Meer dan 50 gratis activiteiten in de regio Philadelphia

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Een van de meest iconische symbolen in de geschiedenis van de Verenigde Staten, de 2080 pond zware Liberty Bell, staat trots op Independence Mall, het middelpunt van het uitgestrekte, met licht doorstroomde Liberty Bell Centrum. 

It’s completely free to see the nation’s most famous bell up close and explore the facts and myths surrounding the Bell via larger-than-life historic documents and images, but you might have to wait in line. The iconic cracked gong makes for a stellar photo backdrop with Independence Hall op de achtergrond achter glazen wanden.

Weet voordat je gaat: Om de Liberty Bell te kunnen bekijken, moet u eerst een veiligheidscontrole ondergaan.

Gratis (bij aankoop van een $1-voorverkoopkaartje tijdens bepaalde periodes)

Step back in time as you step inside Independence Hall, the place where the Founding Fathers signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The UNESCO World Heritage Site opens to the public daily for tours.

While a visit to the site is free, advanced online ticket reservations require a $1 handling fee. The site also offers a daily “open house” with no tickets required, typically from 9 to 9:50 a.m., but check ahead to confirm.

Niet te missen: Spits je oren en luister naar de Centennial-bel die elk uur klinkt vanuit de klokkentoren van Independence Hall.

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De toegangspoort tot alles wat Philadelphia te bieden heeft, de Bezoekerscentrum Onafhankelijkheid is the perfect place to begin a visit to the region. 

Just a stone’s throw from some of Philadelphia’s most popular attractions like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, visitors can get a free comprehensive orientation to the culture, history, shopping and dining options available throughout the region from the friendly and knowledgeable staff. 

Visitors can also find out the open hours for attractions and even snag some discounted theater tickets. 

Niet te missen: De gratis welkomstfilm in the center’s theater

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Het hart van Old City en Society Hill — ook bekend als De historische wijk van Philadelphia — wordt gevormd door meerdere belangrijke locaties die samen Nationaal historisch park Independence. 

After snapping photos in front of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, head into Oude City Hall to see the Supreme Court Chambers, which do not require tickets and where entrance is first-come, first-served. 

Also free on this block: Het huis van de president (meer hierover hieronder), de Franklin Court Drukkerij en meer.

Niet te missen: See highlights of the park for free with guided Twilight Tours elke avond van mei tot september.

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With over 4 million visitors a year, it’s no wonder thij Rocky standbeeld en de Rocky trappen bij de Philadelphia Museum of Art zijn twee van de belangrijkste dingen om te doen in Philadelphia. 

Bonus: They’re both free. Recreate filmgeschiedenis door die iconische trap op te rennen en te koesteren spectaculair uitzicht of the Philadelphia skyline, or snap a photo with the iconic statue at the top. (For inexpensive ways to head inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, keep reading.)

Niet te missen: De Parkway Bezoekerscentrum & Rocky Shop at the base of the famous staircase

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The official name might be John F. Kennedy Plaza, but around here we call it LIEVE Park due to the large-scale sculpture that millions visit each year to snap the ultimate Philly selfie. 

Robert Indiana’s famous Liefde sculpture — originally installed in 1976 — got a glow-up in 2018, as did the surrounding park, now offering more green space and a high-tech water feature that’s popular in the summer. 

Expect to wait in line to snap a photo, but know that it moves quickly. 

Niet te missen: De AMOR beeldhouwwerk — een Spaanstalige versie van de LIEVE sculptuur — te zien in Zusterstedenpark, op slechts een korte wandeling van LIEVE Park

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De gratis te bezoeken Elfreth's Alley was home to 18th-century artisans and tradespeople who were the backbone of colonial Philadelphia. While a metropolitan city has sprung up around it, the alley now preserves three centuries of evolution.

Philadelphia citizens still occupy these homes, showing off old-fashioned flower boxes, shutters, Flemish bond brickwork and other architectural details. Two adjacent houses, No. 124 and No. 126, built in 1755, are now a museum and open to the public (for a small fee).

