The Most Instagrammable Places in Philadelphia

Visiting the Rocky statue and running up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps (also known as the “Rocky Steps”), is a rite of passage — and the picture-taking opportunities at both stops (located right next to each other) certainly warrant capturing it all. Snap a selfie with Rocky, then embark on the legendary, 72-step run that meets you just seconds away. As you reach the top, be sure to turn around before you revel in your accomplishment — the city view that meets you will feel like all the celebration you need. The cherry on top? The beautiful Philadelphia Museum of Art awaits with a trove of masterpieces inside.

The renowned LOVE sculpture — located in the recently renovated LOVE Park — is one of the most popular landmarks in Philadelphia for photo ops. After posing for a few pics there, take a short stroll to Sister Cities Park for a few more equally Instagrammable shots at LOVE’s sister sculpture, AMOR.

The Liberty Bell may have been silenced centuries ago, but as one of the nation’s most symbolic pieces of history, it still rings itself worthy of a photo. Soaring glass walls behind the bell offer dramatic and powerful views of Independence Hall, situated just across the street. Both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed at Independence Hall, making the grand historic building – dating back to 1732 – worthy of a post-Liberty-Bell photo (and visit). These are just two of the many photo-worthy sites located in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, also known as the birthplace of American democracy.

Note: As of March 20, 2023, Boathouse Row’s iconic lights are undergoing maintenance, and will remain dark through the end of 2023. Read more here.

Two majestic scenes that boast prime photo ops await behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Boathouse Row, located on Kelly Drive, consists of a series of 19th-century boathouses that line the Schuylkill River and house an array of local boating clubs. While worth a view during the day, lights outline each house at night to create one of the city’s loveliest views. The nearby Fairmount Water Works is a National Historic Landmark whose surrounding grounds offer breathtaking views of the Center City skyline, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Boathouse Row.

Two of Philadelphia’s amazing outdoor spaces, Race Street Pier and Cherry Street Pier, sit next to each other on the Delaware River waterfront, offering relaxing respites in the heart of the city. Located in the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, both spots offers breathtaking views and incredible photo opportunities to capture the beautiful blue suspended pathway that connects Philadelphia to Camden, New Jersey.

After capturing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge from beneath at Race Street Pier or Cherry Street Pier (mentioned above), head on up to its pedestrian pathway, which allows you to snag prime waterfront views. The nearly one-and-a-half-mile footpath is a popular spot for runners, bikers and photographers alike.

Here in Philadelphia, cheesesteaks are a civic icon, a visitor draw and a cultural obsession. Often imitated around the world, the cheesesteak is rarely duplicated successfully outside of Philadelphia. In other words, you have to order one when you’re in the sandwich’s signature city, especially at Philly’s own cheesesteak hot spot at South Ninth Street and East Passyunk Avenue. With two of the most beloved cheesesteak spots – Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks – located across the street from each other, photo opportunities abound in either direction.

The Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk is a 2,000-foot-long pathway that extends the Schuylkill River Trail from Locust Street to South Street. The scenic route takes pedestrians, runners, bicyclists and photographers on an over-the-water pathway that provides one of the best skyline perspectives around during every step of the journey. Consider a visit during both daylight and nighttime hours, as each brings its own unique, water-reflected flair to your photos. Be sure to check out the South Street end of the boardwalk, where a 460-foot-long ramp takes you up to the South Street Bridge. At the top, awesome overhead views of the entire path await.

Dilworth Park, a multifaceted gathering space, is located at the base of the western side of City Hall. The area hosts an array of magical events that beg to be captured, as well as an outdoor cafe, fountains of dancing water, a performance space and activity areas for outdoor markets. During cold-weather months, individuals of all ages flock to the Rothman Ice Rink, a winter pop up that allows visitors to skate in the heart of Philadelphia. Get your camera ready because, aside from cruising on the ice, lots of photo snapping is in order.

Stretching along South Broad Street, the Avenue of the Arts is the city’s performing-arts district. Venues here include the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, home of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and other awesome theaters and performance spaces. Look north and you’ll also find one of the best perspectives of Philly’s towering City Hall caught from ground level.

The stunning Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Circle features three main figures sculpted by Alexander Stirling Calder, a view of City Hall in one direction and the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the other. For a bird’s-eye view, head up to Assembly Rooftop Lounge at The Logan, Philadelphia’s Hotel. As if picturesque views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway weren’t enough, craft cocktails and shareable charcuterie and cheese plates add to the appeal.

Named for blacksmith and property owner Jeremiah Elfreth, Elfreth’s Alley was home to the 18th-century artisans and tradespeople who were the backbone of colonial Philadelphia. Three hundred years later, the houses on this narrow, cobblestone street are still hot properties — and hot photo subjects. While a modern city has sprung up around it, Elfreth’s Alley preserves three centuries of evolution through its old-fashioned flower boxes, shutters, Flemish bond brickwork and other architectural details. Two adjacent houses, built in 1755, are now a museum and are open to the public for indoor photo ops, too.

Open from spring through fall, Spruce Street Harbor Park is one of Philly’s greatest outdoor oases. Hammocks strung throughout the park offer visitors a chance to unwind in an open-air setting of trees adjacent to the Delaware River. Food-and-drink options abound, as do outdoor lawn games. Once the sun sets, the park glows with hundreds of multi-colored LED lights, creating a breathtaking evening landscape. Three floating barges — open day and night — light up the view over the Delaware River and house a restaurant and bar featuring delicious bites and brews.

