Philadelphia: A Days Tour from New York City

If you’re planning to stay for over a week in New York City, it’s best to take a day trip to Philadelphia from New York. Both cities are about 100 miles (160 km) apart and take less than 2 hours by car.

Americans call Philadelphia “Philly”, which means “the city of brotherly love” and was founded in 1682 by William Penn. It is one of the oldest cities in the United States and has served as a meeting place for the Founding Fathers, who signed the Declaration of Independence here in 1776. Since the city is steeped in history it’s home to several historical landmarks, parks and museums, and plenty of great restaurants.

In this post, you will get to know the very best things to see in Philadelphia in one day and some useful tips for your visit. With one day in hand, it’s best to focus on those places to see in Philadelphia that truly set the city apart.

 

Top Places to See in Philadelphia on a Day’s Tour

There are many hotspots in Philadelphia you can’t miss, the good news is that the most famous landmarks are within close proximity of each other, making a quick day trip to the city very doable.

1. LOVE Park

Begin your tour at the John F. Kennedy Plaza and check out the iconic LOVE Park designed by Robert Indiana in 1976. Taking a selfie with the LOVE sculpture is one of the must-do things in Philadelphia. The LOVE Park offers beautiful and wide views of the neighbourhood from here you can start your walk down the famous Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

2. The Barnes Foundation

After Paris, Philadelphia is home to the largest impressionist paintings in the world. If you’re an art lover then stop by the Barnes Foundation to view some of the finest impressionist, post-impressionist, and modernist works of art by Van Gogh, Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso, Rousseau, Soutine, Matisse, Degas, Chirico and many more.

3. The Rodin Museum

Your next stop on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be the famous Rodin Museum. Another wonderful place for art lovers as the museum is home to the largest collection of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures outside of Paris. Here you can check out Rodin’s most famous work: The Thinker.

4. Rocky Steps

As you reach the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway you will see the Rocky Steps. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the location of the iconic steps where Rocky Balboa of the Rocky film series, played by Sylvester Stallone, notably climbed the steps to train to fight his opponents in the boxing ring. 

Re-enact the steps by climbing yourself, it’s a cool experience, and you’ll have breath-taking views of the city from the top of the steps. Here you will also see an engraving on the ground noting Rocky’s exact feet placement when he reaches the top platform. Don’t forget to pose for a picture with the Rocky statue at the bottom of the steps.

5. Philadelphia Museum of Art

Don’t stop at the Rocky steps; the Philadelphia Museum of Art is also worth seeing. The museum is home to a world class selection of works that span centuries. Each hall will take you back in time throughout history and to different parts of the world. Also on display are rare finds from all over the world and works by famous artists like Monet, Picasso, and Warhal. You can easily spend a whole day inside and it’s certainly an art-lover’s dream destination.

6. Philadelphia City Hall

An architectural delight, the Philadelphia City Hall is the largest municipal building in the United States. Tours are available for City Hall every 15 minutes and you will see the Mayor’s Reception Room, City Council Chamber, Conversation Hall and the Supreme Court Room that are incredibly ornate. Later you can check out their observation deck that offers 360-degree panorama views of the city. And if you happen to visit during winter, you can check out the Rothman Ice Rink and skate with the beautiful backdrop of City Hall.

7. The Liberty Bell

At a short distance is the Independence National Historical Park where some of the most significant events related to American history took place. One of them is the popular Liberty Bell that has a beautiful and funny story to it. It’s housed within a white building and you’ll find lots of historical information related to it.

The famous inscription on the bell – “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the and unto all the Inhabitants thereof”. This proclamation was used by Americans many times throughout history, especially by those who opposed slavery. The bell became a key symbol of freedom in the American Civil War.

The funny part is that the bell has been dropped and cracked twice. First, when it arrived in Philly and then it cracked again but no one ever took the blame. Isn’t that funny?

8. Independence Hall and Historic District Museums

Across from the Liberty Bell is the Independence Hall, where America’s ‘Founding Fathers’ signed the historic Declaration of Independence and later wrote the United States Constitution. The entire presentation takes about 10 to 15 minutes, as you stand outside the ropes of the main Assembly Room. 

While the historic district is also home to several museums such as:

• Benjamin Franklin Museum
• The African American Museum
• National Constitution Centre
• Museum of the American Revolution
• Independence Seaport Museum
• Betsy Ross House

 

9. Elfreth’s Alley

Step back in time on Elfreth’s Alley – the oldest residential street in America. There are 32 houses on this street that were built between 1728 and 1836. Take a walk down the historical lane, which has existed as a residential street for more than 300 years. To learn more about its history visit the Elfreth’s Alley Museum at #124. You can also walk down Bladen’s Court and read about the history of the homes that stand there. 

