Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
The 3-day plan, rearranged for 5 days: every place stays and a few more are added, and each day keeps to one part of town.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How much walking? On foot, about 0.5 to 1.8 miles a day, and 4.1 miles by car or transit in all across 5 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
An Episcopal church in the Old City, founded in 1695 as a parish of the Church of England, where in 1785 its rector William White became the first Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
Go when Morning, outside the hours of services.
Local tip A parish founded in 1695 in the Old City. It is a working church, so stay quiet, cover your shoulders if you wish to be respectful, and check ahead on visiting.
A narrow street of 32 houses built between 1703 and 1836, a National Historic Landmark in the Old City. People live here, so keep your voice low, do not lean on the doors, and look at the fronts from the street.
Go when Afternoon, when the light runs down the brick.
Local tip It is a street where people live, so look from the street, keep your voice low and do not block a door. The small museum at number 124 and 126 is the one house open to visitors, so check ahead.
A museum of the story of the American Revolution, opened in 2017 on South Third Street, close to the sites in the historic park.
Go when Afternoon, as an indoor stop.
Local tip Opened in 2017, it tells the story of the American Revolution close to where it unfolded. Allow time for the rooms in order, and check ahead on tickets.
A house in the Old City said to be where the upholsterer Betsy Ross lived when she sewed the first American flag, a tradition rather than a proven fact.
Go when Afternoon, near the alley.
Local tip The house is said to be where Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. The story is a tradition, so read the panels with that in mind, and check ahead on the opening.
A peppery tripe and vegetable soup that is said to date to the Revolutionary era, followed by a plain supper of the day in an Old City pub.
Local tip Order a small bowl first, since it is rich and spicy.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
The brick hall where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and adopted. Finished in 1753, it is a World Heritage Site. Entry is on a timed ticket and the grounds have security, so check ahead before you go.
Go when At your ticket time, so plan the rest of the day around it.
Local tip Entry is timed, so check ahead and book if you can. Stand in the Assembly Room and picture the debates. The grounds have security, so bring only a small bag.
The bell was commissioned in 1752 for the State House, now Independence Hall, and today hangs in its own center across the street. Abolitionists were the first to call it the Liberty Bell. Check ahead on entry and security.
Go when Late morning, once you have your hall ticket sorted.
Local tip Read the lettering around the top of the bell and the panels along the way in. There is security at the door, so keep your bag small, and check ahead on entry.
An interactive museum on Independence Mall devoted to the study of the Constitution, opened on July 4, 2003, a short walk from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
Go when Midday, as an indoor stop.
Local tip An interactive museum on Independence Mall about the Constitution. Pair it with Independence Hall if you want the story in both places, and check ahead on tickets and security.
A folk art environment and gallery on South Street, made by the mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar over three city lots, with indoor galleries and an outdoor labyrinth of tile, mirror and bike wheels.
Go when Afternoon, as a slow, colorful stop.
Local tip A mosaic world on South Street made by Isaiah Zagar from tile, mirror, bike wheels and china. Look at the small pieces up close, and check ahead on tickets.
Pasta in a South Philadelphia red sauce, called gravy, then a cup of water ice, a smooth, sweet, fruit-flavored frozen dessert.
Local tip Order the water ice in a flavor you know, such as lemon, and eat it with a small spoon.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
An enclosed public market hall at 12th and Arch Streets, opened in 1893 under the train shed of the old Reading Railroad. Wander the aisles at your own pace, look at the stalls, and have a small taste of something as you go.
Go when Morning, as the market wakes up.
Local tip Walk one full lap before you buy anything, then go back to what caught your eye. It is a covered hall, so it works in any weather, and it gets busy at midday.
The seat of the city government, in the ornate Second Empire style, with a courtyard you can walk into and a tower topped by a statue of William Penn.
Go when Midday, from the courtyard.
Local tip A big building in the Second Empire style that houses the city government. Walk into the courtyard and look up at the tower, and check ahead on whether visitors may go in.
Slow roasted pork piled on a long roll with bitter greens and sharp provolone, a Philadelphia sandwich that is not the cheesesteak.
Local tip Ask for the greens, which make it, and eat it with a napkin to hand.
A medical history museum run by the College of Physicians, founded in 1858, with anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models and old instruments. It includes human remains and some visitors find it hard, so check ahead on its guidance.
Go when Afternoon, as an indoor stop.
Local tip The rooms hold specimens and human remains, and some people find it upsetting. Take your time, and check ahead on its guidance for young visitors.
