I Grew Up in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’—These Are the Landmarks, Restaurants, and Neighborhoods You Shouldn’t Miss

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Visit Independence National Historical Park to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, then explore nearby Old City landmarks like the Betsy Ross House.

• Stay at the Four Seasons Philadelphia at Comcast Center for the ultimate in luxury, or dine at its restaurants for unparalleled views of the city.

• Grab lunch at Reading Terminal Market, packed with local food vendors, Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, bakeries, and Philly cheesesteaks.

• Explore Rittenhouse Square’s upscale hotels and acclaimed restaurants, then shop designer boutiques along bustling Walnut Street.

• Indulge in Thai delicacies at Kalaya, ranked the No. 1 restaurant by Philadelphia Magazine for 2026, or savor Cambodian noodles at Mawn, which claimed the No. 3 spot.

Quick trivia: Did you know Philadelphia once served as the U.S. capital?

The City of Brotherly Love is well-known for its deep historic roots. It’s home to one of America’s oldest continuously inhabited residential streets, the country’s most famous bell, as well as Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. That’s to mention nothing of its picturesque parks, Victorian mansions, 100-plus museums, thousands of colorful murals, and thriving food scene.

“[You can] witness history in the ‘United-States-began-here’ kind of way, but also through subtle architectural features, historic alleys and markers, and cobblestone roads,” says Cara Schneider Bongiorno, founder of Philly History Pop Ups, a company that creates shows that explore fun facts about the city. “You hear different languages and accents (although none louder than the Philly ‘Yo!’). And, of course, there’s great music, culture, and streets drenched with art and creativity.”

Beyond the city’s storied past, there’s much to see and do in modern Philadelphia, from its buzzing art world to its eclectic mix of independent shops. And yes, as someone who grew up with a 215 area code, I can attest that there’s a lot more to the city’s culinary scene than just pretzels and cheesesteaks (though grabbing either after a night out was practically a ritual during my Temple University days). But perhaps best of all, you don’t need a car to explore all that Philadelphia has to offer—the city is highly walkable. “Center City is just 24 blocks between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, with so much packed into that space,” says Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia.

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Four Seasons Philadelphia at Comcast Center

Occupying the top floors of Philly’s tallest skyscraper, Four Seasons Philadelphia at Comcast Center earned a spot on Travel + Leisure’s 2020 It List for its luxurious touches—from dazzling floral arrangements to a crystal-adorned spa—and an infinity-edge pool, glass elevator, and fine-dining restaurants that offer spectacular city views.

The Rittenhouse

Another luxury hotel with the T+L seal of approval, The Rittenhouse has some of the city’s largest guest rooms and suites, several of which have picturesque park views. The upscale property is also home to The Rittenhouse Spa & Club, acclaimed French-inspired restaurant Lacroix, and the elegant Mary Cassatt Tea Room.

Kimpton Palomar Philadelphia

A short walk away, this property occupies a 1929 Art Deco high-rise and combines contemporary sophistication with Gatsby-era elegance. Each of its 230 rooms—some with skyline views—features a spa-inspired bath with marble fixtures and recycled glass tiles. Other highlights include luxurious Frette Italian linens and a complimentary evening wine hour.

The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Logan Philadelphia is conveniently located near many of the city’s top cultural attractions and features an underground spa. When the weather is nice, the hotel’s Assembly Rooftop Lounge is a popular spot for cocktails and bites with sweeping city views, though this eatery books up quickly, so reservations are recommended.

Guild House Hotel

Housed in a restored Victorian-era mansion in Washington Square West, this boutique hotel is a charmer. “Each of its 12 rooms is designed around the traits of one of the women who were members of the New Century Guild, which occupied the space until 2018,” explains Schneider Bongiorno, who also counts the property among her favorites.

Best Things to Do

Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park encompasses the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, and Independence Hall, where America’s Founding Fathers debated and adopted the Declaration of Independence. Just a short walk away are the Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley (one of the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential streets), and the Museum of the American Revolution, where Schneider Bongiorno notes, “galleries are filled with creative, first-person narratives and displays that put the war for independence into understandable context.”

Philadelphia Museum of Art

This iconic Philly landmark, situated at the edge of Fairmount Park, houses works by renowned artists like Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dalí, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Kehinde Wiley. “The statue at the bottom of the art museum steps is Philadelphia’s own ‘Smokin’ Joe’ Frazier,” Schneider Bongiorno says. “Rocky is at the top of the steps, arms high in the sky.”

Barnes Foundation

The Barnes Foundation is another must-visit for art lovers. “[There’s] so much to see inside, but the jaw-droppers for me are Gallery 1, with ensembles of Picassos, Cézannes, Seurats, Renoirs, and Henri Matisse’s ‘The Dance’ in the window wells), and the giant Matisses in the first gallery upstairs,” Schneider Bongiorno says. “The approach is also beautiful—Japanese maples, a reflecting pool, and a graceful facade of hand-chiseled limestone from the Negev desert.”

