What’s on in Philadelphia
Get the most out of your trip to the City of Brotherly Love
Hot tips for Philadelphia
Language
English
Currency
Dollar ($)
Dialing code
+1 (area code is 215)
Time zone
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Getting around
The Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has a veritable fleet of buses, trains, trams and trolleybuses, which is more than enough to get you where you need to go. If you’re in a tight spot, Uber and Lyft can help you out, and recent investment in cycle paths means it's usually possible to get around town under your own steam.
Weather
Philadelphia has a distinctly maritime climate, meaning that the summers can be hot and humid, while the winters can be chilly – although rarely dipping below zero. If you’re looking to hedge your bets, it's best to visit during spring or autumn, when everything is much more settled and temperatures hover around 10–20 °C.
Food in Philly
This city is famous for its cuisine, influenced by its many German and Italian immigrants. You’re probably aware of the (in)famous Philadelphia Cheesesteak sandwich, but how about hoagies, scrapple and Tastykake? They're true ‘American’ delicacies, so expect fried things with cheese, in large quantities.
What to do in The Athens of America
Ding dong
One of the most famous sights in all of America, the giant Liberty Bell is a copper-toned tribute to that fine American tradition – freedom! The bell was made in London in 1752 and gained its famous crack the first time it was struck. It’s since played a key role in pivotal moments in American history, and remains an essential site of pilgrimage for visitors from all over the globe.
Get high
The One Liberty Place tower dominates Philly’s skyline, and now you can go straight to the top, with the One Liberty Observation Deck. Atop the city's highest viewing platform, you can enjoy views of hotspots like the City Hall, Comcast Center, the BNY Center and more. And those looking for another kind of elevation can enjoy the decriminalization of marijuana – the largest US city to do so!
Go the distance
Yes it’s a terrible cliché, but you’ll regret it if you don’t run up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at least once. Not only is it the setting for one of the most iconic scenes in modern cinema, it's a great vantage point to enjoy the views of the Ben Franklin Parkway below. Bonus points if you can jog up them in a tatty tracksuit with a bull mastif – “Aaaadriaaaaan!!”
See it all
There’s enough to see and do in Philly to satisfy even the most over-eager traveller. If you can’t decide exactly what to visit (or in what order), the FlexPass will be just to your liking. With over 23 attractions, you can pick and choose to your heart’s content. Best of all, you can use it to hop on one of the regular tour buses, so you can see all the sights while you travel from A to B!
