Philadelphia Pennsylvania Liberty Bell and Cheesesteaks

Why visit Philadelphia

Philadelphia offers something rare: a big East Coast city that is easy to explore on foot and still feels lived in. Within a single square mile you can see the Liberty Bell, Benjamin Franklin's grave, the church where George Washington worshipped and one of the oldest residential streets in the country.

Beyond the founding story, the city has a creative streak that shows up everywhere. Mural Arts Philadelphia has helped create thousands of outdoor murals, the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Art Museum hold superb collections, and South Street and Fishtown buzz with independent shops and music venues.

Old City and the historic district

Independence Hall

The centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park, this Georgian brick building is where the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and where the Constitution was drafted in 1787. Ranger-led tours take you into the Assembly Room, where the rising sun chair that George Washington used still stands.

Liberty Bell Center

Across Chestnut Street, the Liberty Bell sits in a glass-walled pavilion with Independence Hall framed behind it. Exhibits explain how the cracked bell became a symbol for abolitionists and later for civil rights and women's suffrage movements.

Museum of the American Revolution

Two blocks east, this museum tells the story of the revolution through objects, immersive galleries and personal stories of soldiers, women, enslaved people and Native Americans. Its highlight is the tent that George Washington used as his headquarters during much of the war, revealed in a short theatrical presentation.

Elfreth's Alley and Christ Church

Tucked between Front and Second streets, Elfreth's Alley is a lane of brick row houses dating to the early 1700s and often described as the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the nation.

Center City and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Reading Terminal Market

Opened in 1893 beneath the train shed of the old Reading Railroad, Reading Terminal Market is one of the oldest and largest public markets in the country.

Philadelphia Art Museum and the Rocky Steps

At the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the museum known for decades as the Philadelphia Museum of Art adopted the name Philadelphia Art Museum in 2025. Its collection spans Asian temples, medieval cloisters, Impressionist paintings and modern works by Marcel Duchamp.

The Barnes Foundation and the Parkway museums

Also on the Parkway, the Barnes Foundation displays Albert C. Barnes's extraordinary collection of works by Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso, hung in dense ensembles alongside furniture and ironwork exactly as he arranged them. The Rodin Museum and the hands-on Franklin Institute science museum are close by.

City Hall

Philadelphia's City Hall, crowned by a statue of William Penn, is one of the largest municipal buildings in the country. Its observation deck sits just beneath the statue, and Dilworth Park on its west side hosts a fountain in summer and an ice rink in winter.

Neighborhoods, prisons and riverside parks

Eastern State Penitentiary

In the Fairmount neighborhood, this crumbling Gothic fortress opened in 1829 and pioneered a system of solitary confinement that was copied around the world. Its most famous inmate was Al Capone, whose surprisingly furnished cell has been recreated.

South Street and Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

South Street is known for its independent shops, bars and casual food, and just off it you will find Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, an immersive mosaic environment created by artist Isaiah Zagar from tiles, mirrors, bottles and bicycle wheels. Zagar's mosaics also decorate walls throughout the surrounding blocks.

The Italian Market

Stretching along South Ninth Street, the Italian Market is one of the oldest outdoor markets in the United States, with produce stands under metal awnings, cheese shops, butchers and bakeries. Today Mexican taquerias and Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian businesses sit alongside the Italian shops.

Boathouse Row and the Schuylkill River Trail

Behind the Art Museum, the Victorian clubhouses of Boathouse Row line the east bank of the Schuylkill River and are outlined in lights after dark.

Food and local flavors

The cheesesteak is Philadelphia's most famous sandwich: thinly sliced griddled beef on a long roll, topped with provolone, American cheese or Cheez Whiz, and usually fried onions.

Other local staples include the hoagie, a loaded sub that is the official sandwich of the city, the soft pretzel shaped in a figure eight, water ice in summer, tomato pie served at room temperature, and scrapple at breakfast.

Where to stay

Old City and Society Hill put you steps from Independence Hall and the riverfront, with brick streets and a quieter, historic feel that suits first-time visitors and history lovers.

Fairmount and the Art Museum area appeal to travelers who want to be near the Parkway museums, Eastern State and the river trail. Fishtown and Northern Liberties, northeast of Old City, suit younger travelers and anyone interested in nightlife, live music and creative restaurants, with the elevated Market Street line nearby.

Best time to visit

Spring, from April through June, brings blooming trees, comfortable walking weather and outdoor dining, though it is also busy with school groups at the historic sites.

September and October are perhaps the most pleasant months, with mild temperatures, fall color in Fairmount Park and Halloween events at Eastern State Penitentiary.

Getting there and getting around

Philadelphia International Airport sits southwest of the city and is linked to Center City by SEPTA's Airport Line regional rail, which stops at several downtown stations, as well as by taxis and rideshares.

Center City is very walkable, and the grid of numbered streets running north to south makes navigation simple.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start with timed tickets at Independence Hall, then see the Liberty Bell and walk through Old City to Christ Church and Elfreth's Alley.

Second day

Eat breakfast at Reading Terminal Market, then walk the Parkway to the Barnes Foundation. In the afternoon tour the Philadelphia Art Museum, run the steps, and stroll behind the museum to Boathouse Row.

Third day

Head to South Philadelphia for the Italian Market in the morning and a cheesesteak at Ninth and Passyunk.

Practical tips

• Reserve Independence Hall tickets and timed entry for popular museums as early as you can, especially during 2026 anniversary events.
• Check the official websites for current hours and fees, since many museums close one or two days a week.
• Expect security screening at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and pack light.
• Order a cheesesteak quickly and clearly at busy stands; locals say the cheese first, then with or without onions.
• Carry a little cash for small vendors at the Italian Market and some food stalls.
• Stay aware of your surroundings at night, as in any large city, and stick to busy, well-lit streets and stations.

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