Planning a fast getaway to the Metropolis of Brotherly Love? Learn on for an in depth take a look at easy methods to spend a weekend in Philadelphia.

Should you’re concerned with American historical past, there’s maybe no higher metropolis to go to than Philadelphia. It was right here that the founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence and created a brand new nation in 1776.

I spent my youthful years residing in Philly with my household and have fond reminiscences of town. I’ve been again a number of occasions through the years and uncover one thing new each time. Now, I’m excited to share some insights into one in all my favourite American cities with you on this submit.

Weekend in Philadelphia: The Excellent 2 Day Itinerary

With 2 days in Philadelphia, you’ll be able to go to a few of crucial historic sights within the nation, watch an expert sports activities sport, peruse public markets, try the wonderful museums, go bar-hopping or stuff your face with cheesesteaks!

For out of doors fans, there’s the scenic Penn’s Touchdown and the huge Fairmont Park. Relying on the time of yr, you’ll be able to get pleasure from mountaineering, kayaking, biking, ice-skating, and extra.

Let’s get to it and see what you’ll be able to rise up to with a weekend in Philadelphia!

Day 1 in Philadelphia

With simply two days in Philadelphia, you’ll wish to get on the market and profit from your quick time. For the primary day, we’ll give attention to town’s wealthy historical past and dabble within the culinary and nightlife scenes.

Relying on what number of Philadelphia points of interest you wish to see, you may wish to think about getting the Sightseeing Go, which incorporates entrance to 35+ points of interest and prices $59. Click on right here for particulars.

Morning

They are saying breakfast is crucial meal of the day, and that’s undoubtedly true when you could have a giant day of exploring a brand new metropolis forward of you!

Breakfast

One place I beneficial for breakfast is FRIEDA, a European-style cafe with a killer weekend brunch menu.

Should you’d fairly simply seize a cup of espresso and one thing mild to start out the day, La Colombe Espresso Roasters and Outdated Metropolis Espresso Inc. are each strong selections.

With a full stomach and a pleasant caffeine buzz, you’re prepared for a giant day in Philly.

Go to Independence Corridor

Begin your journey again in time by visiting Independence Corridor, often known as “America’s birthplace.” You’ll be able to’t miss this place throughout your 2 days in Philadelphia, and it’s a vacation spot I return to many times.

Each the Declaration of Independence and the Structure had been signed on this historic constructing. One might make the case that it’s crucial constructing within the historical past of the United States!

To go to Independence Corridor, you’ll want to leap on a guided tour. These run day by day of the yr besides Christmas from 9 AM-5 PM. They’re completely free in the event you join within the customer’s middle. You can too reserve on-line upfront for a $1 charge.

The corridor is definitely only one a part of a a lot bigger nationwide historic park. There’s tons extra to see right here, together with the well-known Liberty Bell.

This present to the US from Nice Britain arrived manner again in 1752. It cracked, needed to be reformed, after which cracked once more. The bell has remained silent ever since!

Should you’re questioning the place the identify comes from, it’s due to the quote that’s etched into the aspect: “Proclaim Liberty all through the land unto all of the inhabitants thereof.”

For more information on Independence Corridor and all that it provides, try the Nationwide Park Service web site.

Deal with: 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, USA

Afternoon

The way you determine to spend your first afternoon on a weekend in Philadelphia relies upon largely in your pursuits and the climate. Listed below are some solutions:

See Some Museums

Do you have to wish to maintain the historical past lesson rolling and/or expertise inclement climate, there are many museums to select from within the Outdated Metropolis.

• There’s the Nationwide Structure Middle, which is an interactive museum that’s enjoyable and informative for all ages. Tickets price $14.50 and embrace a screening of the inspiring “Freedom Rising.” Head to their web site to learn all concerning the numerous displays.
• One other nice choice within the space is the Benjamin Franklin Museum. Right here you’ll be able to be taught all about one of the crucial influential Individuals by means of 5 totally different rooms, every targeted on a unique character trait of his. Tickets price simply $5 for this wonderful museum!
• There’s additionally the Museum of the American Revolution, which options in-depth displays about this pivotal time within the nation’s historical past. Tickets price $21 and you should purchase them on-line right here. (This museum can also be included within the Sightseeing Go).

Lunch Break

For lunch, consistent with the day’s historic theme, you’ll be able to pop into Metropolis Tavern. Order off their 18th-century impressed menu on this traditional restaurant the place the founding fathers as soon as dined.

