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Explore the History and Culture of Philadelphia, United States

About Philadelphia, United States

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a city with a rich history, vibrant culture, and plenty of attractions for visitors. From the Liberty Bell to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Reading Terminal Market, there's no shortage of things to see and do. Come to Philly for a fun-filled trip that's sure to be unforgettable!

Philadelphia, located in the northeastern United States, is one of the nation's oldest cities and a perfect destination for history buffs. The city played a significant role in the American Revolution, with landmarks such as Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed, and the Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence.

Aside from its rich history, Philadelphia is also home to an exciting and diverse food scene, with an abundance of restaurants, cafes, and bars serving up traditional Philly cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, and other local favorites. For those looking for a unique shopping experience, the Reading Terminal Market offers a wide variety of fresh produce, meat, and seafood, as well as handmade crafts and gifts.

Nature lovers can enjoy the many parks and outdoor spaces in Philadelphia, including Fairmount Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, and the Schuylkill River Trail, which offers beautiful views of the city skyline. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the city's many museums and galleries, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, home to over 240,000 works of art from around the world.

Philadelphia is also a great destination for families, with many attractions suitable for all ages, such as the Franklin Institute, a science museum with interactive exhibits, and the Philadelphia Zoo, home to over 1,300 animals from around the world.

Whether you're a history buff, foodie, or nature lover, there's something for everyone in Philadelphia. With its rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant food and arts scene, it's no wonder this city is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. Book your trip today and discover all that Philadelphia has to offer.

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Popular Stays in Philadelphia, United States

Explore some of the most affordable vacation packages and accommodation stays in Philadelphia, United States

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Business hotels

The Westin Philadelphia

With a stay at The Westin Philadelphia, you'll be centrally located in Philadelphia, steps from Liberty Place and within a 10-minute walk of Rittenhouse Square. This upscale hotel is 0. 6 mi (1 km) from Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and 1 mi (1. 6 km) from The Barnes Foundation. . Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a fitness center, or other amenities including wireless internet access (surcharge) and shopping on site. Additional amenities at this hotel include wedding services, a television in a common area, and a ballroom. . Stay in one of 294 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Premium TV channels and video-game consoles are provided for your entertainment, with wired and wireless internet access available for a surcharge. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations with rainfall showerheads and designer toiletries. . Grab a bite to eat at Lea Restaurant & Bar, a restaurant which features a bar/lounge, or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee. . Featured amenities include wired internet access (surcharge), a 24-hour business center, and express check-out. Planning an event in Philadelphia? This hotel has 16600 square feet (1542 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and meeting rooms. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite. .
Location Heart Of Down Town Primary Property Location City District Business Downtown Financial Shopping Theater Philadelphia International Airport 8 mi NW Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia is the only hotel located on Market Street West of City Hall. Situated in downtown Philadelphia our hotel is near such major companies as Comcast / Aramark and IBC / Broad Street and the Convention Center are all within walking distance. The Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia offers 439 well-appointed guest rooms- 24-hour fitness center- and 16000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is a wonderful location from which to explore the nearby historic attractions- professional sporting events and exciting dining and nightlife the city of Philadelphia and the hotels downtown neighborhood have to offer
Located 1 block east of Rittenhouse Square, this Philadelphia hotel is set amid smart shops and art galleries; Liberty Place office towers, Walnut Street restaurants, and Broad Street theaters are within 5 blocks. Built in 1926, this red-brick and white-stucco hotel features a grand, high-ceilinged lobby with wireless Internet access, the acclaimed Prime Rib restaurant, and a well-equipped fitness center. Rooms offer LCD TVs with video games and 7 high-definition channels, including HBO; complimentary wireless Internet access; large desks; laptop-compatible safes, and 2 phones with voice mail. Windows open, and bottled water is complimentary. Breakfast fee: USD 20 per person (approximately)Self parking fee: USD 44 per nightValet parking fee: USD 52 per night (in/out privileges)Pet fee: USD 75 per pet, per stayRollaway bed fee: USD 25.0 per day
The hotel blends French elegance with American style, providing a refined environment for upscale business and leisure travel. Experience this sophisticated downtown hotel, which serves as the cornerstone of the new Frenc h Quarter, steps from Rittenhouse Square. Offering the height of contemporary comfort and convenience, this 4-star Philadelphia hotel provides the ideal setting, just minutes from the convention center and historical attractions.
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Business hotels

