The Top Free Things to do in Philadelphia
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
6. Get back to nature at Fairmount Park
Philly’s treasured Fairmount Park is one of the country’s largest parks. While some of the attractions like the Philadelphia Zoo and the Shofuso Japanese Garden have an entrance fee, it costs nothing to explore the various nature trails throughout the park. Picnicking, disc golf, and cycling are popular activities to take advantage of during the milder seasons. Check out this little guide to the best trails in Fairmount Park. If you are up for a good workout, check out Boxer’s Trail where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier once trained on.
7. Watch a show on one of the largest LED video walls
The Comcast Experience is a free show which takes place on one of the largest continuous LED video walls in the world. The screen is 2100 square feet and contains 27 million pixels. The resulting picture quality is amazingly crisp. The Comcast Holiday Spectacular runs from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve and is really worth checking out if you will be in town during this time.
Location: 1800 Arch Street
8. Browse over 100 portraits at the Second Bank Portrait Gallery
This gorgeous Greek Revival building houses one of Philadelphia’s most unique attractions. Although far from one of the city’s most popular tourism draws, checking out 100+ portraits of notable 18th century leaders is a must for history buffs and art lovers alike. Portraits by 18th century painter Charles Wilson Peale comprise the majority of the collection. Consider this a little hidden gem where you can escape the crowds for a while.
Location: 420 Chestnut Street
9. Stroll down the oldest street in the US
This short stroll will just take a few minutes out of your day, although it’s worth adding to your itinerary if you are a big history buff. Dating back to 1702, Elfreth’s Alley still stands strong as the oldest continuously inhabited street in the US. Walk down the cobblestone alley and admire the beautiful historic architecture of an era long gone. Thirty two beautiful Georgian and Federal homes line both sides of this narrow street. In 1966, this historic street became a National Historic Landmark.
Location: 124 Elfreths Alley
10. Take a walk through Rittenhouse Square
This pretty public square is located in one of the trendiest, most affluent sections of Center City. Numerous foodie establishments draw continuous tourism to this bustling area. William Penn planned 5 parks in the 17th century, Rittenhouse being one of the most gorgeous. The scenery changes throughout the year with lush greenery & fountains to be enjoyed spring and summer, golden foliage in the fall, and twinkling lights over the holiday season.
Location: 210 W. Rittenhouse Square