Deal with: 138 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA ,19106, USA

Go to Penn’s Touchdown

Stroll a number of blocks to Penn’s Touchdown. Positioned on the Delaware River, that is the place to be on a pleasant summer season day.

Take pleasure in a stroll alongside the tree-lined promenade or exit for some enjoyable on the river. It’s potential to lease kayaks and paddleboats or you’ll be able to simply hop on the ferry over to New Jersey to benefit from the views of the skyline.

Through the summer season months, Penn’s Touchdown often present motion pictures and have concert events. I wouldn’t personally advocate spending 2 days in Philadelphia within the winter, however in the event you do, you’ll be able to go ice skating right here.

Be a part of a Segway Journey

One other enjoyable strategy to see plenty of town in a short while is by hopping on a 2-hour Segway journey. Cruise alongside the river, move by means of historic districts, and discover a little bit of Philly’s Chinatown. Excursions run at 12:30 and three and price $55.

Night

After an enormous day, it’s time to have fun a little bit! It is a beer-loving metropolis, so sampling a number of of the native suds undoubtedly must be in your listing of issues to do throughout 2 days in Philadelphia.

Beer, Brewery and Meals Experiences

On this Philly beer tasting expertise and tour, you’ll get to go to a number of the most original bars within the metropolis. This contains full beers at every place, and snacks.

These concerned with brewing might wish to try this extremely rated brewery expertise. You’ll be taught all concerning the brewing course of and historical past and get to pattern totally different craft beers (beneficiant samples!).

Should you’re extra concerned with a meals tour throughout your weekend in Philly, try this highly-rated meals tour, which incorporates consuming like an area at 5 totally different locations. Come hungry as you’ll do a number of consuming on the two.5-hour tour!

Should you simply wish to do your individual factor, I like to recommend beginning out with a drink on the out of doors Independence Beer Backyard. They’ve a wonderful Completely happy Hour menu in addition to some fairly priced all-you-can-drink packages in the event you’re actually seeking to get together!

For a extra swanky ambiance, there’s the Stratus Rooftop Lounge. Positioned atop the Resort Monaco, that is the place to see and be seen in downtown Philly.

Watch a Skilled Sports activities Recreation

As I discussed within the introduction, it is a metropolis that completely loves sports activities. Philadelphia is house to the Eagles (NFL), 76ers (NBA), Flyers (NHL), and Phillies (MLB), so there’s at all times a sport occurring.

Verify the calendar to see if one of many house groups is enjoying throughout your weekend in Philadelphia! Seeing a significant sporting occasion on this metropolis stuffed with passionate followers is certainly an expertise.

In search of Weekends Away in Different Main US Cities?

Day 2 in Philadelphia

Hopefully you didn’t go too exhausting on evening one, however that’s completely comprehensible in the event you did. Philly is certainly a enjoyable metropolis to go to on the weekends!

Since there’s an excessive amount of to do right here to cram all of it into one weekend, I’ll provide you with a number of totally different choices for easy methods to spend your 2nd day within the metropolis.

Morning

Begin your day with a mixture of historical past and donuts! These are two of my favourite issues to get pleasure from throughout a weekend in Philly.

Go to the Market

An effective way to start out the day is on a visit to Studying Terminal Market. As is the case with so many locations in Philly, there’s plenty of historical past right here.

The market has been working since manner again when in 1893, making it one of many oldest public markets within the nation. It virtually needed to shut down within the ’70s however due to a lift in public funding it was saved.

There are round 80 retailers right here together with a number of bakeries and eating places, so you’ll be able to simply discover one thing for breakfast.

Deal with: 1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

Donuts for Breakfast!

Among the finest locations in Studying Terminal Market is Beiler’s Bakery for his or her delicious donuts.

Should you’re not that into the market however nonetheless need your fill of Homer Simpson’s favourite dish, head to Federal Donuts as a substitute.

For the last word donut expertise, try this superior tour. It’s referred to as the Philadelphia underground donut tour and it’s as enjoyable and scrumptious because it sounds.

Get Some Train (“Rocky” Model)

After you’ve glad your yearning for fried dough, it’s time to work it off with a little bit train — Philly model! One must-do on any weekend in Philadelphia itinerary is operating up the famed “Rocky” steps to the artwork museum.

