Top 20 Best Things to Do in Philadelphia
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Top 20 Best Things to Do in Philadelphia

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  • Penn Museumtop_1
    󰺂7.3
    22.18
    Philadelphia2.4 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰀆Mesopotamian clay tablets collection
    󱨜VR: Ancient civilization life scenes
    󱨠50% positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    This museum, founded and operated by the University of Pennsylvania, requires a ticket. Since it's not very popular, the ticket revenue likely only partially covers operating costs. It's easily accessible by subway or bus, with the subway about a ten-minute walk away. There's a small garden with a fountain at the entrance. Walk past the garden and into the museum lobby, where the front desk staff scans your ticket before you enter. The Egyptian section on the left is undergoing renovations, and some Egyptian artifacts have been moved to the second floor. The right-hand hall on the first floor begins with the Sumerian civilization of the Mesopotamian region, detailing various artifacts and kingdoms. The domed center hall on the second floor displays artifacts from Asia, particularly China, including two reliefs of the Six Horses from the Zhaoling Mausoleum in Xianyang. Seeing artifacts from my hometown from such a distance is truly moving. The left-hand hall on the second floor features ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. The collection is extensive and densely displayed. The museum itself is small, but its detailed presentation of various ancient civilizations is well worth a visit.

  • Independence National Historical Parktop_2
    󰺂6.3
    Philadelphia.Old City1.2 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Visit Declaration of Independence Exhibit
    󰋄Red Brick Tower & Clock
    4.1/5
    palettes_nypalettes_ny

    I feel that the attractions in downtown Philadelphia are really excellent. The historic sites near the Liberty Bell are under the unified management of National Park. Opposite the Liberty Bell is a large visitor center where you can consult Philadelphia's travel guide. The staff and volunteers here are also very enthusiastic to help give travel advice and answer consultation questions. There is also a small souvenir shop here, where you can buy refrigerator magnets, notebooks, postcards and other related Philadelphia souvenirs. There are also exhibition explanations in the visitor center. Although it is relatively miniature compared to the museum, it still does not affect the number of tourists here. If you come by car, there is a parking lot in the basement of the Independence Hall Visitor Center for everyone to park. Although parking in the city center of Philadelphia is not very convenient and parking spaces are not easy to find, it is recommended that everyone park in the underground parking lot of the visitor center. If you come during the peak season, you need to apply for the ticket to the Independence Hall at the visitor center first, but I don’t know if it is because of the epidemic. You don’t need to take a ticket when you come, you can go directly to visit.

  • Liberty Belltop_3
    󰺂6.3
    Philadelphia.Old City1.2 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    360° view of Liberty Bell
    Liberty Bell info in 11 languages
    4.3/5
    palettes_nypalettes_ny

    Needless to say, the fame of the Liberty Bell is so great that it feels like it can be a must-visit place in Philadelphia, just like the Independence Palace. It seems that every time I come to Philadelphia, I will repeat the ritual of checking in. The two are very close, just walk across the road. The exhibition hall is open to the public for free, and there is no need to buy tickets. The Independence Palace needs to be booked in advance on the official website, with a ticket booking fee of 1 yuan. The Liberty Bell has an independent exhibition hall for visiting, and the entrance requires security check. You can visit it up close and walk to the Liberty Bell. It was previously possible to circle 360 ​​degrees, but this time it was only open 180 degrees, and the other half was blocked, but the advantage is that you can unlock a Liberty Bell with no one in the background. The Liberty Bell was originally in the palace of the Independence Palace, and then it was displayed in the memorial hall on the lawn because the bell body cracked. This time, the display stand at the visitor center was also empty. Another knowledge point was that cracks first appeared when it was transported to Philadelphia in 1752, and then after several repairs, there were still cracks, so they gave up repairing it. And it was this bell that rang on July 4, 1776. The Liberty Bell has also been relocated several times. Although the locations of each relocation were not far away, people were still worried that there would be more serious cracks. They also installed a micro-variable displacement sensor on the bell that can test the movement of one millionth of a meter to test whether it is suitable for relocation. Every visit seems to unlock different little knowledge points, which is probably one of the pleasures of traveling.

  • Philadelphia Museum of Art
    4
    󰺂6.2
    Philadelphia2.1 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Philly views & sunset
    󰀆Run the iconic Rocky steps
    󱨠34% positive reviews
    4.6/5
    poohwubearpoohwubear

    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 City Hall
    5
    󰺂6.0
    Philadelphia.Market East58m from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Statue & architectural blend
    167m tower for city views
    4.3/5
    Mushfiqur Rahman ChowdhuryMushfiqur Rahman Chowdhury

    Lots of iconic buildings and landmarks across both sides of the street. You can visit the place in the 100 US$ bill as well, like the final image below.