10. Philadelphia Magic Gardens

Another highlight of the tour is a visit to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens. The space is famous for its beautiful outdoor/indoor maze of tile and mosaic art. Isaiah Zagar, a local artist began tiling Philadelphia’s infamous South Street in the 1960s and never stopped. He constructed the space out of glass tiles, wine bottles, bicycle spokes, ceramic and other artistic knick-knacks. They charge a small fee to enter the gardens, but you can see a lot of artworks from the outside too.

11. Reading Terminal Market

Reading Terminal Market is one of the best places to eat in Philly, in fact it’s a must-see on your day’s tour of Philadelphia. Established in 1893 under the train tracks of the newly built Reading Terminal – today it stands as both a historic landmark and the heart of the city’s gastronomy. 

This indoor market features over 80 vendors selling almost everything. From fresh produce, baked goods, meat, seafood, plants, flowers, crafts and gifts. There are loads of food options too and whatever you’re in the mood for cheesesteaks, donuts, pizza, Cajun food, burgers, or Thai – there’s something for everyone at Reading Terminal Market.

12. South Street

One of the best ways to end your one-day tour in Philadelphia is at South Street, the city’s lively entertainment district. The street is a melting pot of groups and cultures. In fact, it has its own personality and charm with over 300 diverse shops and more than 60 restaurants, cafes and bars. It’s also a perfect place for people watching – as it’s always buzzing with tourists whenever you visit.

13. Eat a Philly Cheesesteak 

While you’re in Philly you really should try a famous Philly Cheesesteak. An authentic Philly Cheesesteak is prepared using sliced beef and provolone (or Cheez Whiz) on a roll. Almost every eatery will follow this core model. There are two establishments famous for their Cheesesteak – Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks. They are located diagonally across from each other in South Philadelphia.

14. Benjamin Franklin Gravesite

While you may think it’s odd to include a cemetery on a day trip to Philadelphia from New York, the Christ Church Burial Ground is one of the city’s most famous sights. The cemetery is located near the Independence National Historical Park. Visiting the graveyard is on many visitors’ lists because it’s where Benjamin Franklin is buried – along with four other signers of the Declaration of Independence. Join others in placing a penny on Ben Franklin’s gravestone in honour of his famous quote – ‘A penny saved is a penny earned’.

15. The First Post Office in the United States

Did you know Philadelphia is home to the very first Post Office in the United States? A visit here will surprise you as the postal workers here still wear colonial-style clothing and use a quill and inkwell to write – giving you a glimpse of a bygone colonial era. Even today, people come to mail their letters here, because letters mailed from this post office are hand-cancelled with an exclusive postmark. You can send yourself a postcard from here as a memento of your one-day tour of Philadelphia.

 

Why take a private guided tour to Philadelphia from New York?

It’s best to book your day trip to Philadelphia from New York with Rosotravel. One of the main reasons being you don’t have to worry about buying your tour tickets and planning other details of the trip like transportation, guide services, tickets to some tourist attractions, etc. This helps in avoiding last minute setbacks.

In addition, we have shortlisted the best things to see in Philadelphia in one day and focus only on those places and attractions that truly set the city apart, hence giving you full value for your money. You will be personally guided to all the attractions; this ensures you spend most of your time at the right places without wasting any time. 

You will be picked and dropped from your accommodation so you can relax on your journey between the two cities. Finally, you’ll be accompanied by a five-star expert guide, who will tell you lots of anecdotes and stories that will make the experience more fun and interesting.

 

Best Time to visit Philadelphia

All seasons are great to visit Philadelphia, but each season has its own charm

• Autumn is the best time to visit Philadelphia. The weather is usually cool but comfortable and the autumn leaves add a magical colour to the city. 

 

• Summer is pleasant; however, the days can be hot and humid, which makes visiting top sights in Philadelphia a task when doing it on foot.

 

• Winters can be brutally cold, but the benefit of wintertime visits are fewer crowds. Further, the city hosts a spectacular Christmas market and is beautifully decorated in Christmas lights.

 

• Springtime brings rain and a bit of sunshine, but again it’s not a bad time for a tour to Philadelphia.

 

Top Tips for a Day in Philadelphia

• Wear a good pair of walking shoes

 

• Wear comfortable clothing – it’s best to dress in layers – as the temperature can vary throughout the day. 

 

• In summer, wear clothing that’s lightweight and breathable. Don’t forget your sunglasses, wide-brimmed travel hat and sunscreen.

 

• In winter, make sure you dress in layers – and bring a hat and gloves.

 

• No matter which season – it’s always a good idea to have a travel umbrella and packable raincoat.

 

• Finally, the historical landmarks in Philadelphia are truly spectacular. We recommend using a real camera (DSLR) to capture the city sights.

 

So, this is our guide to the very best things to see in Philadelphia in one day. If you have enjoyed reading this post then you must book your day trip to Philadelphia from New York today to experience the fascinating history and culture of one of the most charming cities in America.

Have you ever spent just one day in Philadelphia? Are there any other places to see in Philadelphia you can suggest? Please share your best tips and advice in the comments below!