Get pumped up by placing on “Eye of the Tiger” and doing a little bit of air-boxing after which run up the steps similar to Stallone did within the film. Is it a brilliant touristy factor to do? It certain is. Do you have to nonetheless do it? After all!

Those that are actually into the traditional movie and wish to take it to the subsequent degree can try this Rocky film places tour. You’ll journey to 4 totally different sights that had been used within the collection, together with the Italian Market.

Go to the Artwork Museum

Should you’re going to run up all these stairs, you may as properly go into the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork on the high. It has an enormous assortment and is among the finest artwork museums I’ve ever been to.

Tickets for the museum price $25. Click on right here to e book them on-line earlier than you go. You’ll be able to simply spend the entire day right here so that you’ll have to maneuver rapidly if you wish to see all of the rooms.

Deal with: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, USA

Afternoon

You’ll be hungry once more after climbing all the steps and exploring the museum. Time to seize some lunch.

Lunch Break

No Philadelphia weekend journey could be full with out sampling town’s iconic sandwich — the cheesesteak. There are tons of locations to strive it, however first-timers ought to go check out the unique.

Pat’s King of Steaks claims to be the inventor of the well-known sandwich, which is made with thinly sliced steak and melted cheese on a roll.

American and provolone cheese are each frequent, however the preferred selection is Cheese Wiz. That’s proper, the gooey, cheese-like substance that actually isn’t cheese in any respect. Hey, it’s scrumptious!

Proper throughout the road is their greatest rival, Geno’s. It’s sort of just like the Coney canine problem in my hometown of Detroit. You’ll simply should strive them each and see which one you suppose is finest. Good factor you’ll have 2 days in Philadelphia to strive one on every day.

Discover the Magic Gardens

In spite of everything that meat, cheese, and bread, you may want a stroll. Good factor it’s simply quarter-hour to the subsequent vacation spot on the Philadelphia itinerary, the Magic Gardens.

It’s the brainchild of Isaiah Zagar, an award-winning mosaic mural artist and native Philadelphian. Often called an “immersive blended media artwork surroundings,” it’s a shocking place to go to.

Tickets are simply $10, however you need to seize them on-line upfront because it typically sells out. You can too join this South Philadelphia strolling tour that features a go to right here.

Deal with: 1020 South St, Philadelphia, PA, 19147, USA

Go on a Strolling Tour

These concerned with getting a bit extra out of their weekend in Philadelphia can try this highly-rated Founding Fathers Historic Strolling Tour.

The tour visits lots of the locations I’ve coated to this point and likewise features a beer in an area brewpub. Excursions run at 11:30, 2:30 and 5:30 and price $45.

Night

Except you determine to hitch the strolling tour, wrap up a giant weekend in Philadelphia with a stroll alongside the hip South Avenue.

Wander Round South Avenue

South Avenue It’s the proper place to do a little bit of window procuring and snap images of vibrant avenue artwork.

There are such a lot of selections for eating places alongside South Avenue that it’s sort of overwhelming. Yow will discover delicacies from all around the map right here, from Thailand to Morocco and in all places in between.

South Avenue can also be house to all kinds of bars, from traditional Irish pubs and hookah lounges to hipster bars with names like Tattooed Mother. It’s straightforward to decide on your individual journey and have a enjoyable evening out right here, particularly on the weekend.

Hearken to Dwell Music

Should you had been hoping to squeeze some stay music into your 2 days in Philadelphia, you’ll be able to see what’s enjoying on the Theater of Residing Arts. Another choice is the close by Twisted Tail, which normally has stay blues and likewise has an open jam session on Sunday.

No matter you determine to do, give your self a pat on the again and order up your favourite drink. You’ve earned it for finishing this huge itinerary for a Philadelphia weekend journey!

Insider Suggestions for two Days in Philadelphia

Following this weekend itinerary will assure a great time in Philly. You’ll have a good higher time in the event you observe the following pointers as properly:

Weight loss plan later. Spending a weekend in Philadelphia is finest when it contains the finer issues in life, like cheesesteaks, donuts, and craft beer. Save that food regimen for after your journey and luxuriate in your self. The quinoa will nonetheless be there if you get again.

Stroll or use public transport. Philadelphia is among the most walkable cities within the US. Getting round on foot ensures you are taking within the environment and likewise burn off a few of these energy! You’ll be able to see lots with lengthy walks throughout 2 days in Philadelphia.

