Two Days in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 20+ Fantastic Historic Sites and Amazing Food Spots

(Last Updated On: November 30, 2023)

Philadelphia is commonly known as “The City of Brotherly Love.” It is also the birthplace of our nation and a highly underrated city. Philadelphia is more affordable than a lot of other large cities in the United States and many of the activities are free or inexpensive with a whole slew of amazing places to dine. There are a ton of cheap things to do during two days in Philadelphia which makes it an affordable weekend trip. 

Disclaimer: Special thanks to the Philadelphia Tourism Board and Urban Adventures for hosting me at several attractions on my trip to Philadelphia! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own.

A statue of two men talking to each other. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

History of Philadelphia

Philadelphia is one of the original cities in the United States. Founded by William Penn in 1682, it became a haven for Quakers fleeing Europe. During the American Revolution, Philadelphia became an important meeting place for Revolution leaders. Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were created and ratified here. Throughout the years, Philadelphia became a major hub for trade and an industrial center with many immigrants passing through from Europe. Present-day Philadelphia has become a center for business, contains 67 historical landmarks, and is the first World Heritage City in the United States. 

How to Get to Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Airport contains flights from many places around the world. From the airport, it is a super quick hop to downtown. You can opt to take a taxi or Uber/Lyft, but the cheapest way is to take the SEPTA regional train. This takes about 20 minutes to get you to 30th Street Station and costs $7. From 30th street station, you can catch a train to other major cities such as New York, Boston, and Washington DC

Three people looking at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Transportation for Two Days in Philadelphia

There is no need for a car when spending two days in Philadelphia. It is a super walkable city and many of the main attractions are close to each other. Philadelphia also offers plenty of city bikes. The subway system is extensive enough to get you to many places around town as well. You can get a pass for public transportation for $13 for one day or $30 for up to 5 people. 

Where to Stay in Philadelphia

Many of the sites in Philadelphia are conveniently located near each other. I recommend staying in the City Center or Penns Landing areas. These areas will give visitors the best access to all of the sites and be close to an abundance of places to eat. It is also easy to get to these areas from both the airport and the train station, and it will be centrally located for your two days in Philadelphia. Make sure to check for Priceline Express Deals for some awesome hotel deals. These are some of my favorite options.

Things to Do During Two Days in Philadelphia

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 Vienna GoCity pass here.

Day 1

Dutch Eating Place

Cost: $$

Hours: Mon-Sat: 8am-6pm, Sun: 9am-3pm

Start your first day of two days in Philadelphia by eating breakfast in the Reading Terminal Market. This market opened in 1893 and has endless food options. For breakfast, I recommend the Dutch Eating Place. This quaint little breakfast place is run by the Pennsylvania Dutch. It is an affordable place where visitors can get a filling breakfast and it was delicious.

Independence National Historical Park

Independence Hall with a grassy lawn. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly
Several chairs next to tables in a room with a chandalier. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: Free

Hours: 9am-5pm

The highlight of any two days in Philadelphia is Independence National Historical Park. This 55-acre UNESCO World Heritage site has plenty to keep you busy. History lovers could spend an entire day exploring the different buildings. 

You will need to get tickets to go into Independence Hall, but they are free. Get there right when the park opens to make sure you get a ticket. If your tickets are for later in the day, complete the afternoon activities in the morning. You can also opt to reserve tickets online ahead of time here

Independence Hall is a historical building where the Founding Fathers ratified the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This is where all of the Constitutional Conventions took place. To access the inside of the building, visitors must take a guided tour. 

After your Independence Hall tour, you can also stop by Congress Hall. This spot served as the capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. This is where Congress met and also where Presidents Washington and Adams took their oath of office. 

The Liberty Bell with Independence Hall in the background. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly
A wall of portraits. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

The Liberty Bell once hung in the steeple of Independence Hall. Now, it is an iconic symbol of America and stands in its own building. No tickets are required for visitors to enter the building. 

Stop by Old City Hall which served as the Supreme Court of the United States during the 1790s. In the old Second Bank of the United States Building, you can visit a portrait gallery with over 150 portraits of founders of the United States. 

The park also contains other historical buildings such as the president’s house site, the First Bank of the United States, and several other historic houses, gardens, and museums. If interested in seeing all of these sites, you can easily spend the entire day exploring them all. Pick up a map at the Visitor’s Center to see where all of the sites are located. 

