Top Things To Do in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a city known for its historical importance in the US known for its Declaration of Independence and the US constitution written in this beautiful city. Not just history, Philadelphia is loved by people even for its food comprising of some relishing delicacies like pretzels, cheese sandwiches, etc. Whether you are looking for cool things to do in Philadelphia with kids or romantic things to do in Philadelphia for couples, the state satisfies interest of every traveler.
With British colonies, museums, Liberty Bell, and people from diverse backgrounds living together, Philadelphia is a worth visiting place! It is one of those places in Pennsylvania USA, ought to be present in your bucket list. There are just so many wonderful things to do in Philadelphia! You are thoroughly going to enjoy your time here and never want to leave this gorgeous city.
- Exploring Peddler’s Village
The countryside of Philadelphia is equally mesmerizing and Peddler’s Village is best explored on foot. It is a quiet and quaint town organizing so many festivals, events and you get a whole lot of shopping options here. The Strawberry Festival is held In May with the Blueberries festival held in July. Then comes the peach Festival in August. Peddler’s Village offers you a multi-cuisine that is simply irresistible.
You can enjoy some delicious food, shop your heart out, and explore the picturesque surroundings of the village with specialty shops present here and there. The best time is during Christmas to witness the beauty of the lights put all over the village. No wonder it is one of the top 10 things to do in Philadelphia this weekend that you shouldn’t miss out on.
- Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell signifies the freedom of the Americans and is a must-visit place for going through the history of America and relieving the same. The Liberty Bell was made in the 17th century only and is a little cracked at the time America got Independence. The bell was the first rung to declare America as an independent country but now the bell doesn’t ring as it has been cracked. There are no entry fees and the timings are from 9 am to 5 pm. No wonder it is listed amongst one of the free things to do in Philadelphia that you must add in your itinerary.
- Boathouse Row
This is another historical site in Philadelphia located on the banks of Schuylkill River. The interesting part of this place is the row of 15 houseboats that have marked history and are so splendid to view. All of these boathouses are 150 years old and they start looking magnificent the moment lights are put on them. These light twinkles shimmering the whole place. For those visiting Philadelphia, the Boathouse Row cannot be missed at any cost!
- Rittenhouse Square
It is such a beautifully kept park with the fountain centering the functions and performing as the gathering functions. If you visit pleasant weather, you can pick up all the picnic supplies from Di Bruno Bros and enjoy a nice picnic lunch with your close ones. There are just so many benches out here, so you can grab a seat anywhere you like. If you want pocket-friendly meals, Parc overlooking the Square is a fantastic place to visit. Just walking some distance, you will come to Walnut Street lined up with high fashion brands.
- The Magic Gardens
Stepping into this sculpture garden makes you feel like stepping inside some kind of fairy tale movie as the place is beautiful beyond words. All the creations are of the mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar and he creates surreal places with his mosaic art! The project is an arrangement of mirror fragments, tiles, and all other found objects like glass bottles, bike wheels for making such wonderful effects. A walk to the indoor space won’t take long but you will surely get lost in its beauty. It comes at $10 entry fees, so if you feel its too much to afford, wander around the neighborhood trying to find other walls covered by Zagar’s works.
- Reading Terminal Market
If you are wanting to go grab some local taste, this 125-year-old Terminal Market is the right place for wandering. You can choose from varieties of options like seafood, cheeses, sandwiches, meats, and retail therapy from the local stores lined up in the market. It’s best to get a taste of the local Philadelphia food. Now you can get so many different cuisines from various ethnicities for you to savor. You will be in awe as to which one to select first amongst these top Philadelphia things to do! From donuts, pretzels to dumplings, and Middle Eastern delicacies, you are sure to find everything here.
- Bok Bar
Now, this bar is a famous place in Philadelphia serving limited wines and drinks. Many events are organized in this place and this is a buzzing place among tourists mostly during the festival times. It is a great place for relaxing and unwinding with the charm and beauty of nature. It is an amazing place to visit, whether day or night time, you will find a crowd! It also serves some mouth-watering recipes to go with the drinks. If you just to chill with a pint of beer and cool breeze, Bok Bar is one of the best things to do in Philadelphia today.
- World Café Live
It’s an Art Deco Factory hosting more than 500 shows annually and if you do the math accurately, you can witness at least 2 shows in a month if you are up for it! But Café Live is not a rock venue nor is it a classic music hall! It offers grown-up concert experiences that are too hard to resist. There are three tickets available for the noon shows every Friday so be sure of reserving the seat before in advance. You don’t even have to bring any meals with you as you will be finding a solid café and bar right inside World Café live. Grab something before the show!
- Cherry Street Pier and Race Street Pier
The Cherry Street Pier is an abandoned pier that has now been used for mixed art spaces with the site outfitting food stalls and bars allowing all the visitors in drinking and listening to live music. The weekends here are so much fun giving you Bazaar type surroundings and environment. You can find food trucks lined up with local farmers and artisans ready to sell theirs produces. Race Street Pier is an urban green space for all the park lovers having wide lawns with ample seating places. You can find dozens of trees giving shade and spectacular views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
- Barnes Foundation
Barnes Foundation provides a never-ending art-viewing experience with every bit giving you a wow factor. It is a modern architectural site, one to marvel about! It has collections of some famous French impressionist and post-impressionist paintings found in the world. The galleries are all lined up with famous paintings of Matisse, Rousseau, Van Gogh, etc. It has the largest collections of Memoirs in the world consisting of 181 pieces.
- Cheesesteak Vegas
You come to Philadelphia and you won’t take the classic cheesesteak sandwich is a sin in itself! Now there are so many authentic places selling cheesesteak sandwiches all across the city. The Frankford hall is the best place to find so many interesting food items including 11 German beers and 4 American craft beers that you can find on taps. You will find picnic tables and shuffleboards all over the place.
- Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is located in the heart of the city and is not just a typical park. It is spread across 2,000 acres of land and is home to hiking and biking trails. It hosts a Japanese Garden, the oldest zoo in the country, mansions, and also the Boathouse Row. Strolling along the park is so calm and peaceful where you can try out guided activities like trail runs, outdoor yoga classes, bike rentals at $10 per person, etc.
What’s next waiting for you?
Whether you are looking for unique things to do in Philadelphia on Christmas or fun things to do in Philadelphia for kids, the above travel guide covers everything. Now you know what to do in Philadelphia, plan your trip and you will love the place more than any other destination in North America.
About Author: R Bhabanasree