22 Things to Do in Philadelphia, PA: Tips and Ideas From Locals
Philadelphia, PA exudes a captivating fusion of historical richness and urban allure, drawing newcomers from all over the U.S., seeking homes for sale or apartments for rent in Philly. Beyond its iconic skyline, Philadelphia offers a diverse cultural experience in and around the city, set against a backdrop of natural wonders and a vibrant community that elevates living in the city. In this Redfin article, we consulted locals to uncover unique activities in Philadelphia. Their insights reveal a city adorned with hidden treasures extending well beyond its renowned historical sites and cultural offerings. Here are 22 things that locals recommend doing in Philadelphia.
1. Walk Rittenhouse Square Park
“As a lifelong Philadelphian resident, one of my favorite things to do on the weekend is walk around Rittenhouse Square,” says Joe Solomon from Midtown Management, a local business specializing in personalized service to property owners. “The park is surrounded by some of the city’s most elegant and historic buildings, shops, cafes, and restaurants. It’s a beautiful destination with a vibrant atmosphere.”
2. Culinary treasures
“Try some of Philly’s best hidden culinary treasures in the far Northeast. Two must-try spots are Uzbekistan and Georginan Bread,” recommends TrustArt Realty. “Uzbekistan enchants with Central Asian flavors like succulent kebabs and aromatic plov, while Georgian Bread serves up Georgian delights, including mouthwatering khachapuri and savory khinkali. For an authentic taste of Philly beyond the tourist spots, these spots are a must, providing a unique and unforgettable experience.”
3. Sunday brunch at Valley Green Inn
J&A Wedding Photography suggests, “Nestled along the Wissahickon Creek in Fairmount Park, the Valley Green Inn serves as a cozy retreat throughout the year, with welcoming porches in the summer and warm fireplaces in the winter. This historic inn, built in 1850, has many hiking and biking trails surrounding it and is the perfect spot for an intimate wedding tucked away in the woods. Serving a creative take on New American cuisine, the Valley Green Inn is great for any meal throughout the day and especially Sunday Brunch with activities to work up a hunger.”
Courtesy of J&A Wedding Photography
4. Run up Rocky’s Steps
“One of my favorite spots is the top of the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, which I like to call ‘Rocky’s Steps.’ It is the location of the iconic scene from the movie Rocky,” recommends Zave from Zave Smith Photography. “The spot has a magnificent view of our vibrant city and is always full of people and positive energy.”
Courtesy of Zave Smith Photography
5. Eat at Reading Terminal Market
Zave also mentions that her “next favorite place to hang out and grab a meal is the Reading Terminal Market. Established in 1893 as Philadelphia’s premier fresh food market, it continues its legacy. Back then, trains from the countryside brought fresh meat and produce, and citizens of Philadelphia would come to the market, right below the train platforms, to shop and mingle. Today, a century later, it remains the same—a great place to purchase fresh food, enjoy a bite, or simply watch the parade of people flowing by.”
Courtesy of Zave Smith Photography
6. Check out Old City
Lastly, Zave suggests, “The third spot I like to wander in is Old City. Nestled between Independence Mall and the Delaware River, Old City was once a bustling port filled with warehouses and workshops. Philly is full of wonderful neighborhoods, each unique in
their flavors and culture.
Today, it boasts an eclectic mix of historic buildings, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants where tourists and locals seamlessly mingle. Walking along Third or Vine Street, past its shops and historic landmarks, you’ll be enticed by Old City’s charm. In the late afternoon, before the bars and clubs start humming, you’ll find its citizens interesting and friendly to talk with. It is Old City’s charm that makes it a wonderful place to wander, shop, or share a meal with friends.”
Courtesy of Zave Smith Photography
7. Take photos at Bartram’s Garden
“One of my go-to photography spots in Philly is Bartram’s Garden,” recommends Zara Neifield, a local photographer. “It’s an absolutely beautiful open space free to the public and provides you with multiple backdrops that will take your photos to the next level. From an old swing hung from a large tree, little winding paths with wildflowers and lots of space to explore, Bartram’s is a Philly favorite. As the oldest botanical garden in America, the word ‘charming’ doesn’t do it justice.”
