Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting in 2025? What You Need to Know Before You Go

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Wondering if Philadelphia is worth visiting? Keep reading for my honest take (as someone who has been there)!

I first visited Philadelphia many years ago because my partner grew up in the area. I’ve returned many, many times over the years for various lengths of time, all the while returning to my old haunts and scouting out new places. 

I remember being surprised and delighted by the Italian Market on my first visit to Philly, which had streets full of fresh fruits and vegetables on tables on the sidewalk that reminded me of markets I’d seen while abroad. I’ve also had some unforgettable meals, cups of coffee, and cocktails in Philly.

If you’re planning a trip to the East Coast and wondering if Philly is worth visiting, this post is for you. I’ll tell you whether I think you should take the time to visit the City of Brotherly Love, and some tips for making the most of your trip if you decide to go. 

Table of Contents
Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion
About Philadelphia
Top Things To Do in Philly
Where to Stay
Getting Around Philadelphia
FAQs
Conclusion

Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion

If you ask me, Philadelphia is well worth a visit for most travelers. A visit to Philly doesn’t feel like yet another US city – though I usually find something to love about almost everywhere I go. Instead, it unapologetically has its own culture, history, and aesthetic. In fact, if I had to sum up Philadelphians in a word, I might just go for unapologetic. 

You’ll sometimes see people walking around Philly with shirts that say, “No one likes and we don’t care.” Jason Kelce, a Philadelphia Eagles football player, can be seen below leading a crowd in the chant. Notably, the chant actually originated in 1970s England, but I still think it fits Philly pretty well. 

There are other things that are so quintessentially Philly, I can’t help but love them. A classic example is the rivalry between Pat’s and Geno’s, two classic cheesesteak restaurants that share an intersection in South Philly. They’re both open 24 hours, cash only (or charge a separate credit card fee), and have an option to order your cheesesteak with cheese whiz, if you’d like. 

I will say that those very limited on time or funds might prefer to visit New York City or Washington, DC if you only get one chance to visit a US city on the East Coast. While I love Philly, it’s less famous and has fewer culturally significant sites than nearby New York City. For most travelers, though, I’d say it’s well worth a stop!

About Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and is the sixth largest city in the United States. It’s an especially old city, as US cities go – it was founded in 1682 by William Penn. Today, you can see a statue of Penn atop the Philadelphia City Hall. For almost a century, no buildings were allowed to be taller than the brim of the hat on Penn’s statue’s head. 

Philly is also a planned city, one of only 18 planned cities that date back to the Colonial and post-Colonial eras (others were built in later eras). Because it was planned, the city follows a clear grid system. 

One of the most distinctive buildings in the city is the Philadelphia Art Museum. The museum was depicted in the 1976 film “Rocky” that starred Sylvester Stallone as a small-time Philadelphia fighter who gets to fight the world heavyweight champion. Some of the most memorable imagery from the film is Stallone training by running up the steps of the museum.

Just outside of Philadelphia is the Main Line, a collection of towns that make up the historically wealthy and leafy suburbs outside of the city. As the name suggests, they run along the Main Line, a train line that connects Philadelphia to Pittsburgh via the capital city of Harrisburg. You can visit the beautiful 

How Many Days Should You Spend in Philadelphia?

I would recommend that you spend between two and four days exploring Philadelphia, plus a day in the nearby suburbs or green spaces, if possible. Be sure to see some of Philly’s best sights, like the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Delaware River waterfront, the Liberty Bell, and the Italian Market. 

Spend some time wandering around Center City and the Old City. Check out Society Hill, and make a quick stop at The Merrygold Shop, my favorite place to buy little gifts. 

I recommend that you also head up to Fishtown for at least an afternoon. This trendy little outpost has some great restaurants, including Middle Child Clubhouse (get the latkes or the pancakes, depending on when you go), Pizzeria Beddia, and 1-900-ICE-CREAM. You can also find a great book to read at Harriett’s Bookshop on Girard Avenue. 

Personally, I’d also include a day exploring the suburbs outside of Philly. You can take a relaxing walk around Haverford College on the nature trail for a chill afternoon and a little exercise. Or, go shopping at the King of Prussia Mall, a monstrous shopping mall with an REI, luxury stores, and even a Tiffany & Co. I also love to just wander around downtown Ardmore and check out the adorable shops along Lancaster Avenue. 

What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Philadelphia?

