa movie. It is also my favorite attractive place to go with the family. The surrounding area has many interesting sculptures and green space for kids to run around. You can take pictures with the famous Rocky Balboa statue too. I didn’t manage to go into the museum as it is already closed. Wish they extend the opening hour. #wecreate

Excellent hotel in a historic building 🏨

🏨 Address - 21 N Juniper St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 📌 Ambiance/Facilities - Excellent. The hotel is in the historic building and the room decoration reflects that Highlights - The location is excellent. It is just beside Philadelphia City Hall, Masonic Temple. If you exit the hotel at the back gate, you can reach the famous Reading Terminal Market. Avg. Price per Person - $250 per room Rating - 5 🌟 #wecreate

Philly Footprints: Unraveling the City's Charm

One foot in front of the other, I embarked on a journey through the heart of Philadelphia. My first stop was the Church of the Holy Trinity, an architectural gem with an aura of tranquility that washed over me in calming waves. I continued on to the rail yard along the Schuylkill River, where the robust industrial past of the city converged with the urban present. The sight of sturdy metal against the flowing river was a fascinating visual paradox. Following the river's path, I found myself strolling along the Schuylkill River's edge. The gentle murmur of the water complemented the lively city ambiance, creating a soothing soundtrack for my journey. My day concluded outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, its majestic façade an inspiring testament to the city's cultural richness. As I gazed upon this iconic structure, I felt deeply connected to the vibrant tapestry of Philly's urban life. #shopandtrip #myperfectstaycation #foodie #本地遊 #mytripvlog #urbanexplorer #tripblazers #awesomepic #celebratewithtrip #passionpassport #Philadelphia #PhillyFootprints #ChurchHolyTrinity #SchuylkillRiver #PhillyArtMuseum #CityWalk #UrbanExploration #CulturalHeritage #RiverWalk #Cityscapes #TravelDiaries #FootTour #ReflectiveJourney #CityLife #HistoricalLandmarks #ArtandCulture #NaturalBeauty #UrbanSightseeing #USLandmarks #DiscoverPhilly

Rittenhouse Square: Philly's Urban Oasis

Rittenhouse Square, a gem in Philadelphia's heart, invites visitors to embrace its urban charm, and an unexpected giant frog. This whimsical stone carving, known as "Frog," is the work of Cornelia Van Auken Chapin, a celebrated 20th-century sculptor known for her animal-themed creations. Unveiled in 1941, it has since become a beloved feature of the park, greeting visitors with its frozen joy. The day further unfurled with a spontaneous open-air concert, courtesy of a busker strumming heartwarming melodies that wove magic into the cool winter air. The park resonated with his tunes, embracing music as a vital part of its vibrant aura. In a delightful spectacle, squirrels enjoyed a feast at a picnic table, a thoughtful arrangement by an anonymous benefactor. Their joyous dining added a dash of warmth to the crisp day, personifying the park's endearing spirit. With its historical art, enchanting music, and unexpected wildlife encounters, Rittenhouse Square stands as a testament to Philadelphia's vibrant urban life. #shopandtrip #myperfectstaycation #flowerlover #foodie #本地遊 #mytripvlog #urbanexplorer #tripblazers #awesomepic #celebratewithtrip #passionpassport #RittenhouseSquare #Philly #UrbanOasis #CityLife #ArtInThePark #Busking #SquirrelPicnic #WinterInPhilly #ParkLife #UrbanWildlife #CityParks #PublicArt #MusicInThePark #CityTour #FootTour #OutdoorConcert #UnexpectedDelights #UrbanSanctuary #SculpturePark

Philly Art Museum

Philadelphia was once the capital of the United States, so there is plenty of history, museums, monuments, and sites around the city. The Philadelphia Museum of Art boasts a nice array of exhibits. I visited on a Friday evening after work because museum admission is free Friday evenings (pay what you wish). I did pay for parking at their garage, which was only $5. #philadelphia #philly #museums

Explore the Surreal Masterpiece by Isaiah Zagar

Philadelphia's Magic Garden is a stunning mosaic art installation located in the heart of the city's South Street neighborhood. What makes the Magic Garden a mesmerizing masterpiece is not just the scale and intricacy of the artwork, but also the concept behind it. Created by artist Isaiah Zagar, the Magic Garden covers half a city block and includes a labyrinthine network of tunnels, sculptures, and mosaics. Zagar has been working on the Magic Garden since 1994, using a variety of materials such as broken glass, tiles, mirrors, and found objects to create his signature mosaic style. The artist uses mosaic as a metaphor that we can transform our lives by piecing together the broken fragments of our past experiences into something beautiful and meaningful. The result is a colorful and surreal landscape that transforms urban spaces into vibrant, creative environments that inspire and uplift people. Over decades of creative process, Zagar has refined his artistic vision, using his artwork as a way to connect with people and communities around the world. The Philadelphia's Magic Garden is a testament to his creativity, dedication, and passion for creating art that truly touches people's hearts and souls. #urbanexplorer

The stunning architecture in these places in Philadelphia is definitely worth a visit.

