Copied to Clipboard
Breaking news: Media organizations across the country and globe think Philadelphia is the place to visit in 2026.
And we couldn’t agree more.
Read on to see which national and international publications think Philadelphia is worth a visit in 2026 — and why. (Hint: It’s our stellar 2026 events lineup, amazing restaurant scene, immersive history, iconic art, stunning sporting events and so, so much more.)
The editors at Travel + Leisure have named Philly as one of only two U.S. cities (we see you, Carlsbad, CA!) on their list of 50 must-visit culinary destinations in 2026, relaying what we’ve always known — that Philadelphia’s food scene makes our beloved city one of the best in the world to visit.
Calling the Philly food scene “electric,” Travel & Leisure gave a nod to “the innovative, award-winning chefs from around the globe who are making the city a must-experience food destination.”
The publication gave a specific shout-out to chef Phila Lorn of Mawn, who took home the 2025 James Beard Award for Emerging Chef and was named 2025’s Best New Chef by Food & Wine. Other mentions included: La Jefa, Vetri Cucina, EMei, Osteria and Ocean Harbor.
Mawn — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
The United Kingdom’s public media outlet, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), has also named Philadelphia as one of the best places to visit in 2026, noting that “travellers will find a city brimming with history, creativity and pride.”
Highlighted in the piece: the year-long 52 Weeks of Firsts program, which celebrates a Philly “first” through a “Saturday First-ival” every week; The Franklin Institute’s upcoming Universal Theme Parks exhibition; Mural Arts Printmaking by the People programs; and the amazing lineup of sporting events.
We’re glad there’s no grudge (after all, in 2026, we are celebrating our declaration of independence from Britain).
Only one other spot in the U.S. — Oregon’s coastline — made the BBC list.
One of just two American cities to make the list, Philadelphia has been highlighted by CNN as one of a handful of extra-special places to visit in 2026.
The leading international news organization calls out Philly’s plethora of citywide celebrations, like 52 Weeks of Firsts, along with big marquee events like TED Democracy: Founding Futures.
Other features by the outlet include the brand-new Calder Gardens, the 50th anniversary of Rocky, Philly’s designation as a FIFA World Cup 26 host city, and The Declaration’s Journey at the Museum of the American Revolution — an immersive exhibition of more than 120 rare documents and artifacts from figures like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Marquis de Lafayette and more.
Philly’s listing is joined by areas like Belgium, Jamaica, Spain and Japan, as well as the list’s only other U.S. city, Santa Monica.
The Declaration's Journey at the Museum of the American Revolution — Photo courtesy Museum of the American Revolution
The birthplace of the Declaration of Independence opened the list of The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2026 — and for good reason.
Philadelphia’s semiquincentennial events culminate in a once-in-a-lifetime celebration for the nation’s 250th anniversary, with festivals, exhibitions and more all year long.
The renowned publication highlighted the 2026 iteration of Philly’s Red, White & Blue To-Do, the two new galleries at the National Constitution Center, A Nation of Artists — the massive new exhibition hosted at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the city’s FIFA World Cup 26 game on Independence Day.
Michelin — known in the hospitality world for its highly coveted hotel and restaurant honors, including the uber-prestigious Michelin Stars — has entered the Semiquincentennial chat.
On the heels of the blockbuster debut of the Michelin Guide to Philadelphia, the organization has named the City of Brotherly Love one of the most exciting places to be — and eat — in North America for 2026.
The Michelin experts look forward to Philly serving as a “main stage” for the nation’s milestone 250th birthday, hosting major events including the bigger-than-ever Wawa Welcome America.
Their excitement extends beyond the festival to the city’s amazing Michelin-honored restaurants — including Friday Saturday Sunday, Forsythia and Dalessandro’s Steaks & Hoagies — and acclaimed nearby accommodations, like the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center and the Guild House Hotel.
Daily business and financial newspaper, The Wall Street Journal, calls Philadelphia the number one place to visit in the world in 2026, citing the mash-up of world-class sports and America’s 250th birthday as the top reasons to visit. The list included places like Lucknow in India and the Basque region in Spain, with only one other U.S. city included (Tulsa, Oklahoma at No. 7).
The article spotlights the spectacular list of sports events coming to the city (March Madness, the MLB All-Star Game and FIFA World Cup 26) at the same time the city celebrates the semiquincentennial.
