Holidays to Philadelphia

Philadelphia travel guide

• When is the best time to visit Philadelphia?

  Philadelphia’s climate is humid and subtropical with hot, muggy summers and moderately cold winters. The best time to visit Philadelphia is during spring and autumn.

  Take a look at our climate a chart below.

• Philadelphia attractions

  Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

  The Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall are two of the most historic sites in the city, and no trip to Philly would be complete without a visit to both. The Liberty Bell, originally hung in the tower of Independence Hall just across the street, is now housed behind glass to protect it, and allow for increased numbers of visitors to see it.

  Fairmount Park

  With 2,000+ green acres, Fairmount Park is one of America’s largest municipal parks. Fairmount Park and its more than 60-some associated parks cover an incredible 9,200 acres when combined. Fairmount Park includes thousands of trees, as well as America’s oldest zoo, scenic jogging paths and a range of sport and play facilities.

  Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

  The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site was the famed author’s home from 1838 to 1844. Today you can visit for an outline of the author’s life, with educational films and presentations. The raven standing guard outside is a reminder of the most famous of this troubled author’s works.

  Macy’s

  For shopaholics, there’s no better place to stop than Macy’s found within the historic Wanamaker Building next to City Hall. With all the retailers you could dream of (and more), this charming and significant structure has towering ceilings and centuries-old architecture. It’s also host to the St Louis World’s Fair Pipe Organ, an immense instrument still played during each of two daily concerts.
  
  

  The Franklin Institute

  Founded in 1824 and one of the oldest centers for science education and development in the United States, The Franklin Institute was designed to inspire a passion for science in the spirit and honor of American scientist and Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin. To this day, the museum offers a hands-on approach to learning about the physical world through an array of STEM-focused events and exhibits. The museum is also home to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, a 20-foot-tall statue of the 20^th-century writer, inventor, and environmentalist made of white Seravezza marble.

  Barnes Foundation

  Considered to be one of the cultural gems of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway – dubbed Philadelphia’s Museum Mile – the Barnes Foundation is home to one of the world’s most impressive collections of impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modernist paintings. Philadelphia native Dr. Albert C. Barnes’ collection includes pieces by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse available nowhere else in the world. The museum is also notable for Dr. Barnes’ “ensembles of artwork” The arrangements are for the purposes of symmetry, or light, color and space, instead of by chronology, style or genre.

  Italian Market on South 9th Street

  Philadelphia’s Italian Market on South 9th Street includes a delightful array of cafés, restaurants, cheese shops, butcheries and stalls selling fresh produce. It’s located between Christian Street and Washington Avenue, where the majority of Italian immigrants to the country initially settled.

• Top 5 places to visit in Philadelphia

  Just some of the attractions not to miss in Philadelphia:

  The Independence National Historical Park, which includes Independence Hall – where the US Declaration of Independence and Constitution were adopted – and the iconic Liberty Bell, along with many other historic landmarks.

  Eastern State Penitentiary, once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, was notorious for its revolutionary system of separate incarceration. Opened in 1829, the imposing reformatory was the world's first true "penitentiary," designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners, rather than punishment. Kept in "preserved ruin," the National Historic Landmark is open for artist installations, history exhibits and “Hands-On History” tours including the "Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour, narrated by actor Steve Buscemi.

  The Delaware River Waterfront is a vibrant destination for outdoor fun year-round. Spruce Street Harbor Park offers a great place to spend time outdoors in the spring and summer. During the summer and winter, Blue Cross RiverRink features food, drinks, and cool activities. Cherry Street Pier, a mixed-use public space hosts pop-up markets, art installations, and a garden offering food and drink. For picturesque views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the river, Race Street Pier is perfect for lazing on the spacious lawn.

  The impressive collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, along with the stairs leading up to it – which are the very same that Rocky climbed in the Rocky movies.

  The extremely popular Reading Terminal Market, which is the country’s oldest farmers’ market and a paradise for food lovers; you’ll find the market on 12th and Arch Streets.

• Philadelphia food and drink

  You can’t discuss Philadelphian cuisine without talking about two things – the city’s famous cheesesteak, which consists of thinly sliced steak and soft cheese on a roll, and its emblematic soft pretzels.
  
  Philadelphia also has excellent publicmarkets. At the Reading Terminal Market at 12th and Arch streets, you can sample the best Philadelphia has to offer, from local eats to more international foods from more than 80 merchants under one roof. You’ll also find stalls and shops selling fresh produce, flowers, books, clothing and crafts.
  
