Ultimate Guide to Visiting Philadelphia

Getting Around the City

Philadelphia has an excellent public transportation system that visitors can rely on to explore the city. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) operates buses, subways, elevated trains, regional rail lines, and trolley services. Purchasing a weekly transit pass provides unlimited rides on all modes of transit and is highly recommended for getting around. Download the SEPTA app to plan trips and see schedules. Rides are generally safe, affordable, and quicker than navigating congested city streets by car. Parking in Philadelphia can be extremely expensive and challenging to find. Public transit is the ideal way to access top attractions in the core urban neighborhoods. Central stations like 30th Street, Suburban, and Jefferson lay within walking distance of many popular destinations in Center City. Transport also links out to suburbs for day trips to historic sites. Commuter rail runs from airports right into downtown, a breezy start or end to any visit. With a SEPTA pass, tourists can easily reach the entire Greater Philadelphia region.

Exploring Old City and Independence Hall

No trip to Philadelphia is complete without exploring Old City, the historic district where the United States was born. Spend at least a full day wandering cobbled streets past 18th century brickbuildings. Independence Hall is the iconic location where both the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were signed. Marvel up close at the very room and furniture where revolutionaries debated. Nearby, view the original Liberty Bell and its famous crack. Adjacent Independence National Historical Park offers free admission to meticulously restored buildings. Costumed guides deliver immersive experiences at the country’s first US Mint, arresting Carpenter’s Hall and other Revolutionary War era structures. Wander through outdoor spaces honouring heroes like Betsy Ross. Interactive museums bring this pivotal period vividly to life. Be sure to book tickets far ahead for special exhibits and reenactments enhancing any history buff’s visit. Refresh at pleasant cafés before returning to explore some hidden corners you may have missed first time around.

A Culinary Capital

With a reputation as one of America’s greatest food cities, Philadelphians take immense pride in their cuisine. Topping many lists must bes the Italian Market, Europe’s largest outdoor market sprawling several blocks. Sample cheeses, meats and unique deli items while mingling with lively locals. No visit is complete without sampling a real cheesesteak from a stalwart shop. Genos and Pat’s are iconic but smaller stores offer tastier versions. Public food halls like Reading Terminal Market satisfy every appetite under one grand ceiling. Over 80 vendors peddle everything from haute cuisine to comfort staples. It’s like a food court but ornate and buzzing. Elsewhere, international BYOB eateries serve authentic cuisine for a song downtown. Ethnic grocers stock global ingredients for take-home cooking. Fine dining now rivals talent hotbeds like New York and DC. Renowned chefs elevate seasonal Mid-Atlantic ingredients with creative flair. Menus tout foraged foods and sustainable suppliers. James Beard award winners ply their trade citywide at approachable prices.

Enjoying Parks and Culture

Philadelphia boasts over 1,500 acres of green spaces that enhance daily life. Among the most magnificent, Fairmount Park unfurls along the Schuylkill River with gardens, trails and attractions spanning 9 miles. Bring a picnic and relax in manicured Rittenhouse Square downtown mid-shopping sprees. World-class museums hold patrons rapt for days. The Philadelphia Museum of Art houses masterworks alongside installations by living artists. Just paces away, the Barnes Foundation shelters an exquisite Impressionist collection in a modern building. Kids adore hands-on wonders at the Please Touch Museum and Franklin Institute.
Renowned performance venues put on Broadway hits and chamber concerts. The Kimmel Center anchors the cultural Arts District. Venture to University City for student theatre and global films. Year-round festivals cover music, dance, film, arts and more under sunny skies.

Fascinating Neighborhoods

Venture beyond Center City for contrasting neighborhoods steeped in personality. South Philly bustles with tightly-packed row homes and Italian culture. Stroll vibrant South Street for indie shops between food stalls. Further West, the University of Pennsylvania ‘s leafy Ivy League campus contrasts modern high-rises. Fishtown and Northern Liberties underwent remarkable revitalizations. Hip newcomers coexist alongside longtime residents in these formerly industrial areas now packed with breweries, boutiques and BYOB eateries. Nearby East Passyunk resembles a chic European village at night. Venture North for surprising ethnic enclaves. Chinatown, with red lanterns and cuisine, arose alongside Little Saigon. In West Philly, the beautiful University City district teems with students from top schools like Penn and Drexel University. Explore these authentic pockets for memorable cultural discoveries off the major tourist track.