Philadelphia Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Perfect Days in Philly

Philadelphia is invariably overshadowed by New York and Washington D.C., and that's precisely why it's such a good city to visit. This Philadelphia itinerary is all the birthplace of America, some excellent art, one of the best food markets in the country, and a really cool, creative bit of the city all in just two easy, walkable days.

You'll find the timings, the food stops, the rainy day backups and the full day by day plan. There's also a condensed one-day version further down if you're short on time.

Is 2 Days Enough Time in Philadelphia?

Yes, the centre of Philly is very compact and walkable, so two days is quite sufficient to cover the major sights without having to rush. The easiest way to split it up is one history day and one "modern day" day: Day 1 for the Revolutionary period sights in the Old City and Day 2 for the art, the food and the various neighbourhoods.

What you can fit in: the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, one or two history museums, a major art or science museum, Reading Terminal Market, the Rocky statue and dinner in Fishtown. What you'll probably end up skipping: a proper look at a number of the big museums, the day trips (Valley Forge being the main one) and a full South Philly food crawl (see the add-ons section if you've got the time to spare).

If you're travelling Fri-Sun, then arrive Friday evening for dinner, do Day 1 on Saturday (Old City is at its liveliest on that day) and save Day 2 for Sunday when you can take it easy at the Reading Terminal Market and the Parkway.

Philadelphia Itinerary at a Glance

• Day 1: Old City, Revolutionary history, South Street cheesesteaks

• Day 2: Rittenhouse Square, a museum of your choice, Reading Terminal Market, the Rocky statue, Fishtown

Before You Go: Philadelphia Travel Itinerary Planning

A little prep makes any Philadelphia travel itinerary run more smoothly:

• Book Independence Hall in advance. It's by timed ticket, and the slots can easily sell out, particularly in peak season and on the weekends. Book through the official NPS website as soon as your dates are fixed. There will be a small booking fee.

• Visit the Liberty Bell early. It's normally free, and the queues are at their shortest right at opening.

• Check weekly closures. Some museums and attractions will be closed on a Monday or Tuesday, so you'll need to plan your days around what's actually open.

• Consider a sightseeing pass. A pass like CityPASS will save you money if you're planning on visiting three or more paid attractions. If you're only going to two or three museums, then it's usually cheaper to just pay per attraction.

• Pick your season. Spring and fall are the best in terms of weather for walking. Summer is very much alive but also very hot and humid. Winter is quiet and cheap, with the Christmas markets and lights in December.

Where to Stay in Philadelphia

Where you sleep shapes your trip, so choose based on your priorities:

• Old City: You can walk to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in the time it takes to have a coffee. Perfect for first timers who want to make the most of their time.

• Rittenhouse Square: hands down the best area for dining, shopping and museum access. It's the upmarket, polished area with loads of restaurants and a lovely park.

• Fishtown: trendy and local with a good range of bars and restaurants, though a bit further from the historic sites. Good if you're a repeat visitor or just prefer to be in a neighbourhood.

Each area has boutique, mid-range and budget options so you should compare the rates for your dates. It's a bonus if you're arriving by train or flying in to be near a subway or rail stop.

How to Get Around

Walking is by far the best way to get around Centre City, and the majority of the Day 1 sights are within a short walk of each other. Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be walking several miles.

For the more distant spots (Eastern State Penitentiary, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Fishtown), rideshare is the quickest and most convenient option. SEPTA is of course useful for budget travel and for getting to the airport. The Market-Frankford line will take you from Old City to Fishtown. Conditions on public transit can vary, so many people just opt to walk or use rideshare for their late-night trips.

Day 1: Old City, Revolutionary History and South Philly Eats

This is the history-packed day of your Philly itinerary. Start early, as Old City gets absolutely packed by midday.

Morning

• 8:00 AM, Coffee and breakfast in Old City. Something simple from a local café before the crowds arrive.

• 9:00 AM, Liberty Bell. That's the shortest queue (we're there at opening) and the visit is very quick (about 20-30 mins) with exhibits on the history of the bell.

• 10:00 AM, Independence Hall guided tour. Where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated. It's a very short tour, so be on time for your slot.

• 11:00 AM, Betsy Ross House and Elfreth's Alley. Walk to these two adjacent stops (either on a guided walking tour or on your own). Elfreth's Alley is one of America's oldest continuously inhabited residential streets and a great photo opportunity.

Lunch

• 12:30 PM, The Bourse. A rather nice modern food hall within a historic building, it has loads of choice and is a good place to just kick your feet.

Afternoon

• 1:30 PM, Museum of the American Revolution. A very well-designed museum, it brings the period to life with the artefacts and the various displays. Allow about two hours.

• Optional swap: National Constitution Center. If you'd rather focus on the Constitution and civic history, then that's the one to swap in. A good alternative for families.

Early evening

• 4:30 PM, Washington Square and historic neighborhoods. Take a leisurely walk through Washington Square and the surrounding blocks of Society Hill (brick townhouses and gas lamps all around).

Dinner and drinks

• 6:00 PM, Cheesesteak on South Street. You simply must have one. Pat's and Geno's are the two famous tourist rivals at 9th and Passyunk, and it's an experience you have to go through. Locals will invariably point you in the direction of other places (Jim's on South Street, Dalessandro's, etc.), so try one of each and see which you prefer.