The spring is my favorite time to visit Philadelphia, especially in April and May. During these months, the flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up but not yet stiflingly hot, and the evenings are warm and pleasant. The blooming magnolia trees are my absolute favorite – they tend to bloom from March through April and adorn the sidewalks with beautiful, pastel pinks. 

The summers in Philly are hot and humid, but there’s still a lot to love. The long days are great for exploring, the produce is fresh, and if you pack some bug spray you can go walking in Fairmount Park or the Wissahickon Valley Park, Philly’s two largest parks. 

Like most cities, you can also have a nice time visiting during the fall and winter. During the fall, the weather starts to get chilly and you can see brilliant scenes of red leaves next to the row houses of Philly. 

It doesn’t snow much in the winter in Philly, but there are still lots of Christmas decorations and celebrations throughout the city. LOVE Park is home to an annual European style Christmas Market, and the city is adorned in twinkling lights. 

Is Philadelphia Safe?

Philadelphia, like my hometown of Denver, is not a particularly safe city and you should practice caution when you visit. Most neighborhoods in central and South Philly, as well as Fishtown, are safe during the day and early evening, but I would recommend practicing caution or, even better, traveling with a group after dark. Busy streets in the Old City are safe well into the evening, but you should still take care when walking at night or in isolated areas. 

I wrote a separate post all about safety in South Philadelphia, which includes specific recommendations about which parts of the city I consider to be the safest. 

The suburban towns along the Main Line are considered very safe. If you’re a woman traveling alone, you might instead choose to stay in a hotel or Airbnb in the Main Line, then drive or take the train into the city during the day. I would particularly recommend this option to people who are less comfortable navigating large cities alone. 

10 Top Things To Do in Philadelphia

So, how do you make the most of your visit to Philadelphia? Here are some of my favorite things to do in the City of Brotherly Love, along with a few bucket list items like visiting LOVE Park and eating a Philly Cheesesteak. 

1. Visit the Italian Market

One of my favorite places in Philly to visit is the Italian Market, a partially covered market that runs along 9th Street from Wharton Street to Fitzwater Street. This historical market dates back to the late 19th century, when Italian immigrants started to sell fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, cheeses, and meats on the sidewalk. 

Be sure to visit my two favorite shops in the Italian Market: Talluto’s for olives and other Italian treats and Di Bruno Bros. for cheeses. 

Just across the street from the entrance to the Italian Market is Isgro’s, a locally famous Italian bakery in Philadelphia. During holidays like Christmas or Easter, it’s common to see long lines that stretch out onto the sidewalk. My favorite thing to order is a ricotta cannoli, which is never too sweet and always has a delightfully crispy shell. I’ve been told that the shell is made with red wine, which creates its distinctive color and texture. 

2. Try a Local Coffee Roaster

Philadelphia has a remarkable coffee scene; as a self-proclaimed coffee snob, it’s one of my favorite places in the world to sip a cortado. I can’t visit Philly without at least one stop at the Elixr on Sydenham Street. 

The staff is decidedly unfriendly, but I can look past it for a cortado and breakfast sandwich at Function. For best results, bring your own chili flakes or hot sauce to spice it up a little. The cafe space at Function may be small, but they added plenty of little artworks and touches to make it feel homey. 

Ox Coffee on 3rd Street is another favorite, with some of the best espresso in the city. You can grab a bag of their beans while you’re there if you want to bring some essential Philly coffee home with you. 

Friends and family have also told me that they love Rally Coffee and Thank You Thank You – both of which I also enjoyed. 

3. Try some Amish goods at Reading Terminal Market

Pennsylvania has a large Amish population, and one of the best ways to visit is by driving out to Lancaster County. My favorite town in Lancaster County was Intersex, Pennsylvania, where they have a very cute little market and lots of shops. 

For a quick visit within Philadelphia, however, just go to the very central and bustling Reading Terminal Market. Not only are there adorable stands with local treats all through the market, the entire place is bright and colorful. 

Be sure to try an Amish pretzel, which is a soft pretzel made with plenty of butter. Homemade jams, pickled vegetables of all varieties, lemonades, and sauces are also on offer.

4. Sample a Few Restaurants

There’s really no need to sugarcoat it: Philadelphia has some excellent restaurants. When I think of Philadelphia, I picture a plate of french toast with whipped cream and berries from Fitzwater Cafe. I’m also obsessed with the greens and calabrian chili cream pizza from Pizzeria Beddia in Fishtown, for which I recommend you make a reservation. 

