There are so many things you can do in Philadelphia! You could easily spend a week in the City of Brotherly Love and still not see everything.
However, there are several fun ways to spend one day in Philadelphia, depending on what you’re most interested in.
This guide offers three options in different sections of the city. It also offers a highlights tour for some of the most iconic attractions to maximize your day trip to Philadelphia.
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Getting Around Philadelphia For One Day
Although Philadelphia has a public transportation system, we recommend driving or using a car service or taxi to take you to the general area you’ll be visiting. Many paid parking lots are available at each location, and some sites even have street parking. The below guides are broken up by neighborhood, allowing you to park once and easily walk to each attraction.
Day Trip Philadelphia Option One: The Waterfront
Philadelphia’s location along the Delaware River allows visitors to enjoy a unique aspect of the city.
Penn’s Landing
Penn’s Landing is a favorite location along the Delaware River throughout the year.
During the summer months, many concerts and festivals occur here. Visitors also can roller skate on the outdoor roller rink, ride on a Ferris wheel or carousel, and play mini-golf. Penn’s Landing also participates in Philadelphia’s “Welcome America”, a week-long celebration of America’s Independence. Fireworks and a concert at the Great Plaza start the party!
The winter is also a fun time to visit the busy riverfront location. Penn’s Landing is transformed into a winter wonderland from Thanksgiving through the beginning of March. An outdoor ice skating rink, fire pits, warming cabins, and plenty of hot chocolate are there for you and your family to enjoy.
The Independence Seaport Museum
Located right next to Penn’s Landing, the Independence Seaport Museum is fun for everyone. It’s one of our favorite Philadelphia museums to visit with kids!
Inside the museum are several exhibits relating to ships and river life. The giant “pirate” ship is a jaw-dropping centerpiece of the “Pirate or Patriot” exhibit. Kids will love climbing aboard, steering the ship, and raising the sail. Other displays include ship making and “Tides of Freedom: African Presence on the Delaware River”.
In addition to the museum, admission to the Independence Seaport Museum also includes two historic ships. The first ship, the Cruiser Olympia, is the oldest steel warship afloat globally. The other boat is the submarine Becuna, which celebrated its 75th birthday in 2019. The self-guided tour takes visitors through both ships, giving a great perspective of what it was like to serve on the sea.
Paddle on the Delaware River
One of the best ways to get views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the city of Philadelphia is by getting out on the water! The Independence Seaport Museum offers paddle boat rentals and kayak and rowboat rentals. It’ll be a fun way to do a little sightseeing while working up an appetite.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
The Spruce Street Harbor Park is a pop-up park on the Delaware River. Open from May through September, the park is a draw to both tourists and natives on a beautiful summer day. It’s such a fun way to enjoy Philadelphia with kids.
The urban beach park is separated into three sections. The hammock section contains over 50 hammocks for up to 2 people at a time. Scattered throughout the park, the hammocks provide a lovely spot to relax. While you are there, enjoy a drink from some of the beer gardens in the area.
Another section of the park is the “Oasis”. Created out of three barges, flowers, and other landscaping, create an inviting place to sit or lay down. Garce’s “Distrito” is located on-site, allowing for a quick and easy place to buy drinks and food.
The third area of the park is the “Boardwalk”. This is where the majority of the food trucks are located. Philadelphia staples like Chickie’s & Pete’s and Franklin Fountain and other yummy options sell delicious and varied foods. Small café tables line the riverfront, giving you a great view while eating your meal.
Food Options on the Philadelphia Waterfront
There is no shortage of tasty food along the Philadelphia waterfront. As mentioned above, Spruce Street Harbor Park has several food truck options during the summer months. Grab a bite to eat and a table, and you’ll be satiated in no time! If you’d rather eat at a full-service restaurant, the newly opened Liberty Point will fit the bill. However, if you’re interested in a more formal meal, you’ll want to head just south of the park to either the Moshulu or the Chart House. You’ll enjoy a lovely dinner with a water view no matter what you choose.
One Day in Philadelphia Option Two: Old City
If you’re a history lover, there is no better place to spend one day in Philadelphia than Old City. Though we recommend an entire weekend exploring historic Philadelphia, these are the attractions you’ll want to visit if you only have one day.
Independence Visitor Center
Before you go anywhere in Old City, visit the Independence Visitor Center. There is a small exhibit, a café, gift shop, restrooms, and information about the area.
The Liberty Bell
Make the Liberty Bell your first stop after the Visitor Center! The Liberty Line can get very long during the summer months and holidays. No ticket is required for entry, but you will have to go through security. Once inside, enjoy the exhibit about the history and significance of the bell. And then take your pictures with it!
Independence Hall and Congress Hall
The Independence Hall complex has several buildings that are worth visiting. You only need timed tickets for Independence Hall itself. We recommend visiting Congress Hall (where the Bill of Rights was ratified), and the Great Essentials Exhibit in the West Wing.
Museum of the American Revolution or the National Constitution Center
With only one day in Philadelphia, it’ll be difficult to see both the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution. Although both of these museums are on our list of the best museums in Philadelphia to visit with kids, we’d pick the Museum of the American Revolution if we had to choose a favorite.