City Hall Building City Hall is the largest municipal building in the country and a must-visit destination. Designed by Scottish immigrant John McArthur and Thomas Ustick Walter, this building has stood proudly in Philadelphia since the 1800s. Philadelphia Museum of Art If you encounter a bad weather day, you can explore thousands of art and cultural works at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is an absolutely incredible place to visit. Oh, to be honest, it's suitable for any day! After entering the museum, be sure to explore the temporary exhibitions and permanent collections, which make it one of the most iconic art museums in the northeastern United States. Private room Located on Chestnut Street, the Independence Hall is undoubtedly one of the best attractions in Philadelphia - especially if you're interested in American history. It's open every day (closing around 5 pm) and is the ideal place to explore the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. It's an incredible tour spot and you can easily book your tickets online before arriving. Please be sure to arrive at the Independence Hall 30 minutes before the designated time.

Wyndham Philadelphia historic district

#staycation Wyndham Philadelphia: This is perfect place to stay in Philadelphia, close to restaurants, Mall, and the metro. Everything is within a reasonable walking distance from the hotel. The staff are were very friendly and helpful. The rooms were also clean and comfortable to stay in. 📍Location: 400 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA19106-2120 #usatravel #usa2022 #usatrip

Christmas village in philly!🎄🎅

Christmas village market in philly’s famous love park! You get to see a lot of different stores that sell all sorts of stuff including snacks: funnel cakes, apple pies, chocolate, handmade stuff, pretty scarves and gloves! There’s also a huge Christmas tree in front of the LOVE sign! perfect place to hangout with friends and family and even lovers!#聖誕好去處2022 #christmas2022

Philadelphia magic garden✨

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) is an immersive mixed media art environment that is completely covered with mosaics. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirror, and international folk art to chronicle his life and influences. The space is made up of two indoor galleries and a bi-level outdoor sculpture garden. #art #philadelphia #費城

Philadelphia was a wonderful trip! I would highly recommend. We went to liberty bell, constitution hall, museum row, and had the 2 famous cheesesteaks. pats was great and so was Genos, but they were similar i don’t know of I can pick a favorite. I would suggest wearing sneakers because you will be walking a lot. parking was tricky and I did get one parking ticket because the signs confused me. over all I would highly recommend a trip, a day trip, or a weekend trip. I don’t know about the night life but we had fun. it is also close to NJ and there are so many things to go there as well. so you can drive over as well!

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

The place where the Declaration of Independence was signed: Philadelphia, PA. Right up Market Street is Independence Hall. Don’t forget to book a free ticket on recreations.gov a few days before you visit. Masks are encouraged inside. If ever you don’t get in, you can still enjoy the sun in the park and go to the adjacent buildings like the Liberty Bell Center, the Carpenters’ Hall, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum. Some streets are made purely of cobblestone and give off that classic historical vibe. It’s also very near Chinatown, so you can easily get your Asian food fix. Pork Soup Dumplings are a must-have!

Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia

#bucketlistreboot Looking back at many of the Diners Drive-ins and Dives, we always knew Philadelphia was going to be a promising trip, not only because of its Philly Cheesesteak sandwich but because of the history and heritage this city has to offer to the U.S. Reading Terminal Market We start off at the Reading Terminal Market, which is a relatively large area indoors filled with stalls and restaurants serving minute ready food. As we were in Philly, we decided it couldn’t be a better time to try the all time favourite Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich. Tender beef, with caramelised onions, all smothered in American cheese in your favourite baguette. Yum! #urbanexplorer #philadelphia #food

Philadelphia City Hall & LOVE Park

#bucketlistreboot Philadelphia City Hall You won’t miss Philadelphia City Hall during your tour of the city. The building, built of brick, white marble, and limestone is the world’s largest free-standing masonry building. It is the seat of the municipal government of the City of Philadelphia and also houses the chambers of the Philadelphia City Council and the offices of the Mayor of Philadelphia. Love Park Next to the Philadelphia City Hall is Love Park. It is officially known as John F. Kennedy Plaza and is a public park in the city. The park is nicknamed LOVE Park for LOVE sculpture which overlooks the plaza. We had to take some photos, of course #philadelphia #urbanexplorer #love