  • Independence Hall
    6
    󰺂5.7
    Philadelphia.Old City1.2 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄Engaging guide & historical tales
    Liberty Bell & early American history
    4.3/5
    WB2021WB2021

    A great piece of US history. You can easily spend a very informative afternoon roaming its halls and learning more about the declaration of independence.

  • Old City
    7
    󰺂5.5
    Philadelphia.Old City1.7 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Night Attractions in Philadelphia
    Highlights:
    󱨜18th-century architecture & museum
    18th-century American-style halls
    󱨠30% positive reviews
    4.8/5
    __赛____赛__

    Philadelphia is a very charming American city. Unlike New York, which is messy and glamorous, this city has a profound heritage. The old city is very charming, and the public security is very good. It is safer to go out at night.

  • Fragments of Franklin Court
    8
    󰺂4.4
    Philadelphia.Old City1.5 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Franklin's historic residence visit
    󰀆VR immersive experience underground
    󱨠30% positive reviews
    4.4/5
    西行阿里西行阿里

    Franklin died here in 1790. The house itself has been destroyed and no longer exists, but the original site has been preserved and the Benjamin Franklin Museum has been established.

  • Barnes Foundation
    9
    󰺂4.4
    Philadelphia.Philadelphia City Center1.2 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Admire the master Impressionist art collection
    󰀆Art lectures reveal the stories behind the works
    4.4/5
    palettes_nypalettes_ny

    On the first day of a leisurely trip to Philadelphia, I only checked in at this private art gallery on Park Avenue. Among the several major art galleries in Philadelphia, I still prefer this relatively low-key and exquisite art gallery. Although it is next to the famous Philadelphia Art Museum and Robin Sculpture Gallery, it still has its own unique style and painting arrangement. If you come during the week, there will not be many people in the art gallery, so you can slow down and quietly appreciate the exhibits. One thing I like about their home is that all the exhibition areas are not limited to a specific style. The layout of paintings from various periods is presented together, not affected by the painting style and period. Different works separated by hundreds of years can be viewed in one exhibition hall. Although the art gallery does not have a text description of each work, you can go to their official website and use your mobile phone to scan the picture to learn about the story behind each painting. This way of visiting is also more interesting. You can first guess the background of the painting, and then compare it after scanning the picture. The scanned paintings will also be sent to your mailbox later.

  • Philadelphia Zoo
    10
    󰺂4.4
    Philadelphia3.4 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoMarvelous Night at LumiNature Philadelphia Zoo | Nov 20, 2025-Jan 3, 2026
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Philadelphia
    Highlights:
    󰀆Winter LumiNature light show
    First children's zoo experience
    󱨠27% positive reviews
    4.6/5
    努力的三号努力的三号

    This is the first animal park in the United States, that is, a zoo established when the country was just founded, so it has a very long history. Although it is not particularly large, there are really humane facilities everywhere. In addition to the humanity, the animality here is also quite good. This place pays great attention to animals. They live in a purely natural environment and can live in harmony with humans. People can also interact with them without any pressure.

Best things to do in Philadelphia (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Philadelphia? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Philadelphia offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Philadelphia

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Philadelphia experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Penn Museum

• Philadelphia | 2.4 km from downtown

• : Mesopotamian clay tablets collection,VR: Ancient civilization life scenes

Independence National Historical Park

• Philadelphia.Old City | 1.2 km from downtown

• : Visit Declaration of Independence Exhibit,Red Brick Tower & Clock

Liberty Bell

• Philadelphia.Old City | 1.2 km from downtown

• : 360° view of Liberty Bell,Liberty Bell info in 11 languages

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Philadelphia

If you want to explore attractions just outside Philadelphia, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Philadelphia, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Philadelphia special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Philadelphia

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Philadelphia

Ready to explore the best of Philadelphia? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Philadelphia?
These are all Best Things to Do in Philadelphia:Penn Museum, Independence National Historical Park, Liberty Bell, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia City Hall
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Philadelphia?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Philadelphia include:Penn Museum:4.5, Independence National Historical Park:4.1, Liberty Bell:4.3, Philadelphia Museum of Art:4.6, Philadelphia City Hall:4.3
At what locations in Philadelphia can Best Things to Do in Philadelphia be found?
The Best Things to Do in Philadelphia are mainly located in:Penn Museum:Philadelphia, Independence National Historical Park:Philadelphia, Liberty Bell:Philadelphia, Philadelphia Museum of Art:Philadelphia, Philadelphia City Hall:Philadelphia
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