A perfect day in Philly
When it comes to day trips, there aren’t many cities that can measure up to Philadelphia. (I live within easy driving distance, so I’ve had lots of short visits to Philly.) To start with, it has an extremely walkable downtown where you can follow in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers. Tree-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway is dotted with three world-class museums and ends with a monumental staircase made famous by the movie Rocky. And then there’s the food, which ranges from grab-and-go cheesesteaks and hoagies to multicourse meals prepared by award-winning chefs.
To minimize your trekking time, I’ve organized this one-day itinerary by location. I’ve also built in stops along the way to rest (kicking back in Independence National Historical Park) and refuel (perusing the food stalls at Reading Terminal Market) so that you have enough stamina to make it through your busy day. Even better, my picks are based on Tripadvisor ratings and reviews to make sure you see and taste the very best of the city of Brotherly Love.
Is one day in Philly enough?
The good news is that you can see Philly in 24 hours without feeling like you’re missing out. You won’t have time to see everything—after all, there are more than five dozen National Historic Landmarks within the city limits—but you can see the best of the best without breaking a sweat.
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MORNING: Start off with the Founding Fathers
Begin your day at Reading Terminal Market, a favorite with locals looking for a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast. Whatever sounds like breakfast to you—bagels, apple fritters, or homemade pop-tarts—you'll find it here. Down Home Diner's "scram bowl," a mix of sausage, peppers, onions, cheese, and home fries, will fill you up until dinner.
After you’ve had a little bit of everything, take a 13-minute walk east to Independence Hall. (You can also get there quicker by train on the Market–Frankford Line.) The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both debated and adopted in this rather modest Georgian-style building. Reserve your timed tickets well in advance, as same-day tickets can be hard to come by. It's well worth the $1 fee for booking online.
Travelers say: "Both of our kids were so excited to come here, as they were both learning about the Revolution in school. Being able to see somewhere you have only read about is really amazing! The architecture of the building is stunning and definitely worth a visit on its own." —@kates5283
Next door is Congress Hall, where legislators met until the government packed up and moved south to Washington D.C. The free ranger-led tours depart every 20 minutes and include anecdotes about the alcove where the Founding Fathers drank copious amounts of sherry, port, and madeira.
Across the street is the Liberty Bell, an Instagram-worthy spot where you can take great shots with Independence Hall in the background. The bell was rung on July 8, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time. The famous crack (there are actually two of them) didn’t silence it until the 1840s. Afterward, enjoy the wide swath of green at Independence National Historical Park.
AFTERNOON: Sample Philly's finest cheesesteaks
Stroll a few blocks farther east and you’ll be standing in front of Sonny's Famous Steaks. The name refers to cheesesteaks, the sandwiches that are almost synonymous with Philly. Topped with your choice of cheese—provolone, American, or Cheez Whiz—Sonny’s is the best of the best, according to Tripadvisor readers. One said that for the city's finest cheesesteaks, "it's always Sonny's in Philadelphia."
After lunch, make your way up Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a broad boulevard modeled on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. (If it’s May to September, the seasonal Phlash bus is a quick and easy way to go the distance. Otherwise, buses 38 and 48 take a more meandering route.) There are a string of museums along the way, including the Barnes Foundation, with one of the world’s most extensive collections of 19th- and 20th-century French paintings. At the nearby Rodin Museum you can take in a cast of his monumental sculpture The Thinker. Leave some time to visit the gardens, modeled on those from the Musée Rodin in Paris.
Our favorite option is heading a little further up Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You might know it from the movie Rocky, during which the boxer trains by running up the steps. (The nearby statue of the fictional Rocky Balboa, forever in his victory pose, is perfect for selfies, but there is usually a line.) The museum is a massive place, with more than 200 galleries holding more than a quarter of a million works of art from all over the world, so give yourself plenty of time.
EVENING: Dining with the city's top chefs
Just off Benjamin Franklin Parkway is Victory Brewing Company of Philadelphia, one of the city's craft breweries. After an afternoon of museum-hopping, a flight of locally brewed beers is a great way to relax before you head out in search of a memorable meal.
If you want to be wowed by the Philly food scene without making a reservation, head to the bar at Friday Saturday Sunday (the 2023 James Beard Outstanding Restaurant winner) right when they open at 5 p.m. There are limited seats for the bar menu which gives you a taste of their award-winning cuisine. The prix-fixe menu is a splurge, but so worth it.
Back in Center City is Vedge, another favorite with Tripadvisor readers. You might have guessed from the name that this cozy spot focuses on vegetables, but what James Beard-nominated chefs Kate Jacoby and Rich Landau do with them is something magical. Sharing is the way to go here, as you'll definitely want to sample what everyone else at your table is having.
PHILLY TOUR OPTIONS
- A little bit like speed dating, this historic walking tour takes you past more than 15 of the city's best-known landmarks in just 90 minutes.
- Alexander Hamilton is among the Founding Fathers that “appear” on this nightly walking tour. He haunted the First National Bank after leaving behind massive debts when he died in a duel.
- Tiffany's Bakery serves up steamed donuts—you read that correctly—that will make you swoon. This donut adventure tour takes you here and to several other spots that aim to make this pastry a Philly staple.
- Unlike most other guided drives around Philly, but this funny trolley one is BYOB. Sip your favorite beer or wine as you listen to a comedian's humorous take on the city's history.
- To see as much of the city as possible, consider pedal power. This bike tour takes you past many of the sights in and around Center City, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Where to stay in Philly for one day
Center City: If you're planning a short getaway, it makes sense to stay in Center City. Earning a Travelers' Choice award from Tripadvisor readers is the Independence Park Hotel, in a handsome building on the National Register of Historic Places. It's just three blocks from Independence Hall, making its location pretty much unbeatable. The rooms are a little on the small side—as is the case in many older buildings—but they are nicely appointed.
Rittenhouse Square: Closer to Reading Terminal Market and the museums along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Club Quarters Rittenhouse Square is ideally situated for exploring on foot. The public areas on the ground floor are stunning, with lots of sunlight flooding through the arched windows. Rooms are compact, but have plenty of amenities.