The Journal cites the National Constitution Center’s new galleries as a must-see, while also calling out South Philly’s O’Jung’s, Marsha’s on South Street and East Passyunk’s Stargazy as great spots to catch a soccer match.
National Geographic magazine named Pennsylvania’s forthcoming 2026 celebration, particularly in Philadelphia, as one of the top nine places to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Saying “Philadelphia will be the liberty belle of the ball,” the magazine also pointed out that we’ll be hosting several FIFA World Cup 26 matches — including one on Independence Day 2026 — as well as the MLB All-Star Game.
Citizens Bank Park — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
FIFA World Cup 26 comes to North America next year, bringing 104 games to three countries and 16 cities. Lonely Planet put together a guide to traveling to see the matches, saying Philadelphia “has quietly become one of [America’s] great cities.”
— Photo courtesy FIFA World Cup 26 Philadelphia
Pointing out that Philly is super easy to navigate, Lonely Planet also called out Sosuite at The Loxley in Old City as a great place to stay and South Street sports bar Founding Fathers as a perfect spot to watch a game.
Philly hosts six matchups during the FIFA World Cup 26 between June 14 and July 4, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field.
Global travel magazine Afar has given Philly shout-outs in two recent articles, one highlighting our world-class art and the other on a Philly food staple.
In an article detailing semiquincentennial celebrations in the Northeast, the magazine called out A Nation of Artists, “the landmark dual-venue exhibition celebrating 250 years of American creativity” between the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) and the historic Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA).
The joint exhibit — which includes more than 1,000 works of fine art — opens at the PMA from April 12, 2026 to July 5, 2027, and at PAFA from May 2026 through September 2027.
In another article, “The One Food You Should Travel for in Each State,” Afar chose scrapple for Pennsylvania, a food with an almost cult-like following. Where can you try this regional delicacy? The magazine noted Philly Fishtown restaurants Elwood and Sulimay’s, Center City’s Double Knot, and West Philly’s Out West.
The architecture and design magazine Architectural Digest (AD) has included Philadelphia on its list of the top 19 places to visit in 2026 in the world. Only two other U.S. destinations made the list: Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Sharing space on the list with iconic global destinations such as Cairo, Iceland and Abu Dhabi, Philly’s inclusion namechecked Philly’s newest attraction — the stunning Calder Gardens — that opened last September on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The magazine gave a special nod to designers Herzog & de Meuron and Piet Oudolf.
More geometric wonderland than museum, Calder Gardens showcases the innovative and contemporary artworks by acclaimed Philadelphia sculptor and inventor Alexander Calder.
Calder Gardens — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
The AD mention also noted more reasons to visit Philly, including the transformation of two former University of the Arts buildings into the Village of Industry & Art, Fishtown’s Wexler 2023 gallery and the stunning makeover of The Bellevue Hotel.
When America’s other historic cities give Philly a nod, you know we’re doing things right.
The Boston Globe’s own travel writer, Christopher Muther, has compiled a list of 10 top must-visit destinations for 2026 — and Philly received a shoutout as an epicenter of America’s 250th anniversary celebration for its many, many events.
Philly joins a list of international destinations like Cork, Ireland; Montreal, Quebec; Porto, Portugal; and the Cook Islands, as well as just two other U.S. cities: Waitsfield, Vermont and Los Angeles, California.
Along with The Declaration’s Journey — a massive new exhibition at Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution — the publication specifically spotlights the two new galleries opening at the National Constitution Center, which feature (among other things) an original copy of the U.S. Constitution.
The editors at popular travel website and email newsletter Daily Passport recently included Philadelphia on their 10-best destination list for 2026, saying “Philly is gritty in all the best ways.”
Only two other spots in the U.S. (hat tip to New Orleans and Chattanooga) made the list, which also includes travel destinations like Adelaide, Australia and Hong Kong.
The article namedropped:
And, as the article pointed out, no visit to Philadelphia would be complete without tasting a beloved cheesesteak.
Independence Hall — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
For more about Greater Philadelphia’s borderline-unreal 2026 events, check out our comprehensive guide by clicking the button below.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and priceless peace of mind.
EN 
ES 
FR 
PT 
ES_EC 
FR_FR 
NL