Philadelphia is a relatively affordable city to visit. There are a ton of free and cheap things to do in Philadelphia that can keep you busy for an entire weekend. In this guide, all the activities on this list cost less than $15. Looking for a Philadelphia Itinerary? Check out my post about how to spend two days in Philadelphia.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Philadelphia here.
US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in Philadelphia here. They are very affordable too!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
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Where to Stay in Philadelphia
Need a cheap place to stay in Philadelphia? Search for the best cheap Philadelphia hotels here! Check out Priceline Express Deals to find a cheap hotel or opt to stay in a hostel. I’ve been able to stay right in the city center of Philadelphia for $70/night! If you have a larger group, check out Airbnb. These are some other hotel options.
- Hampton Inn Philadelphia Center City-Convention Center
- Residence Inn by Marriott Philadelphia City Center
- Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
- Aloft Philadelphia Downtown
GoCity Pass
GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction. I have used it in several cities around the world and would recommend getting a GoCity pass! Check out the options for the Philadelphia GoCity pass here. This is a great ways to save some money in Philadelphia.
1. The Barnes Foundation
Cost: $25 (Free to Teachers on Sundays)
Hours: Fri-Mon 11am-5pm
If you are in Philadelphia on a Sunday, teachers can get into the Barnes Foundation for free, which makes it another one of the great cheap things to do in Philadelphia. The Barnes Foundation was originally established in 1922 but moved to its current location in 2012.
The Barnes Foundation contains over 4,000 works from the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modern periods. You will find lots of works by Renoir, Matisse, and Picasso. Plan to spend an hour or two wandering the galleries.
2. Betsy Ross House
Cost: $5
Hours: Fri-Mon: 10am-4pm
The Betsy Ross House is one of the coolest cheap things to do in Philadelphia. It is the house that Betsy Ross lived in and the site where the first American flag was made. Visitors can climb the 300-year-old stairs and see the rooms through which Ross walked. Note that this house is very small and narrow, so make sure you are okay with that prior to visiting. If you do not want to pay to go inside, you can also check out the shop and Besty Ross’s grave.
3. The Bourse Food Hall
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Thus: 7am-8pm, Fri-Sat: 7am-10pm, Sun: 9am-6pm
The Bourse was once home to a commodities exchange in the 1800s until the 1960s. It then turned into an office building for a while after that time. By the end of 2019, it turned into a food hall with over 30 food vendors. The Bourse is a great place to grab a bite to eat when exploring Philadelphia. You can also just go inside to see the historical interior and some cool murals.
4. Carpenters’ Hall
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues-Sun: 10am-4pm, Closed Mondays
Carpenters’ Hall is the location of the First Continental Congress in 1774. This two-story building was also a meeting place several times for the militia during the American Revolution. Present-day, there are several displays about the history of the building on the bottom floor. Plan to spend about 20 minutes looking at the exhibits.
5. Visit Christ Church
Cost: $5
Hours: Varies
Christ Church dates back to 1695 and has grown throughout the years. It is mostly known as the church many of the Founding Fathers attended. William Penn was baptized here. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Betsy Ross frequently attended services here. Two signers of the Declaration of Independence are also buried here.
6. Tour City Hall
Cost: $12
Hours: Tues-Sat: Various Times
The City Hall of Philadelphia is such an iconic building. Going on a tour of it is another one of the cheap things to do in Philadelphia. It is one of the nation’s most elaborate and largest city halls. The building contains over 250 statues and is a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can go on a 1-hour tour of the building. Sometimes, you are even able to go to the top to see the view of the city from the tour.
7. Dream Garden Mural
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm
One of the lesser-known cheap things to do in Philadelphia is visiting the Dream Garden Mural. This mural is composed of hundreds of thousands of glass pieces in over 260 colors. It is located in the lobby of the Curtis Building. It became a historical object after someone threatened to remove it in 1998. The spot was in the 2000 movie Unbreakable.
8. Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
Cost: Free
Hours: Fri-Sun: 9am-12pm, 1pm-5pm
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is a fantastic place to visit and one of the best cheap things to do in Philadelphia. This house was once the home of author Edgar Allen Poe and is most likely where he wrote “The Tell-Tale Heart.” On your visit, you can enjoy a guided tour of the house, and admission is free. Make sure to pay attention to the operating times as the site is not open every day. It is one of my favorite National Park Sites I have ever visited and a must visit place for literature lovers.
