Philadelphia

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Independence National Historical Park
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Pennsylvania

Independence National Historical Park

6.2
4.1/5
46 reviews
Independence National Historical Park is an open-air historic site consisting of red-brick Georgian buildings, green spaces, and plazas, where the United States Declaration of Independence was born. The park is surrounded by trees, and bronze statues stand among the plazas and gardens. Among them, the "Signers" statue pays tribute to the founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence. Independence Hall, with its red bricks and white windows, features a towering white bell tower that serves as the park's landmark and is a popular subject for visitors' photos. The highlight of the park is Independence Hall: on the first floor, there are two main halls. One was the courtroom of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and the other, the Assembly Room, was the venue for the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, where the Declaration of Independence was debated and passed. The interior is furnished according to the layout of the 18th-century meetings. The "Rising Sun Chair," used by George Washington while presiding over the Constitutional Convention, is an original piece that has survived to this day. It was while looking at the sun carved on the back of the chair—unsure whether it was rising or setting—that Benjamin Franklin became convinced at the signing of the Constitution that it was a "rising sun." North of Independence Hall, in the Liberty Bell Center, the famous cracked Liberty Bell is displayed in a glass pavilion. The early repairs on the bell and the crack that silenced it forever are clearly visible. Adjacent to its west side is Congress Hall, which served as the meeting place of the U.S. Congress during the ten years Philadelphia was the capital; both Washington's second inauguration and Adams's inauguration took place here. Not far to the east is the Fragments of Franklin Court, the site of Benjamin Franklin's former residence, and the Old Second Bank of the United States building, which houses rows of portraits of the founding figures. The historic sites throughout the park are basically within walking distance.Philadelphia · 1.2 km from downtown
Independence Hall
Selected for Best Things to Do in Pennsylvania

Independence Hall

6.1
4.3/5
194 reviews
Independence Hallwas originally the Pennsylvania State House during the colonial period, built in the 18th century. The main building is a two-story, Georgian-style red-brick structure with white door and window trim outlining its symmetrical facade. A tall white steeple rises from the center, with a large clock face embedded in its lower level. The red bricks and white tower complement each other, creating a highly recognizable streetscape in the old city. The building is particularly notable for the Assembly Room on the first floor, where delegates to the Second Continental Congress passed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Assembly Room has been restored to its original appearance, with long, green-felt-covered tables and high-backed chairs arranged in rows. In the center of the room sits the "Rising Sun Chair," used by George Washington while presiding over the Constitutional Convention. It is one of the few original items in the hall and can be clearly seen from behind the railing. The bell originally hung in the tower is said to have been rung when the Declaration of Independence was first publicly read; it was later moved to the pavilion across the street for separate display after it cracked. The bell currently hanging in the tower is the "Centennial Bell," cast in 1876 to commemorate the nation's centennial. The back of the US$100 bill features an image of the building's tower; seeing the real thing and then comparing it with the banknote makes for a more tangible experience.Philadelphia · 1.2 km from downtown
Old City
No. 1 of Night Attractions in Pennsylvania

Old City

5.6
4.9/5
41 reviews
Old City is a historic neighborhood in Philadelphia adjacent to the Delaware River, where red-brick houses, church steeples, and cobblestone alleys remain intact, and the 18th-century colonial atmosphere is still clearly discernible today. Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Liberty Bell with its distinctive crack are both located here. The Betsy Ross House, Carpenters' Hall, and other historic buildings related to the nation's founding are also within walking distance, and Benjamin Franklin rests in the cemetery next to Christ Church. The core attractions can be connected on foot, and walking around is like reading through half of early American history. 18th-century Elfreth's Alley is a popular streetscape in Old City, where the Georgian-style red-brick row houses on both sides are still inhabited today. It is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the United States, and two of the old houses have been turned into museum houses, restoring the living scenes of ordinary residents from that time. Many historic buildings in the neighborhood are open to the public, and even lesser-known small houses may hide a small museum. After visiting the historic buildings, you can take a walk to the waterfront promenade along the Delaware River to take a break and look back at the skyline where red-brick roofs interweave with modern buildings in the distance; there are also many galleries, cafes, and small shops in the neighborhood.Philadelphia · 1.7 km from downtown
Philadelphia City Hall
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia City Hall