Mural Arts Philadelphia has commissioned thousands of stunning murals around the city, making them perfect material for the ‘gram. Interested visitors can view several of these works on a variety of walking and trolley tours.

From the food to the eclectic shops to the cultural events going on during any given week, Chinatown is a haven for photographers. The neighborhood offers tons to work with, but the gateway that stands 40 feet tall at its entrance is undoubtedly a sight that’s not to be missed. With its alluring, gilt-painted design and radiating colors, the beautiful icon is just waiting to be captured on camera.

As part of West Fairmount Park, the elevated fields at Belmont Plateau offer dramatic views of the Center City skyline and a prime spot for taking in the sunset. Pack a picnic and spread out across the grass to further enhance the experience — and your photo possibilities, too.

University City’s Cira Green claims the title of Philadelphia’s first overhead public park. Situated 95 feet above street level, this one-and-a-quarter-acre urban park utilizes space atop a parking garage next to a 33-story residential building. The grassy hangout offers a great place to catch both the breeze and a great view of the city skyline.

The trees lining the small, Rittenhouse Square side street known as Addison Street twinkle with thousands and thousands of tiny, majestic lights all year around. The illuminated picture that these decorations create at night is not to be missed.

Artist David Guinn and lighting designer Drew Billiau teamed up in 2016 to create this somewhat-hidden neon gem in an alley on Percy Street in South Philly. Bonus: After snapping your pic, head to nearby East Passyunk Avenue to enjoy the neighborhood’s awesome food and drink scene, including classic Philly eats at Cheesesteak Central.

West Philadelphia’s leafy Spruce Hill neighborhood is a visual delight. Anchored by Market Street and the entrance to The Woodlands, and home to Clark Park and bustling Baltimore Avenue, the area is definitely camera ready. Whether it’s a festival in the park, international cuisine from one of the many restaurants, or a snapshot of the stately, colorful homes scattered throughout the neighborhood, Spruce Hill is photo-worthy in any season.

Public transportation isn’t just an easy way to navigate Philly. For the cost of a single ride on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line (better known as the El), you can have a front seat to several photo ops. Ride the El eastbound (52nd Street Station in West Philadelphia is a great starting point) and keep the camera handy for impressive Center City skyline views and the Mural Arts Philadelphia Love Letter series — colorful expressions of love and devotion painted on buildings best seen from the El.

Head to the Manayunk Towpath in Northwest Philly to snap a photo of the stunning mosaic on the steps of Fountain Street. Pro tip: The steps are just one of many great shots to capture along the path, so keep an eye out for stunning views and other artwork.

Historic rowhomes in the Second Empire architectural style line the 2300 block of St. Alban’s Place in Philly’s Graduate Hospital neighborhood. Visitors might recognize the block from Philly filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan’s blockbuster hit The Sixth Sense,  but Instagrammers won’t find any creepy vibes on their visit. The brick sidewalks center around charming a courtyard garden. Instead of cars, the block is filled with trees, blooming flowers and other plant life the residents tend to throughout the year.

Take in a different perspective of Philly from just beneath the eyes of the William Penn statue at the observation deck located at the top of City Hall, some 500 feet above the ground. Here, 360-degree views allow you and your camera to spot citywide sites such as Fairmount Park, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and all 12 miles of Broad Street, one of the longest streets in the country.

In the summer, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest transforms a portion of Penn’s Landing into Philly’s only outdoor roller skating rink and The Midway, featuring a 60-foot-tall Ferris wheel, a carousel, games and mini-golf. In the winter, the rink is repurposed into a winterized riverfront park, equipped with an Olympic-sized ice rink overlooking the Delaware River, a ski chalet-style lodge and a winter garden with recycled shipping containers, a heated tent, holiday trees, fire pits and plenty of cozy seating. To top it all off, twinkling lights are strung throughout to illuminate the entire area at night.

Mosaiced from floor to ceiling in handmade tiles, international folk art, reclaimed bicycle tires and more by prolific artist Isaiah Zagar, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens Museum and its sister site, the Magic Gardens Studio, glisten with limitless creativity.

One of Philly’s most popular urban public art installations, the museum spans half a city block along famous South Street and features two indoor galleries and an unforgettable sculpture garden. One mile away, Zagar’s former workspace represents his largest masterpiece, three times the size of the flagship museum.

Bonus: Zagar has created hundreds of mosaics around the city, including many around South Street.

Eastern State Penitentiary, with its soaring, castle-like Gothic architecture, sits in the center of Philly’s Fairmount neighborhood, its towers standing tall above the stores and coffee shops on Fairmount Avenue. The 11-acre prison once housed notorious figures, such as bank robber Willie Sutton, who staged a breakout in 1945, and Al Capone, who furnished his cell with antiques, rugs and oil paintings. Tours within its grounds include a look at life inside the prison’s historic cell blocks and offer step after step of (somewhat spooky) visual opportunities, from the cathedral-like hallways to the haunting, sky-lit prison cells.

This traditional-style Japanese house and nationally ranked garden tucked inside Fairmount Park offers the perfect scenery for a beautiful photo for the ‘gram. Tour the house, feed the koi fish that swim in a pond under a 75-year-old weeping cherry tree and explore the beautiful garden landscape that stretches for more than an acre.