When your ft get drained, town has a reasonably strong public transportation system. For only a 2 day journey, you’ll be able to rely totally on the Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop bus, which prices simply $2 per experience.

Skip the winter. I grew up between Detroit and Philly and lived in Beijing, so I’m no stranger to chilly climate. Should you’re touring to town for the primary time and wish to get pleasure from your self, I like to recommend giving winter a tough move. Philly is way more gratifying when you’ll be able to stroll between points of interest and benefit from the riverfront.

Go to a ballgame. I do know I discussed this a number of occasions already nevertheless it’s price repeating — Philly is a sports activities metropolis. It’s a giant a part of the native tradition and one thing you need to expertise, even in the event you’re not an enormous fan.

Drink native. It ought to come as no shock {that a} metropolis that loves its sports activities workforce additionally loves beer. Don’t come to Philly and order a Heineken or a Corona. Go together with the native stuff as a substitute. I like to recommend studying up on the craft beer path earlier than touring there.

Attending to Philadelphia

Most vacationers will arrive on the Philadelphia Worldwide Airport (PHL). It’s situated 7 miles (11 km) from downtown and there are a number of choices for touring there.

By Rail

The regional rail community referred to as SEPTA gives an environment friendly and economical strategy to journey downtown from the airport. It solely takes 25 minutes to get there and trains run each half hour.

A one-way ticket prices $8 in the event you purchase it on board however simply $6.75 in the event you e book upfront.

By Taxi

Taxis are additionally available on the airport. It’s a flat-rate cost of $32 to Middle Metropolis, the place you’ll probably be staying on your weekend in Philadelphia.

Rideshare

Each Uber and Lyft additionally function on the airport and are additionally good choices for getting across the metropolis throughout your 2 days in Philadelphia.

By Prepare or Bus

Should you’re already touring within the US, particularly from different large cities on the East Coast, you’ll be able to simply get to Philly by prepare or bus. Town is a significant hub for Amtrak on the Northeast Hall and Keystone strains.

There are trains coming into Philadelphia from Washington DC and New York each hour through the day, for instance. They arrive on the thirtieth Avenue Station and you may switch to the SEPTA totally free to get to Middle Metropolis.

A number of corporations additionally function bus routes out and in of Philly, together with Greyhound, BoltBus, and Megabus. I solely have expertise with the latter, touring in from Pittsburgh and out to NYC. Tickets may be tremendous low-cost in the event you e book properly upfront.

Finest Locations to Keep for a Weekend in Philadelphia

With only a weekend, you’ll wish to maximize your time spent having fun with town and reduce time spent shifting round. The easiest way to try this is by staying in both the Outdated Metropolis or Middle Metropolis space.

They’re proper subsequent to one another and both one places you in shut proximity to the perfect sights like Independence Corridor and Penn’s Touchdown. It’s additionally tremendous straightforward to come back and go from the airport or prepare station, making your journey days much less traumatic.

Being within the middle of Philadelphia additionally means you’ll be spoiled for selections with regards to procuring, eating, and nightlife. You even have loads of choices for lodging.

Listed below are a number of of the perfect to swimsuit all budgets:

If you wish to be close to the motion however not fairly in the course of it, you’ll be able to look to neighboring areas comparable to Logan Sq. or Society Hill.

FAQs for What to Do with 2 Days in Philadelphia

Listed below are solutions to often requested questions on easy methods to get pleasure from Philadelphia in 2 days.

Now You Know Find out how to Spend a Weekend in Philadelphia

That about does it for an epic weekend in Philadelphia. I hope you get pleasure from your journey to the Metropolis of Brotherly Love a lot that you simply wish to come again. It’s undoubtedly a metropolis you’ll be able to return to many times and at all times uncover one thing new.

I do know, as a result of though I lived in Philadelphia as a baby, on every of my return visits I’ve had a good time and was at all times in a position to uncover new issues. And I’m nonetheless trying ahead to the subsequent time I can spend a weekend in Philly.

As you’ll be able to see, whereas Philly might stay within the very large shadow of New York, it has a lot to supply vacationers! Guide your journey and luxuriate in your 2 days in Philadelphia.

Have you ever been to Philadelphia? Received a fantastic attraction, restaurant, or bar to advocate? Drop a remark under!

Pictures for Philadelphia on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock. 

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