Philadelphia is a walkable city full of historic landmarks, vibrant parks, and unique cultural experiences waiting to be explored, many available for free or within a budget.
Free Historical Activities
Philadelphia with its reach and contribution to the nation and its democracy offers plenty of activities. Start at the city’s official welcome center Independence Visitor Center, in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic square mile. Must-sees include Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated with pre-purchased tickets available for only $1. Tour Congress Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States, and The Liberty Bell, the symbol of Philadelphia’s historic past, on display in the Liberty Bell Center.
Head to the President’s House, the executive mansion of George Washington and John Adams, to see where the commander in chiefs once lived. Carpenters’ Hall was the site of the First Continental Congress in 1774, and later a temporary field hospital during the Revolutionary War. Step back into the past with a free tour of this building. For a unique experience, join storytellers seasonally at Once Upon a Nation’s six unique benches in Philadelphia’s historic district.
In the heart of Philadelphia’s Old City, Christ Church’s Burial Grounds are the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin. Paid admission is required but you can view the site through a steel fence along Arch Street. Founded by Richard Allen in 1792, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church is the oldest piece of property continuously owned by African Americans featuring a small museum.
Tucked away from Old City’s vibrant streets is America’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street, Elfreth’s Alley. Enjoy the beautifully preserved homes and walk the cobblestone streets to see what life was like for early American settlers. Philadelphia is also the birthplace of the first volunteer fire company, created in 1736 by Benjamin Franklin. Located only a few blocks from Elfreth’s Alley, Fireman’s Hall is a unique museum dedicated to preserving Philly’s fire history and promoting fire safety.
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is a free museum detailing the Jewish experience in America starting in 1654 featuring a “Only in America” gallery, an exhibition illustrating the choices, challenges, and opportunities Jewish Americans encountered in America. The American Philosophical Society Museum is the oldest learned society in the United States, founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin to “promote useful knowledge” boasting a collection of manuscripts, rare books, photographs, and more. Also, visit the United States Mint for a free, self-guided tour featuring a view of coining operations 40 feet above the factory floor. Reservations are not required for the tour which is available to the public Monday through Friday.
Located in Northern Liberties, the Edgar Allan Poe Historic Site is the former home of the influential author. You can tour the house for free on Fridays through Sundays. And do not miss a mural of Edgar Allan Poe, just across the street from the house.
Free Things to Do Outdoor
Philadelphia boasts an expansive network of trails, riverfronts, and outdoor activities within one of the world’s most extensive city-owned urban park systems. William Penn’s original city plan for Philadelphia included five public squares. Today, you can visit Philadelphia’s five original squares, including Rittenhouse Square, Washington Square, Franklin Square, and Logan Square. The fifth square is home to City Hall, known as Dilworth Park offering options for refreshments and seasonal activities. Head to LOVE Park for a photo op with the iconic LOVE statue. The park features a clear view of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway plenty of seating, frequent food trucks, seasonal activities, and the Visitor Center for souvenirs, acquire visitor information, and purchase tickets for attractions.
Bike or hike in Fairmount Park on more than 270 miles of recreational trails providing endless outdoor opportunities to escape into nature. The park connects to Schuylkill Banks’ 2,000-foot river pathway, ideal for walking, running, or cycling. Fairmount Park boasts one of America’s oldest playgrounds, Smith Memorial Playground, over 100 years old, featuring a giant playhouse, unique play equipment, and the historic Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide. Also check out Bartram’s Garden, America’s first botanical garden, which spans over 45 acres along the Schuylkill River. This off-the-beaten-path gem includes trails, historical buildings, educational programming, and a boat launch.
Cherry Street Pier is a redeveloped, century-old municipal pier that offers year-round performances, pop-up shops, food vendors, and more. Just north of Cherry Street Pier, Race Street Pier is a multi-level recreational pier popular among runners. Relax in a hammock or enjoy the river breeze at the seasonal Spruce Street Harbor Park. At night, the LED light installations glow beautifully along the Delaware River Waterfront. Swing on a bench and walk the paths of The Rail Park, built on unused rail lines that have been transformed into a beautiful public space. End your day at Cira Green, a park in the sky, located 12 stories up and on top of a West Philadelphia parking garage. The park hosts events like movie nights and yoga classes in warmer months.
Free & Budget Friendly Arts and Culture Activities
Enjoy self-guided tours of Philadelphia’s exceptional collection of public art with digital maps offered by Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Association for Public Art. The renowned Curtis Institute of Music also offers free admission to their student recital series. Located in the El Centro de Oro neighbourhood, Taller Puertorriqueño serves as a multifunctional hub, offering an art gallery, space for Puerto Rican events, and a community centre. Follow the steps of Rocky Balboa with a jog up the Rocky Steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum has a “pay what you wish” offer on the first Sunday of every month and each Friday after 5 p.m. The Barnes Foundation, a short walk from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, also offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month. Visit the Fabric Workshop & Museum, a free, contemporary art museum across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. A short walk from The Fabric Workshop & Museum is the Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design featuring the work of significant regional, national, and international artists with distinctive exhibitions and educational programs.
Free Science Attractions in Philadelphia
The Science History Institute offers free admission and has an outstanding collection of chemistry-related objects, artwork, photographs, and books. The Wagner Free Institute of Science, founded in 1855, provides free public education in science. The National Historic Landmark building houses more than 100,000 natural history specimens including fossils, shells, minerals, and mounted animal skeletons. Over at Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s first hospital founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr Thomas Bond, take a free tour of the historic Pine Building, a 13,000-volume library, the county’s first surgical amphitheatre, and the outside herb gardens and grounds. Ultimately, Fairmount Water Works, situated on the east bank of the Schuylkill River between Boat House Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, built in the 1800s as Philadelphia’s sole water pumping station, today educates visitors on the importance of water preservation in our daily lives.
