planning a quick getaway to the City of Brotherly Love? read on for a detailed look at how to spend a weekend in Philadelphia.
If you’re interested in American history, there’s perhaps no better city to check out than Philadelphia. It was here that the founding fathers wrote the declaration of independence and created a new nation in 1776.
With 2 days in Philadelphia, you can check out some of the most important historical sights in the country, watch a professional sports game, peruse public markets, check out the excellent museums, go bar-hopping or stuff your face with cheesesteaks!
For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s the scenic Penn’s landing and the enormous Fairmont Park. depending on the time of year, you can enjoy hiking, kayaking, cycling, ice-skating, and more.
I spent my younger years living in Philly with my family and have fond memories of the city. I’ve been back several times over the years and discover something new every time.
I’m excited to share some insights into one of my favorite American cities with you in this post.
Let’s get to it and see what you can get up to with a weekend in Philadelphia!
Table of Contents
Day 1 in Philadelphia
Day 2 in Philadelphia
Insider tips for 2 Days in Philadelphia
Getting to Philadelphia
Best places to stay for a weekend in Philadelphia
Now You know how to spend a weekend in Philadelphia
Day 1 in Philadelphia
With just two days in Philadelphia, you’ll want to get out there and make the most of your short time. For the first day, we’ll focus on the city’s rich history and dabble in the culinary and nightlife scenes.
Depending on how many Philadelphia attractions you want to see, you might want to consider getting the Sightseeing Pass, which includes entrance to 35+ attractions and costs $59. Click here for details.
Morning
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that’s definitely true when you have a big day of exploring a new city ahead of you!
Breakfast
One place I recommended for breakfast is FRIEDA, a European-style cafe with a killer weekend brunch menu.
If you’d rather just grab a cup of coffee and something light to start the day, La Colombe Coffee Roasters and Old City Coffee Inc. are both solid choices.
With a full belly and a nice caffeine buzz, you’re ready for a big day in Philly.
Visit independence Hall
Start your journey back in time by visiting independence Hall, also known as “America’s birthplace.”
Both the declaration of independence and the Constitution were signed in this historic building. One could make the case that it’s the most important building in the history of the United States!
To check out independence Hall, you’ll need to jump on a guided tour. These run each day of the year except Christmas from 9AM-5PM. They’re totally free if you sign up in the visitor’s center. You can also reserve online in advance for a $1 fee.
The hall is actually just one part of a much larger national historical park. There’s lots more to see here, including the famous liberty Bell.
This gift to the us from terrific Britain arrived way back in 1752. It cracked, had to be reformed, and then cracked again. The bell has remained silent ever since!
If you’re wondering where the name comes from, it’s because of the quote that is etched into the side: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
For more info on independence Hall and all that it offers, check out the national Park service website.
Afternoon
How you decide to spend your first afternoon on a weekend in Philadelphia depends largely on your interests and the weather. here are some suggestions:
See Some Museums
Should you want to keep the history lesson rolling and/or experience inclement weather, there are lots of museums to choose from in the Old City.
There’s the national Constitution Center, which is an interactive museum that’s fun and informative for all ages. Tickets cost $14.50 and include a screening of the inspiring “Freedom Rising.” Head to their website to read all about the various exhibits.
Another terrific option in the area is the Benjamin Franklin Museum. here you can learn all about one of the most influential Americans through five different rooms, each focused on a different character trait of his. Tickets cost just $5 for this excellent museum!
There’s also the museum of the American Revolution, which features in-depth exhibits about this pivotal time in the nation’s history. Tickets cost $21 and you can buy them online here. (This museum is also included in the Sightseeing Pass).Lunch Break
For lunch, in keeping with the day’s historic theme, you can pop into City Tavern. order off their 18th-century inspired menu in this classic restaurant where the founding fathers once dined.
Visit Penn’s Landing
Walk a few blocks to Penn’s Landing. located on the Delaware River, this is the place to be on a nice summer day.
Enjoy a stroll along the tree-lined promenade or go out for some fun on the river. It’s possible to rent kayaks and paddleboats or you can just hop on the ferry over to new jersey to enjoy the views of the skyline.
During the summer months, Penn’s landing frequently show movies and have concerts. I wouldn’t personally recommend spending 2 days in Philadelphia in the winter, but if you do, you can go ice skating here.
Join a Segway Adventure
Another fun way to see a lot of the city in a short time is by hopping on a 2-hour Segway adventure. cruise along the river, pass through historic districts, and explore a bit of Philly’s Chinatown. tours run at 12:30 and 3 and cost $55.
Evening
After a substantial day, it’s time to celebrate a little! This is a beer-loving city, so sampling a few of the local suds definitely needs to be on your list of things to do.
Beer, Brewery and Food Experiences
On this Philly beer tasting experience and tour, you’ll get to check out some of the most unique bars in the city. This includes full beers at each place, and snacks.
Those interested in brewing may want to check out this highly rated brewery experience. You’ll learn all about the brewing process and history and get to sample different craft beers (generous samples!).