Museum of the American Revolution

A portrait of George Washington with the King George symbol on the ground. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly
Several mannequins under a British flag. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: $21/$18 for teachers

Hours: Thus-Sun: 10am-5pm

Spend the afternoon visiting the Museum of the American Revolution. This newer museum opened in 2017 and features relics from the American Revolution. The most noteworthy item is the tent George Washington used to camp in Valley Forge. Throughout your visit, you learn all about the history and events of the American Revolution. Plan to spend at least two hours visiting the museum. Teachers get a discounted rate here, so make sure you bring a teacher ID!

Eastern State Penitentiary*

Cost: $19

Hours: 10am-5pm

If you have time this afternoon, visit the Eastern State Penitentiary. This former prison is famous for holding the infamous Al Capone for several years. It is now a US landmark and open for visitors to tour. Plan on spending several hours here in order to tour the entire prison. During the fall months, they have a spooky nighttime tour you can go on as well. In the summertime, there is a night tour on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 

La Viola

A plate of pasta and peas. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: $$

Hours: Tues-Thurs: 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm, Fri: 11am-3pm, 5pm-11pm, Sat: 5pm-11pm, Sun: 4pm-11pm

Tonight, grab dinner at La Viola. This tiny Italian place serves delicious pasta and more. It also has a BYOB policy, so feel free to bring a bottle of wine to go with your meal. There is even a wine shop around the corner from the restaurant. 

McGillin’s Olde Ale House

Cost: $$

Hours: 12pm-11pm

After dinner, head over to McGillin’s Olde Ale House. McGillin’s is the oldest pub in Philadelphia. They brew their own beer, but also offer other beer selections and light eats. This is a great place to chill at the end of the night and rest your feet up after spending your first of two days in Philadelphia. 

Day 2

Little Spoon Cafe

Cost: $$

Hours: Varies

For your second of two days in Philadelphia, start out with breakfast at Little Spoon Cafe. If you are looking for an upscale and sweet breakfast, Little Spoon Cafe is a great choice. Make sure to try the PB and J pancakes or the Lemon Ricotta pancakes. They also have tons of fun coffee drinks. 

Go on a Walking Tour with Philadelphia Urban Adventures

A brick church with trees and a grassy lawn. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: $35 and up

Hours: Varies by Tour

One of the best things to do during two days in Philadelphia, especially if you have not visited before or are a history lover, is to go on a guided walking tour. Philadelphia Urban Adventures has a ton of fun options. We opted to go on the History in HD tour which takes you to many of the historical sites and a few hidden gems. This tour lasted 2 hours and the largest the group can be is 12 people. We were lucky and ended up with a private tour as no one else signed up for our tour. 

Eat a Philly Cheesesteak*

A sign for Campo's #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: $

Hours: Varies by location

For lunch, grab an infamous Philly Cheesesteak! No trip to Philadelphia is complete without getting a mouthwatering steak and cheese whiz cheesesteak. Campo’s, Gino’s, and my favorite Tony Luke’s are some of the top places to get this steak sandwich oozing with cheese. Many of the cheesesteaks are huge, so I recommend sharing with another person if possible. 

Visit a Museum

This afternoon opt to visit one of the many museums in Philadelphia. The Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are two of the most visited spots. 

The Barnes Foundation
A small pool with trees next to a building showing a reflection. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly
Several paintings on a wall. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: $25 (Free to Teachers on Sundays)

Hours: Fri-Mon 11am-5pm

The Barnes Foundation is a great museum for people who like Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, and Modern Art. This museum contains over 4,000 works from those periods. You will find lots of works by Renoir, Matisse, and Picasso. 

It was originally established in 1922 but moved to its current location in 2012. This museum is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours exploring. If you get hungry, make sure to grab a bite to eat at the Garden Restaurant. 

Franklin Institute*
The outside of the Franklin Institute with trees. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: $23

Hours: Wed-Sun: 10am-6pm

The Franklin Institute is a science museum with many hands-on exhibits. This museum is great for families or anyone who is into science. Sir Isaac’s Loft was one of my favorite exhibits as a kid. Make sure not to miss the free Ben Franklin Memorial in the rotunda. 

National Constitution Center
Several bronze statues in a room. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly
A woman next to a Hamilton statue. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: $14.50

Hours: Wed-Sun: 10am-5pm

This museum is dedicated to the history of the Constitution. Through interactive exhibits, visitors learn about how the Constitution came to be and how it continued to influence the United States. It opened in 2003 and contains several permanent and rotating exhibits. 