One of the five public squares planned by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme in the late 1600s. Benches, old trees and flower beds, a calm place to sit and watch the city after a day of museums.
Go when Late afternoon into evening (about 7:09 PM), when the benches fill.
Local tip Take a bench under the old trees and watch the dogs and the chess players. The streets around the square have cafes and shops if you want a snack to take to your seat.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
An art collection founded in 1922 by Albert C. Barnes and moved in 2012 to a building on the Parkway. The paintings hang in tight groupings, as he arranged them. Check ahead on entry times and tickets.
Go when Morning, as an indoor stop.
Local tip The paintings hang in groups the founder arranged, with metalwork and furniture among them. Look at the group as a whole before you read a label. Check ahead on entry times.
A former prison in the Fairmount section, in use from 1829 to 1971, with cell blocks in a wagon wheel plan. Much of it is a ruin, open to the weather, with uneven floors and some stairs. It was a place of hard lives, so take it quietly.
Go when Morning, while the stone is cool.
Local tip Much of it is open to the weather, with uneven floors and stairs, so wear solid shoes and a layer. It is a place of hard lives, so take it quietly. Check ahead on tickets and on special events.
Thin sliced beef griddled with onions on a long roll, with melted cheese. Order it the local way: by the cheese, then with or without onions.
Local tip Say the cheese and the onions in one breath, and keep the napkins close.
A science museum founded in 1824 and named for Benjamin Franklin, with a national memorial to him inside. Hands-on rooms suit children and anyone who likes to press a button. Check ahead on tickets and on which exhibits are open.
Go when Midday, as an indoor stop.
Local tip A hands-on museum that suits children and curious adults. Choose the rooms that catch your eye rather than trying to see them all, and check ahead on tickets and what is open.
The 72 stone steps to the east entrance of the art museum, named for the 1976 film Rocky. Climb them, then turn around for the view down the Parkway to City Hall. Take your photo and let the next person have the spot.
Go when Afternoon (about 7:09 PM), when the sun is behind you.
Local tip It is 72 steps, with a landing near the top. Run them if you like, then turn around for the view down the Parkway to City Hall. Let others take their turn for a photo.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
The historic name for the city park system, in two sections on either side of the Schuylkill River, with trails, old trees and houses. Choose one part to walk.
Go when Morning or late afternoon (about 7:09 PM), in the shade of the trees.
Local tip The park is two sections on either side of the Schuylkill River, so choose one part rather than the whole. Wear walking shoes, take water, and check ahead on which buildings are open.
The art museum on the hill at the northwest end of the Parkway, in a building finished in 1928, with more than 240,000 objects. Pick a few rooms rather than trying to see them all, and check ahead on entry.
Go when Midday, as an indoor stop.
Local tip With more than 240,000 objects you cannot see it all, so choose three or four rooms and go slowly. The main entrance is up the steps and there are other doors, so check ahead on which is open.
The old waterworks on the river below the museum, designed in 1812 and finished in 1815, in use until 1909 and now a National Historic Landmark with an interpretive center. Walk the terraces and the river path past the boathouses.
Go when Late afternoon (about 7:09 PM), on the river terraces.
Local tip Walk the terraces and the river path, and look north to Boathouse Row. The interpretive center explains how the waterworks supplied the city, so check ahead on its opening.
A row of fifteen boathouses on the east bank of the Schuylkill River, just north of the old waterworks, home to rowing clubs and their racing shells.
Go when Late afternoon (about 7:09 PM), from the river path.
Local tip Fifteen boathouses line the east bank of the river, each with its own history. Walk the path beside them and look back at the old waterworks. Look for rowers on the water.
A long Italian roll with cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, tomato and oil, the Philadelphia sandwich of the same family as the sub. Take it to the terraces.
Local tip Order it wrapped and eat it by the river, where the benches face the boathouses.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, April to May and September to October are the most comfortable months for walking around Philadelphia. This plan is built for september to October, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 5 days in Philadelphia, planned for september to October. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
On foot, about 0.5 to 1.8 miles a day, and 4.1 miles by car or transit in all across 5 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
3 days of Victorian streets, lighthouses and beach timeAbout 70 miles awayAn easy add-on
4 days in New York CityAbout 80 miles away
3 days of slow beach time on the Delaware shoreAbout 90 miles awayMore Culture & Discovery trips ›More trips in United States ›
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated November 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
On the trip, Archie keeps your days, your map and your bookings in one place, and keeps it handy when you have no signal.
Already made this plan yours? Sign in with the same email and it is there.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
