Philadelphia itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Independence Hall & Old City
The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in the morning, Carpenters' Hall and Franklin Court, then Christ Church, Elfreth's Alley and the Betsy Ross House.
- 1
Morning
Independence Hall & the Liberty Bell
Independence National Historical Park is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 and the Constitution was written in 1787. Start at the National Constitution Center, cross Independence Mall to the cracked Liberty Bell, then visit Independence Hall and the leafy square behind it.
- National Constitution Center
- Liberty Bell Center
- Independence Hall
- Independence Square
- Washington Square
Independence Hall is seen on guided tours with timed entry; pick up or reserve your ticket before you go, especially in summer.
Walk east along Chestnut Street, about 5 min.
- 2
Late morning
Carpenters' Hall & Franklin Court
A few steps east, Carpenters' Hall hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774. Franklin Court marks the site of Benjamin Franklin's house with a steel outline of the building, and the columns of the Merchants' Exchange are just around the corner.
- Carpenters' Hall
- Merchants' Exchange
- Franklin Court
Walk north to Market and 2nd Streets, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Old City: Christ Church & Elfreth's Alley
Christ Church, where members of the founding generation worshipped, leads to Elfreth's Alley, a narrow lane of 18th-century brick houses that has been lived in for more than 300 years. Finish at the Betsy Ross House and Christ Church Burial Ground, where Benjamin Franklin is buried.
- Christ Church
- Elfreth's Alley
- Betsy Ross House
- Christ Church Burial Ground
Elfreth's Alley is a residential street: keep your voice down and stay off the doorsteps.
Day 2: Center City & the Parkway
Rittenhouse Square and Walnut Street, City Hall and LOVE Park, lunch at Reading Terminal Market, then the Parkway, the Rocky Steps and Boathouse Row at sunset.
- 1
Morning
Rittenhouse Square
One of the five public squares in William Penn's original plan, now the city's most elegant park, ringed by apartment buildings and cafés. From here, Walnut Street leads east past the red-brick Union League to Broad Street and City Hall.
- Rittenhouse Square
- Walnut Street
- Union League of Philadelphia
- Broad Street
The square is at its calmest early in the morning, before the shops on Walnut Street open.
Walk east along Walnut Street and up Broad Street, about 15 min.
- 2
Late morning
City Hall & LOVE Park
Philadelphia's City Hall is a giant of carved stone, topped by a statue of William Penn and an observation deck in the tower. Across the street, LOVE Park holds Robert Indiana's famous LOVE sculpture, at the start of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
- City Hall
- Dilworth Park
- LOVE Park
- Market Street
Places on the City Hall tower tours are limited, so ask at the building's visitor centre early in the day.
Walk east along Filbert Street, about 5 min.
- 3
Lunch
Reading Terminal Market
A covered market hall under the old Reading Railroad terminal, open since 1893. Dozens of stalls sell produce, baked goods, cheese and hot food, including Pennsylvania Dutch specialities, which makes it the easiest place in the city to try a cheesesteak, a roast pork sandwich or a soft pretzel.
- Reading Terminal Market
- Market Street
Lunchtime gets very busy; arrive before noon or in mid-afternoon for more room to wander.
Walk up the Parkway, about 35 min, or take a SEPTA bus, about 15 min.
- 4
Afternoon & sunset
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway & the Rocky Steps
A wide boulevard lined with the flags of many nations runs from LOVE Park past Logan Square and the city's great museums to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Climb the steps Rocky ran up in the film, find his statue at the bottom, then walk along Kelly Drive to Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill River.
- Logan Square
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- Rocky Statue
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Boathouse Row
Stay for dusk: the boathouses along Kelly Drive are outlined in lights after dark.
Day 3: Society Hill, the Italian Market & South Street
The brick lanes of Society Hill, the stalls of the Italian Market on South 9th Street, then the shops, mosaics and evening buzz of South Street.
- 1
Morning
Society Hill
South of Independence Hall, Society Hill is one of the best-preserved colonial neighbourhoods in the country: quiet streets of brick rowhouses, shutters and gas lamps, small gardens and old church steeples, with Spruce Street at its heart.
- 4th Street
- Spruce Street
- Colonial rowhouses
Head House Square, the old market shed on 2nd Street, is a short walk south-east and leads straight onto South Street.
Walk south-west through Queen Village, about 20 min.
- 2
Late morning
The Italian Market
South 9th Street in South Philadelphia is home to one of the oldest open-air markets in the United States. Awnings shade produce stands, butchers, bakeries and cheese shops, and murals cover the walls of the side streets.
- South 9th Street
- Produce stands
- Murals
Come in the morning, when the stalls are at their fullest.
Italian Market Walk on South 9th Street
Video by Philadelphia Neighborhood Walking & Driving Tours on YouTube
Walk north up 9th Street to South Street, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon & evening
South Street
Philadelphia's liveliest street mixes independent shops, record stores, bars and murals. Near 10th Street, the Philadelphia Magic Gardens is a maze of glittering mosaics, and the busy stretch east of 9th Street runs down towards the Delaware River.
- Philadelphia Magic Gardens
- South Street shops
- Head House Square
- Penn's Landing
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Philadelphia plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Philadelphia
How many days?
Two or three days is a good first visit: Independence Hall and Old City, then Center City and the Parkway, then Society Hill, the Italian Market and South Street. One day covers the historic sites.
Where to stay
Center City is the most convenient base: Old City for the historic sites, the streets around Rittenhouse Square for a quieter, residential feel, and the area near City Hall and Reading Terminal Market for transport links.
Getting around
Walk almost everything; the centre is flat and laid out on a grid. SEPTA's Market–Frankford Line runs under Market Street between Old City and City Hall, and buses cover the longer hop to the Art Museum.
Philadelphia packs the story of American independence into a few walkable blocks. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the lanes of Old City sit a short stroll from the Delaware River, while Center City, laid out on William Penn's original grid, runs west past City Hall to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the Art Museum.
Every stop below comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the route before you go. Use the buttons under each video to jump to a landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Philadelphia itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Philadelphia?
Two or three days is a good first visit: one for Independence Hall and Old City, one for Center City, Reading Terminal Market and the Art Museum, and a third for Society Hill, the Italian Market and South Street.
Is Philadelphia a walkable city?
Very. Center City is flat and laid out on a grid, and the walk from Independence Hall to City Hall takes about 20 minutes. The longest walk in this plan is up the Parkway to the Art Museum, which also has bus connections.
Can you see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell on the same day?
Yes. They face each other across Chestnut Street in Independence National Historical Park, a few minutes' walk apart, and both fit easily into a morning.
When is the best time to visit Philadelphia?
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant for walking. Summers are hot and humid and the historic sites are at their busiest; winters are cold, with the occasional snowfall.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Keep exploring Philadelphia
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Philadelphia city guide →