9. Walk Elfreth’s Alley
Cost: Free
This historic alley dates back to 1703, which makes it the oldest continuously habited street in the nation. There are 32 houses on the street and a museum you can visit. Back in the day, businesses operated out of people’s homes, so this was a major place to get whatever goods you needed. On the first Saturday of December, residents open their doors and you can actually go inside and tour the houses.
10. Federal Reserve Bank
Cost: Free
Hours: 9am-4pm
The Federal Reserve Bank is another free thing to do in Philadelphia. Although you cannot tour the actual building, there is a wonderful free exhibit in the lobby about money, banking, and the Federal Reserve System. This exhibit should take no more than an hour to wander through.
11. Grab a Soda from the Franklin Fountain
Cost: $4 and up
Hours: 11am-12am
The Franklin Fountain is an old-timey soda shop. They have a ton of delicious ice cream and sundae choices. You can also grab a soda float or try one of their fun flavored sodas. It is one of the fun cheap things to do in Philadelphia, especially when it is hot out.
12. Visit the Grave of Ben Franklin
Cost: $5
Hours: Sun, Wed-Fri: 12pm-4pm, Sat: 11am-5pm, Closed Mon-Tues
At the Christ Church Burial Ground you can find the grave of Benjamin Franklin and his wife. If you do not want to pay to go into the cemetery, you can also see his grave from outside of the gate. It is also the resting place for four other signers of the Declaration of Independence.
13. Independence National Historical Park
Cost: Free
Hours: 9am-5pm
Independence National Historical Park is one of the best cheap things you can do in Philadelphia. In total, this park expands across 55-acres. It contains many historical sites that were important in the founding of the United States. You could easily spend a day just exploring the park.
Independence Hall is the main site at Independence National Historical Park. This is where the founding fathers signed the Constitution and the Second Continental Congress met. To visit the inside you will need to get tickets either online or the morning of. Along with the Independence Hall, you can visit Congress Hall which served as the United States capital for 10 years.
Old City Hall served as the Supreme Court of the United States for a while. To see the Liberty Bell, you do not need a ticket, but you stand in line to wait to visit a small museum about it and see the bell. Fans of How I Met Your Mother -you can’t actually get close enough to lick it.
The President’s House Site is a cool outdoor exhibit where our first two presidents lived. Now it houses an exhibit about African Americans during that time period. The First Bank of the United States and the Second Bank of the United States also great stops in the park. Inside the second bank is a portrait gallery of important founders of the US.
14. Love Park
Cost: Free
Love Park is known for its LOVE statue. Its real name is the John F. Kennedy Plaza. The Love statue has been in this spot since 1976. From here you can also relax in the park, check out the visitor’s center, or take in views of City Hall.
15. Grab a Pint at McGillin’s Olde Ale House
Cost: $5
Hours: 12pm-11pm
McGillin’s Olde Ale House is the oldest pub in Philadelphia and one of the oldest in the country. They have been open since Lincoln was president and even survived Prohibition. It is a great place to grab a beer or two and relax after a long day of touring. It is one of the best cheap things to do in Philadelphia.
16. Grab a Drink at Morgan’s Pier
Cost: $4 and up
Hours: 12pm-2am
Morgan’s Pier is an awesome beer garden located right along the river and of the best cheap things to do in Philadelphia. They offer a wide selection of beers and mixed drinks as well as some light bites to eat and a few deserts. It is a great place to relax at the end of the day and watch the sunset over the Race Street Pier
17. National Constitution Center
Cost: $14.50
Hours: Wed-Sun: 10am-5pm
The National Constitution Center is another great cheap thing to do in Philadelphia. This museum that opened in 2003 is all about the Constitution of the United States. Through interactive exhibits, visitors learn about how the Constitution came to be and how it continued to influence the United States since its adoption. It contains several permanent and rotating exhibits.
Make sure not to miss the show “Freedom Rising.” This muti-media exhibit covers the establishment of the Constitution. Visitors should also stop by the Signers Hall where you can see 42 life size replicas of the signers of the Constitution. The bottom floor of the museum contains two rotating exhibits, which are always worth checking out as well.
18. Penn’s Landing
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
Penn’s Landing is a waterfront area that is a great place to chill or partake in one of the many activities. It commemorated the spot where William Penn landed in 1682. Spruce Street Harbor Park contains a beer garden, food stands, carnival games, and hammocks to lounge in. In the summer months, movies are often hosted in the area. You can go roller skating at the roller rink (or ice skating in the wintertime).
