Essential InfoCenter City, comprised of a number of different and vibrant neighborhoods, reflects different aspects of the city and the people who live there. Show
Starting from the east, Old City is a nightlife stalwart, with bars, restaurants, cafes and galleries offering a fun contrast to the wealth of history (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell) in the area. South of Old City sits the Society Hill. Whereas the Hill remains largely residential (and is home to many of the still-standing colonial-era houses in Philly), South Street remains a busy thoroughfare for the adolescent-to-teen crowd, cramming dozens of eateries, galleries, sneaker stores, risque lingerie emporiums and the like on to a single street. Midtown Village lies, as you might expect, midway between the historic monuments of Independence Mall and the upscale cosmopolitan scene of Rittenhouse Square, and is the center of the city’s thriving LGBT community. To the north of Midtown, through the ornate Friendship Gate, and just east of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, lies Philly’s historic Chinatown, with its many restaurants, cafes, bars and shopping spots. Continuing west, Rittenhouse Square offers fine dining selections, some of the best shopping in the city and one of the city’s greatest and most-well-known public spaces, Rittenhouse Square. Getting HereBeing the locus of traffic and commerce in the area, Center City is easily the most accessible part of Philadelphia. Travel from New York, New Jersey or other nearby areas either via bus, train or car over the Ben Franklin Bridge; from the rest of the country via the Philadelphia National Airport, or on the Market Street or Broad Street lines of the SEPTA system. In The AreaWhile the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation — two of Philly’s best-known art museums — sit just slightly north of Center City proper, there are several important art, history and science museums within Center City’s borders.
Independence National Historical Park, which welcomes more than four million visitors each year, features more than two dozen places of historic significance, including the aforementioned Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Those sites are joined by other nearby museums like the National Constitution Center, the National Museum of American Jewish History, the African American Museum and more. For the more artistically minded, the spectacular Kimmel Center, home to the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Academy of Music attract the musically inclined; theater-goers will find what they’re looking for at the Merriam Theater, the Wilma Theater or any of the other stages in the district; and fine arts lovers can lose themselves at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, which displays a vast collection of American art and treasures by local and national luminaries such as Charles Willson Peale, Thomas Eakins and Violet Oakley. Literary-minded visitors can view the priceless manuscripts of authors like James Joyce at the Rosenbach Museum, while science folks — and those intrigued by peculiarity — can take in the medical anomalies of the Mütter Museum.  Dilworth Park — Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia Article The can’t-miss experiences in the first World Heritage City in the United States...The Liberty Bell Center Photo by Visit Philadelphia A Philly cheesesteak from Max's Steaks Photo by Visit Philadelphia Philadelphia Museum of Art Photo courtesy the Philadelphia Museum of Art Note: Greater Philadelphia is open for business and welcoming visitors. Safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 continue to evolve. While proof of vaccination and mask-wearing are no longer required in Philadelphia, individual businesses in Philadelphia and the Countryside may require them, and the City of Philadelphia strongly recommends mask-wearing in indoor public spaces. Advance tickets or reservations remain recommended or necessary at many spots. Your best bet: Check online or call ahead. There’s never a shortage of awesome things to do in Philadelphia, but there are some things youse just gotta do — especially if you’ve never been to our fair city before. Whether it’s running like Rocky up those magnificent museum steps; refueling with a cheesesteak (an absolute mandatory); or bowing down to the history made at Independence Hall, devouring a roast pork sandwich (our other favorite sandwich) at Reading Terminal Market, and visiting one of the many mighty museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, these are the experiences that make Philly so gloriously Philly. Read on for the 10 most essential experiences to be had in the City of Brotherly Love. Note: This article was last updated on January 21, 2022. 01 Snap a photo in front of the Liberty BellDramatic home of the internationally known symbol of freedom...— Photo courtesy the National Parks Service It doesn’t make a sound, but the Liberty Bell’s message rings loud and clear: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” This inscription on the cracked but mighty Bell is one reason it became a symbol to abolitionists, suffragists and other freedom-seekers around the world. The Bell draws people from around the world to snag a photo in front of it and its dramatic backdrop: Independence Hall. Both sites are free to visit year-round with no tickets required, though capacity is limited to 62 people at a time as of January 2022. Read More 02 Pose with the Rocky Statue & run up the "Rocky Steps"Two of the most famous tourist attractions in Philadelphia...— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia Since Rocky’s first triumphant onscreen run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1976, the 72 steps have become an international destination. Travelers from around the world embark on their own trek up the stairs, pumping their fists in the air as they cherish the spectacular view of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the city skyline. Cheesey? Definitely. Fun? Absolutely! To finish off the experience, head to the bottom of the stairs and snap a photo with the bronze statue of Rocky, originally created for Rocky III. (Then, venture inside one of the country’s most magnificent art museums. We promise it won’t disappoint.) Read More 03 Enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteakYou have to eat one — or more — on your first visit to Philadelphia...Campo's Philly Cheesesteaks — Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia The Philly cheesesteak is inarguably the city’s most famous food. So put your diet on hold for the day, and indulge in a hoagie roll filled with chopped (or thinly sliced) steak and your choice of cheese and/or fried onions. Those in the know order their cheesesteak with two words only: cheese selection (provolone, American or Whiz) and “wit” or “without” onions. The debate about which local spot cooks up the best sandwich won’t ever end, but for an iconic Philly experience, visit the intersection of South 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, where rivals Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks feed the masses daily, and do your very own taste test. Read More 04 Tour Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United StatesWhere the Declaration of Independence was signed and where the U.S. Constitution was created...— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia While historical attractions abound in Philly, Independence Hall is where the nation was founded. In 1776, the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in the building’s Assembly Room. Just 11 years later, representatives from a dozen states met here to lay the framework for the U.S. Constitution. Today, the goose bumps-inducing UNESCO World Heritage Site is the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park, and guided tours of this bucket-list gem are available year-round. As of January 2022, free tours of the Hall are available via timed tickets. Learn more about how to obtain tickets in our guide to Independence Hall. Read More 05 Visit the famous LOVE sculptureAn iconic work of art by Robert Indiana...— Photo by Visit Philadelphia The City of Brotherly Love is filled with love—literally. One of best-known landmarks is LOVE itself — the Robert Indiana sculpture in John F. Kennedy Plaza (or LOVE Park, as it’s affectionately called by most) that’s a prized photo op for couples, families and friends eager to show the world how they feel about one another. The sculpture was restored and repainted in 2018, and the park was entirely redesigned to add more green areas and a high-tech water feature. A small visitor center kiosk was added in 2021. Another LOVE statue sits just west of Center City on the University of Pennsylvania campus near 36th and Locust streets. And because love comes in all languages in Philadelphia, there’s an AMOR sculpture — a Spanish edition of the LOVE sculpture — on display at Sister Cities Park, a six-minute walk from LOVE Park. Read More 06 Chow down on food from dozens of vendors at Reading Terminal MarketOne of America's oldest farmers market and current food paradise...
— Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia Set below a former railroad terminal, Center City’s 127-year-old Reading Terminal Market serves as both a dazzling tourist destination and a trusted source for fresh produce, seafood, meats and cheese for locals. The public space also provides open seating where customers can enjoy a world of cuisines from dozens of restaurants, including Pennsylvania Dutch vendors and sandwich slingers like the acclaimed DiNic’s, serving up hot roast pork sandwiches that rival the city’s much-lauded cheesesteaks. Retail merchants sell housewares, jewelry, linens and more. As of January 2022, the market is open for indoor dining (with proof of vaccination) and shopping. Read More The Franklin Institute / The Academy of Natural Sciences / Barnes Foundation — Photo courtesy The Franklin Institute / Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia / Photo courtesy the Barnes Foundation The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, modeled after the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, is called Philadelphia’s most artistic mile for good reason. Some of the city’s most important cultural institutions are housed here, including the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute (how can you not love that giant Heart?), The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and its crown jewel, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Another super-popular attraction, former prison Eastern State Penitentiary, is just a 15-minute walk from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.) Note that, as of January 2022, some attractions are operating under limited hours and only on select days, so be sure to check ahead (and consider buying tickets online) before swinging by. Read More 08 Amble through the world-renowned Longwood GardensOne of the world’s premier horticultural display gardens...— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia It’s not in Philadelphia proper, but the horticultural legend that is Longwood Gardens is well worth the 50-minute drive from Center City Philadelphia to Kennett Square. Spectacular, epic, brilliant, breathtaking — all of these adjectives adequately describe the Chester County mega garden and its 1,000+ acres filled with 20 outdoor gardens, 20 indoor gardens, 11,000 different types of plants, dancing fountains and meandering meadows and woodlands. The colorful oasis also hosts hundreds of events each year, including flower shows, gardening demonstrations, educational programs, children’s activities, concerts and musical theater. Read More 09 Explore Philly's hip waterfrontPhilly's ever-evolving waterfront features loads to do in all seasons...Cherry Street Pier — Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia Once made up of undeveloped piers and underutilized public spaces, the Delaware River waterfront has become one of the most activated spaces in Philadelphia in the 21st century. That’s thanks to the opening of a number of exciting attractions and parks — Cherry Street Pier and Race Street Pier as well as seasonal spots like Spruce Street Harbor Park and Blue Cross RiverRink — and diverse and well-attended events throughout the year. Those gorgeous views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge — which connects Philadelphia to New Jersey — don’t hurt, either. Read More
Laser Wolf, named one of the best new restaurants in the world by Condé Nast Traveler — Photo by M. Persico for Laser Wolf There’s no way around it: Philly’s dining scene is special. The Wall Street Journal recently called the city “a booming cultural and culinary destination,” and Time placed Philadelphia on its “World’s Greatest Places 2021” list in part because ”the local culinary scene is as vibrant as ever.” So what makes the city’s food and the people who create it so irresistible? For starters, chefs choose Philadelphia for their passion projects; it’s where they can run their (usually small) restaurants and fully commit to their vision. And it’s a place where they can pivot if they need to (like during a global pandemic, for example) and still thrive. What you get in Philly is diversity of all sorts: in cuisine, in price, in formality. Options include street food, James Beard Award winners out the wazoo, hundreds of bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) restaurants, sidewalk seating reminiscent of European cities, bars with great food, craft pizza spots, vegetarian and vegan eateries (that aren’t just for vegetarians and vegans) and the storied Reading Terminal Market and Italian Market. And, of course, all of the Philly classics: cheesesteaks, roast pork sandwiches, hoagies, pretzels and water ice. read more 11 Bonus: More Things to Do in Greater PhiladelphiaAward-winning food, dynamic neighborhoods and history-making attractions await...— Photo by Elevated Angles for Visit Philadelphia Looking for even more great things to do in Greater Philadelphia? Of course you are! And in Greater Philadelphia, there is so much to explore, discover or rediscover, from buzzed-about attractions and restaurants to hidden gems and Countryside escapes. Find more ideas right this way for your next exploration. read more Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package The Perfect Hotel Package for an Easy Philly EscapeThe Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package — booked more than 175,000 times since 2001 — includes buy-one-get-one-free attraction tickets purchased at the Independence Visitor Center to more than 30 of Philly’s iconic museums and attractions and free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia). Book Now Article11 Iconic Philadelphia Foods & Must-Have Philly...Where to find essential cheesesteaks, hoagies, soft pretzels, water ice and more... View More Stay in TouchWhat is Center City Philadelphia known for?As a primary destination for travelers, Center City boasts a majority of the biggest and toniest hotels in the region, and more restaurants, bars and cafes than any other part of the city. Sparkling nightlife and dining options under the Center City umbrella include Chinatown, Rittenhouse Square and Old City.
What is considered Center City Philadelphia?Center City, as its name might imply, is the geographical heart of Philadelphia. By its broad definition, Center City spans the entire area between the Delaware and the Schuylkill rivers to the east and west and Spring Garden Street to South Street to the north and south.
Is downtown Philadelphia walkable?Yes, yes, you've heard this: Philadelphia is a very walkable city. In every “walkable city” list ever composed, we're near the top, usually somewhere after New York and ahead of Seattle.
What is the hipster area of Philadelphia?It's no secret that Fishtown and Northern Liberties are two of the most rapidly gentrifying sections of Philadelphia. Back in 2014, the pair were likened to Brooklyn's Williamsburg and Bushwick. And just a handful of months ago, NoLibs was ranked one of the nation's Top 20 neighborhoods impacted by gentrification.
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