6 Free Things to Do in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is one of the best-value cities in the country. It has more history per square block than almost anywhere in America, and an amazing amount of it is free. You can spend a full weekend here seeing world-famous sights and pay for nothing but cheesesteaks and coffee.
In this guide
Here are six free things worth your time, plus a few cheap extras.
1. See the Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is in its own glass pavilion on Independence Mall, and seeing it costs nothing. You don’t need a ticket, just a short wait in line and a quick bag check.
The exhibits on the way in tell the story of the bell, from its casting in the 1750s to its famous crack and its adoption by abolitionists in the 1830s. Go first thing in the morning or late afternoon to beat the school groups. If the line is huge, you can see the bell through the glass from outside, though you’ll miss the exhibits.
2. Tour Independence Hall
Across the street is Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both debated and signed. Standing in the Assembly Room, with the chair George Washington sat in, is a genuine goosebumps moment.
Tours are free and led by park rangers. From March through December you need a timed ticket. Some are released the morning of each day at the visitor center, or you can reserve online for a $1 fee. Do that a few days ahead in busy months.
While you’re in the area, walk past Carpenters’ Hall and into Franklin Court, the free courtyard outside the Benjamin Franklin Museum, where a steel frame outlines Franklin’s long-gone house.
3. Walk down Elfreth’s Alley
A few blocks north, Elfreth’s Alley is often called the oldest continuously lived-in residential street in America, dating back to 1703. It’s a narrow cobblestone lane lined with 32 tiny brick houses, with shutters, flower boxes and flags.
People still live here, so be respectful and keep your voice down. The walk takes five minutes, but it’s one of the most charming corners of the city. The small museum in two of the houses charges a few dollars if you want to see inside.
4. Run up the Rocky Steps
You know you want to. The 72 steps up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art are where Sylvester Stallone trained in Rocky, and running up them with your arms in the air is a rite of passage. There’s even a Rocky statue at the bottom for photos. Expect a line on weekends.
The reward at the top is one of the best views in the city, straight down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway toward City Hall. The museum itself charges admission, but it runs pay-what-you-wish times, so check the schedule before you go.
5. Wander through Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market has been running since 1893 in an old train shed downtown. It’s packed with more than 75 stalls selling everything from Amish baked goods to roast pork sandwiches, and walking around it is free (and very good for the soul).
Eating is where your budget comes in, but it’s still the best value food in the city. Try a roast pork with provolone and greens at DiNic’s, a soft pretzel from Miller’s Twist, or a warm doughnut from Beiler’s. Go before noon on a weekday, because the lunch rush is wild.
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6. Go mural hunting
Philadelphia has more public murals than any other city in America, more than 4,000 of them, thanks to the city’s Mural Arts program. They’re everywhere, painted on the sides of houses, shops and warehouses, and they’re all free to see.
Some of the best are in South Philly, Center City and along the Market-Frankford line. Mural Arts publishes free self-guided routes on its website, which is easier than finding them by chance. If you’re in South Philly, the mosaic-covered walls around Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens are worth a look from the street too.
A few cheap extras
Walk along Boathouse Row at dusk, when the old Victorian boathouses on the Schuylkill River light up. It’s free, and it’s one of the city’s best views. Keep going on the Schuylkill River Trail for a long, flat riverside walk or run.
Christ Church Burial Ground charges a small fee, but you can see Benjamin Franklin’s grave through the railings from Arch Street for nothing. People toss pennies on it for luck, a nod to his “a penny saved” line.
And City Hall, the huge building at the center of town with William Penn on top, has an observation deck in its tower. It isn’t free, but it’s cheap for the view you get.
On a nice day, do what locals do and spend an hour in Rittenhouse Square. It’s a leafy, elegant little park surrounded by cafes and old apartment buildings, and it’s the best free people-watching in Philadelphia. In summer, Spruce Street Harbor Park on the Delaware riverfront strings hammocks and colored lights between the trees, and it’s free to hang out there too.
Getting around cheaply
Central Philadelphia is compact, flat and easy to walk. Old City, Center City and the museum area are all within about 30 minutes on foot of each other. For longer trips, SEPTA’s buses and subway are cheap, and the Indego bike share is handy for the river trail.
Skip a rental car. Parking downtown is expensive and you won’t need it.
Common questions
Is the Liberty Bell really free?
Yes. There’s no ticket and no charge, just a security check.
Do I need tickets for Independence Hall?
From March through December, yes, but they’re free. You’ll pay a $1 fee if you book online.
Is the Philadelphia Museum of Art free?
Not usually, but it has pay-what-you-wish times. The steps outside are always free.
How many days do I need in Philadelphia?
Two days is enough for the main historic sights. Three gives you time for the museums and neighborhoods.
Where’s the best cheap cheesesteak?
Everyone has an opinion. Skip the famous Pat’s and Geno’s corner and try a local spot like John’s Roast Pork or Dalessandro’s.
