Philadelphia holidays

America’s Birthplace, The Cradle of Liberty — Pennsylvania’s largest city preserves its legacies with pride. Far from resting on its historic laurels, Philly’s reputation for revolution continues in its forward-looking food scene, innovative galleries and passionate sports culture. Get started on your own ‘pursuit of happiness’ on a holiday to Philadelphia, a city that never stops declaring its independent spirit.

Philadelphia holiday highlights

Rob Rabena Visit Philly

American heritage

Philadelphia’s historic monuments are the city’s biggest draw, and the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are just two of its most notable sites. The best way to see them and dive into the nation’s history is to visit Independence National Historical Park. You’ll find museums, churches and cemeteries here too, many of which offer free admission.

Sporting life

Philadelphians are united by their love of sports, whether they’re cheering for the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers or Flyers. Murals downtown celebrate big wins and famous players. Time your flights and hotels to Philadelphia to catch a live game at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. Or watch the action unfold at one of the city’s many sports bars.

Cultural diversity

Philadelphia is a patchwork of neighbourhoods that reflect the city’s rich immigrant cultures. Walk through the Chinatown Friendship Gate to discover Asian eateries, and visit the Italian Market’s stalls and gourmet shops. With Latin American culture in El Centro de Oro and the city’s best pierogi in Little Richmond, a holiday to Philadelphia means a tour around the world.

Philadelphia: Know before you go

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

UTC-5 (EST) and UTC-4 (EDT)

High season

June – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Philadelphia

Weather in Philadelphia

March – May: Philly’s spring weather is unpredictable. It can snow in March and April, or it can be warm and sunny for days at a time. Pack layers.

June – August: Summers are hot and humid with occasional heat waves. Average highs reach 30°C. Expect late afternoon thunderstorms, even on sunny days.

September – November: By late September, the weather is full of warm, dry days and crisp nights. This is the best time to see the autumn foliage along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

December – February: Winter weather is cold and snowy. Savour the season with ice skating at Dilworth Park, or duck inside a museum to warm up.

Events in Philadelphia

Mummers Parade (January): Ring in the new year with costumed groups marching through the streets. Slapstick humour, dancing and musical numbers entertain the crowds.

Philadelphia Flower Show (March): Enjoy colourful blooms at one of the country’s largest flower shows. Every year, a new theme inspires designers to create incredible floral displays at the Philadelphia Convention Center.

Dad Vail Regatta (May): Crowds gather along the banks of the Cooper River to cheer on rowers from over 100 North American colleges and universities at this annual race.

Wawa Welcome America Festival (June to July): Celebrate American independence from Juneteenth (19 June) to the Fourth of July. The festivities include concerts, parades and an epic fireworks display.

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The best neighbourhoods in Philadelphia

Old City

The Old City invites you to step back in time with its cobblestone streets and 18th-century buildings. Walk in the Founding Fathers’ steps through Independence National Historical Park and enjoy views of Benjamin Franklin Bridge from Cherry Street Pier. With galleries, bars and shopping along Second and Third streets, it’s the best neighbourhood to stay in Philadelphia for first-time visitors.

Good for: Historic monuments, museums, boutique shopping

Fishtown

Once home to the city’s fishing industry, Fishtown is now the place to find some of Philadelphia’s best art, food and craft beer. Murals and vintage shops line its streets and the Crane Arts Building’s galleries always have something new to see. When you need a rest from exploring, find a bench in Penn Treaty Park overlooking the Delaware River.

Good for: Craft beer, street art, vintage shops

University City

Don’t let the name fool you — there’s far more to this neighbourhood than lecture halls and student bars. Home to the University of Pennsylvania campus, the Penn Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art, University City is one of the best areas to stay in Philadelphia for art, culture and skyline views from Penn Park.

Good for: Museums, art galleries, city views

Things to do in Philadelphia

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Places to eat

Philadelphia’s dining scene regularly tops nationwide ‘best of’ lists, offering everything from Michelin-starred eats to world-class street food. Expect long queues outside Pat’s King of Steaks, the birthplace of the iconic Philly cheesesteak. And if you’re hungry for bites in a historic setting, don’t miss the locally owned food stalls at Reading Terminal Market, dating back to 1893.