Pennsylvania Hospital Museum

Founded in 1751, this was America’s first chartered hospital and provided care to patients who otherwise couldn’t afford it. Today, visitors can explore its rich history. “The physical spaces of the apothecary, library, and sun-lit surgical amphitheater are as compelling as the stories they tell,” shares Schneider Bongiorno. For the medically curious, the nearby Mütter Museum houses a fascinating—if sometimes unsettling—collection of anatomical specimens, curiosities, and historical instruments.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Considered the world’s first true penitentiary, this institution pioneered the modern prison system. Opened in 1829, inmates would spend 23 hours per day reflecting in spiritual solitude in their cells. It housed a number of infamous figures, including mob boss Al Capone and bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton. Self-guided and docent-led tours are available, and come Halloween, the former prison transforms into an eerie haunted attraction.

Best Shopping

Rittenhouse Square

Manhattan has Fifth Avenue. Philly has Rittenhouse Row, an area in Center City coveted for its high-end hotels, upscale restaurants, and luxury retail. Concentrated along Walnut Street and nearby Chestnut Street, local shops like Lagos, Joan Shepp, Sophy Curson, and Boyds, sit alongside national favorites like Vince, Theory, Rag & Bone, and Tiffany & Co.. Nearby, you’ll also find Jeweler’s Row, established in 1851. It’s widely described as America’s oldest diamond district and is a great place to shop for, well, beautiful rocks. Longstanding establishments include Barsky Diamonds, Safian & Rudolph Jewelers, and Sydney Rosen Company.

Fabric Row

Located southeast of Jeweler’s Row in the Queen Village is Fabric Row, a concentration of fabric stores and boutiques that Val regards, along with South Street, as perfect for vintage and “one-of-a-kind” shopping. One of her favorite stores to peruse is At My House for its “great fashion finds, funky interiors, and quirky decor pieces.”

East Passyunk

Val notes East Passyunk as another great spot “for smaller shops and things you won’t find everywhere else.” I’d recommend checking out Occasionette for gifts made by local crafters, Nice Things Handmade (self-explanatory), and Little Yenta Books for rare literary titles.

9th Street Italian Market

9th Street Italian Market is located along South 9th Street in Bella Vista and is one of America’s oldest continuously operating outdoor markets. It’s a food lover’s dream, brimming with vendors selling fresh seafood, meats, cheeses, produce, pasta, and Italian pastries. “Get a granita or your second espresso at Fante’s while ogling over the hand-cranked pasta makers and ingenious kitchen gadgets,” Schneider Bongiorno suggests. When you’re done shopping, grab a seat at nearby Fiorella’s pasta bar (among Val’s favorites), or pick up takeout from Angelo’s Pizza, a local institution easily identified by the crowds devouring its cheesesteaks on sesame-seeded rolls curbside.

Reading Terminal Market

At Philly’s iconic Reading Terminal Market, Schneider Bongiorno’s go-to bites include the jumbo shrimp from John Yi Seafood, collard greens from Ma Lessie’s, and pretzels from Miller’s Twist—”twisted and baked before your eyes.” Of course, there are also cheesesteaks, plus vendors selling everything from fresh produce and seafood to meats, kitchenware, and sweets. You’ll also find some Pennsylvania Dutch vendors clustered near 12th and Arch Streets.

Best Restaurants

Suraya

An open kitchen is at the heart of this mosaic-tiled eatery in Fishtown, serving up everything from kafta kebabs and shakshuka to branzino and ribeye, depending on the time of day. There’s also a tasting menu, an outdoor garden, and a market—don’t skip the Lebanese chai latte.

Kalaya

This vibrant Southern Thai restaurant was named an outstanding restaurant in the U.S. by the James Beard Foundation and ranked No. 1 on Philadelphia Magazine’s 2026 restaurant list. Go all-in with the tasting menu, featuring appetizers, curries, sides, and entrées, such as wok-fried river prawn and colossal crab stir fry, or grab a signature cocktail and intricately shaped bird and flower dumplings at the bar while soaking up the lively atmosphere.

Laser Wolf

“Charcoal-grilled meat, fish, or veg skewers are the main event,” Schneider Bongiorno says of this acclaimed Israeli restaurant in Kensington. “Round out the meal with salatim, [co-owner and chef] Mike Solomonov’s side salads, made famous at Zahav.”

Mawn

Acclaimed chef Phila Lorn’s intimate BYOB noodle house in Bella Vista is among Philly’s buzziest eateries, thanks to its creative approach to Cambodian broths and curries, as well as its rice and seafood dishes. Mawn serves lunch Thursday through Saturday (walk-ins only), with dinner reservations released on the first of each month.

Friday Saturday Sunday

For elevated American fare,this James Beard Award–winning, Michelin-starred restaurant led by chef Chad Williams is well worth a reservation. Specializing in New American cuisine, it’s also praised for its fun cocktails, including seasonal creations served at the intimate Lovers Bar.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Philadelphia is generally in spring or early fall, when temperatures are mild. Otherwise, you may want to plan your trip around—or avoid—the city’s many seasonal events and celebrations.