Neighborhood Ramen has some of the best vegetarian ramen I’ve ever tried, second only to the late Iza Ramen in San Francisco (iykyk). K’Far Cafe Philadelphia is also an incredible bakery with delicious salads, pecan rolls, cookies, and bagels. On a recent trip, I fell head over heels for 1-900-ICE-CREAM’s vanilla soft serve cone dipped in dark chocolate. 

Bánh Mì and Bottles is yet another favorite, with creatives plays on the classic bánh mí sandwich. Finally, the locally famous Sabrina’s Cafe is well worth a stop for brunch while you’re in Philly, both for the food and the vibes. 

5. Try a Philly Cheesesteak

Meat eaters should make time to try a Philly Cheesesteak while in Philly. The two most famous restaurants are Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks – known locally as Pat’s and Geno’s. In classic Philly fashion, these two restaurants are situated facing each other at the base of the Italian Market and are both open 24 hours. 

Pat’s King of Steaks is still owned by the legendary Olivieri family, who claim to have invented the cheesesteak sandwich in 1930. The iconic shop leans heavily into Americana nostalgia, with old timey fonts in a classic shade of Coca-Cola-esque red. For the “cheese” part of the cheesesteak, you’ll have to make a classic (but unexpected, to me) choice between American cheese, cheese whiz, or provolone. 

Since Pat’s and Geno’s are right next to each other, you can easily make a small event out of it and try both to decide for yourself which is superior. I’m a longtime vegetarian, so I can’t tell you which one is better – but a good friend loves the cheesesteak from Angelo’s with fried onions and cheddar cheese. 

6. Check Out the Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell is one of the most iconic images in American history and culture. It has symbolized the abolitionist, women’s suffrage, and Civil Rights movements throughout history. All of these movements made reference to the bell’s famous inscription, “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof.”

If you’re still not convinced, I should also mention that it’s free to visit, there are public bathrooms, and the building is climate controlled. Why not stop by?

Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and ratified, is just across the street. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a central building in American history. If you decide to visit, tickets are only $1, but they sell out quickly and must be reserved in advance. 

7. Pose on the Infamous Steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum

The Philadelphia Art Museum is an imposing landmark that’s probably best known from the 1976 Rocky film. In the film, the protagonist, Rocky, trains by running up the 72 stone steps of the Art Museum – they’ve since come to be known as the “Rocky Steps.” Grab a photo with the Rocky statue or anywhere on the steps before you go. 

The interior of Philadelphia Art Museum is also worthy of a stop on your Philly itinerary. The large museum features collections of local artists, as well as visiting collections that change from time to time. 

On the first Sunday of the month, the museum has a pay-what-you-wish admission policy, so you can visit for far less than the standard $30 admission ticket for adults. Youth under 18 are always able to visit for free. 

8. Walk Along the Philadelphia Waterfront

On a nice day, one of the nicest things to do is walk along the waterfront of the Delaware River facing towards New Jersey. Start your walk at Penn’s Landing, where there’s a great view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge into New Jersey. Make a stop at Spruce Street Harbor Park, home to food vendors and events throughout the summer. Check the current schedule here. 

I recommend a stop at the Moshulu, a boat that is docked right along the waterfront. It’s a popular local wedding venue, unique bar, and has beautiful decks that you can explore if you visit. When I visited, the bartender was friendly and even gave me a personal tour of the boat, along with a few little historical facts. 

9. Admire the Street Art on South Street

I love to stroll down South Street when I’m in Philly – it’s home to famous spots like Jim’s, a locally famous cheesesteak restaurant and Lorenzo’s where you can find a NY style slice of pizza. 

But the best part, for me at least, of South Street is the street art. Muralist Isaiah Zagar has been creating mosaics in Philly since the 1960s. Hein has a distinctive style using mirrors, tiles, and sometimes other items like bike tires or glass bottles. You can find Zagar murals all along South Street, with a few in other parts of Philly. 

To see the largest collection of Zagar’s work, make a stop at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Tickets are $15 for adults as of this writing for a self-guided visit, or $25 for a guided tour at 10am on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Reserve tickets ahead of time if you know you want to see the Magic Gardens while in Philly. 

10. Snap a Selfie in LOVE Park

One of the most iconic photo spots in Philadelphia is LOVE Park, or the John F. Kennedy Plaza, set just northwest of City Hall. The park is famous for the LOVE sign, which was designed by the famous pop artist Robert Indiana (1928 to 2018). In the summer, there’s a splash park/water fountain for kids to run through. 

During December, LOVE Park is home to a Christmas Market with colorful lights, artisan vendors, and an ice rink for wintery ice skating. 

