Traveling to Philadelphia? Famously nicknamed The City of Brotherly Love, it is also the city of many “firsts”. The most notable being America’s first capital. It has also served as the home to many other firsts including: post office, newspaper, lending library, hospital, medical school, and zoo. Additionally, Philadelphia was one of the first U.S. cities to guarantee religious freedom.
We have frequently traveled to the beautiful state of Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia is our favorite city! It can be overwhelming to narrow down where to go in this large city, especially during your first visit, so we have created the following “must-do” list. Please read and save for future reference!
Walking Tour
The best way to see the city is by walking. We highly recommend the Independence Mall free walking tour offered by Free Tours by Foot! Not only was it very informational but our guide, Richard, was very accommodating to our family….strollers and all!
The tour begins at Betsy Ross’ House and ends at Ben Franklin’s Burial Site. It covers most of Philadelphia’s iconic landmarks including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, and Elfreth’s Alley. It is critical to note that the tour is about 2.5 hours long, so don’t forget your supportive footwear and water bottles. There are restrooms located at the Independence Visitor Center.
Tip: The tour is free, but a cash tip to your tour guide is strongly recommended. Our tour guide was fantastic, very thorough, and we were able to gain a much greater appreciation of the amount of history that the city of Philadelphia has to offer.
Check their website for full calendar and all available tours.
Independence Hall
The birthplace of America. The ink dried on both The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution inside Independence Hall. It also originally housed the three branches of Pennsylvania’s colonial government. During the American Revolution, the Hall’s Assembly Room was loaned for the meetings of the Second Continental Congress and later the Constitutional Convention. Many historical figures carried out important decisions that led to the birth and principles of the United States.
Fun Fact: The Liberty Bell was originally housed in the highest chamber of the brick tower at Independence Hall, not at its current location inside the Liberty Bell Center. The bell that you now see hanging at the top of Independence Hall is the Centennial Bell.
Tip: Admission to Independence Hall is by tour only. Tickets can be obtained by either walking up on the day of your visit or reserved tickets ($1.00 per ticket). Try to get your tickets early in the day as quantities are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket distribution begins at 8:30am.
Liberty Bell
Originally known as the State House Bell, it brought lawmakers and townspeople together for all kind of events and local happenings. The inscription on the bell, “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof”, has served as an inspirational symbol for groups of abolitionists, women’s suffrage advocates, and Civil Rights leaders.
In 1751, the bell arrived from the Whitechapel Foundry in London and it cracked on its first test ring! Local metalworkers had to melt down the original bell and cast a new one. There are numerous theories and stories about the cause of its current crack, but no consensus.
Fun Fact: On July 8, 1776, the bell was rung to celebrate the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Tip: The Liberty Bell Center is free with no tickets required for entry and the entrance is located at Market Street. The wait time varies greatly depending on the season with the longest lines occurring at summer and holiday weekends. It is important to know that your time seeing the actual bell is very limited. There are guards moving the crowds along, so make sure to snap pictures as quickly as possible!
Love Park
Love Park receives its nickname from the iconic LOVE statue that has resided in the plaza since 1976. Although commonly known as Love Park, the area is officially named the John F. Kennedy Plaza in City Center.
Fun Fact: The LOVE statue is part of a much larger and vibrant art scene in the city. Philadelphia is also known as the Mural Capital of the country, with over 2,000 murals around the city. The “pièce de résistance” for art in the city is the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with the famous pop culture “Rocky” statue at the foot of its steps.
Tip: Depending on the time of year, the nearby City Hall and surrounding plaza serves as host to a variety of functions. One of the most popular is the Christmas Village, which is modeled after 16th-century German Christmas Markets. We visited during the holidays and were able to enjoy the beautiful Christmas tree, ice skating rink, and market.
Food
In addition to history, art, and culture, Philadelphia also serves as a “foodie’s paradise”. One of the most recognizable spots is the Reading Terminal Market. It is home to local eats, produce, crafts, jewelry, and clothing. There is truly something for everyone!
The market was originally located at the 1100 block of Market Street. It was later purchased with the intent of becoming the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company’s newest terminal. The already established merchants refused to relocate to accommodate the new terminal, which ultimately resulted in an agreement to erect a new market between the train shed and tracks. It later opened in 1893 and has been at its current location ever since.
When it comes to local flavors, the Cheesesteak is possibly the most well-known menu item. The debate of the best stretches far and wide throughout the city limits, but two of the most popular establishments are Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks. Pat’s claim to fame is being the inventor and originator of the Cheesesteak sandwich in 1933. Its rival, Geno’s, opened its doors in 1966 and the two establishments histories have been linked since.
Tip: There is an expectation that you know how to properly order a Cheesesteak in Philadelphia. Follow this simple template to avoid the wrath of the Philly sandwich shop faithful: [Quantity] + [Cheese] + [With or without onion].
