Explore the Best of Philadelphia
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Whether you’re in town for a quick hit of culture or a few days of exploration, Philadelphia rewards curiosity at every turn. Still, the classics call you back: the charm of Old City’s brick-lined streets, the parkway leading you from one world-class museum to the next, the irresistible draw of Reading Terminal Market, where every stall feels like a discovery. You might pause on the steps of the Art Museum, listening to the soft hum of the city around you, or get lost in Longwood Gardens. Philly balances past and present in a rhythm that feels uniquely its own. To help you make the most of it, we’ve put together a curated itinerary for any kind of trip – short or long, romantic or family-filled.
M. Fischetti for VISIT PHILADELPHIA™
1-2 Day Philadelphia Travel Guide
- There’s a lot to pack into a short trip to Philly. Any good itinerary should include the Philadelphia Art Museum (with a triumphant run up the Rocky steps outside) as well as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. While you’re in the neighborhood, wander over to LOVE Park and nearby Dilworth Park for the iconic LOVE statue, an interactive fountain, and a lush summer lawn – plus ice skating when winter rolls in.
- After those visitor favorites, head to a locals-loved neighborhood - Rittenhouse Square – for people watching, local vendors, and seasonal markets. Some of Philly’s best boutique shopping can be found here and on Walnut Street. Venture into Midtown Village for indie shops and galleries.
- Cocktails and dinner at Square 1682 make for a fitting finale to your first great day in the city. Borrowing one of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia’s PUBLIC Bikes for an ice cream run to the Franklin Fountain is optional – but encouraged.
- The next day, a City Hall Tour with a visit to the Tower Observation Deck will give you a good lay of the land – and some fantastic photos. Art lovers can follow it with a trip to the Rodin Museum to see masterpieces like The Thinker , while a visit to the Barnes Foundation delivers one of the world’s finest collections of French impressionist paintings.
- Lunch and shopping for unique provisions at Reading Terminal Market – a beloved indoor farmers market and food hall - is a feast of flavors and finds, and well worth adding to your plans.
- Walk it all off at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens on South Street, an immersive, mosaic-covered art environment, or along the Schuylkill River Trail, a scenic pathway loved by walkers, cyclists, and bird watchers for its sweeping river views.
VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
3-4 Day Itinerary for Philly's Cultural Gems
- More time in Philadelphia lets you expand your itinerary with the very best of the city’s culture. Start day three at the Museum of the American Revolution, where immersive exhibits, rare artifacts, and powerful storytelling illuminate the birth of the nation. If scientific exploration is more your style, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will transport you to the past through towering dinosaur skeletons and intricate wilderness dioramas.
- A late morning stroll in Chestnut Hill - Philly’s Garden District - will surround you with stately historic mansions, Victorian townhouses, antique shops, art galleries, and cozy tearooms. Enjoy lunch here and rest your legs under the canopy-lined streets.
- Next up: a Mural Arts Philadelphia walking tour to discover some of the world’s most impressive large-scale public art, or a much spookier tour of Eastern State Penitentiary, a formidable 19th-century prison-turned-museum.
- For a special night out back near Kimpton Hotel Palomar, Rittenhouse Square’s Michelin-starred favorites are just the ticket: Friday Saturday Sunday and Her Place Supper Club are both superb.
- The next day, take a half-day escape to Manayunk, a charming hillside neighborhood along the river. Stroll or bike the scenic canal towpath and browse its eclectic boutiques.
- In the afternoon, choose your adventure: for one more foray out, University City offers some of the city’s best cultural and architectural exploration.
- If instead you’re ready for some well-earned rest, the Kimpton Hotel Palomar’s guest-exclusive rate on facials at Heyday is a great way to unwind before your departure. Add in-room wellness amenities and yoga mats in every room, and you’re sure to part peacefully with Philadelphia on your last day – but come back soon.
J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Kid-Approved Philadelphia Adventures
- Bringing the fam? Excellent. We know just what they’ll love. The Please Touch Museum is one of the country’s top children’s museums and a beloved Philadelphia staple. Best for ages 1-8, the space fosters learning through play in exhibits like Adventure Camp, Fairytale Garden, Food & Family, and even an indoor carousel.
- All that play can work up an appetite. Lunch at Reading Terminal Market has something for everyone of every age, from cheesesteaks to brick oven pizza, corn dogs to burgers and smoothie bowls.
- In the warmer months, walk off lunch at Spruce Street Harbor Park, an urban boardwalk along the Delaware River – and a colorful summertime oasis, hammocks and lawn games included.
- If it’s cold or rainy, the Adventure Aquarium (named a Top 10 U.S. Aquarium) is home to sharks, penguins, even hippos.
- Family-friendly dinner at Square 1682 includes a warm atmosphere and kid-approved, classic comfort food.
- Pick up some pastries from J’aime French Bakery, then charge into day two at the Philadelphia Zoo, enjoying animal encounters from the likes of big cats, gorillas, rhinos, and red pandas.
- City Hall and nearby Dilworth Park host great seasonal activations like the Philly Holiday Tree and ice skating in winter and the Made in Philadelphia Fall Market in October.
- In the afternoon, enjoy scientific discovery at the Franklin Institute – fun for all ages, and home to exhibits like Body Odyssey, Wondrous Space, and SportsZone. The Benjamin Franklin Memorial is even housed inside.
- Don’t forget to capture the family fun in photographs. Some of the best places to take family photos in Philly are the LOVE statue, Rittenhouse Square, the Magic Gardens, and the Rocky Steps outside the Philadelphia Art Museum.
J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Date-Worthy Romantic Things to Do in Philly
- The city of Brotherly Love is full of charming, intimate enclaves and entertainment perfect for, well, people in love. Your Philadelphia couples’ getaway wouldn’t be complete without strolling Old City’s historic cobblestone streets together. Begin there, making your way to City Hall for a tour of its iconic Tower, where the skyline views are perfect for photos together.
- If you’re more artsy, swap City Hall for a Mural Arts tour - a creative date that takes you through the diverse neighborhoods of Philadelphia, the Mural Capital of the World.
- Sunset from the Philadelphia Art Museum steps is about as romantic as it gets. Expect a classic, panoramic view of the city skyline.
- Dinner is a splurge at one Philadelphia’s Michelin-starred restaurants: Friday Saturday Sunday is home to thoughtfully imaginative tasting menus, and Her Place Supper Club is known for its intimate, chef-driven experience.
- If you’re more into arts than the culinary scene, catch an evening performance at the Kimmel Center, home to The Philadelphia Orchestra, a rotation of Broadway plays, comedy shows, and concerts. A toast over city views from Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia’s higher floors will be the cherry on top of your first, perfect day.
- The next morning, begin your day with complimentary coffee at the hotel’s Morning Kickstart, followed by a stroll through Longwood Gardens, a dreamy expression of horticultural splendor, stunning fountains, and architectural beauty.
- Make your way back to the hotel for a dip in your suite’s in-room soaking tub, then wander to Rittenhouse Square with your favorite gourmet bites from Di Bruno Bros., just two blocks away, for a relaxed picnic with cheese, treats, and a little alfresco romance.
- The city’s best boutique shopping can be found in Rittenhouse Square, and guests of Hotel Palomar enjoy guest-exclusive pricing on facials at Heyday Rittenhouse.
- Cap off your Philadelphia couples’ trip with craft and classic cocktails and dinner at charming Square 1682 in the Rittenhouse Square area.