Niet te missen: Bladens Hof — the alley-within-the-alley named after a biscuit maker — located between two of the street’s homes (No. 115 and No. 117)

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After an extensive restoration, the revitalized and revamped Eerste Bank van de Verenigde Staten reopened to the public for the first time in 50 years on July 1, 2026. 

Visitors can expect to see the interior and exterior of the historic bank gussied up and looking finer than ever. Themed exhibitions in the retooled interior space invite visitors to learn all about Alexander Hamilton’s visionary plan to create a central banking system to support our new nation.

Weet voordat je gaat: Check the attraction’s open hours ahead of a visit on the officiële website or at the Independence Visitor Center.

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See where the first American soldiers made their icy winter home way back when at Valley Forge National Historical Park — the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of General George Washington and the Continental Army.

Explore Revolutionary-era historic artifacts and structures (such as soldiers’ huts) across the site’s 3,500 acres by car, by bike or on foot, and enjoy recreational play like biking (verhuur is beschikbaar), picnicking and hiking with the whole family (including huisdieren).

Niet te missen: The park also offers numerous tours for a fee, including an hour-long self-guided audiotour, plus hiking, biking and regularly scheduled trolley tours. 

Gratis (seizoensgebonden)

Learn fascinating details about our nation’s earliest “celebrity” citizens in the places where the history actually happened. 

In Philadelphia’s Historic District, professional storytellers tell three-to-five-minute tales around public Once Upon A Nation-banken.

Grab a flag at one of the benches, fill it up with stars as you visit other locations and then head to the Independence Visitor Center to get a certificate and a special surprise at nearby Franklin Square (zie hieronder).

Weet voordat je gaat: Controleer de officiële website for a list of current bench locations. 

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Het presidentiële paleis: van slavernij tot emancipatie (formerly Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation) is an open-air exhibit located next to the Liberty Bell Center.

At the site, visitors can learn more about the nation’s first executive mansion, where Presidents George Washington and John Adams lived during their terms — and where nine enslaved people served the first president. 

While the original building was demolished in 1832, the foundation was unearthed in 2000 during construction of the Liberty Bell Center.

Weet voordat je gaat: De National Park Service heeft op 22 januari 2026 de informatieborden bij het President’s House verwijderd. Na een reeks uitspraken van federale rechtbanken heeft de National Park Service op 15 juli 2026 de vervanging van de oorspronkelijke informatieborden door een nieuwe tentoonstelling voltooid.

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See the spot where Founding Fathers like George Washington, John Adams and Patrick Henry first began sowing the seeds of freedom years before officially declaring independence from England. 

In 1774, delegates from 12 colonies gathered at Timmermanshal for the First Continental Congress to vote in support of a trade embargo against Great Britain — one of the first acts of defiance against the King. 

Learn how these meetings led to the birth of a nation, while kids can hunt for answers on a speurtocht.  

Weet voordat je gaat: : Check the official site for current openingstijden. 

Gratis (aanbevolen donatie)

Maak een reis door 360 jaar joodse geschiedenis in het Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History as you peruse thousands of artifacts, documents, images, original films and interactive media displays — all free to visit (with suggested donation). 

The experience delivers rich tales that trace the path of the nation’s Jewish diaspora from struggling immigrants to integral citizens. The museum also hosts rotating and permanent ticketed exhibitions, so check de officiële website in de aanloop naar een bezoek.

Niet te missen: Be sure to snap a selfie with Deborah Kass’ OY/YO beeldhouwwerk installed outside the museum entrance.

Gratis (donaties worden op prijs gesteld)

Gelegen in de gerenoveerde brandweerkazerne uit 1902 van Engine Company Number Eight — een afstammeling van Benjamin Franklin's Union Fire Company uit 1736 — de Brandweermuseum biedt lessen in de geschiedenis, kunst en wetenschap van brandbestrijding door middel van tentoonstellingen met historische brandweerwagens die dateren uit de 19e eeuw.