Philadelphia Marriott Old City

With a stay at Philadelphia Marriott Old City, you'll be centrally located in Philadelphia, within a 5-minute drive of Pennsylvania Convention Center and Rittenhouse Square. This upscale hotel is 0. 6 mi (1 km) from Liberty Bell Center and 2. 8 mi (4. 6 km) from University of Pennsylvania. . Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a 24-hour fitness center, or other amenities including complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services. Additional features at this hotel include gift shops/newsstands, wedding services, and a fireplace in the lobby. . Make yourself at home in one of the 364 guestrooms. Cable programming and video-game consoles are provided for your entertainment, while wireless internet access (surcharge) keeps you connected. Partially open bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as laptop-compatible safes and desks. . Enjoy American cuisine at Society Commons, a restaurant which features a bar/lounge, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). . Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Philadelphia? This hotel has 21039 square feet (1955 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and 18 meeting rooms. . Distances are displayed to the nearest 0. 1 mile and kilometer. Independence National Historical Park - 0. 1 km / 0.
Sports and Entertainment
Business hotelsSustainable Hotel

Double Tree By Hilton Philadelphia Airport

The following services and amenities are available, but with reduced service: Airport Shuttle, Breakfast, On-site Restaurant(s). The following services and amenities are currently not available: Complimentary Evening Social, Executive Lounge, Room Service, Valet Parking. Daily Mandatory Charge will be added to the room rate and includes: Philadelphia Hospitality Improvement Levy Situated just off I-95, the recently renovated DoubleTree Philadelphia Airport hotel is located adjacent to the Philadelphia Airport. We're just minutes from exciting shopping, dining and entertainment options in Philadelphia's city center. The hotel is only four miles away from the South Philadelphia Sports Complex and eight miles from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Hotel amenities include complimentary 24-hour shuttle service to and from the airport, complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, a 24-hour fitness center, and an indoor swimming pool. Take advantage of our gated, secured parking while in town for business or flying out of the airport. Spacious guestrooms and suites feature generous work surfaces, complimentary WiFi, luxurious Sweet Dreams bedding, flat-screen HDTVs, and more. Start the day right with our extensive DoubleTree Breakfast buffet in the Landing restaurant or if you are in a hurry grab a quick bite and coffee at our Café Express. End the day with dinner or a cocktail in one of our two on-site dining options, The Landing Restaurant or Players Sports Bar. For meetings, our DoubleTree offers 12, 000 square feet of flexible meeting and conference space, including a large ballroom. Our hotel is conveniently located to all major area attractions that Philadelphia is known for. We're close to center city, the Liberty Bell, the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Navy Yard.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. After enjoying recreational amenities such as a spa tub and a 24-hour fitness center, a lucky night at the casino is the perfect end to the day. This resort also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and an arcade/game room. Grab a bite at MRKT Sea and Land, one of the resort's 6 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Snacks are also available at the 2 coffee shops/cafes. Relax with a refreshing drink from the poolside bar or one of the 5 bars/lounges. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are served on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and on weekends from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-out, and a 24-hour front desk.
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Business hotelsHotels with spa

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

A stay at Philadelphia Marriott Downtown places you in the heart of Philadelphia, within a 15-minute walk of Pennsylvania Convention Center and Rittenhouse Square. This upscale hotel is 0. 6 mi (0. 9 km) from Liberty Bell Center and 1. 7 mi (2. 7 km) from University of Pennsylvania. . Enjoy a range of recreational amenities, including an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and bicycles to rent. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands. . Make yourself at home in one of the 1408 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and LCD televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Wireless internet access (surcharge) keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. . Enjoy American cuisine at Circ, one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Snacks are also available at the coffee shop/cafe. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. To-go breakfasts are available for a fee. . Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Philadelphia? This hotel has 93211 square feet (8660 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and 66 meeting rooms. Limited parking is available onsite. . Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.