5.6
4.3/5
83 reviews
Philadelphia City Hall stands in Penn Square at the intersection of Broad Street and Market Street. This was originally the central square reserved by city founder William Penn when he planned Philadelphia in 1682, and today this magnificent Second Empire-style building remains the seat of the city government. It was designed by architect John McArthur and built in the late 19th century. Construction took about 30 years and cost approximately US$24 million. The entire building is constructed with heavy masonry load-bearing walls, and it stands about 167m tall, including the bronze statue at the top of the tower. For more than a decade after the tower was topped out, it remained the world's tallest habitable building until it was surpassed by skyscrapers in New York in 1908. The bronze statue of William Penn at the top, which is about 11m tall, is the work of sculptor Alexander Milne Calder. More than 250 other sculptures he helped create are scattered inside and outside the building, covering themes such as artists, educators, and engineers. Each of the four sides of the tower is embedded with a giant clock face nearly 8m in diameter, which is even larger than the clock face of Big Ben in London, and four bronze eagles are perched above the clock faces. Below the bronze statue is an observation deck overlooking the entire city center: to the northwest, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway stretches straight toward the distantPhiladelphia Museum of Art, to the east lies the historic district of Old City, and to the west are rows of skyscrapers. The marble staircases and council chambers inside the building are equally impressive. The building also holds an interesting unspoken agreement: for a long time, Philadelphians tacitly agreed not to build structures taller than the William Penn statue, until One Liberty Place rose up on the west side behind the statue in 1987, breaking this unwritten rule. There is even a playful local saying that the skyscraper was intentionally built where Penn couldn't see it. Today, standing in front of Philadelphia City Hall and looking around, you see the quaint streetscape of the old city on one side and the modern skyline on the other, a single building that perfectly reflects the new and old of Philadelphia.Philadelphia · 57m from downtown
Philadelphia Museum of Art
No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Museum of Art

5.4
4.5/5
124 reviews
Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. Its history dates back to a centennial exposition, when it was originally housed in the art gallery left behind by the fair, before moving into the current Neoclassical main building. The main building sits on a high plateau at the end of Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, with its tiered steps and colonnaded portico reminiscent of a Greek temple. The griffin, a creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion, is the museum's symbol and can often be seen on the museum's logo and souvenirs. The collection includes over 200,000 objects, covering European painting, Asian art, American modern and contemporary masterpieces, as well as arms and armor, prints, and photography. European paintings from the 19th to 20th centuries are a strength of the collection. Van Gogh's "Sunflowers," repainted from memory, is widely recognized as the museum's crown jewel. Other famous works from the same series of sunflowers in a vase are now housed in museums in Munich, London, Tokyo, and Amsterdam, but the Philadelphia version's intense yellow petals and blue-green background remain vivid and striking to this day. Monet's "Japanese Footbridge and the Water Lily Pool," Picasso's "Self-Portrait with Palette," Matisse's "Woman in Blue," and Rubens's massive oil painting "Prometheus Bound" are also on display. If you prefer modern art, don't miss Duchamp; the museum's collection of his work is one of the most complete in the world, including "Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2" and the installation "The Large Glass." The 72 steps in front of the museum became famous due to the movie "Rocky," and many visitors come specifically to reenact the classic scene of the protagonist reaching the top and throwing a punch. Standing at the top of the steps and looking back, Benjamin Franklin Pkwy stretches all the way to City Hall in the distance, making it a popular photo spot in Philadelphia. There is often a line of people waiting to take photos with the Rocky statue at the foot of the steps.Philadelphia · 2.1 km from downtown