  Within Reading Terminal Market, Beiler’s Bakery is one of the city’s best loved eateries. It’s especially popular for its donuts and apple and blueberry fritters.
  
  Run by Gregory Vernick, the chic Vernick Food and Drink is a popular, five-star bistro/bar, where the menu ranges from traditional southern dishes like fried green tomatoes to more sophisticated dishes like braised rabbit leg.
  
  Fiorino is famous for its Italian cuisine, with the gnocchi and the dry aged beef both firm favourites. Go for a meal and stick around for one of the restaurant’s famous cooking classes.
  

  Enjoy a Parisian brasserie experience in the heart of Philadelphia at Starr Restaurant’s Parc. Complete with alfresco seating beside Rittenhouse Square and known for its brunch, Parc offers charming and comfortable dining any time of the day for any occasion and was once declared one of the 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America by OpenTable.

  
  Holistic food plays a significant role in promoting wellness. Ancient Spirits and Grille, USA’s first herbal lounge has taken this inspiration to bring these holistic foods on your plate. Every dish on the menu is hand-selected and prepared to relax your soul and treat your taste buds with unique and mouth-watering flavors.

• Philadelphia nightlife

  In Philadelphia, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to nightlife, whether you’re hoping to enjoy a laid-back sundowner, a live music performance or a night-long party.
  
  Northern Liberties is a good choice for live jazz. Ortliebs on 847 North 3rd Street has live music most nights of the week, with the focus on jazz, blues and soul music. Its Tex-Mex menu and diverse beer selection add to its appeal. A great option for a craft cocktail in this trendy neighborhood is Philadelphia Distilling, where guests can actually watch the spirits being made and sample the results. The distillery offers a bar, lounge, tasting room, private event space, a bottle shop, and an outdoor patio, a great option for those looking to unwind while enjoying some fresh air.
  
  For the young and hip, South Philadelphia is the place to be. Pub on Passyunk East (or just POPE) has an awesome beer selection, with excellent service to match. It’s known for its unusual and fun jukebox selections, which keep the young and young at heart dancing the night away. Raise a glass against the Philadelphia skyline from the roof of a former school. Bok Bar tops what is now a mixed-use space filled with artist studios and other small businesses. On the south side of the roof is Irwin’s, an Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.
  
  For sophisticated dining and dancing, you can’t do better than Morgan’s Pier, which overlooks the Delaware River. A world-class restaurant by day, it lights up gorgeously at night and is host to various party events, live DJs and performances.

• Philadelphia - lifestyle and culture

  Philadelphia is a metropolitan city with a diverse population that has been enriched by the cultures of immigrants from all over the world.
  Over the last 200 or more years, Philadelphia has continued to attract European and Asian immigrants, as well as a significant population of African-Americans who migrated there from the southern states. Philadelphia is a city of neighbourhoods, each with its own vibrant culture.
  
  Philadelphia’s Chinatown is made up of restaurants, markets and shops featuring goods from Asian countries including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, Myanmar, Japan and Malaysia. About 3,000 people, the majority with ancestors from Asian countries, live in this bustling yet tight-knit community.
  
  The city is also an important hub for industry and a centre for the arts, with many fine museums and collections. It has a vibrant music scene and is host to more public art – in the form of outdoor sculptures and murals – than any other American city.
  

  Home to more than 4,000 murals, Philadelphia is known as the “Mural Capital of the World.” These colorful creations are made possible by Mural Arts Philadelphia, the nation’s largest public art program, which has grown into an international leader for arts programs worldwide. The murals are community-based works of public art designed to beautify unassuming locations and they can be found all throughout the city.
  
  Philadelphia is also a sports-loving city, with a team in all four major sports leagues in North America.

  Philadelphia’s Stadium District in South Philadelphia is just a quick drive or subway ride away from Center City, with a subway station conveniently located just steps away from several of the city’s major sports arenas. Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, and Wells Fargo Center are all located within walking distance from one another.

• Philadelphia events - what’s on when?

  There’s no bad time to go to Philadelphia – no matter when you visit, there’s always plenty to see, do and enjoy.

  January - Mummers Parade

  Held annually on New Year’s Day for over 100 years, the Mummers Parade is one of the oldest folk festivals in the United States. As many as 10,000 people dress up in lavish costumes and twirl, strut and pirouette their way up the city’s main streets. The wild parade and performances that follow are good fun for all ages.

  February - African American History Month

  Each February, Philadelphia celebrates African American History Month, with various events held around the city. Philadelphia has many African American residents whose relatives migrated there from the southern states, and this is a time to get more acquainted with their history and culture.

