Why Philly Is One of the Easiest (and Most Awesome) U.S. Cities to Visit

We get it: Traveling can be a hassle. You’ve got to whittle all your items down to the bare essentials, lug them to some faraway location and hope you can relax enough to truly enjoy yourself.

Philadelphia, however, isn’t like other travel destinations.

Just like its residents, the city exudes effortlessness, laid back-ness and cool. Not only is getting to and traveling around Philly a logistical breeze, but immersing yourself in the city’s culture is also beyond simple.

After a few days, you’ll start to feel like a local. Seriously.

But if you need a little more convincing, allow us to give you 12 reasons why a trip to Philly is beyond simple.

1. Getting here is a cinch

It’s settled. You’re coming. Need help getting here? You’ve got lots of options.

Smack dab in the middle of other East Coast metropolitan areas like New York and Washington D.C., getting to Philly means only a short car ride. If you’d prefer public transit, Amtrak, NJ Transit, Greyhound and Megabus all make stops in Philly from destinations near and far.

William H. Gray III 30th Street Station   — Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

Plus, for visitors from both the Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey suburbs, a quick ride on SEPTA regional rail or PATCO is all it takes to trade the ‘burbs for big city environs.

2. It’s easy on the wallet

You don’t need to spend a ton of money to have a good time here.

Visitors can find free attractions citywide, including $0 admission to attractions in Independence National Historical Park and Spruce Street Harbor Park. Philadelphia’s Historic Philadelphia is particularly rife with no-cost fun, like the Liberty Bell Center and Elfreth’s Alley.

Bladens Court off of Elfreth's Alley   — Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

For everything else — think: hotels, food and drink, and museums — prices are low compared to nearby cities (even with inflation!), so a stay in Philly won’t break the bank. Even better? The city’s most famous food delicacy, the cheesesteak, remains one of the best bangs for your few bucks.

3. You can see one of the world’s most iconic attractions 24/7

A few images come to mind when thinking about the nation and its founding: George Washington crossing the Delaware River, the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell. (Hey, all of those took place in Philadelphia and the Countryside!)

A pro tip: The Liberty Bell is conveniently housed in a center with glass walls, offering after-hours passersby a look at the iconic gong.

Liberty Bell Center   — Photo by A. Ricketts for Visit Philadelphia

But you really should head inside the Liberty Bell Center to get a 360-degree look at the Bell, glorious crack and all. Even better? No tickets required.

4. You can eat like a food critic any night of the week

With dozens of James Beard Foundation-honored restaurants, Philly is a diner’s delight. While some top establishments (see: Zahav, Vernick Food & Drink) aren’t the easiest to get reservations for (tip: try to grab a seat at the bar), there are plenty of top-notch restaurants (of the fancy and casual variety) where you can grab an impromptu meal.

Parc   — Photo by Oskar Kalinowski for Palette Group

Crowd into Hardena and enjoy beef rendang, cozy up to the bar at Monk’s Cafe for craft beer and mussels, or nosh on escargot for lunch at Parc. The possibilities (and the deliciousness) are endless.

5. You can satisfy every food preference at key culinary hotspots

The issue: You want a veggie-heavy meal and your travel partner could go for a meaty sandwich. No need to settle: Philly’s full of food halls and dining destinations that are home to dozens of vendors offering a variety of cuisines.

At Reading Terminal Market, one of the country’s oldest and largest public markets, visitors can chow on anything from roast pork sandwiches to vegetarian Middle Eastern fare. The Bourse Food Hall is conveniently located near Historic Philadelphia for hungry tourists.

Reading Terminal Market   — Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

Nestled within neighborhoods — or encompassing entire neighborhoods — throughout the city, the Italian Market, East Passyunk Avenue and Chinatown are can’t-miss locations for dining.

6. You can entertain kids of all ages

Bring the kids!

Philly is perfect for families. Young ones can have tons of fun at the Please Touch Museum (a hands-on kid-friendly museum) and Smith Memorial Playground (including a massive slide!).

Have a wide variety of ages in tow? The Franklin Institute (walk through a giant heart) and Philadelphia Zoo (lions, tigers, and bears — oh my!) are sure to please the whole crew.

Please Touch Museum   — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

Hop on PHLASH, a bus service shuttling visitors to many of these major attractions such as Penn’s Landing, the Barnes Foundation, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Reading Terminal Market and more — so no more coordinating complicated cross-city trips with cranky tots or teens.

7. You can support diverse businesses in every neighborhood

Home to hundreds of Black-owned shops and boutiques, Black-owned restaurants, Asian-owned restaurants, Latino-owned restaurants and women-led kitchens, Philly is full of diverse businesses (some of which are also featured in our Shop Philly initiative).

Shop for unique home goods at Queen Village’s YOWIE, cool off with a popsicle at West Philly’s Lil Pop Shop and fill up on delicious tapas at Old City’s Amada.

8. Getting around is as easy as putting on comfortable shoes

While most people travel to Philly via car, once you’re here, you absolutely don’t need that ride of yours. That’s because the city is so thoroughly walkable.

According to Redfin’s Walk Score, Philly is the eighth most walkable large city in the U.S., meaning you can cover a lot of ground on foot. Center City (i.e. downtown Philadelphia) spans 26 blocks from river to river to give you some perspective.

A family walking in front of the Merchants' Exchange building in Old City   — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

And thanks to Center City Philadelphia’s grid street structure (shout out to you, William Penn!), there’s only four directions you could be heading — north, south, east or west — so finding your way is less of a hassle than, say, some European cities, where every road goes askew.

9. You can bake a getaway into your getaway

Why visit just one place? Take an excursion to the nearby countryside to explore quaint and charming towns in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties — all incredibly accessible by car and public transit.

Longwood Gardens   — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

Take in the works of art at the Brandywine River Museum of Art, marvel at the beauty that is Longwood Gardens or give Big Bird a hug at Sesame Place (or all of the above).

10. Independence Visitor Center is your one-stop shop for need-to-know info

Let’s be honest: Visiting a new city can be overwhelming. Luckily, the Independence Visitor Center’s got your back.

With maps, brochures, tickets, tour information and expert guidance (available in multiple languages), you can feel equipped for your stay, knowing where to go and how to get there.

The exterior of the Independence Visitor Center, with Independence Hall in the background   — Photo by J. Fusco for Independence Visitor Center Corporation

Plus, it’s located on the edge of Philadelphia’s Historic District, so you won’t be far from many must-see sites (we’re lookin’ at you, Liberty Bell and Independence Hall).

11. Hotel parking is easy, breezy

Speaking of parking, most hotels in Philadelphia have parking lots or offer valet parking — take that, NYC! — giving motorists peace of mind.

  — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

If you’re driving into town, unload your car at the hotel and don’t think about it again until you’re ready to leave. You won’t need it while you’re here. Why? See below.

12. Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package perks simplify your stay

Sleepover! Philly is best experienced over multiple days, and the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package helps you do just that.

The Logan, Philadelphia's Hotel   — Photo courtesy The Logan, Philadelphia's Hotel

Not only do you get your pick from dozens of participating hotels, but the package also includes free hotel parking (which could run you up to $100 for two days) and perks that vary by season. Previous iterations of the package have included free exhibition tickets, free dining gift cards and more.

While perks change seasonally, the free parking is a constant. Score!