1 Day in Philadelphia Itinerary: A Balance of Food, History, Movies, and Oddities

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While I have visited Philadelphia on a longer trip in the past as a kid, I recently had the chance to spend a 12 hour layover in the city, and I’m convinced it was the ultimate way to spend the day.

I honestly didn’t know much about the city other than it being an historic city for America with the Liberty Bell and signing of the Declaration of Independence. And what I gleaned as a kid…I only remember the Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site 🤷🏻‍♀️.

In doing my deep dive of the city when planning my own travels, I discovered so much more! Local foodie gems, iconic attractions that seem like they’re often skipped, and art that will make your jaw drop.

I’m sharing my itinerary for 1 day in Philadelphia so you can copy/paste and have the best time discovering all the best this city has to offer, even if you’re short on time!

Summary of this Philadelphia Itinerary

Map of Your 24 Hours in Philadelphia

How to Spend One Day in Philly

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Breakfast at Green Eggs Café

I have two favorite ways to explore a destination with food – tours and flights (like samples of multiple things in one menu offering…not airplane flights). And there’s one of each on this itinerary. Score!

Starting with a unique foodie flight at Green Eggs Café. For breakfast, they have a french toast flight that includes an assortment of three french toast varieties: Créme Brûlée, Cinnamon Bun, and Cookie Dough.

It’s meant to be shared, but I won’t tell if you keep it to yourself 🤫.

To make the most of this itinerary, I recommend getting there when they open at 9 am. They have 5 locations, but for this itinerary, I’d opt for the location in Brewerytown if you’re driving because it’s a bit more removed from the most popular tourist attractions and may be less crowded.

If you’re taking public transit, I’d go with the Rittenhouse Square location on S 18th Street. From there you can easily catch the downtown loop PHLASH bus to the next stop, which costs $5 for the whole day.

Rocky Statue

Time to say hi to one of the great Philadelphia icons…Rocky!

If you’ve never seen the iconic 1976 film, Sylvester Stallone plays Rocky, a boxer who trains by running up and down the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps.

The statue was created for Rocky III and was left up as a public art piece. Whether or not you’re a fan of the movie, Rocky is certainly a Philadelphia icon so seeing this statue is a fun thing to do!

Morning at the Museum or the Prison

With only one day in Philadelphia, unfortunately, you can’t do it all. So instead, I’m giving you a couple options for this morning. 

If you love art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the best in the country with art that spans 2000 years of history. You can expect to see some incredible pieces from the Renaissance movement, medieval armor, African art, and so much more!

Tickets are $30 for adults and $14 for students. Advanced reservations are recommended and they’re closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Alternatively, this morning you can visit the Eastern State Penitentiary, which was one of the most famous and expensive prisons in the world. It’s long been abandoned and has since been turned into a museum.

The penitentiary is quite interesting as it was the first of its kind. The goal was to inspire penitence, or true regret, from its prisoners. It housed famous prisoners like Al Capone.

Now, you can visit to see art installations and take various tours, including their specialized Unlocking History tours that give you access to otherwise unpublicized areas of the prison.

Admission includes an audio guide, the art exhibits, and all tours and costs $21 for adults and $17 for students, although you’ll pay an extra $2 if you buy tickets at the door.

A note on logistics this morning!

First, both the art museum and penitentiary open at 10 am. I always recommend getting there first thing to avoid crowds and make use of the most time for your itinerary.

Because my breakfast recommendation opens at 9 am, I’d also plan to get there right when they open.

If you’re visiting the art museum you can add in the Rocky statue any time since it’s on the same campus as the museum. If you’re visiting the penitentiary, I’d actually recommend visiting the statue before breakfast, so you can go straight to the penitentiary after breakfast.

Totally up to you, but that’s what I would do!

Food Tour

Philadelphia is one of the best cities in the US for food, so going on a food tour is a great way to spend your lunch time. You’ll get full while learning about local cuisine and important vendors, restaurants, and eateries.

I took the Secret Food Tour for $86, which starts at 11 am and covers some highlights of Reading (pronounced “redding”) Terminal Market, Chinatown, and more!