• 7:30 PM, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. The Magic Gardens is a unique mosaic art environment on South Street. Check their hours as it may well be closed before dinner.

• 8:30 PM, Ice cream or cider stop. Finish the night with something sweet or a local cider.

Rainy-day backup for Day 1: more time indoors at the Museum of the American Revolution, add the National Constitution Center and swap the evening walk for a longer meal.

Day 2: Rittenhouse, Reading Terminal Market, Art and Fishtown

Day 2 is all about the modern, creative side of the city.

Morning

• 8:30 AM, Specialty coffee and Rittenhouse Square. Start with a good coffee and then wander through Rittenhouse Square (one of the city's most beautiful parks).

Late morning: choose your museum

Pick one major museum so you don't burn out:

Tip: Stick to one main museum per day. You'll get far more out of it and still have the energy for the evening.

Lunch

• 12:30 PM, Reading Terminal Market. One of the oldest public markets in the U.S., a real must for foodies. Have a roast pork sandwich, some fresh donuts, soft pretzels, Amish goods, ice cream, etc. Go either before the lunch rush (around 11.30 AM) or after 1.30 PM, and be aware that some of the vendors have limited hours on certain days.

Afternoon

• 2:00 PM, Rocky statue and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Rocky statue and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Either walk or ride up the Parkway (it's lined with flags and fountains) to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Run up the steps and take a photo with the Rocky statue.

• 4:00 PM, City Hall, LOVE Park and Dilworth Park. Pass City Hall, take the LOVE sculpture, and then relax in Dilworth Park.

• Optional: Wanamaker Organ. If you're passing through Macy's, check whether there's a concert of the grand organ on the schedule.

Evening

• 6:00 PM, Sunset cocktails with a skyline view. Head to a rooftop bar for a drink with the city views.

• 7:30 PM, Dinner in Fishtown. Fishtown is famous for its pizza, craft beer, and cocktails. Good place to see how the city has changed.

A bit of a note on Fishtown: It was once a very working-class area and has changed dramatically in recent years with a lot of gentrification going on, which has in turn led to increased costs for the people who've lived there for generations. One of the best things you can do as a visitor is to support the locally owned businesses.

Only Have 1 Day in Philadelphia? Here's the Condensed Plan

Short on time? This is a 1-day in Philadelphia itinerary covering the highlights. It's a very realistic one-day itinerary for day trippers coming in by train or anyone with a long layover.

The 1-day itinerary in Philadelphia, hour by hour

• 8:30 AM: Liberty Bell at opening

• 9:30 AM: Independence Hall timed tour (book ahead)

• 11:30 AM: Walk through Old City and Elfreth's Alley

• 12:30 PM: Lunch at Reading Terminal Market

• 2:00 PM: Choose one: a single museum or the Rocky steps and the Parkway

• 4:30 PM: Stroll past City Hall and LOVE Park

• 6:00 PM: Cheesesteak and a wander along South Street

What to cut from the 2-day plan, and why: Skip the Museum of the American Revolution, the Magic Gardens, and Fishtown as they all require a bit of extra travel or time. Just pick one museum. The whole point of a one-day plan is to get the major sights of Philadelphia and eat well without having to rush.

Where to Eat in Philadelphia (Cheat Sheet)

Here are some places to consider, grouped by meal. Always check the current hours before you go.

• Breakfast and coffee: A local café in Old City, plus a specialty roaster near Rittenhouse Square

• Lunch: Reading Terminal Market (roast pork, donuts, pretzels) and The Bourse food hall

• Cheesesteaks: Pat's, Geno's, Jim's South Street, Dalessandro's

• Dinner: Fishtown for pizza and craft beer; Rittenhouse for polished dining

• Dessert: Ice cream near South Street or a bakery stall at Reading Terminal Market

• Drinks: A rooftop bar for skyline views; a Fishtown craft beer hall

Dietary needs? Terminal Market and most of the restaurants in Center City have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and the menus will usually have these clearly marked.

Getting to Philadelphia

• By train: Amtrak runs regularly from New York, Washington D.C. and Boston to 30th Street Station (a very nice building in its own right).

• By bus: There are a number of intercity bus companies that serve the city at very reasonable prices.

• By air: Fly into PHL and take the airport rail line into Center City.

• Arriving Friday night? Drop your bags, have a casual dinner somewhere nearby, and save the sightseeing for the morning.

Have a Third Day? Add-Ons

If you can stretch your Philadelphia travel itinerary to three days, here are some great additions:

• Valley Forge National Historical Park for history and open space

• A South Philly food crawl through the Italian Market and local bakeries

• A full visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its famous collections

• A deeper dive into neighborhoods like Queen Village, Manayunk or University City

Tips for Your Philadelphia Itinerary

• Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be walking a lot.

• Book the timed entries in advance, particularly at Independence Hall.

• Start early on day 1 to beat the crowds.

• Bring a reusable water bottle and a power bank.

• Check the weather and pack layers or a rain jacket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Whether you go with the full two-day plan or the one-day condensed version, this Philadelphia itinerary gives you a good mix of history, art, food and the character of the neighborhood without the stress. Start early, book your timed tickets, wear good shoes, and leave room for a second cheesesteak. Save or pin this guide and have a great trip to the City of Brotherly Love.