If you’re more interested in a food tour during your weekend in Philly, check out this highly-rated food tour, which includes eating like a local at 5 different places. Come hungry as you’ll do lots of eating on the 2.5-hour tour!
If you just want to do your own thing, I recommend starting out with a drink at the outdoor independence Beer Garden. They have an excellent happy hour menu as well as some reasonably priced all-you-can-drink packages if you’re really looking to party!
For a more swanky atmosphere, there’s the Stratus Rooftop Lounge. located atop the hotel Monaco, this is the place to see and be seen in downtown Philly.
Watch a professional sports Game
As I mentioned in the introduction, this is a city that absolutely loves sports. Philadelphia is home to the Eagles (NFL), 76ers (NBA), Flyers (NHL), and Phillies (MLB), so there’s always a game going on.
Check the calendar to see if one of the home teams is playing during your weekend in Philadelphia! Seeing a major sporting event in this city full of passionate fans is definitely an experience.
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Day 2 in Philadelphia
Hopefully you didn’t go too hard on night one, but that’s totally understandable if you did. Philly is definitely a fun city to check out on the weekends!
Since there’s too much to do here to cram it all into one weekend, I’ll give you a few different options for how to spend your 2nd day in the city.
Morning
Start your day with a combination of history and donuts!
Visit The Market
A terrific way to start the day is on a trip to reading terminal Market. As is the case with so many places in Philly, there’s a lot of history here.
The market has been operating since way back when in 1893, making it one of the oldest public markets in the country. It almost had to shut down in the ’70s but thanks to a boost in public funding it was saved.
There are around 80 merchants here including several bakeries and restaurants, so you can easily find something for breakfast.
Donuts For Breakfast!
One of the best places in reading terminal Market is Beiler’s Bakery for their scrumptious donuts.
If you’re not that into the market but still want your fill of Homer Simpson’s favorite dish, head to federal Donuts instead.
For the ultimate donut experience, check out this amazing Airbnb experience. It’s called the Philadelphia underground donut tour and it’s as fun and delicious as it sounds.
Get Some exercise (“Rocky” Style)
After you’ve satisfied your craving for fried dough, it’s time to work it off with a little exercise — Philly style! One must-do on any weekend in Philadelphia itinerary is running up the famed “Rocky” steps to the art museum.
Get pumped up by putting on “Eye of the Tiger” and doing a bit of air-boxing and then run up the steps just like Stallone did in the movie. Is it a super touristy thing to do? It sure is. should you still do it? Of course!
Those who are really into the classic film and want to take it to the next level can check out this Rocky movie locations tour. You’ll travel to four different sights that were used in the series, including the Italian Market.
Visit The Art Museum
If you’re going to run up all those stairs, you might as well go into the Philadelphia Art museum at the top. It has a enormous collection and is one of the best art museums I’ve ever been to.
Tickets for the museum cost $25. Click here to book them online before you go. You can easily spend the whole day here so you’ll have to move quickly if you want to see all the rooms.
Afternoon
You’ll be hungry again after climbing all the stairs and exploring the museum. Time to grab some lunch.
Lunch Break
No Philadelphia weekend trip would be complete without sampling the city’s iconic sandwich — the cheesesteak. There are tons of places to try it, but first-timers should go try out the original.
Pat’s King of Steaks claims to be the inventor of the famous sandwich, which is made with thinly sliced steak and melted cheese on a roll.
American and provolone cheese are both common, but the most popular choice is Cheese Wiz. That’s right, the gooey, cheese-like substance that really isn’t cheese at all. Hey, it’s delicious!
Right across the street is their biggest rival, Geno’s. It’s kind of like the Coney dog challenge in my hometown of Detroit. You’ll just have to try them both and see which one you think is best.
Explore The Magic Gardens
After all that meat, cheese, and bread, you might need a walk. good thing it’s just 15 minutes to the next destination on the Philadelphia itinerary, the Magic Gardens.
It’s the brainchild of Isaiah Zagar, an award-winning mosaic mural artist and native Philadelphian. known as an “immersive mixed media art environment,” it’s a stunning place to visit.
Tickets are just $10, but you should grab them online in advance as it typically sells out. You can also sign up for this South Philadelphia walking tour that includes a check out here.
Go On A walking Tour
Those interested in getting a bit more out of their weekend in Philadelphia can check out this highly-rated Founding Fathers historical walking Tour.
The tour check outs many of the places I’ve covered so far and also includes a beer in a local brewpub. tours run at 11:30, 2:30 and 5:30 and cost $45.
Evening
Unless you decide to join the walking tour, wrap up a big weekend in Philadelphia with a stroll along the hip South Street.
Wander around South Street
South street It’s the perfect place to do a bit of window shopping and snap photos of vibrant street art.
There are so many choices for restaurants along South street that it’s kind of overwhelming. You can find cuisine from all over the map here, from Thailand to Morocco and everywhere in between.
South street is also home to a wide variety of bars, from classic Irish pubs and hookah lounges to hipster bars with names like Tattooed Mom. It’s easy to choose your own adventure and have a fun night out here, especially on the weekend.
Listen To live Music
If you were hop