Philadelphia

Travel Guide
Liberty Bell Center which includes a city, a monument and heritage architecture

Philadelphia Travel Guide Video

Almost 40 million visitors come to this Pennsylvania city each year to see important sites of U.S. history and locations made famous by a popular movie franchise.

Philadelphia was founded as the city of “brotherly love” in the late 1600s by William Penn for Quakers seeking a land without religious persecution. Visit this historic city to explore important sites from the early days of the United States as well as modern pop culture.

Independence National Historical Park holds Independence Hall, where John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Nearby, see the recognizable crack and important message of the Liberty Bell: “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof.”

The Eastern State Penitentiary is an unlikely but very popular tourist stop. Examine the unique solitary prison design and look for the cell where Al Capone was held. Stop at the Reading Terminal Market for fresh foods in the same indoor structure where the market started in 1892. The Franklin Institute offers hands-on science and technology education in 11 permanent galleries, carrying on the learning and discovery approach of famed hometown hero, Benjamin Franklin, scientist and statesman. See more than 1,300 animals at the Philadelphia Zoo, the first zoo established in the U.S.

The city has many other cultural attractions besides its historical treasures. Put on your gray sweatshirt and jog around Philadelphia and along the Schuylkill River just like Sylvester Stallone did in the film Rocky and its many sequels. Hum Gonna Fly Now as you run up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Step inside for art ranging from collections featured in the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 to exceptional modern works in over 200 galleries. The Barnes Foundation has a superb collection of post-impressionist and early modern works.

Head to south Philadelphia to see the Eagles play football. Alternatively watch the game at a neighborhood bar just about anywhere in the city while enjoying a classic Philly cheese steak and a Yuengling beer made in nearby Pottsville or one of the area’s craft breweries.

Where to stay in Philadelphia

Liberty Bell Center which includes a city, a monument and heritage architecture

Center City

4.5/5(137 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Center City. Check out top attractions like Rittenhouse Square and Reading Terminal Market, and jump on the metro at 11th St Station or 8th St Station to see more of the city.

Center City
Default Image

South Philadelphia

Travellers choose South Philadelphia for its great live music. Hop aboard the metro at Snyder Station or Tasker Morris Station and check out top sights like Citizens Bank Park.

South Philadelphia
Fairmount Park featuring heritage architecture, a lake or waterhole and skyline

West Philadelphia

3/5(1 area review)

Noted for its art galleries and museums, there's plenty to explore in West Philadelphia. Top attractions like Mann Center for the Performing Arts and Please Touch Museum are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Lancaster Ave & 49th St Tram Stop or 49th & Girard Ave Stop to see more of the city.

West Philadelphia
Eastern State Penitentiary showing interior views

North Philadelphia

You might enjoy the historical sites while in North Philadelphia. The Liacouras Center is a notable sight, and you can get around town at North Philadelphia BSL Station or Allegheny Station to see more of the city.

North Philadelphia
Default Image

University City

4/5(6 area reviews)

Travellers choose University City for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Penn Medicine Station or 33rd St Station and check out top sights like University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

University City
Philadelphia featuring heritage architecture, a monument and a statue or sculpture

Rittenhouse Square

While you're in Rittenhouse Square, take in top sights like Rittenhouse Square or Walnut Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 15th-16th & Locust Station or 19th St Station.

Rittenhouse Square
Club Quarters Hotel Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
Club Quarters Hotel Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
4 out of 5
1628 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
The price is HK$1,242 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
HK$1,242
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,492 reviews)
Hotel was very accessible to the historical area
"Room and hotel was clean but incorrect bed bottom sheet which because it was a queen on a king bed, it revealed a filthy mattress pad and waterproof pad. Had to remake bed just to cover the yuk. Need more housekeeping staff as the one girl was cleaning the entire floor."

Reviewed on 27 May 2024

Club Quarters Hotel Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Loews Philadelphia Hotel
4 out of 5
1200 Market St, Philadelphia, PA
The price is HK$1,555 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
HK$1,555
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,405 reviews)
"I liked that it was easy to walk everywhere. The hotel was nice and the coffee was good. The staff were very nice and I enjoyed the gym. The pool was closed but we werent planning to swim"

Reviewed on 29 May 2024

Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
4 out of 5
1800 Market St, Philadelphia, PA
The price is HK$1,399 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
HK$1,399
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,466 reviews)
"Enjoyable stay"

Reviewed on 27 May 2024

Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Philadelphia Suites-Extended Stay
Philadelphia Suites-Extended Stay
3 out of 5
4630 Island Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Wells Fargo Center ...
8/10 Very Good! (285 reviews)
"Good size room. But needed some minor attention to details, repairs"

Reviewed on 28 May 2024

Philadelphia Suites-Extended Stay
Sonder The Witherspoon
Sonder The Witherspoon
3.5 out of 5
130 South Juniper Street, Philadelphia, PA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy concierge services, in-room washers/dryers, and an in-room coffeemaker. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (973 reviews)
"Our stay was mostly good. The kitchen was stocked funny and it took us 4 days to find the cutting board that was stored under the kitchen sink. There also weren’t enough utensils for our family of 5. The beds were comfy and the couch in the living room became another bed. Our only complaint about ..."

Reviewed on 25 May 2024

Sonder The Witherspoon
Mint House at The Divine Lorraine Hotel
Mint House at The Divine Lorraine Hotel
4 out of 5
699 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (244 reviews)
"The apartment was beautiful . Just what we needed during our road trip from Tampa to York Maine."

Reviewed on 27 May 2024

Mint House at The Divine Lorraine Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Philadelphia

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
41
" "5 - Excellent 42.708333333333336%
4 - Good
43
" "4 - Good 44.791666666666664%
3 - Okay
11
" "3 - Okay 11.458333333333334%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0416666666666667%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Mar 2020

Wear flat shoes so you can walk everywhere its a very historical city you need to walk the streets to see the magnificent buildings. Liberty one is good and the market is very busy giving it a great atmosphere

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Nov 2019

P hiladelphia is good and wekk organised city.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
14 Sep 2019

Philly is a great city and a good location to reach out to the coast and into New York by train if you don’t want the hassle of finding accommodation in NY

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
9 Sep 2019

Great city and very walkable.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 Aug 2019

A very interesting historical city with lots to do on walking tours and Hop on Hop Off buses in abundance. Well worth a visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
8 Aug 2019

Loved historic Philadelphia!