Best Things to do in Philadelphia

For some, tucking into a cheesesteak is one of the best things to do in Philadelphia. And while we can recommend a great place to grab one, our picks of the best Philly has to offer last a little longer than even the biggest hoagie roll.

Explore acres and acres of wilderness, marvel at local, lifelong dedications to making Philadelphia more beautiful and visit a museum that actually wants you to touch everything.

If you’re in the city to see some art, add at least another week to your stay. Philadelphia’s 4,000+ murals are worth taking the time to find.

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

6825 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19153

Over the last 50 years, Dr. Frederick Simeone has gathered together one of the best collections of racing sports cars in the world. Available to see all under one roof at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, the attraction is a must for petrol-heads, driving enthusiasts and classic car admirers.

While other motor museums might restore their cars, the Simeone Foundation believes in preservation and authenticity. The 75-strong car collection includes historically significant Ferrari, Bugatti, Bentley, Aston Martin, Corvette, Mercedes, Jaguar and Porsche models. The oldest car on display, a 1907 Renault Vanderbilt Racer is a four cylinder, 2.6l pre-WWI racer that gives a real sense of driving – and racing’s evolution.

Drop in on the museum’s demo days (selected Saturdays) to hear the vintage engines roar.

Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania

100 E Northwestern Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118

In 1887, the Morris Arboretum was a barren expanse of land. Tended by the Morris siblings for 45 years, the estate was planted with exotic collections of plants and trees. Together, they created 166 acres of horticultural wonder, inspired by their travels overseas, which they handed on to the University of Pennsylvania.

Today, the collection of 11,000 plants is open to visitors. Smell the heady-scented blooms in the Rose Garden, step inside America’s only remaining Victorian fernery or stroll across the rolling lawns of the English Park.

The brilliant colors of the Flower Walk are a vibrant contrast to the calmer hues of the dawn redwoods, confers and witch hazels. Don’t miss the wetlands area – it’s one of the best places to spot birds and wildlife.

Reading Terminal Market

1136 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

If you love to shop local, the Reading Terminal Market is one of the best things to do in Philadelphia. Over 80 merchants stack their stands with everything from Amish goods and farm grown produce to spices, crafts and clothing.

Grab a Philly cheesesteak as you browse the stalls – just remember to save room for a waffle cone of peanut butter swirl from Bassets Ice Cream.

The market’s maple bacon donuts might be a relatively new addition, but the iconic market has been trading since 1893. Two of the traders are descendants of the original stallholders and while the neon signs and chiller cabinets add a modern touch, the vintage vibes and historic building give a glimpse into Philadelphia’s past.

Mural Arts Philadelphia

1727-29 Mt Vernon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130

When you’re driving through Philadelphia, you’re actually driving through the world’s largest outdoor art gallery. Pull up at a parking lot and you could be staring up at one of Philadelphia’s 4,000 murals.

Artists collaborate on walls, billboards, subway stations and malls to create large scale murals – often with a message. Turning the city into a giant gallery is no easy feat, but Mural Arts Philadelphia engages with the city’s communities to create 50-100 projects a year.

Look out for the artworks as you drive across the city or hop on one of the many walking tours led by Mural Arts.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Whether you're into mosaics, up-cycling, or both, be sure to spare an hour to see Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Repurposing trash into treasure, creator Isaiah Zagar has crafted a space completely covered in mosaics. From the two galleries to the outdoor sculpture garden, every surface is adorned with murals and art that tell the story of Zagar’s life.

The Magic Gardens were once just a part of Philly’s South Street neighborhood that Isaiah Zagar was trying to renovate. Collecting anything from bottles and bike wheels to tiles and mirrors, he renovated derelict buildings and added mosaic art to unsightly walls. In 2008, the Magic Gardens were opened to the public to explore.

Please Touch Museum

4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Parents all over the world will rate the ‘Please Touch Museum’ as one of the best things to do in Philadelphia. Here, interactivity is not only tolerated, but actively encouraged.

Find out where food comes from in the immersive Food & Family exhibit – complete with the child-size shopping market and industrial kitchen. Take a spin on the 100-year-old carousel, get creative in the arts studio or water the plants in the museum’s urban garden.

Ideal for visitors with children aged seven and under, the two-floor museum is a hands-on attraction with plenty for parents to join in with too.

Wissahickon Valley Park

Valley Green Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128

As you explore wider Philadelphia, you may well spot entrances to Wissahickon Valley Park.  If you do, stop and explore the 1,800 acres inside. As well as 50 miles of trails to hike and bike, you can picnic in the dense woodland, fish on the banks of Wissahickon Creek or hop on horseback ride along ‘Forbidden Drive’.

One of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the park is to pack a set of binoculars and look out for the area’s 200+ bird species. The mixed habitats here (meadows, waterways and forest) make ideal homes for Louisiana waterthrushes, red-eyed vireos, swallows, green herons and red-bellied woodpeckers.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130

While you’re driving around the city to see the world’s largest outdoor art gallery, don’t forget to pull into the parking lot near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. One of the best things to do in Philadelphia, the museum also happens to be one of the largest in the country.

Since 1876, the museum has been collecting and curating over 200,000 pieces that reflect local and national history – as well as significant works by European artists, including Cézanne and Rodin. Vast and impressive, the building itself is an architectural work of art.

Allow plenty of time to wander the four floors – or hop on one of the free tours included in the admission price. Don’t miss the ‘Rocky’ statue and steps just outside.

When you’ve seen the best things to do in Philadelphia, use the city as a base to explore. The glorious coastline of Asbury Park is around 80 minutes away and Delaware Water Gap can be reached in less than two hours.

Learn more about Philadelphia

Want to know more about this city? Explore our other travel guides to help you plan your trip to Philadelphia:

• Best restaurants in Philadelphia
• Philadelphia driving guide
• Philadelphia’s neighborhoods