19. Philadelphia Magic Gardens
Cost: $15
Hours: Wed-Mon: 11am-6pm
Another one of the cheap things to do in Philadelphia is the Philadelphia Magic Gardens. This mosaic is one of the largest works of art created by Isaiah Zagar. It spans three city blocks and contains both indoor and outdoor spaces. It even has a large outdoor labyrinth!
20. Eat a Philly Cheesesteak
Cost: Around $10
Hours: Varies by shop
When visiting Philadelphia, getting a Cheesesteak is a must. I’ve tried a variety of places across the city including Gino’s, Pat’s, Sonny’s, Campo’s, and Tony Luke’s. Tony Luke’s is hands down my favorite, but it is a bit out of the way. Campo’s is a bit more convenient if you do not want to make the trek to Tony Luke’s. The cheesesteaks are pretty big, so you can easily share them with another person. Make sure to get it with Cheese Wiz!
21. Wander Through the Reading Terminal Market
Cost: Free
Hours: 8am-6pm
The Reading Terminal Market is such a fun cheap thing to do in Philadelphia. It opened in 1893 and contains endless food options. The Reading Terminal Market is a great place for a snack or any meal. It is also fun just to wander around and look at the food options. My favorite stops include the Dutch Eating Place and Fox & Sons.
22. Rocky Statue and Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Cost: Free
You cannot come to Philadelphia and not visit the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art if you are a Rocky fan. Sylvester Stallone made these steps famous with his running of them in the Rocky movies. At the bottom right of the steps, you can even pose next to a Rocky statue. You will frequently see joggers in this area.
23. United States Mint
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-4:30pm
The United States Mint in Philadelphia offers free self-guided tours of the facility so you can see how US coins are made. Plan to spend about 45 minutes looking through the exhibits. Visitors can also see some previous coins from earlier eras. The tour route takes you above the facility floor, so you can see from above how everything works.
24. University of Pennsylvania
Cost: Free
Hours: 24/7
The University of Pennsylvania is a private ivy league university founded in 1740. It was one of the nine colleges founded prior to the Declaration of Independence thus making it one of the older colleges in the United States. Benjamin Franklin was its founder and first president.
UPenn is a fun place to spend an afternoon walking around and one of the fun cheap things to do in Philadelphia. It is here you can find one of the Instagrammable “LOVE” statues (and it is often less busy than the one in Love Park). All of the buildings are also super pretty and it is a great place to take photos. You can also opt to take a guided campus tour.
25. Watch the Sunset at Bok Bar
Cost: $5 and up
Hours: Wed-Sat: 5pm-11pm, Sun: 2pm-10pm
Grab a drink from Bok Bar or some light bites to eat and watch the sunset over Philadelphia. This bar offers great views of downtown. Make sure to make a reservation as they do get busy. The bar is also only open seasonally, so make sure to check the website for more information.
Other Free and Cheap Things to do in Philadelphia
There are a ton of free and cheap things to do in Philadelphia. It is easily one of the more affordable cities on the east coast, but there are plenty of cheap things to do in New York, Boston, and Washington, DC as well. Looking for another affordable city? Head to Richmond for some more history and cheap sites.
7 thoughts on “25+ Free and Cheap Things to Do in Philadelphia: The Best Activities for Teachers on a Budget”
I haven’t been to Philadelphia before, but I always like to try and do cheap or free things when I go somewhere! This is a really handy list you’ve put together and will come in handy when I’m trip planning!
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Philly but always up for budget ideas for the next time I go visit! :] I’d love to check out the food hall and the Dream Garden Mural!
Great tips these sound like fun stuff. I haven’t been to Philadelfia, would love to chech these out when I do. thanks for sharing
I’ve never been to Philadelphia but it looks lovely! Thanks for sharing your recommendations, would love to grab a drink at Morgan’s Pier!
I need to go back to Philadelphia, we’ve visited back in 2015, but only had a short amount of time. We ran up and down the Rocky Steps and strolled a bit through the city, but that was it.
Philly is such a quaint city. It’s definitely underrated as well. Morgan’s Pier is so fun and the Magic Gardens are so cool to walk through.
I am not a teacher, but I am a mom and this is an amazing article. I am going to have to utilize this information this summer.