Free Things to do in Philadelphia

By Dom Bewley
free things to do in philadelphia see the liberty bell

Friends, Romans, and would-be travelers. We all know what brought you here - Philadelphia. The city of liberty has one of the richest histories in all of America. Now that you've decided to vacation there, you'll want to find the perfect place to set up basecamp and begin exploring its many delights. Do you want to be right in the heart of the action, or a little off the beaten path? Are you looking for somewhere with a lot of history, or something a little more modern? With so many questions, where does one even begin? Well, here, of course! Right now. Because we've put together a list of some of our favorites. So without further ado, here are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia!

Including:

  • Chestnut Hill
  • Bella Vista
  • West Philly
  • Old City
  • Washington Square West
  • and more!

Is Philadelphia a safe place to visit?

Like any large metropolis, Philly isn't without its issues. However, if you stick to the neighborhoods we list below, you'll be away from the rougher areas. Always be aware of your surroundings, keep your belongings close and your valuables out of sight, and you'll be right as rain.

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Which is the safest neighborhood in Philadelphia?

That would be Chesnut Hill. With a prime location near the city but far enough away from the thick of it, it's easily one of the best neighborhoods to visit in Philadelphia. You'll be near a number of great places to eat and drink, and it backs onto Wissahickon Valley Park, one of the city's best green spaces. It's no surprise that its nickname is 'the Garden District'.

And, with the lowest crime rates in the city, you'll feel at ease walking the streets and seeing all the district's beauty up close!

Washington Square West

If you're looking for inclusivity, then Washington Square West should be top of your list. With a historical connection to the LGBTQ+ community, expect plenty of like-minded folks and great vibes. Eschewing larger department stores and chains for small businesses, you'll find plenty of unique and delightful boutiques, jewelers, and heaps of food and drink opportunities. It's also the home of Washington Square Park, if you need to stretch out and catch some rays.

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Bella Vista

With a name that literally translates to 'beautiful view', do you need any more encouragement that it's one of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia? If you like your food Italian, your vibe Italian, and your people Italian-American, then Philly's own Little Italy should be top of your list. On the outskirts of the city's Downtown, you'll find plenty of great eateries, places to have a quiet drink, parks to explore, and great people to meet. Stellar.

West Philly

Known locally as University City due to the number of top higher education establishments that call it home, West Philly is a great place for younger travelers to go and kick back. After all, being surrounded by like-minded folk never hurt. Or if you're young at heart and crave the company of Gen Z to make you feel less old - no judgments here. In a district full of art, food, and bars and clubs on every corner, you can't go wrong.

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Old City

If you want to be close to Philadelphia's historical side, then Old City is one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Philadelphia is one of America's oldest cities, playing a huge part in the War of Independence. So, if you've come for the likes of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both signed), stretch your legs and your mind on a walking tour of the district's best bits. Then, when you've had your fill, go explore the neighborhood's beautiful architecture and ample nightlife offerings.

Fishtown

This concrete jungle was once the industrial center of the city. When industries moved out of the town - and eventually the country - the myriad buildings and warehouses were left a ghost town. That was until the hipsters caught a whiff of the real estate and started moving in en masse. Now, you'll find it refurbished to high heaven, with bucket loads of quirky entertainment opportunities. Bars now populate repair shops, and fishing warehouses have become slapdash theaters. So grab your beard oil and check it out.

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Northern Liberties

And right next to Fishtown, you'll find the equally gentrified Northern Liberties. Its laid-back vibe is home to many local businesses and restaurants, and some of the best views in the city. And not just from the outside. Thanks to its enviable art scene, you'll find plenty of great eye candy in many of the neighborhood's pop-up galleries. And like many of the other neighborhoods on this list, you'll find plenty of parks and other green spaces to reconnect with a little nature.

East Falls

If you want to be near the water but prefer being away from the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia's center, then East Falls will be one of the best neighborhoods for you! Backing onto the delightful Schyukill River, you can spend many a morning walking or jogging along the river trail, or wrangling up a picnic at the foot of Blue Bell Park. One of Philly's quieter areas, it's perfect if you're bringing the little ones along for your vacation. If not, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to keep adults happy too. Plus, thanks to the city's brilliant public transport infrastructure, you're only ever a bus, tram, or subway ride away from the busier bits!

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Graduate Hospital

Don't let the name fool you. Graduate Hospital might sound like a bad reality TV show, but it's actually one of Philly's lesser-known wonders. Within walking distance of the historic Old Town as well as Center City, it's also one of the city's most family-friendly neighborhoods. So, if you're looking for a little peace and quiet at night, but with touristy stuff nearby, it should be top of your list. The neighborhood's South Street features a ton of restaurants and bars, so you'll be well served when the sun goes down.