The Franklin Institute

#bucketlistreboot From the Art Museum, there is an extraordinary avenue that opens in front and is just a joy to walk through. The avenue finishes at the The Franklin Institute which is a science museum. Although we didn’t quite to go in the building, one of its features is a statue of Benjamin Franklin inside a hallway designed to be like the Roman Pantheon temple with an oculus like dome. This is the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Whilst most American cities are large, Philadelphia is definitely do-able just walking. Some of the highlights of this city also include hosting the largest town hall in the U.S., a superb food hall/market (Yes, we had a Philly cheesesteak sandwich) and some great restaurants that serve some delish food. #urbanexplorer #philadelphia

i am absolutely fascinated by the street art around philly! ❤️#passionpassport #gooutside

Philadelphia's Independence Hall

#staycation in the #usa The old colonial administrative square or what they are now, the Independence Hall, Congress Hall and Carpenter’s Hall. These buildings were the main administrative buildings during the English period. However, the meaning for the early Americans is that this is where the proclamation of independence was first read. Interestingly enough, the proclamation was never intended to be a complete separation and succession from the British Empire. It was meant to be a statement to ask the King of England the right to self governance. Because of how fast things escalated and the propaganda on both sides, the revolutionaries sought complete independence. After the reading happened and the vote casted, the now renegade lawmakers found themselves outside the law and had to meet somewhere else. Their first meeting was in the building of the Carpenter’s Hall. Overall, the Independence Hall and the nearby buildings felt impressive considering their history and valour to the American people. #staycation #urbanexplorer #passionpassport

Philly: birthplace of liberty

Philadelphia is a historic city that has some of the most interesting sites relating to the American revolution. You can easily spend a few days learning about this historic event and experiencing this interesting city. At the core of the city, you'll visit Independence Hall with the Independence Bell. The former was the site where the American Declaration of independence was signed. Many of the rooms have been preserved in their original state, making the experience not only very informative but you also feel like you're stepping back to the 1700s. The area around Independence hall is also quite scenic and continues the continuing historic theme with cobblestone streets. A bit further you'll find the City hall, which is a monumental building, which seeks to be a landmark of the city. Philadelphia is also a city full of culture. It is home to the University of Philadelphia which is a prestigious Ivy league institution. The city also hosts a Chinatown, complete with Paifang gates and where you can find many delicious Asian delights. Make a stop also at the Reading Terminal Market to get some tasty treats. Finally don't leave without trying out the iconic and delicious Philly Cheesesteak. Overall, Philadelphia is a lovely city full of history and character. You'll spend your time learning about the past while eating taste foods! #travel #explore #city #usa #philadelphia

Brand new “W Philadelphia”

At 1439 Chestnut St in Philadelphia, PA is the brand new W hotel by Marriott. Hands down one of the most beautiful and unique hotels I’ve gotten to experience. Was upgraded to the corner room on the 37th floor which had an amazing panoramic view of Center City Philadelphia. I grew up here so it was fun to visit home and feel like I was #ontopoftheworld #philadelphia #wbymarriott #whotel #cityofbrotherlylove #centercity #rocky #pennslanding #oldecity

Philly

This place never disappoints! always love going into the city and exploring what it has to offer in and around the city! always something to do and it doesn’t matter what time of day it is. also a lot of great places to eat! can never go hungry in Philly. Main attractions are the sports teams but if you are looking for something more laid back there is always those options as well! all within walking distance of center city or you can take the bus to get there faster just be sure of which bus you are getting on. Safe and clean is always first and Philly offers that and there are a lot of cool non traditional attractions that are hidden throughout the city! #nationalpark

Philadelphia

scenes from Philly a few weekends ago #philly #culturalattraction

When you get out of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you can get across the river and walk to the museum of archaeology and anthropology in the UPenn. It only takes 20 minutes. The Drexel University is not large but has many classical buildings. It is next to the UPenn. If you have enough time, try to walk around two campuses. Here are several museums.

It would be a nice trip to have a walk in the downtown of Philadelphia. I feel walking is the first choice to read its retro style. If you are bored with museum, buildings on the corner are also interesting. Here are many welcomed western food, like steak and Spanish cuisine. If you like Asian dishes, the Chinese city is nice place to go.

Inside and outside the church has quite a unique appearance. As it's in downtown Philadelphia, it’s not the biggest church you'll visit. But it nonetheless feels spacious and its style is preserved quite well.

Churches in Philadelphia are a great attraction. They are mostly open to the public and you don't have to make reservation. These are surrounded by residential quarters. It is not big, but very interesting. Each one follows its unique style.