8. John F. Collins Park
Zara also recommends ”John F. Collins Park, which is also a spot I love to photograph and spend time in. A hidden gem tucked away in the sky scrapers of center city, the tiny park is a little slice of green in a downtown shopping area. It has stunning architecture that blends well with the greenery and you can really take a moment here to sit back and enjoy the quiet in what is usually a louder area.“
Courtesy of Zara Neifield Philadelphia Photographer
9. Walk the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk
“One of my favorite places to capture the people of Philly is the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk,” says Matthew from Matthew Hamilton Visuals. “It blends both a sleek urban environment with natural surroundings to create a great place to capture the people of Philadelphia. This location is perfect during the early hours of the day as the sun begins to hit the Schuylkill River and the city wakes up. An added bonus of the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk is that it is so close to other locations, making it a great starter location for your photoshoot.”
10. Take in the views at Cira Green Rooftop Park
Matthew goes on to say, “Besides just being an amazingly beautiful place to hang out, the Cira Green Rooftop Park is a great place to capture the environment around you. With many unique angles to the space you can find a different spot every time! The space really flourishes on a bright summer day to help show off both the lush greenery and the water areas. It is for sure one of my favorite photography spots in philly!
11. Spend the evening at the Belmont Plateau Trail
“I am always looking for unique and beautiful places in Philadelphia for photoshoots,” says Philadelphia family photographer Olive and Grace. “One of my favorite places to visit is the Belmont Plateau Trail. This park has the perfect mixture of city and nature, with wide open fields and gorgeous views of the city skyline (pro-tip: visit at sunrise). This park is a favorite for spring and summertime lunches, exploring along the trails, and visiting during one of the many pop-up events held throughout the year.”
Courtesy of Olive and Grace Photography
12. Walk through Fairmount Park Horticulture Center
Carmen Smargiassl from MODA Photography says, “One of my favorite photography spots in Philadelphia is the Fairmount Water Works. The Water Works overlooks the Schuylkill river behind the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art. The historic architecture is spectacular with a 360 degree view of the Museum of Art, famous boathouse row where many rowing clubs call home and the Philadelphia city skyline”
Courtesy of MODA Photography
13. Visit the 18th Century Garden
“The 18th Century Garden is quietly nestled between buildings and historic alleyways in Old City Philadelphia,” says Annemarie, a local photographer specializing in family photography. “It offers shade, a gazebo, benches, and seasonal flowers that make for a picturesque walk. Wandering along the gravel paths, many people enjoy strolling through the gardens. Whether you are working in Center City or just visiting the historic landmarks, it only takes a few moments to enjoy this beautiful historic garden.”
Courtesy of Annemarie Photography
14. Immerse yourself in nature at Stoneleigh
Annemarie also suggests, “If you are interested in other green spaces just outside of the city, I love walking Stoneleigh in Villanova. This is a stunning natural garden with walking paths and all kinds of flowers and unique trees. It’s a great spot to take anyone to escape the hustle of the city and explore mother nature.”
Courtesy of Annemarie Photography
15. Bed and breakfast at Verdant View
“If you are craving even more of a county vibe near Philadelphia, you have to take a trip to Verdant View Bed and Breakfast in Paradise, PA,” recommends Annemarie. “Not only is the home cooked breakfast one of the best in Lancaster (everything is made in-house), you can also explore the farm animals and learn about life on a 4th generation working farm. There are always adorable kittens on the farm to entertain as well.”