And those were our picks of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia and where to stay! Now you've got some base camp ideas, you'll want to know about some of the experiences you can see in the city. Don't worry; Go City's got you covered. With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see Philadelphia at your own pace.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Benjamin Franklin's grave covered in pennies, one of the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia
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Historical Things to do in Philadelphia

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This phrase, uttered by Winston Churchill in the years following the Second World War, is as true today as it was back then. America is a nation with a short yet rich history, and Philadelphia was at the center of it some three hundred years ago. It's no wonder, then, that Philadelphia is full of historical things to do and see! So, if you're in town and feeling historical, we've put together a guide to the best historical things to do in Philadelphia. These are our top picks. Including: Eastern State Penitentiary Museum of the American Revolution National Liberty Museum Christ Church Burial Ground National Constitution Center and more! Live like a criminal at Eastern State Penitentiary If you've always wondered what it feels like to 'do time', you needn't break the law to find out. After all, there's a certain sense of finality to getting locked up. Instead, head to Eastern State Penitentiary, an old prison where some of the most famous criminals in the U.S. once lived. It played a big part in modernizing the judicial system in the country, with many states now banning capital punishment. It even had running water and central heating before the White House. An astonishing fact and great news for the likes of Al Capone. Yes, the late not-so-great mobster spent 8 months in this infamous prison, and you can even visit his cell! But he's just one of the many famous names you may spot as you wander the prison. Of course, your self-guided tour will let you fill in all the blanks - the who's, the what's, and the where's - and let you go at your own pace. There's even an art installation about the prison, if you need a little distraction after all that incarceration business. If you're looking for historical things to do in Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary is full of it. Feel patriotic at the Museum of the American Revolution Philly played a massive part in the American Revolution, with many of the key players living there back in the 18th century. So it's hardly surprising that a museum dedicated to the revolution and the War of Independence can be found in the city. That museum is the Museum of the American Revolution. And if you're looking for historical things to do in Philadelphia, it doesn't get much better than that. You'll explore this rich and complicated era and its connections to our world today. Thanks to a massive collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art, you'll not get a more in-depth look at the time period than right here. Go check out the massive collection for yourself and get immersed in that revolutionary spirit! Learn about liberty at the National Liberty Museum Speaking of the War of Independence, liberty is something America has strived for ever since. It's also a big deal in Philadelphia, where one of the city's most iconic sights is called the Liberty Bell. Liberty is clearly something Philadelphia celebrates, which is why you'll find the National Liberty Museum within the city's limits. Paying tribute to liberty across the globe, you'll find exhibits dedicated to heroes that fought against tyranny. Whether it's a faithful recreation of the secret floor where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis, or another of the jail cell Nelson Mandela spent nearly 30 years for taking a stand against racial apartheid, you'll be moved by the countless offerings in the museum. And because it's Philadelphia, of course you'll find a copy of the Liberty Bell and information all about the Revolutionary War too. Pay your respects at Christ Church Burial Ground Given Philadelphia's importance to the war efforts against the British, you might guess that many important faces from the war lived their lives in the city. It's also where many of them were laid to rest. So why not go pay your respects at Christ Church Burial Ground? This self-guided tour will take you around all the famous remaining gravestones that still stand in the graveyard. Listen and you'll learn more about the brave men and women buried beneath your feet. In fact, it's the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin, one of the most famous faces of the war, and one of the names on the Declaration of Independence. if you have any pennies handy, toss one onto his grave. It's a Philly tradition. But he's just one of the many names you'll see as you walk the yard. So keep an eye out and see who you spot. You wanted historical? It doesn't get much more historical than a graveyard. Get constitutional at the National Constitution Center After the war was won and the British were done, there was a matter of an entire country to run. Where do you begin with such a mammoth endeavor? Well, rules help, so they should come first. And that's what they did. They wrote down a load of rules which became the U.S. Constitution back in 1787. And guess where they wrote said document? That's right, Philly, baby! Don't believe us? Head down to the National Constitution Center and be proven wrong. Inside, you'll learn everything you need to know about this key moment in American history. Thanks to hundreds of interactive exhibits, artifacts, and straight-up facts, you'll learn all about the process leading up to the document's release, how it's shaped America in the 300 years since, and how it's been amended as time's gone on. And that's not all; you'll see the OG document in all its glory, as well as the original Emancipation Proclamation that Lincoln signed. Constitutional stuff! You'll even get to vote for your all-time favorite president, and take the presidential oath of office (maybe a little practice for a future career?) Do the walk of freedom on a Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour And where better to end this historical jaunt through Philly than on a literal jaunt? Follow the history of the Founding Fathers and the roads the Revolution once walked on this Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour. Learn about Philadelphia's many famous landmarks like the Liberty Bell, and enter the likes of Independence Hall. With your knowledgeable guide in tow, you're sure to learn a lot more than we could ever share. So go check it out if your feet are in a walking mood. And those were our picks of the best historical things to do in Philadelphia! Looking for some modern marvels to complement your so-far historical vacation? See all of Philly's best bits with Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see the city at your own pace.
Dom Bewley
Teens on a bus tour
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Things to do in Philadelphia with Teens

Vacations aren't fun when you're not interested in doing anything, a fact that rings more true for teens! Here are our suggestions to get your teen engaged when visiting Philly!
Karleen Stevens
What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in Philadelphia
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What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in Philadelphia

Over 60% of Americans have either served themselves, or have family who have served in the armed forces. That is an astronomical figure. It's no wonder, then, that Memorial Day is such a big deal here. A day when we all remember those who gave their lives for our country, Memorial Day gives ordinary folk like you and me a chance to show our gratitude to them. And if you're in Philadelphia, you might wonder what to do on Memorial Day weekend? In this guide, we'll cover all the best events and experiences, as well as other fun things to get up to in the days before and after Memorial Day. Including: Philadelphia's History with Memorial Day Philadelphia's Memorial Day Parade The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall Special exhibits at the Museum of the American Revolution and more! So, if you were wondering what to do on Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia, now you know! If you're staying in town for a few days and want to fill out your itinerary with fun, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Philly's best bits at one low price. So grab a Philadelphia pass and save while you sightsee this Labor Day weekend!
Dom Bewley

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