  March - St Patrick’s Day Parade

  Philadelphia St Patrick’s Day Parade is an institution – it has been held annually since 1771. The parade begins at 16th and JFK Boulevard and makes its way through to Ben Franklin Boulevard. Expect to see over 100 groups of marching bands, dance groups, Irish associations, flag wavers, floats and of course, spectators clad in green.

  March - PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

  Hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world. It attracts more than 250,000 visitors. Along with impressive displays and rare horticultural specimens, the show includes live entertainment, lectures, gardening workshops and more, alongside a different yearly theme.

  April - Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival

  Celebrate spring and Philadelphia’s rich cultural connection to the art, music, food and beauty of Japan with the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival organized by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia that culminates in Sakura Sunday at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park.

  April - Penn Relays

  At the Penn Relays, watch high school, college and masters-level track stars as well as Olympic athletes compete in the oldest and largest track and field competition in the U.S. — and one of Philadelphia’s signature annual sporting events — at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

  May - 9th Street Italian Market Festival

  9th Street, which is in the heart of south Philadelphia, closes to traffic for a market festival every May. The festival celebrates everything Italian, with mouth-watering Italian food of every description, free concerts, crafts and the Annual Procession of Saints. The festival is hosted by the 9th Street Italian Market, which is the country’s oldest continuously operating open-air market, offering fresh produce and Italian food all year round.

  June – Philly Beer Week

  Dubbed the largest celebration of beer in the U.S., Philly Beer Week is a commemoration of all things beer in the city where brewers have been crafting for more than 300 years. Visitors can sample locally made brews while taking part in beer tours, pub crawls, happy hours, beer-pairing dinners, and other beer-related events at restaurants and bars across the city.

  June – Odunde Festival

  The Odunde Festival is the largest African American street festival in the U.S. The event spans 12 blocks in the city and features live entertainment, vendors, arts-and-crafts, and more. Festivalgoers can also savor the flavors of a variety of authentic African, Caribbean and soul food available.

  July - Wawa Welcome America

  Celebrate America's birthday in the city where it all began. From June 19 through July 4, the Wawa Welcome America festival celebrates Juneteenth and honors the nation’s independence with 16 days of free multicultural and multigenerational family-friendly special activities and events including free concerts, free museum days, community events, free outdoor movie screenings, block parties and plenty of fireworks. The Wawa Welcome America festivities are capped by a free July 4th Concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

  August - 2nd Street Festival

  Every year, thousands cram into the seven-block stretch between Spring Garden and Germantown Avenue for the 2nd Street Festival, which is one of the city’s biggest and best street parties. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re keen on art workshops, beer gardens, food trucks, live music or crafts.

  September - Made in America

  This massive music festival takes place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway over Labor Day weekend. Dozens of top performers from around the world have graced the festival stages, with the likes of Jay Z, Kings of Leon and Pharrell Williams headlining in recent years. Performances run from midday to midnight on both Saturday and Sunday, keeping music-lovers satisfied for the whole weekend.

  September - Fringe Festival

  Fans of experimental theatre shouldn’t miss out on this celebration of thought-provoking performing arts. It runs for several weeks every September and features hundreds of theatre, music, dance and visual arts performances, not only in traditional venues but also on street corners, in restaurants and even sometimes from performers’ cars.

  October - Halloween Nights

  What better time to visit Philadelphia’s eerie Eastern State Penitentiary than over the Halloween season? Halloween Nights takes place in the massive, abandoned prison, which was once considered the most technologically sophisticated prison in the country. The event features over 200 performers and spans six distinct settings in the 11-acre building.

  November - Thanksgiving Parade

  Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Parade is the oldest of its kind in the country. It has been held annually since 1920. The parade features enormous floats, massive balloons, performers, marching bands, dancing troupes and more. Santa even makes an early appearance to usher in the holiday season. For one of the best views of the parade, try heading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art – but get there early!

  December – Philadelphia Christmas Village

  Every year, Philadelphia’s authentic German Christmas market, Philadelphia Christmas Village, features more than 100 local artisans and makers with their hand-crafted goods to sell. Each vendor is set up in a traditional German wooden shopping stall. Family-friendly activities include a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a Kids Train. The Village is always bustling with holiday shoppers enjoying the seasonal festivities and picking up one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs.

• Philadelphia travel advice

  Do you need a visa for Philadelphia?

  Everyone travelling into America must have completed the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, or ESTA for short, a US Customs & Passport Control entry requirement. US Immigration may well refuse you entry at border control if you do not complete the online form.