Things to do in Philadelphia, United States

Choose from a range of unique experiences and fun activities in Philadelphia, United States

Explore Philadelphia on this hop-on hop-off tour! See the top Philadelphia attractions including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House while touring the city in a fun, fast and scenic way. Enjoy a ride on an open-top, double-decker bus, with our Hop on Hop off tour during your stay in Philadelphia.
Forget watching History Channel documentaries. Why not see the landmarks that shaped America in real life on this Philadelphia tour? You'll see the building where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross's House, and much more! This tour even includes a special presentation about George Washington in the Museum of the American Revolution.
This self-guided audio tour explores the north-central Philadelphia waterfront, focusing on what remains of this historic locale after the installation of Interstate I-95 in the 1970s, and relating (among other things) how early Quaker settlers lived in caves along the waterfront. Keep in mind that this area was where wheeling and dealing went on to encourage local, regional and national enterprise. It was where early American capitalists made their fortunes. It was where the individual American colonies were crafted into a nation. And it was also where terrible urban contagions began. Your guide is historian, writer and tour guide Harry Kyriakodis. He has what is likely the largest private collection of books about the City of Brotherly Love: about 2700 titles, new and old. He's also a founding/certified member of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides and has lived at Pier 3 Condominium at Penn’s Landing since 1997.
Experience the History! Enjoy the sites of Philadelphia with a live Tour Guide on board our authentic Double Decker Buses. Hop on or Hop off at any of our 27 stops.
Discover the countless sights Philadelphia has to offer on this thoroughly enjoyable hop-on hop-off bus tour! You'll see all of Philly's iconic landmarks in your own time, including Love Park, Penn's Landing, Philadelphia Zoo and much more! On this 1, 2 or 3 day double-decker tour, you can hop-on and off as many times as you want, or stay on the bus for a full loop. Choose a 1.5 hour Night Tour to experience the dazzling lights of Philadelphia under the starry sky on a Panoramic bus tour. On this tour you can experience Philadelphia's most iconic sights such as Independence Hall, the famous Rocky Steps and Liberty Bell (must be booked separately from the hop-on hop-off bus tour). Take the Founding Fathers & Mothers Walking Tour to discover the men and women responsible for founding the USA that we all know today. On this Walking Tour you'll discover Benjamin Franklin's grave, Independence Hall and the President's House to name a few! (must be booked separately).
Experience the sights of Philadelphia with a personal guide on this private, half-day sightseeing tour. Hop in a comfortable minivan (for up to six people) and ride from river to river. See the Historic District, Penn's Landing, the Italian Market, Philadelphia City Hall, the South 9th Street Italian Market, the Rocky Steps at the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and much more.
Step into the eerie streets of Philadelphia with our Ghost Tour, where history and the supernatural intertwine! Guided by a local expert, this tour offers a thrilling glimpse into the city's spectral past. As you stroll through this district, you'll encounter tales of spirits lingering in iconic locations, including ghostly apparitions of America's founding fathers. Each stop on this mile-long journey blends the past with the present, revealing Philadelphia's haunting side. Be mesmerized by Washington Square Park, where whispers of history drift through the trees, and Independence Hall, where patriotic spirits might still roam. Feel the eerie presence around the Liberty Bell and explore the American Philosophical Society Library, where history seems to come alive. While we can’t enter private buildings, the haunted ambiance of these sites promises an evening of spine-tingling stories and historical intrigue. Join us to uncover the ghostly secrets of the City of Brotherly Love!
This adult night tour is not for the faint of heart. Developed by a local university professor well-versed in the dark side of Philadelphia, this tour covers all of the sightseeing of the Revolutionary War Period in Philadelphia including Alexander Hamilton's home, The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and more. And, all of the R-rated sites and stories not suitable for children too. Follow your local guide as you learn about vampires, sex, ghosts, and more on this fascinating tour under moonlight.

Why People Love Philadelphia, United States

See what people have to say about activities and accommodations in Philadelphia, United States

A
Angelic_PixieFairy
4
Oct 2019
We left the meeting place on time. Tour guide made sure everyone is on the bus everytime we leave a place. Learned a lot from our friendly tour guides. Commentaries are both in English and Spanish. Made sure the aircon is just the right coldness as they ask the passengers to let them know if it n...
A
Arif_Y
1
Feb 2024
We have Two Day Combo: Niagara Falls and Washington with Philadelphia from New York. both bus trips experienced problems. The first day the bus had to change in New Jersey, the second trip the bus had to change in Delaware waiting almost 2 hrs
M
Mohammad_S
1
Oct 2022
At niagra falls, I lost the tour guide, I went to toilet and I couldn’t see th tour guide when I was back.

