Photo: Kevin Burkett · CC BY-SA 2.03 Days in Philadelphia: Liberty, Art & Cheesesteaks
Three days in Philadelphia for first-timers: the country's birthplace on day one (Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Elfreth's Alley), the Parkway museums on day two (the Barnes, the Art Museum's Rocky Steps, and Eastern State), and a South Philly food pilgrimage on day three (cheesesteaks, roast pork, and the Italian Market) - with Reading Terminal Market and Rittenhouse Square woven through. The plan re-plans itself around how you travel: your style, pace, and budget.
Pick a style, a budget and a pace — the route and days below re-plan themselves.
9 stops · 6 meals · 1 hotelThis is the editor’s pick.
3 days
Each day takes one part of Philadelphia, kept close so you walk more than you ride. The map shows the whole route — pick a day to zoom in.
A cobblestoned 1720s lane billed as America's oldest continuously inhabited residential street: 32 Georgian and Trinity houses, with a small museum at #124-126 showing everyday colonial life.
- The street is free and open 24/7 - walk it early, before the crowds.
A family-run Old City sandwich shop since 1947: classic cheesesteaks, hoagies, and roast pork - the official cheesesteak of the Flyers, with vegan and gluten-free options.
An early-1910s-style ice-cream saloon and soda fountain on Market St: elaborate sundaes, phosphates, and homemade ice cream in a lovingly recreated period room.
Where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. Ranger-led tours of the Assembly Room run every 20 minutes. Go early: the 9:00-9:50am open house needs no ticket.
- Timed tickets cost just a $1 handling fee via recreation.gov.
The 2,000-pound cracked Bell in a modern glass pavilion, with exhibits tracing its rise from State House bell to symbol of abolition and civil rights.
- Arrive before the 9am opening to beat the longest lines.
- Tour the Hall, then cross to the Bell pavilion. Both are free or nearly so: the 9:00-9:50am open house needs no ticket.
An Old City farm-to-table New American restaurant emphasizing local, organic, artisanal producers, with a lively Farm Bar and half-price happy hour Tue-Fri 5-7pm.
A design-forward boutique aparthotel in Old City: six apartment-style suites with full kitchens, laundry, and self check-in. No front desk, just 'invisible service.' Romantic and central.
- Six suites with self check-in/out and electronic access - no front desk.
America's first penitentiary, 1829: a brooding Gothic ruin with Al Capone's plush cell, Death Row, and a Steve Buscemi-narrated audio tour. By night, Halloween Nights in the fall.
- Daytime admission includes the Buscemi audio tour - take a guide-led tour too.
A family-run Greek tavern in Fairmount for over 20 years: charcoal-grilled specialties, generous portions, and affordable lunch platters.
- BYOB, with the lunch menu served until 4pm.
A neighborhood coffee house on Fairmount Avenue: specialty coffee, homemade baked goods, and a full lunch menu.
- Full lunch menu alongside the coffee; takeout available.
The iconic encyclopedic museum at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway: 240,000 works from European masters to contemporary art, crowned by the 72 Rocky Steps.
- Your $30 ticket is valid two consecutive days and includes the Rodin Museum - run the steps on day one, the galleries on day two.
The iconic row of historic boathouses on the Schuylkill, home to the rowing clubs - outlined in LEDs at night for one of the city's best after-dark views.
- Come after sunset: the 6,400-light LED system runs from sunset to sunrise.
A cozy Danish-inspired brewpub on Fairmount Ave, home of Brewery Techne: house-brewed beers, the signature Hygge burger, and weekend brunch.
Stay put: ~22 min by taxi back from Boathouse Row tonight, 20 min walk to Reading Terminal Market in the morning.
One of America's oldest continuously operating public markets, opened 1893 under the old Reading Railroad's train shed. More than 80 merchants: Amish doughnuts, Bassett's ice cream, DiNic's roast pork.
- Come hungry at midday - DiNic's roast pork was called 'America's Best Sandwich' by the Travel Channel.
The largest municipal building in the United States, topped by the William Penn statue. Free courtyard entry; the paid tower tour goes near the top.
- The Tower Tour's panoramic views are from 548 feet - book ahead; the small elevator is not wheelchair accessible.
A nautical-themed sports tavern a block from the Academy of Music: crab fries, burgers, and dozens of TVs showing Philly sports.
A two-level Italian caffe on Chestnut Street: award-winning espresso and cappuccino, artisanal gelato by Italy's reigning gelato champion, and aperitivo.
- Walk-ins are welcome on the first floor for caffe, gelato, and aperitivo at all times.