If you want more time for the morning activities, feel free to browse other food tour options! Here’s why I loved the food tour I took…

We learned about the different cultures present in Philadelphia that contribute to its food and got to try some unique dishes that I never would have even thought of – like a soft pretzel and Philly cheesesteak dish that combined two of the city’s most iconic foods.

Not to mention, we learned about Reading Terminal Market and it’s quirks like the shop that sells a chocolate covered onion, the ice cream shop that’s been around for 160 years, and the Amish eatery not to miss!

If you want to browse more food tours, there’s plenty in the city to choose from. I’d definitely make sure they hit Reading Terminal Market. 

Presidential House Site

Who’s ready for some history?! *crowd goes wild*

It’s true, you really can’t do Philadelphia justice without a little American history. At least a small dose.

Before I share my DIY version, just know that you can absolutely take a guided history tour of Philadelphia if you’d rather have someone lead the way!

Starting at the Presidential House Site, this free walkthrough is in the location of the first president’s house. It’s where Presidents George Washington and John Adams conducted their executive business from.

More importantly, now, the exhibits that take over this space examine slavery in the White House.

It’s free to visit and an important stop to understand the context with which America was founded and operated in its earliest years.

Liberty Bell

Right next to the President’s House Site is the Liberty Bell. This is also a free attraction to visit, although it can get a bit crowded in peak season (June – August).

The Liberty Bell became a symbol for American independence and ideals, particularly due to its inscription, which reads, “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof.”

The Liberty Bell symbol was used by various movements from Independence onward including Women’s Suffrage, Civil Rights, and abolitionists.

The Liberty Bell Center has exhibits to learn more about this icon. Then you can move on to see the actual bell and its famous crack.

You can walk all the way around it and there are some great photo ops with Independence Hall in the background.

Independence Hall

Across the street is Independence Hall, which is where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

To see the inside, you need a timed tour ticket. You can get those online for a reservation fee of $1 per ticket. 

If you’re visiting in the low months (January and February) they are not necessary, unless they are holiday weekends.

The 20 minute tour covers the two main rooms in Independence Hall that are available for public viewing including the Declaration of Independence room. You’ll see how the room was laid out at the time and George Washington’s rising sun chair. 

The Dream Garden

Once you’ve finished your tour, I recommend a stop to see The Dream Garden. This mural is free to see inside the Curtis Publishing Company Building, just next door to Independence Hall.

The Dream Garden is my favorite thing on this itinerary aside from the food. The mural was made by Maxfield Parrish with Tiffany glass creating the most beautiful nature scene with the absolute most stunning, jaw-dropping colors you’ve ever seen.

You can simply walk into the building’s lobby and you’ll see it straight ahead.

They have benches for viewing plus a piano and small fountains that create the most serene ambience.

Elfreth’s Alley

These next two stops are the most unique on the itinerary. First, is Elfreth’s Alley, which is a residential street that’s the oldest example of early American colonial architecture. The 32 homes were built between 1703 and 1836.

Now, you can take a stroll along the alley to see little details of this time period. For example, spot the boot scrapers that allowed you to clean your shoes from the inevitable gunk that would accrue from walking in the dirty streets.

Be sure to take the alley to the left between the homes to visit the back where there’s an old water pump.

To get to Elfreth’s Alley from The Dream Garden, you can ride bus 42 toward 2nd-Spruce from Chestnut St & 6th St to stop Chestnut St & 2nd St then walk.

Alternatively, you can just walk. It’s about an 18-minute walk where you’ll pass Christ Church Burial Ground, where Benjamin Franklin is buried among others, and Betty Ross’ House, who sewed the first ever American flag.

Wanamaker Organ

The final thing to see is the Wanamaker Organ. Sure there’s plenty of other museums, historic sites, and oddities in Philadelphia, but for one day, I know this has been a lot. So, the Wanamaker Organ is a fun way to end the day.

Plus, it’s free to visit!

The Wanamaker Organ is the largest fully functioning pipe organ in the world! They play it twice a day at noon and 5:30 pm, every day except Sundays.