Explore all stays in Philadelphia, United States

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Frequently Asked Questions about Philadelphia

What are the must-see attractions in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is a city rich in history and culture, and there are many must-see attractions to visit. Some of the most popular include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Reading Terminal Market, and the Franklin Institute. The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence, while Independence Hall is where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. The Philadelphia Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of art, while the Reading Terminal Market is perfect for foodies. The Franklin Institute is a hands-on science museum that's fun for all ages.

What are some fun things to do in Philadelphia with kids?

Philadelphia has plenty of fun things to do for families with kids. One of the most popular attractions is the Please Touch Museum, which is a children's museum with interactive exhibits. Another great option is the Philadelphia Zoo, which is home to over 1,300 animals. Kids will also love exploring the Franklin Institute, which has plenty of hands-on science exhibits. If you're looking for outdoor activities, head to the Adventure Aquarium, which is located just across the river in Camden, New Jersey. Or take a stroll through Fairmount Park, which is the largest urban park in the country.

What are some good restaurants to try in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is known for its food scene, and there are plenty of great restaurants to try. For a classic Philly cheesesteak, head to Pat's King of Steaks or Geno's Steaks. If you're looking for something a bit more upscale, check out Zahav, which serves modern Israeli cuisine. Other popular options include Federal Donuts, which serves up delicious fried chicken and donuts, and Reading Terminal Market, which has a wide variety of food options. Be sure to try some of the local favorites, such as soft pretzels and water ice.

What are some free things to do in Philadelphia?

There are plenty of free things to do in Philadelphia. One of the most popular is to visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, which are both free to enter. You can also take a stroll through Rittenhouse Square, which is a beautiful park in the heart of the city. The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers pay-what-you-wish admission on the first Sunday of every month. If you're looking for a great view of the city, head to the top of the One Liberty Observation Deck, which offers stunning views of Philadelphia and beyond.

What are some good neighborhoods to visit in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has many great neighborhoods to explore, each with its own unique character. Some of the most popular include Old City, which is home to many historic sites and great restaurants. Rittenhouse Square is another popular neighborhood, known for its beautiful park and high-end shopping. If you're looking for more of a hipster vibe, head to Fishtown, which has plenty of great bars, restaurants, and shops. Other popular neighborhoods include University City, which is home to many of the city's universities, and South Street, which is known for its funky shops and nightlife.

What is the best time of year to visit Philadelphia?

The best time of year to visit Philadelphia is in the spring or fall. This is when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. If you're looking to avoid the crowds altogether, consider visiting in the winter. While it can be cold, the city is home to many indoor attractions that are perfect for staying warm. Summer is also a popular time to visit, but be prepared for hot and humid weather and larger crowds.

What are some good accommodations in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has many great hotels to choose from, ranging from budget-friendly to luxury. Some of the most popular options include The Rittenhouse Hotel, which is located in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, and The Logan Philadelphia, which is located in the heart of the city. The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia is another popular option, known for its stylish rooms and great location. If you're looking for something more budget-friendly, check out The Independent Hotel, which is located in the Midtown Village neighborhood.

What are some good day trips from Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is located in a great location for day trips. Just a short drive away is Valley Forge National Historical Park, which is where George Washington and his troops camped during the Revolutionary War. Another popular option is Longwood Gardens, a stunning botanical garden located in Kennett Square. If you're looking for something closer, head to the Philadelphia suburbs, which are home to many quaint towns and villages.

What is the best way to get around Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is a very walkable city, and many of the top attractions are located within walking distance of one another. If you're looking to travel a bit further, the city has an extensive public transportation system, which includes buses, trolleys, and the subway. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also widely available. If you're planning on driving, be prepared for traffic and limited parking options.

What is the nightlife like in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a great nightlife scene, with plenty of options for all tastes. If you're looking for a more laid-back vibe, head to a neighborhood bar like Standard Tap or Frankford Hall. If you're looking for something more upscale, check out the rooftop bar at the Continental Midtown or the speakeasy-style Ranstead Room. For live music, head to Union Transfer or World Cafe Live. And for dancing, head to clubs like Rumor or NOTO.

What is the best way to experience Philadelphia's history?

Philadelphia is a city rich in history, and there are many ways to experience it. One option is to visit Independence National Historical Park, which is home to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and many other historic sites. The Philadelphia History Museum is another great option, with exhibits that explore the city's history. And for a more immersive experience, consider taking a walking tour or a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.