The 'Grand Old Lady of Locust Street' - the oldest opera house in the U.S. still used for its original purpose, home to Pennsylvania Ballet and Opera Philadelphia.
- Home of the Pennsylvania Ballet and Opera Philadelphia - check their schedules for a performance during your trip.
Fast-casual stir-fries, salads, and fruit-forward honeybar desserts cooked to order. Vegan and gluten-free options.
- Open daily 10:30am-10pm - a quick, customizable lunch near the Market.
Stay put: ~13 min by taxi back from the Academy of Music tonight, 20 min walk to Reading Terminal Market in the morning.
Where to stay in Philadelphia
Ranked for first-timer travelers on a comfortable budget. The places this plan sleeps in come first.
Lokal Hotel
A design-forward boutique aparthotel in Old City: six apartment-style suites with full kitchens, laundry, and self check-in. No front desk, just 'invisible service.' Romantic and central.
The Maj Hotel
A tech-savvy boutique hotel on Spring Garden Street in the Art Museum District: smart mirrors, phone-based check-in, a 24/7 front desk, and the Maj Cafe. About 0.3 miles from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
HI Philadelphia Hostel at City House
A budget hostel in a historic 19th-century building two blocks from the Liberty Bell: shared or private rooms, an open kitchen, and nightly guided events.
Flights to Philadelphia
Fly into PHL (PHL)
Flight results via Travelpayouts — we may earn a commission on bookings.
Getting around Philadelphia
How to actually move around the city — transit, rideshare, bikes, and taxis.
Public transit
SEPTA runs Philadelphia's buses, trolleys, two subway lines (the Market-Frankford L and Broad Street B) and Regional Rail. Everything is tap-to-pay: a contactless credit/debit card, phone or watch works on all modes, with the same fares as the SEPTA Key card.
- SEPTA contactless pay
Tap a contactless bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay on buses, the L and B subways, trolleys and Regional Rail. Base fare is $2.90; bus and subway rides include two free transfers within 120 minutes when you use the same payment method.
Tip: For Regional Rail, tap in before boarding and tap out at your destination so you're charged the right zone fare.
- SEPTA Key card
The reloadable SEPTA Key card ($4.95) holds Travel Wallet funds and weekly ($31) or monthly ($116) TransPasses for unlimited bus, subway and trolley rides. Buy one at station fare kiosks, SEPTA sales locations or retailers.
Tip: Register the card at SEPTAKey.org so you can recover your balance if it's lost.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft both operate across Philadelphia and are the easiest way to reach the airport or late-night destinations. At PHL, follow the signs to the designated TNC/rideshare pickup area on the arrivals roadway.
- Uber
Uber operates citywide in Philadelphia, including UberX, Comfort and XL. At Philadelphia International Airport, request your ride after collecting luggage and meet the driver at the marked rideshare pickup zone; airport pickups carry a small surcharge.
Tip: Center City to PHL typically runs $25–40 depending on traffic and surge.
- Lyft
Lyft runs throughout Philadelphia with standard, XL and scheduled rides. Works the same as Uber for airport and downtown trips; compare both apps at peak times since surge pricing differs.
Tip: Schedule airport pickups in the app the night before an early flight.
Bikes
Philadelphia's city-owned bikeshare is Indego, with stations across Center City, University City, South Philly and along the Schuylkill River Trail. The Schuylkill River Trail and Kelly Drive are the best car-free rides in the city.
- Indego bikeshare
City-owned bikeshare with classic and electric bikes at hundreds of stations. A single ride costs $4.50 for 30 minutes on a classic bike; a 24-hour guest pass is $15, monthly Indego30 is $20 and annual Indego365 is $156. E-bikes add 30¢ per minute on single rides. Unlock and pay in the Indego app.
Tip: Dock the bike firmly at the end of every ride to avoid extra 30-minute charges.
Taxis
Philadelphia's roughly 1,500 medallion taxis are regulated by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Hail one on the street in Center City, find them at hotel and station taxi stands, or summon one with the Curb app.
- Curb taxi app
The Curb app hails licensed Philadelphia taxis with upfront pricing shown before you book, plus in-app payment and no surge pricing. It covers the city's medallion fleet regulated by the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
Tip: Upfront fares are distance- and time-based, so they're often cheaper than rideshare during surge.
- Street-hail taxis
Metered taxis can be hailed on the street, especially in Center City, Old City and around 30th Street Station. Fares are set by the Philadelphia Parking Authority; tipping 15–20% is the norm.
Tip: Cabs take cards, but confirm the card reader works before the ride starts.
Keep exploring
More itineraries for this trip.
- Photo: Kevin Burkett · CC BY-SA 2.02 days
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