However, your choice will depend on what you are most interested in and what you want to learn about. The Museum of the American Revolution walks visitors through the entire timeline of the American Revolution. There are interactive parts that kids will enjoy and life-sized dioramas depicting important events of the time. The National Constitution Center reviewed the creation of the US Constitution and the amendments and changes it has seen over its lifetime.
Franklin Square
Franklin Square is one of Philadelphia’s original five squares (parks). It continues to serve as a respite from the city atmosphere, providing a place to play and relax. Franklin Square offers fun activities like miniature golf, a carousel, and a playground. The 180-year-old Franklin Square Fountain showcases water performances set to music daily.
Where to Eat in Old City
There are several food options in Old City to keep you satiated during your day in Philadelphia. First, if you’re looking for a quick bite, the Visitor Center, museums, and Franklin Square all have quick eats available. However, we recommend visiting the Bourse Food Hall along Independence Mall on 5th Street. There are several vendors inside selling various cuisines where everyone in the family can grab what they want and be happy.
Old City also hosts a myriad of sit-down restaurants. Some of our favorites are Buddakan at 4th and Chestnut Streets and Nick’s Roast Beef and Cuba Libre, which are both located on 2nd Street near Market. You honestly won’t go hungry in Old City!
One Day in Philadelphia Option Three: Fairmount
Philadelphia Museum of Art
You haven’t visited Philly if you haven’t taken a photo with the Rocky statue and then run up the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps. If this world-renown art museum is the reason you want to spend a day in Philadelphia, then head on in and enjoy the over 200 galleries. It’s worth the 3-4 hours you’ll need to be able to enjoy the museum entirely.
Other Art Museums
If you didn’t get enough of your fill of art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, check out the Barnes Foundation and the Rodin Museum. Both are located along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, not far from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Barnes recently relocated to the Parkway in the last decade, allowing easier access for those visiting the city. The Rodin Museum is the only Rodin dedicated museum outside of France. Both are much smaller than the Philadelphia Museum of Art, making them a great alternative if you want to save time for other sights in Philly.
The Franklin Institute
Founded in 1824, the Franklin Institute is the most-visited museum in Pennsylvania. Dedicated to Benjamin Franklin, America’s first scientist, the museum has exhibits that will entertain the whole family. One of the most popular exhibits is the walk-through human heart. It demonstrates how the heart works to circulate the blood through the body. Other fun exhibits include physics, how the brain works, and of course, electricity!
Eastern State Penitentiary
At one point, the most famous prison in the entire world, Eastern State Penitentiary, draws in visitors from all over. At almost 200 years old, the prison has such unique and beautiful architecture. Eastern State was built in the “Pennsylvania” style, isolating prisoners 24/7.
Tours are at your own pace using a personal audio device to highlight ten main stops. The audio tour lasts about 45 minutes. Additional tour stops are included in the audio tour if you want to explore more of the prison. Due to the nature of the content, Eastern State does not recommend the tour for children under eight years old, though middle schoolers and older would be better suited.
Day Trip to Philadelphia Optional Add-Ons
Reading Terminal Market
If you are looking for a unique experience for your day trip to Philadelphia, look no further than Reading Terminal Market. One of America’s oldest public markets, Reading Terminal Market, is home to over 80 merchants, selling everything from food to home goods.
Once inside, the market can feel overwhelming, as its narrow lanes and popularity make for crowded conditions. However, the meals are worth the chaos! Stop by Hershel’s East Side Deli for a fantastic corned beef sandwich. And for dessert, you can’t beat Bassetts Ice Cream!
LOVE Park
One of the most iconic structures in Philadelphia is the LOVE statue in “Love Park”. The actual name is John F. Kennedy Plaza, as it is located along John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
Visitors from all over line up to get the perfect photo in front of the LOVE statue with the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the distance.The plaza’s sprayers allow guests to cool off during the summer months. And during the holiday season, the plaza comes alive with the hustle and bustle of the German-style Christmas market.
One Day in Philadelphia: The Highlights
Okay, so you love the idea of all three of these itineraries. However, not only do you have one day in Philadelphia, you’re not sure when you’ll be back. So what should you do for the REAL DEAL highlights? Follow this guide:
- Start your day in Old City by visiting the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Explore more of the area until you’re ready for lunch.
- Take the half-mile walk to Reading Terminal Market to grab lunch.
- After lunch, walk around City Hall and Dilworth Park. You can roller skate during the summer months and enjoy the spray area. In the winter, ice skating is available.
- Across the street at the corner of 15th and JFK Boulevard, you can visit Philadelphia’s signature LOVE statue.
- After you snap a photo, if you’re up to it, take the mile-long stroll down the Franklin Parkway towards the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Treat yourself along the way with a stop at Federal Donuts. Don’t forget to stop in front of the Rodin Museum for a photo op with “The Thinker”.
- Before heading into the Philadelphia Museum of Art, stop at the Rocky Balboa statue for another photo op. Then, do your best Rocky impression and run up the art museum’s steps!
- Take a car service or cab ride to South Street for dinner at Jim’s (4th and South) for some fantastic cheesesteaks or Lorenzo’s (3rd and South) for a pizza slice bigger than your head.
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