Philadelphia has been on my to-do list for a few years—ever since I stopped at the airport on my way to Dublin and found it too snowy to leave the comfort of the terminal. My friend Emily and I both wanted to enjoy a visit to the City of Brotherly Love, so a long weekend in Philly was the perfect way to see (and eat) our way around this fabulously historic spot.
I will preface this series by saying I have NEVER had as many travel delays as I did on this trip, since it was the start of storm season on the East Coast. I faced delays both heading to Philadelphia (via Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey) and on the way home (where we sat in airports for about 12 hours). I arrived inin Philly late afternoon on my arrival day, which kind of kills me because I am an early-morning arrival kind of traveler (I love red eyes for this reason). That said, we crammed as much into three days as we possibly could! Here is how we spent our long weekend.
Stepping Back in Time: Exploring Old City and Revolutionary Landmarks
Philadelphia has so much to see and do! It’s more than just the Liberty Bell and the LOVE statue (although we did visit both, of course). From exploring Elfreth’s Alley to visiting the Betsy Ross House and checking out all the firsts in the city (Philadelphia is home to so many of the country’s firsts), there was something fun to check out on almost every single corner.
The Historic Mile Highlights
Of course, we took a walk around Independence Mall to admire Independence Hall, get an up-close look at the Liberty Bell, and tour Congress Hall. No matter where you stand politically, seeing the country’s origins and the historic buildings that housed them is pretty cool. Congress Hall tours are small,, and there is often a long wait—especially if a school field trip is happening on the day of your visit. You can buy tickets in advance for $1 per person through the National Park Service site if you want to secure your time and date.
The line for the Liberty Bell was much shorter since the building that houses it is considerably larger. You will go through a fairly standard security checkpoint, and there are some small exhibits to peruse before you line up to see the bell itself. The Liberty Bell and most historic sites are free to visit, except for booking tickets in advance (Congress Hall and Independence Hall). The $1 fee is a reservation fee, not an admission fee, so you can walk up and get in line to enjoy the attractions for free!
History in Old City
Further north of Independence Mall is Old City, where you’ll find historic (and stunning) architecture and buildings dating back hundreds of years. The Betsy Ross House is located here (admission is $10), and it’s a great little spot to rest your feet and explore the home of our nation’s first flag (the spot is commemorated by a “1” statue as part of the city’s 52 Weeks of Firsts festival for America 250).
Around the corner, you’ll find Elfreth’s Alley. While the museum was closed when we visited early one morning (admission is only $3), you can still stroll down the historic street and admire the architecture of this little slice of colonial Philadelphia. Keep in mind that many of these homes are still lived in, so avoid causing a ruckus (which is a little hard to do anyway on a cobblestone street).
If you venture further east, you’ll reach the waterfront for a stunning view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. There are also some fun things to do around here, like visiting Fringe Bar, which has numerous events and specials throughout the year, as well as visiting Cherry Street Pier to see the galleries and flea market.
Other Philadelphia Explorations
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours
Unlike other cities, Philadelphia’s hop-on, hop-off bus tours work hand in hand. Both Big Bus Tours and City Sightseeing operate here; however, tickets for either are honored at both. I really love Big Bus Tours—it’s always one of my favorite ways to get a feel for a new city,, and it helps you figure out where everything is. Most of the tour operators we encountered were great; however, note that Big Bus Tours and City Sightseeing don’t share the same stops. They didn’t mention this before we got on the bus,, and it turns out that City Sightseeing didn’t stop right in front of the Franklin Institute. The driver still let me off, but my friend (who stayed on the bus) said he and the tour guide complained about me afterward. It would have helpedIt would have helped if theyhad told us which stops were theirstheirs and which weren’t, but oh well, I guess.
Museums You Don’t Want to Miss
While we didn’t go inside (we were tired and there was a massive heatwave), we did do the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for one reason—to see the Rocky statue! I grew up watching action movies (my parents never left me with sitters), so I’m a huge Stallone fan and had to see the statue, even if I saw nothing else inside the museum (which I didn’t).
The one non-negotiable museum for me was the Franklin Institute. I started working with the PR team at the Franklin Institute back in 2022 when the Disney 100 exhibition was passing through town. Though I missed that, I did manage to make it to the Franklin Institute for Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition. Though the exhibit is clearly designed for younger audiences, it was still fun to see the mechanics and engineering behind the rides and attractions at Universal Studios. The next exhibition is Star Wars, so I’m currently plotting a quick jaunt back to Philly just to attend!
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