It’s absolutely incredible to hear this thing in action!

Where is it, you may ask. Why in Macy’s, of course (for now).

In fact, the Center City Macy’s used to be Wanamaker’s Department Store, but was transitioned to a Macy’s in 2006.

You’ll find the organ in the 7-story Grand Court in the center of the store and you can just hang out and wait for them to play it. You won’t miss it, I promise.

To get there from Elfreth’s Alley, it’s easiest to take the MFL (Market-Frankfort Line) subway going in the 69th Street direction from 2nd Street to 13th Street. You can tap with your contactless form of payment to pay and it costs $2.50.

@periodicadventures

You can also walk between all of these or take public transit. #thingstodoinphilly #phillytiktok #philadelphia #visitphilly #visitphiladelphia #freethingstodo #thingstodoinphiladelphia #phillyitinerary

♬ Bridgerton (Wildest Dreams) – The Theme System

A note that in March of 2025, the Macy’s has been shuttered with the Wanamaker Organ inside. While the organ is protected and won’t be removed, you cannot access it at this time.

Until we know the future of the building, I would opt for a night time tour either a ghost tour (because centuries of history = ghosts) or a guided bar crawl.

Dinner at Angelo’s Pizzeria

The final thing on this itinerary is to get a philly cheesesteak for dinner. While there are a couple spots that are popular like Gino’s and Pat’s, a pizzeria is actually more authentic of an experience.

Hence, Angelo’s Pizzeria!

You can get there on bus 45 in the Broad-Oregon direction from 12th St & Chestnut St to stop 12th St & Fitzwater St then walk to their location on S 9th Street.

They only take cash and they’re takeout only, but I promise they’re worth it!

A beef steak with American or provolone cheese is the most traditional. 

Example Timing for this Philadelphia in a Day Itinerary

• 9:00 am: Green Eggs Café for the French toast flight
• 10:00 am: Philadelphia Museum of Art
• 11:00 am: Food tour of Philadelphia
• 2:00 pm: Presidential House Site and Liberty Bell Center
• 3:00 pm: Independence Hall
• 4:00 pm: Elfreth’s Alley
• 5:30 pm: Dinner at Angelo’s Pizzeria for Philly cheesesteaks (take out and cash only)
• 7:30 pm: Ghost tour of Philly

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FAQs About Visiting Philly

How much does it cost to visit Philadelphia for a day?

Note that if you’re splitting costs, opting for fewer activities, or not spending the night, this will be much cheaper!

How to get to Philadelphia?

To fly into Philadelphia, you’ll want to look for flights to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). All major domestic airlines travel there as well as some international ones.

From the airport, you can take public transit into the Center City (downtown area) via the AIR 424 line. It takes about 45 minutes, so in the interest of time, you can also take ride shares or taxis. I took a taxi since they were more readily available than a ride share I had to wait on.

Renting a car is another option, although it may be more cost effective to take a ride share and use public transit, especially once you consider parking costs in the city.

Alternatively, you can drive to Philadelphia. It’s 5 hours from Pittsburgh, 2 hours from New York City, and 3 hours from Washington DC.

Getting around Philadelphia

You can walk most of this itinerary and make use of public transportation. They have a great bus and subway system!

There are also bike rentals through Indego, which is $4.50 for one 30 minute ride or $15 for a 24 hour pass.

Where to stay in Philadelphia

I recommend the Kimpton Hotel, which is $250+ per night in a fantastic location near all the main attractions, so it’s walkable. It’s also an IHG property, so you may be able to use points if you’re part of their loyalty program or if you use travel hacking.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, the Cambria Hotel downtown ($150+ per night) has great reviews and is in a walkable location.

I have more time, what should I do?

I would slow this itinerary down and hit everything I mentioned. Instead of choosing between the art museum and Eastern State Penitentiary, for example, I’d do both!

You can also find WAY more history-related things to do than I mentioned including the Museum of the American Revolution.

As a science nerd, I’d opt to visit the Franklin Institute, one of America’s best science museums!

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• Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
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• Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
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