Make sure not to miss the performance of “Freedom Rising” which covers a bit of the foundation of the Constitution. Visitors should also stop by the Signer’s 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.

Philadelphia Museum of Art
A Rocky Statue with trees and a building in the background. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: $25

Hours: Sun, Thurs, Sat: 10am-5pm, Wed/Fri: 12pm-7:30pm

No two days in Philadelphia are complete without visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Even if you are not interested in art, you may know these steps from the infamous scene from the Rocky movies. If you opt to head inside, popular works by Picasso, Monet, Cassatt, and Dalí can be viewed here as well as tons of various forms of art. 

Amma’s South Indian

Cost: $$

Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-9:45pm, Sun: 11am-8:45pm

Tonight, grab dinner at Amma’s South Indian. This place will leave you so full. Their recipes have been passed down through generations and have a very rich flavor. They offer some a south Indian style of food. Make sure to get a Dosa, you will not be sorry!

More Than Two Days in Philadelphia?

A couple standing in front of the LOVE statue. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

If you have more time than two days in Philadelphia, there are still a ton of other exciting sites to see. When in season you could also head to an Eagles football game or a Phillies baseball game. No matter what there are a ton of things to fill your time. 

Betsy Ross House*

Betsy Ross' grave with plants. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: $5

Hours: Fri-Mon: 10am-4pm

The Betsy Ross House is the house that Betsy Ross lived in and the site of 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. 

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

Cost: Free

Hours: Fri-Sun: 9am-12pm, 1pm-5pm

For literature lovers, Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is a fantastic stop. 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. 

Federal Reserve Bank

Cost: Free

Hours: 9am-4pm

Take a quick visit to the Federal Reserve Bank. 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.

University of Pennsylvania

Cost: Free

Hours: 24/7

The University of Pennsylvania, a private ivy league university founded in 1740, was one of the nine colleges founded prior to the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin was its founder and first president. UPenn is a fun place to spend an afternoon walking around. It is here you can find one of the Instagrammable “LOVE” statues. 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

United States Mint

The wall of the US Mint with two statues. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: Free

Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-4:30pm

The United States Mint in Philadelphia offers free self-guided tours of the facility. Tours take about 45 minutes to complete. Visitors can see how US coin currency is made as well as 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. 

Valley Forge National Historic Park

Three cannons sitting in a field with trees. #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

Cost: Free

Hours: Grounds open 7am-dark 

From Philadelphia, it is super easy to take a day trip to Valley Forge. Located about 30 minutes west of Philadelphia, Valley Forge is the location of where George Washington and his soldiers spent a harsh winter during the American Revolution. Once at the park, visitors can check out historical exhibits and sites, take a scenic drive throughout the park, or opt to go on one of the hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. You can easily spend an entire day exploring the parts and exhibits. 

Two Days in Philadelphia

Two days in Philadelphia is the perfect amount of time to spend getting to know the city and see all of the main sites. Winter in Philadelphia is one of the best times to visit, and there are so many fun activities. Pennsylvania is a fun state to visit, and it is an easy gateway to the east coast. If you have more time, add in time in Washington, DC, or New York.

Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States is a highly underrated city. There are tons of cheap things to do during two days in Philadelphia. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge, the Betsy Ross House are just some of the sites to see. Make sure to grab a Philly Cheesesteak. Philadelphia Travel Guide Philadelphia Travel Tips #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly
Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States is a highly underrated city. There are tons of cheap things to do during two days in Philadelphia. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge, the Betsy Ross House are just some of the sites to see. Make sure to grab a Philly Cheesesteak. Philadelphia Travel Guide Philadelphia Travel Tips #Pennsylvania #UShistory #UShistoricalsites #weekendtrip #philadelphiaitinerary #Philly

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Jessica
3 years ago

Wow so many things I never would have thought of doing or seeing! Thanks so much for the info!

Annette
3 years ago

Philadelphia is such a fun place! I can’t wait to go back and check out your restaurant recommendations. ?

Denise
3 years ago

What a great list of things to do, cheap or not! We fly into Philly (or used to) to see my husband’s family. It would be fun to spend a couple of days there. I pinned for later!

Hannah
3 years ago

Wow, I had no idea there was so much to do in Philadelphia! I love cities with loads of museums and sights so I’m adding it to my list! Independence National Historical Park looks fascinating, I love learning about the history of the cities I visit. I’m also a literature lover so Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site would definitely be on my itinerary too! Little Spoon Cafe sounds incredible! Pancakes and coffee sound like the ideal way to start the day. Thanks for the great guide!

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