Things to Do in Philly

One day in Old City Philadelphia can cover the city’s founding landmarks, an excellent revolution museum, lunch, the country’s oldest residential street, a Delaware River view and a history tour pub crawl. The secret is geography. Most of the stops sit within a compact grid, so the day can feel full while your feet remain on speaking terms with you. This itinerary starts near Independence Hall and finishes with Philly Crawling in the same neighborhood. It works best for first-time visitors who want famous sites, human stories and a final chapter involving Old City bars. 8:45 a.m.: Arrive at Independence Hall Begin at the building where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. In 2026, Independence Hall offers an open-house period from 9 to 9:50 a.m., followed by ticketed tours every 20 minutes from…

Philadelphia does fall corporate outings especially well. Cooler afternoons make walking comfortable, city trees trade green for copper and gold, and the calendar fills with distinctly seasonal activities. The best plan gives coworkers something interesting to do together, room to talk and logistics one organizer can manage. Start with Philly Crawling for Old City history,…

October hands Philadelphia a very good assignment: look historic, feel festive and keep the calendar gloriously busy. The city answers with film premieres, haunted cellblocks, local music, a major rowing weekend and at least one event that puts scrapple in the same sentence as sculpture. The best things to do in Philadelphia in October 2026…

Benjamin Franklin did not say that beer proves God loves us and wants us to be happy. Philadelphia’s favorite founder has plenty of excellent material on his record, but that famous beer line belongs in the historical lost-and-found. The real story is even more Franklin. It involves wine, rain, a London printing shop, an industrial…

September gives Philadelphia visitors a beautifully busy menu. It packs beer gardens, unpredictable theater, football, waterfront festivities, weekend markets and a birthday celebration for the Constitution into one busy month. The best things to do in Philadelphia in September 2026 include exploring Old City with Philly Crawling, catching the Fringe Festival, cheering on the Eagles…

The Franklin Institute is Philadelphia’s hands-on headquarters for giant hearts, massive locomotives, brain-bending illusions, simulated space travel, and the kind of science lesson that involves pressing every available button. It works especially well for families, but curious adults can have just as much fun racing virtual athletes and discovering that their balance is not as…

Ah, the Roaring Twenties. A time of flappers, jazz, and, most importantly, prohibition. While our fair city of Philadelphia was no stranger to law-abiding citizens, it also harbored a secret underworld of clandestine watering holes.  These speakeasies were where the thirsty and the daring converged. Imagine a dark, smoky room filled with the clinking of…

Nestled amidst the grandeur of Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway, just in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rocky Steps, Eakins Oval holds a special place in the city’s heart. Its history, intertwined with urban planning and artistic tribute, paved the way for its transformation into a vibrant summertime hub. The Oval’s story…

Olde Kensington, a historic neighborhood just two miles north of Old City Philadelphia, is quickly becoming a haven for craft beer enthusiasts and spirits aficionados. Formerly a working-class industrial neighborhood full of warehouses and rowhomes, Olde Kensington is now home to modern condo buildings, art galleries, and unique eateries. With a growing collection of breweries…

Fairmount Park is Philadelphia’s choose-your-own-adventure across more than 2,050 acres, complete with river views, wooded trails, historic mansions, gardens, museums, playgrounds, and one skyline-ready picnic spot. It is not one tidy rectangle waiting politely behind a gate. The Schuylkill River divides the park into East and West, so a little planning keeps your relaxing park…

1930s street vendor selling soft pretzels Can you believe that Pennsylvania accounts for 80% of the pretzel supply for the US? And did you know that Philadelphians consume the most pretzels per capita of anywhere in the world? While Americans on average eat around 2 pounds of pretzels annually, the typical Philadelphian eats about 12…

Philadelphia is bursting with vibrant energy this March! Two iconic events are happening simultaneously: the world-famous Philadelphia Flower Show (running through March 10th) and Women’s History Month. The Philadelphia Flower Show, a long-standing tradition since 1829, holds the distinction of being both the oldest and the largest indoor flower show in the world. Featuring approximately…