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Experiences you can't miss in Philadelphia

Featured Culture & history in Philadelphia

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Featured Day tours in Philadelphia

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Philadelphia: Haunted History & Ghost Nighttime Tour
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 105 mins
English
Free cancellation
5% off
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FromCAD 51.72CAD 54.45
Philadelphia: F1 Immersive Racing Simulator Experience
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English
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 50.40CAD 53.06
Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
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3.9/5
· 503 reviews
Duration: 90 mins
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromCAD 75.45
Classic Philadelphia City Day Tour with 3 Attractions of Your Choice
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FromCAD 196.39
Philadelphia City Hall + Rodin Museum + Philadelphia Zoo Day Tour
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FromCAD 1,007.99

Featured Food & drink in Philadelphia

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Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia
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FromCAD 52.58
Flavors of Philly Food Tour
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5.0/5
· 35 reviews
Duration: 150 mins
Free cancellation
35 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 102.69
Philadelphia: Reading Terminal Market Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 45 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 39.93CAD 42.04
Philadelphia: Italian Market Walking Food Tour
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5.0/5
· 25 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
25 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 78.26CAD 82.38
Philadelphia: Best of Philly Food Tour
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5.0/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 86.53CAD 91.09
Philadelphia: Highlights, History, Food & Pop Culture
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4.8/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 64.99CAD 68.42
Historic Old City Dine Around
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Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 230.29CAD 242.42
Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market
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4.9/5
· 301 reviews
Duration: 150 mins
Free cancellation
22 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 90.81

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Free things to do in Philadelphia

What travellers say about Philadelphia

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Dreamer2002September 16, 2026
5.0
The Penn Museum is a fascinating place to explore, with an impressive collection of artifacts from ancient cultures around the world. I especially enjoyed seeing the Egyptian exhibits and learning about the history behind the objects on display. There’s so much detail that you can easily spend a few hours here. A great stop in Philadelphia for anyone interested in archaeology, history, and ancient civilizations. 🏺✨

Penn Museum

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小鱼儿2015February 14, 2020
4.0
One of the most important places in the United States to commemorate the independence movement, this huge metal bell is quite impressive, with some clearly visible signs of wear. There are also several nearby memorials that are worth visiting.

Liberty Bell

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颖慧怡然January 17, 2025
5.0
It's worth going here to learn about Philadelphia's historical trajectory in the United States

Independence National Historical Park

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WB2021February 16, 2022
5.0
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.

Independence Hall

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__赛__November 20, 2019
5.0
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.

Old City

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Mushfiqur Rahman ChowdhuryNovember 19, 2023
5.0
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.

Philadelphia City Hall

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poohwubearMay 18, 2023
4.0
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 Museum of Art

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BinmomoNovember 1, 2023
5.0
Great experience for Halloween Nights! They decorated the cell into haunted houses which makes it more fun!

Eastern State Penitentiary

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孔垂信001April 17, 2020
5.0
This stadium is very large and can accommodate tens of thousands of people. It is very spectacular.

Citizens Bank Park

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努力的三号October 8, 2019
5.0
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.

Philadelphia Zoo

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Philadelphia?

Don't miss these attractions in Philadelphia: Penn Museum, Liberty Bell, and Independence National Historical Park. If you like Culture & history, try Go City: Philadelphia All-Inclusive Pass (Discover over 30 top attractions | Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute & more). If you enjoy Day tours, try Philadelphia: Haunted History & Ghost Nighttime Tour.

You can give Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia and Flavors of Philly Food Tour a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Philadelphia: Haunted History & Ghost Nighttime Tour, Philadelphia: F1 Immersive Racing Simulator Experience, and Round-trip from New York with guide | 1-day tour to Princeton University + Philadelphia (no ticket required). Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 3, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Philadelphia is around CAD 50.4 – CAD 1,007.99. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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