Photo: King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 3.0
7 Days · in Philadelphia
Seven Days in Philadelphia: The Complete City Itinerary
A full week lets you experience Philadelphia the way residents do, blending marquee sights with slower neighborhood days. The first five days cover the historic district, the Parkway museums, South Philadelphia, University City, and Fairmount Park along the Schuylkill. Days six and seven then reach the creative energy of Fishtown and Northern Liberties, the food and history of Chinatown, Reading Terminal traditions, and the civic heart around City Hall. You'll eat across the city's signature traditions, cheesesteaks, roast pork sandwiches, soft pretzels, and dumplings, and see its art, architecture, and green spaces. Each day stays geographically tight, so a week feels immersive rather than exhausting.
Day 01
The Historic District & Old City
Independence sites, Old City's cobblestone streets, and a first cheesesteak.
Morning
Liberty Bell & Independence Hall
Start at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where independence was declared and the Constitution framed, the perfect orientation to historic Philadelphia.
Late Morning
Museum of the American Revolution
Spend two hours with immersive galleries and Washington's actual field tent, right beside Independence Mall.
Lunch
Old City lunch
Lunch at a cafe or beer garden in Old City's cobblestone blocks, moments from the afternoon's sights.
Afternoon
Elfreth's Alley & Betsy Ross House
Wander the nation's oldest continuously inhabited residential street, then visit the Betsy Ross House nearby.
Late Afternoon
National Constitution Center
Explore this interactive museum's Signers' Hall and We the People exhibits on Independence Mall.
Evening
Cheesesteak dinner
Close with a classic Philadelphia cheesesteak, choosing wiz or provolone, and toasting your first day.
Day 02
The Parkway Museums District
Parkway museums, from the art museum to the Barnes and the Franklin Institute.
Morning
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Climb the Rocky Steps and spend the morning with the arms and armor, Impressionists, and period rooms.
Late Morning
Rodin Museum
Walk down the Parkway to the largest Rodin collection outside Paris, including The Thinker at the gate.
Lunch
Logan Square & Swann Fountain
Lunch near Logan Square beside the Swann Memorial Fountain, one of the Parkway's grandest landmarks.
Afternoon
The Barnes Foundation
Spend the afternoon with the Barnes's astonishing Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works in their distinctive ensembles.
Late Afternoon
The Franklin Institute
Explore hands-on science, the giant walk-through heart, and the Fels Planetarium at this beloved museum.
Evening
Fairmount dinner
Dine in the Fairmount neighborhood, with everything from gastropubs to modern American along Fairmount Avenue.
Day 03
South Philadelphia & the Italian Market
Italian Market, mosaic gardens, cheesesteaks, and East Passyunk dining.
Morning
9th Street Italian Market
Start in South Philly at the historic Italian Market, the oldest continuously operating outdoor market in the country.
Late Morning
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Walk to South Street to see Isaiah Zagar's sprawling mosaic labyrinth of tile, mirror, and folk art.
Lunch
South Philly cheesesteaks
Settle the Pat's versus Geno's debate at the famous cheesesteak corner of 9th and Passyunk, or find a quieter favorite.
Afternoon
East Passyunk Avenue
Browse the boutiques, record shops, and cafes along the diagonal stretch of East Passyunk.
Late Afternoon
Singing Fountain & Passyunk browsing
Rest by the Singing Fountain and enjoy the tree-lined avenue at an unhurried pace.
Evening
East Passyunk BYOB dinner
Book dinner at one of East Passyunk's acclaimed BYOB restaurants, a highlight of the city's dining scene.
Evening
Water ice nightcap
End with a cup of Italian water ice or a cannoli from a corner spot, a longtime South Philly tradition.
Day 04
University City & West Philadelphia
A world archaeology museum, the Penn campus, and a historic botanic garden.
Morning
Penn Museum
Explore the Penn Museum's Egyptian sphinx, Middle Eastern galleries, and world archaeology at this University City landmark.
Lunch
University City cafes
Lunch near Penn and Drexel among student cafes and global spots around 40th and Walnut.
Afternoon
University of Pennsylvania campus
Wander Locust Walk and the Ivy League quads through the heart of the Penn campus.
Late Afternoon
Fisher Fine Arts Library
Tour Frank Furness's ornate red-brick masterpiece to see its soaring reading room and inventive detailing; check hours ahead.
Evening
Bartram's Garden
Walk the grounds of Bartram's Garden, the oldest surviving botanic garden in North America, along the Schuylkill.
Evening
Baltimore Avenue dinner
Dine along Baltimore Avenue's diverse strip of West Philadelphia restaurants before heading back.
Day 05
Fairmount Park & the Schuylkill
Boathouse Row, America's first zoo, a Japanese garden, and Manayunk.
Morning
Boathouse Row & Kelly Drive
Start along the Schuylkill at Boathouse Row, then follow Kelly Drive's riverside trail beneath the historic rowing clubs.
Lunch
Fairmount eats
Lunch in the Fairmount neighborhood at a casual cafe before heading deeper into the park.
Afternoon
Philadelphia Zoo
Visit America's first zoo, home to big cats, primates, and the elevated Zoo360 animal trails.
Late Afternoon
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
Tour the serene Shofuso house and koi garden tucked into West Fairmount Park.
Evening
Manayunk Main Street
Head up to Manayunk to browse the shops and canal towpath along Main Street.
Evening
Manayunk dinner
Dine along Manayunk's riverside Main Street, with patios overlooking the Schuylkill.
Day 06
Fishtown & Northern Liberties
Riverfront history, Fishtown murals and galleries, and Northern Liberties dining.
Morning
Penn Treaty Park
Start at Penn Treaty Park on the Delaware, where William Penn is said to have made his treaty with the Lenape.
Late Morning
Frankford Avenue murals
Walk Fishtown's Frankford Avenue arts corridor past galleries, boutiques, and Mural Arts works.
Lunch
Fishtown lunch
Enjoy lunch at one of Fishtown's buzzing cafes or a wood-fired spot along Girard Avenue.
Afternoon
Northern Liberties & Liberty Lands
Wander into Northern Liberties, resting at the community-built Liberty Lands park among the rowhouses.
Evening
Frankford Avenue dining
Return to Fishtown for dinner at one of its celebrated restaurants, from Levantine to modern American.
Evening
Johnny Brenda's nightcap
End with live music or a drink at Johnny Brenda's, an anchor of Fishtown's music scene.
Day 07
Chinatown, City Hall & Farewell
Dumplings and history in Chinatown, City Hall, plus flexible time for favorites.
Morning
Chinatown & the Friendship Gate
Explore Chinatown's colorful Friendship Gate and its bustling blocks just north of Market Street.
Late Morning
Chinatown shops
Browse the bakeries, tea shops, and grocers along 10th and Race Streets at your own pace.
Lunch
Dim sum or dumplings
Feast on dim sum or hand-pulled noodles at one of Chinatown's many acclaimed restaurants.
Afternoon
Philadelphia City Hall
Ride to the observation deck beneath the William Penn statue atop the world's tallest free-standing masonry building.
Late Afternoon
Dilworth Park & Rittenhouse Square
Relax at Dilworth Park, with its seasonal ice rink and fountains, then stroll to leafy Rittenhouse Square.
Evening
Farewell dinner downtown
End the week with a favorite Philadelphia meal, a roast pork sandwich, a cheesesteak, or a Center City steakhouse, before departing.