Spring brings pleasant temperatures and popular annual events like the Philadelphia Flower Show, which typically kicks off the season in March; the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival; the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival; and the Broad Street Run. In summer, locals and visitors brave the heat for outdoor celebrations like the Odunde Festival, Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, and Wawa Welcome America Festival. Fall ushers in the Midtown Village Fall Festival and Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, along with Halloween attractions like the Philadelphia Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo and Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary. Winter brings festive attractions like the German-style Christmas Village, the neighborhood holiday light display known as Miracle on South 13th Street, and Philadelphia’s famous Mummers Parade, the country’s longest-running continuous folk parade, on New Year’s Day. The quieter weeks that follow can be a great time to enjoy the city’s seasonal ice-skating rinks.

Keep in mind that Philadelphia also hosts a year-round lineup of sporting events, concerts, theatrical performances, and art exhibitions, which can bring heavier traffic and larger crowds, particularly around the Avenue of the Arts and South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

How to Get There

Philadelphia is within an hour’s drive of Camden and Princeton, New Jersey, and Wilmington, Delaware; approximately 1.5 hours from Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and 1.5 to 2 hours from Baltimore and New York City. Visitors from the Northeast can also take an Amtrak train to avoid traffic and look for parking. Flying in? Book a flight to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), then take the SEPTA Airport Regional Rail Line to 30th Street Station or Center City.

Neighborhoods to Visit

Center City

Center City is a major hub for hotels, restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions. Just east of City Hall, Market East is home to the Fashion District, with Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown nearby. Along Broad Street, the Avenue of the Arts is lined with theaters and cultural venues. Center City also encompasses Logan Square, home to Philly’s famed Love statue, and upscale Rittenhouse Square, beloved for its leafy park, acclaimed restaurants, and high-end shopping.

Old City

Located in the eastern section of Center City, Old City is where historic landmarks like the Liberty Bell mingle with lively bars, restaurants, and independent boutiques along charming streets. “I love shopping along North 3rd Street,” says Val. “You [can] find so many great local boutiques.” Vagabond (curated home goods and clothing), Philadelphia Independents (locally made gifts), and The Book Trader (a secondhand bookstore) are among my obligatory stops whenever I’m in the neighborhood.

Fairmount

Just northwest of Center City, Fairmount is known for its storied rowhouses, leafy streets, and proximity to cultural attractions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, and Eastern State Penitentiary. For a scenic stroll, head toward the Schuylkill River to see the iconic Boathouse Row, or venture into nearby Fairmount Park to explore its trails, gardens, and Victorian mansions. The Philadelphia Zoo, considered the oldest zoo in the U.S., is another attraction farther west.

South Philly

Explore Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (the city’s iconic, mosaiced arts center) on South Street, then wander through nearby Queen Village, which is brimming with historic rowhouses, locally owned stores, and restaurants. Neighboring Bella Vista encompasses much of The South 9th Street Italian Market, with specialty food shops, bakeries, and beloved eateries. Farther south, East Passyunk is another standout dining and shopping destination for its acclaimed restaurants and specialty shops. Near the southern end of Broad Street, you’ll find the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Northern Liberties and Fishtown

Just north and northeast of Center City, Northern Liberties and Fishtown are neighboring former industrial areas turned trendy destinations that are filled with shopping, dining, and nightlife options. In Northern Liberties, North Second Street is lined with curated and vintage shops (like Trunc and Dame’s Vintage Emporium), buzzy restaurants, and cocktail bars. (The Piazza also serves as a lively neighborhood gathering spot.) On the other hand, Fishtown feels a bit more eclectic to me—sort of like the Williamsburg of Philly—with an impressive vintage shopping scene. I like starting at Thunderbird Salvage and making my way along Frankford Avenue toward Jinxed Fishtown, browsing other secondhand stores and curated boutiques like Vestige and Franklin & Poe along the way. (Minor Details is another favorite for fun Philly-themed gifts.) Grab a crispy slice at Liguria Pizza, then continue toward Girard Avenue for even more shops, bars, and eateries.

How to Get Around

SEPTA operates Philadelphia’s public transit system, connecting the city and surrounding suburbs through an extensive network of subways, buses, trolleys, and trains. Getting around is easy, thanks to contactless payment options—just tap a credit or debit card, or use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. SEPTA Metro is anchored by two major lines: the Market-Frankford Line (L, also referred to as “the El”), which runs east to west, and the Broad Street Line (B), which runs north to south. Together, they provide convenient access to popular neighborhoods and attractions, including Center City and Philadelphia sports venues. If the subway stops short of your desired location, you can often ride the bus to your final stop—there are also trolleys, too.

But if you’d prefer to travel by car, ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are widely available, while taxis can typically be found around 30th Street Station and in busier parts of Center City. But if you are driving, be prepared to navigate some of Philly’s notoriously narrow residential streets.

If you’re going further afield, SEPTA’s Regional Rail connects Center City to Philadelphia International Airport and surrounding suburbs, including communities in Montgomery, Delaware, and Bucks counties, where you’ll find charming small towns, charming storefronts, historic estates, and even castles.

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