Where to Stay in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the type of city where I would suggest checking Airbnb and Booking.com for individual apartment rentals, which will tend to be a better deal and cheaper than hotels. If you have a car, you can also consider staying in the suburbs along the Main Line and driving into the city to explore. 

That said, there are also some great hotels in the city that are perfect for a visit to Philadelphia. 

📍 Top Budget Pick: Apple Hostels of Philadelphia offers affordable dorm beds in the Old City area of Philly, just a short walk from the waterfront and only a short walk from the Liberty Bell. Keep in mind that this is a hostel, not a hotel, so there are shared spaces like a kitchen and game room.
📍 Top Mid Range Pick: The Philadelphia Hotel Bella Vista is set in the Bella Vista neighborhood, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Philly and walking distance from several wonderful local restaurants. The hotel is tastefully decorated with antique touches, European artwork, and great use of color in every room.
📍 Top Luxury Pick: Fitler Club is a new hotel set near the Schuylkill River, just off of Market Street. The hotel is sleek, modern, and nicely appointed with an indoor pool, sauna, and hot tub. There’s an onsite restaurant that serves American food, with options to accommodate guests with dietary restrictions. 

Getting Around Philadelphia

Depending on the length of your trip and the types of activities that you plan to do, you may well want to rent a car when visiting Philadelphia. If you decide to stay somewhere central, like in the Old City or near the Marina Market, you’ll be able to walk around and won’t need to drive. 

On the other hand, if you want to go to Fishtown, see the suburbs, or visit the beach during your visit, a car will prove very helpful. Parking in central areas can be tough, but there are free parking spots in South Philly that you can take advantage of – just read the street signs carefully. 

Don’t try your luck when parking in Philly. There was actually a TV show called Parking Wars that ran from 2008 to 2012 that followed Philadelphia Parking Authority officers as they issued parking tickets throughout the city. I’ve also heard that the city will sometimes do “courtesy tows” where they move your car without warning to accommodate road work or similar public works. 

When you’re not driving or walking, you can rely on rideshares and some public transit to get around. I wouldn’t recommend that tourists take local SEPTA buses or trams, which have been plagued with crime in recent years, but the regional trains are fine. 

FAQs: Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting?

Still wondering if Philadelphia is worth visiting? Here are some answers to the top queries from other travelers. 

Is Philadelphia Walkable?

As far as US cities go, Philadelphia is very walkable. You can easily walk in South Philly, where most streets have sidewalks, ample cross walks, and plenty of cute shops that you can pop into whenever one catches your eye. Note that parts of Philly are not safe to walk in, especially if you’re not familiar with the city – so stick to central and southern parts of the city and avoid quieter streets. 

Is Philadelphia Expensive?

Philadelphia is a more affordable city to visit than New York City, to which it is often compared, but it’s not particularly cheap. Hotels, restaurants, and bars are all considerable expenses that you’ll encounter when you go to visit Philadelphia. Additionally, you’ll probably need to rent a car, which adds to the overall cost. 

Compared to other US cities, I would say that a trip to Philadelphia is on the higher end of average. 

Is Philadelphia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Philadelphia is reasonably safe for solo female travelers, but I would personally choose to stay in the Main Line and drive into the city if I were traveling alone. Although most of Central and South Philly are perfectly safe during the day, Philly has some dangerous neighborhoods that are best avoided, especially if you’re not familiar with the area. The Main Line is Philly’s suburban area and includes a collection of small towns that are connected to Center City by a train line. 

Are There Sandy Beaches Near Philadelphia?

There may not be a sandy beach in Philadelphia, but one of the great things about this city is its proximity to the beaches in nearby New Jersey. The Jersey Shore is a little over an hour from Center City Philadelphia. My favorite stretch of beach on the Jersey Shore is Cape May, a 90 minute drive from Philly. 

Conclusion: Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting?

Philadelphia is a city that’s brimming with character, with fabulous restaurants, a bustling coffee scene, and lots of public spaces – especially for a US city. In my view, it’s absolutely worth a visit, especially if you’re interested in US history. 

Not only is Philly a beautiful city to visit, it has a unique culture that’s distinct from anywhere else I’ve visited in the US. Also, Philly people LOVE Philly – which I find completely infectious. I’ve never seen a city with so much pride. 

The only reason I might suggest that you give Philly a pass is if you only have one chance to visit a US city. Depending on who you are and what you like to see when you travel, you may prefer a visit to New York City or Washington, DC. But for most people who live in the US, I’d say that Philly is absolutely worth seeing!