Take in the culture

You could spend your entire visit to Philly exploring just its museums. But if time is limited, make the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of the American Revolution top priorities. The Barnes Foundation is great for art lovers too. Discover a quirkier side of the city at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, the largest work by mosaic artist Isaiah Zaga.

Free things to do

You’ll find free admission to many of the Independence National Historical Park’s monuments and plenty of public art around the city. Download the Mural Mile Maps for self-guided walking tours of the street art. If you’re a film fanatic, race up the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps to pose with the statue of Rocky Balboa.

Shopping

Chestnut Hill and Germantown’s cobblestone streets offer a picturesque day of shopping in independent, family-owned boutiques. Baltimore Avenue is a great spot to pick up vintage furniture and records. Prefer to shop for your favourite brands? The King of Prussia Mall is one of the largest in the country.

Nightlife

You’ll always find a party atmosphere on South Street, known as the ‘Hippest Street in Town’ for its quirky bars. And if you’re after the city’s best breweries, look no further than Fishtown. Feel like splurging? Rittenhouse Square’s elegant cocktail lounges and rooftop bars offer a taste of the Philly highlife.

Beaches

Philadelphia’s closest beaches line the Jersey Shore, just over an hour away by car. Sea Isle offers great conditions for swimming, kayaking and kitesurfing. If you’re looking to catch some waves, Ocean City is a prime surf spot. Many of the Jersey Shore’s beaches have an admission fee but The Wildwoods is free, just under a two-hour drive away.

Plan your holiday to Philadelphia

Budget

With cute neighbourhoods to wander and loads of free attractions to visit, planning a cheap holiday to Philadelphia is half the fun. Try an iconic Philly cheesesteak for as little as ten US dollars ($). Or dine at an inexpensive restaurant for around $19. Grab a beer for about $6. Yuengling, brewed in nearby Pottsville, is a local favourite.

Day trips from Philadelphia

Along the Delaware River, charming New Hope boasts some of the region’s best antique shopping. Go apple picking, or catch a show at the famous Bucks County Playhouse, where stars like John Lithgow and Liza Minelli have performed. Food lovers can enjoy Amish treats in Lancaster or visit the Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square.

Getting around Philadelphia

Philadelphia is one of the most walkable cities in the US thanks to its simple grid layout. It also has a great transit system of trains, trolleys, subways and buses. A convenient way to see the city’s top sites is the seasonal Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop. You can buy daily passes online or at visitor centres.

FAQs about Philadelphia holidays

Whether you're interested in history, culture, or anything in between, there are loads of things to do in Philadelphia. Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are just a taste of what awaits in this holiday-worthy destination.
English is the language you're most likely to hear. Learn a few local expressions or greetings during your city break in Philadelphia and you'll fit in perfectly.
Overall, Philadelphia is a safe city to visit, especially within the central tourist-friendly areas. As in most major cities, petty crimes and pickpocketing can occur in crowded places. Stay aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings close by and you should have a worry-free holiday in Philadelphia.
Your city break in Philadelphia can differ in price based on anything from your travel dates to where you stay. To find the best deals on Philadelphia flights and hotels, stay flexible with your plans and look out for sales and discounts.
The warmest month in Philadelphia is July, which sees maximum temperatures of 32ºC (90ºF).
January brings the coolest conditions for a Philadelphia holiday. You can expect lows of -7ºC (19ºF).
The United States dollar (USD) is the official currency. From buying souvenirs to tipping, having some cash readily available during your trip to Philadelphia can be useful.
You’ll want to spend at least three days exploring Philadelphia’s museums, food scene and unique neighbourhoods. If day trips to the Jersey Shore and Pennsylvania Dutch Country are on the agenda, consider extending your Philadelphia holiday to five days.
Philadelphia is a great destination to visit year round, but for fewer crowds, warm weather and cherry blossom sightings, plan to come between March and May. The best deals on flights and hotels to Philadelphia are between December and February. Pack for the weather, though; Philly winters often bring snow.
The rainiest month is August, which gets an average rainfall of 12 cm. But don't let the weather put a damper on your Philadelphia trip — there's still loads to do indoors like indulging in retail therapy, visiting museums, or hanging out in restaurants.

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