City guide 08 / Pennsylvania / Mid Atlantic
08Philadelphia, history in walking distance.
Philadelphia is a walking city with a long memory. The historic district, the museum mile, and the neighborhoods fit together in a way that rewards a pair of comfortable shoes. Come for the founding story, stay for the food, the murals, and the small streets that sit just outside the tourist path.
Browse all city guidesAt a glance
- Best window
- Spring and fall
- Getting around
- SEPTA and walking
- Good base
- Old City or Rittenhouse
- Walking pace
- Easy in the center, uneven old sidewalks
A day with a point of view
Put the founding story first, then let the city's food and art carry the afternoon.
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Morning
Independence park
Begin at Independence National Historical Park. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall set the scene, but the surrounding streets are just as interesting. Walk toward Old City for coffee and a look at the older brick blocks.
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Midday
Reading Terminal Market
Head to Reading Terminal Market for lunch. The stalls are busy and the choices are many, so decide on a cuisine before you enter and let the crowd move around you.
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Afternoon
Museum mile
Spend the afternoon at the Philadelphia Museum of Art or along the Schuylkill. The museum is large enough to fill several hours; the river trail is a good choice if the weather is clear.
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Evening
A neighborhood table
Eat in Chinatown, Fishtown, or Center City. The city's food scene is broad and unpretentious. Finish with a walk through a residential block to see how the city lives after the offices close.
Neighborhood rhythm
Philadelphia's center is compact, and the neighborhoods beyond it are easy to reach by rail.
Old City
Historic sites, small streets, and a convenient base for first time visitors.
Rittenhouse
Leafy blocks, cafes, and a central location near the museums.
Fishtown
A newer restaurant and bar scene in a former working district.
The local table
Philadelphia's signature foods are well known, but the city is also a great place for Italian American cooking, Vietnamese food, and neighborhood bakeries. Try a roast pork sandwich as well as a cheesesteak. The best versions are often found at a corner shop rather than a famous queue.
Walk one block past the queue. The city usually rewards it.
Reading Terminal Market is a good introduction, especially on a weekday. For a quieter meal, look at the small restaurants around South Philadelphia or the Northeast. The city's neighborhoods are where its food identity is strongest.
Know before you go
The historic center is easy to cover on foot. A little transit planning expands the day.
- SEPTA trains, buses, and the subway connect the center with the airport and many neighborhoods.
- The historic district is walkable. Cobblestones and older sidewalks can be uneven, so choose shoes with support.
- Museum admission can be timed. Book ahead during busy weekends.
- Weather changes quickly. A compact umbrella is useful in every season.