Philadelphia in 5 Days

Philadelphia in 5 Days

In a city with as many richly stocked museums and matchless marvels as Philadelphia, you risk seeing half of everything or all of nothing. So use the efficient itineraries below to keep you on track as you explore both the famous sights and those off the beaten path.

Day 1

Begin your first day with an exploration of the city's historic district. Sign up at the Independence National Historical Park Visitor Center for a walking tour hosted by a National Park Service guide; try a go-at-your-own-pace tour offered by Audio Walk and Tour; or take a walk on your own. For lunch, proceed to the Reading Terminal Market, where you can sample the real Philadelphia "cuisine" -- cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, and Bassett's ice cream -- or something else from the dozens of food stalls). After lunch, walk nine blocks east on Arch Street (or take a bus on Market Street) to Old City; Christ Church, the Betsy Ross House, and Elfreth's Alley are all in close proximity. The galleries and cafés in the area may tempt you to take a short break from your pursuit of history. In the late afternoon, head back to Independence Hall for a horse-drawn carriage ride. Have dinner in Old City; then catch the Lights of Liberty walking sound-and-light show (March-December, weather permitting).

Day 2

Spend the morning of Day 2 exploring the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, followed by lunch in the museum's lovely dining room. Afterward, depending on your interests and the day of the week, you could head to Merion by bus or car to see the world-renowned collection of impressionist paintings at the Barnes Foundation (open Friday-Sunday). Or you could walk to Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site for a tour of a former prison or to the Franklin Institute Science Museum.

Day 3

Start Day 3 in Center City with a ride to the top of City Hall for a pigeon's-eye view of the city. Next, head across the street to the Masonic Temple for a surreal tour through time -- and architectural history -- led by a Mason. Art lovers may prefer a visit to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, two blocks north of City Hall at Broad and Cherry streets. Eat lunch at the Reading Terminal Market.

If you want to stay inside, head to Rittenhouse Square's Rosenbach Museum and Library, which has a diverse collection ranging from the original manuscript of James Joyce's Ulysses to the works of beloved children's author Maurice Sendak. If you prefer being outdoors, visit Penn's Landing, where you can check out the Independence Seaport Museum and/or take the ferry across the river to the Adventure Aquarium and Camden Children's Garden. At sunset, have a drink on the deck of the Moshulu.

Day 4

Begin Day 4 by exploring either Society Hill or the Rittenhouse Square area. Then take a bus west on Walnut Street to the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, in University City. You can have lunch at the museum or on campus. In the afternoon, return to Center City to the corner of 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, to pick up the Philadelphia Trolley Works' narrated tour of Fairmount Park; or if you have children along, visit the Philadelphia Zoo. Afterward, drive or catch the SEPTA R6 train to Manayunk, where you can have dinner in one of the restaurants lining Main Street; many stores here are open late, too.

Day 5

On Day 5, head out of the city by car to Valley Forge National Historical Park, where you can hike or picnic after you've taken the self-guided auto tour of General Washington's winter encampment. If you like to shop, spend the afternoon at the nearby King of Prussia Mall. Or drive back toward the city to take in the Barnes Foundation, the Eastern State Penitentiary, or the Franklin Institute -- whichever ones you didn't see on Day 2.

Another option for Day 5 is to stay in the city and explore Queen Village in Southwark and South Philadelphia. Follow up a visit to the Mummers Museum with a strut along 9th Street, site of the outdoor Italian Market. You can pick up the makings for a great picnic, or duck into one of the restaurants here for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the museums you missed on Day 2. Check the local papers for an evening activity -- perhaps a sporting event at the South Philadelphia stadiums, a show in Center City, or live music at a jazz club.

If You Have 2 Days

You could easily spend two weeks exploring Philadelphia, but if you have only a few days, you can still get a good taste of what the city has to offer. You'll want to get the tour of the historic sights out of the way on Day 1. Either follow the itinerary above, or forgo the Lights of Liberty show and check out Old City's bars and clubs instead. Then spend a leisurely day exploring either the Philadelphia Museum of Art or the Barnes Foundation. Wrap up Day 2 with a stroll around Rittenhouse Square or through Fairmount Park.