Courtesy of Annemarie Photography
16. Fun at Promenade and Gazebo
“The Promenade and Gazebo next to Philadelphia Water Works, has the most beautiful views,” shares Laura McCarney Photography. “Located on the Schuylkill River, you’ve got views of the city skyline and boats coming and going. The best time of day to be here is at sunset, the light reflecting off the water gives the most beautiful golden light. The Gazebo in itself, is a beautiful structure and the promenade makes for the perfect place to unwind, take in all the sights or enjoy a post dinner walk. This is a location where you can still see all the city sights in the distance, yet it’s quiet and serene and can really give you the best of both worlds.
Courtesy Laura McCarney Photography
17. Experience the Philadelphia Museum of Art
“The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a very well known landmark in Philly that is boasting history and visitors,” says Laura. “However, the surrounding grounds are beautiful in their own right. While walking around the Art Museum, we came to this beautiful staircase surrounded by well manicured greenery. The stairs, golden sunset light and beautiful greenery made this for a wonderful location to take engagement portraits. In a city with lots of hustle and bustle, this was a quiet location with mostly people walking their dogs or reading a book. It’s a great spot if you’re looking for a quieter area of Philadelphia to relax and unwind.”
Courtesy Laura McCarney Photography
18. See the skyline at South Cliffside Path
“If you’re looking for a location that can give you a city skyline as well as greenery and charm, the South Cliffside Path may be the perfect place,” suggests Laura. “Both of these photos are taken within a few feet of each other, one giving skyline views while the other is filled with greenery and romantic charm. This is not a large path, these photos were only taken about 15 feet apart. This location can give you a lot of variety without a lot of walking to different locations. This path has a hefty incline in some locations and lots of curves along the way. This makes it a popular location for exercise enthusiasts who enjoy a view.”
Courtesy Laura McCarney Photography
19. Check out Callowhill and Strawberry Mansion’s murals
Lori Goldstein and Alison Verplaetse from Western States Art Federation shares, “One of the greatest aspects of living in Philadelphia is its prolific public art — organized by one of the country’s oldest and most esteemed public art nonprofits, Mural Arts Philadelphia, vibrant murals narrate the city, celebrating its rich history through visual imagery on buildings, bridges,
rooftops and other public spaces at every turn and throughout every neighborhood. It’s hard to pick a top spot when there are over 900 artworks to explore on the Public Art Archive’s interactive map of the city’s murals, but two of our favorite areas to become immersed in Philly’s street art are the Callowhill and Strawberry Mansion neighborhoods.”
Courtesy of Western States Art Federation
Courtesy of Western States Art Federation
20. Henry Avenue Bridge
“The area underneath the Henry Avenue Bridge is a hidden gem for exploration and photography,” suggests Sam Lustig Photo. “Slightly rugged and filled with graffiti, it is a striking dichotomy from the surrounding Wissahickon park that stunned me the first time I passed under it. There is something about the underside of things, those places that weren’t meant to be seen, the scaffolding of the utilitarian infrastructure above, that is endlessly fascinating to me. Getting there you will also pass through one of the more secluded areas of Wissahickon park with dense forest and well trodden single track trails.”
Courtesy of Sam Lustig Photo
21. Spend the day at Lorimer Park
Sam also recommends, “Another area, just north of the city, is Lorimer Park. It is a lovely park with a large grassy area, a beautiful stream, and a good amount of wooded trails, but the gem of this park for me is the large and obvious overhanging boulder that is prominently displayed as you descend into the main entrance of the park. For rock climbers like myself, this specific boulder is quite unique as it is highly featured on its underside, allowing for many high quality climbing routes that have been established by the local climbing community. It is a place where many experienced rock climbers go, especially in the summer months, to boulder, have fun, and maintain their fitness. It is also a striking background for a portrait or action shot of some climbing.”
Courtesy of Sam Lustig Photo
22. Explore Philly’s nightlife
“We would love to recommend U, Me and RnB,” says Melanie Weitzenkorn from BeauMonde Originals. We are resident photographers of the nightlife experience in Philadelphia, and it is a recurring R&B party not to miss. You can find it popping up at Franklin Music Hall, The AVE, a New Years party happening at The Fillmore, and others.”
Courtesy of BeauMonde Originals
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