Kids can try on firefighting gear like coats and boots, take an interactive when-to-call-911 quiz and learn about the nation’s earliest hand- and horse-drawn firefighting equipment and Philadelphia’s early “Franklin’s Volunteers.

Weet voordat je gaat: De toegang tot de locatie is gratis, maar donaties zijn welkom.

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De Munt van de Verenigde Staten, on the edge of Independence National Historical Park, can produce up to 47,250 coins per minute. Fortunately, it costs exactly zero of them to take a self-guided tour (offered each weekday and summer Saturdays) of the production process above the factory floor. 

Interactive displays depict the many presidential and honorary commemorative designs made here, as well as early mint and coining equipment and rare and historic coins.

Niet te missen: Peter de Amerikaanse zeearend, een echt geconserveerd exemplaar van deze arendsoort dat in de jaren 1830 zes jaar lang in de munt woonde (en als inspiratiebron diende voor muntontwerpen) 

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Meer dan vijf eeuwen aan wetenschappelijke ontdekkingen zijn vervat in de muren van de Instituut voor Wetenschapsgeschiedenis. The permanent exhibition showcases hundreds of artifacts as well as interactive experiences and activities on themes that include food science, botany, wellness and more. 

Also on view are multimedia works ranging from rare books and journals to photos and art. All-ages vrije programmering omvat rondleidingen door de Othmer Library of Chemical History, Gene-ius Quizzo, Stories of Science, thematische “drop-in”-rondleidingen en nog veel meer.

Niet te missen: De hele natuur en de spiegel van de kunst exhibition featuring glass-mounted photo reproductions of engravings from 17th-century alchemical books

Gratis (donaties welkom)

Van buitenaf gezien, de Ryerss Museum en Bibliotheek ziet eruit als een charmant Victoriaans herenhuis in Northeast Philly. Maar binnen kunnen gasten fantastische artefacten en rariteiten vinden die de Ryerss - een familie van handelaren en kunstverzamelaars - tijdens hun wereldreizen hebben verworven.

On view: statues from Japanese Buddhist temples, European artwork, historic weapons, and a natural history collection of shells, minerals and even sea creatures. Visitors can request a tour or grab one of the site’s scavenger hunts if exploring with children. 

Weet voordat je gaat: Bezoekers kunnen ook hun volgende geweldige boek uitzoeken in de onafhankelijke uitleenbibliotheek op het terrein.

Gratis (donaties worden op prijs gesteld)

Benjamin Franklin founded the American Philosophical Society (APS) in 1743 with the mission of “promoting useful knowledge.” Located steps away from Independence Hall, the “oldest learned society” in the U.S. serves as a research library and a free museum with rotating exhibits. 

Elk jaar, de Museum van de Amerikaanse Filosofische Vereniging curates an exhibit drawing from its vast collection of one million rare books, 2.5 miles’ worth of manuscripts and 3,000 historic artifacts such as maps, recordings of Native American language and scientific instruments. 

Weet voordat je gaat: Check the site’s robust evenementenkalender om te zien wat er komen gaat.

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When wealthy Philadelphia banker Stephen Girard died in 1831, he left the largest philanthropic gift in American history up to that point — equivalent to $120 billion in today’s money — to create a school for poor orphans (today known as Girard College, which welcomes students in grades 1 to 12). 

De Museum van de Oprichterszaal details Girard’s life (including his history as a slave owner), the architectural history of the 43-acre campus and the evolution of the school’s student body.

Weet voordat je gaat: Each month, the museum hosts a weekend open house. Check the officiële website voor meer informatie.

Philadelphia’s only and oldest surviving colonial tavern — established in 1759 — sits a few steps off Dock Street, snug between Old City and Society Hill. This one-of-a-kind bar once served local workers with beers on the first floor and sleeping quarters on the second. 

The building has been restored with a first-floor taproom run by OPVOLGING Fermentatie and a second-floor museum with prints, signs, maps and paintings reflecting the neighborhood’s history. 

Weet voordat je gaat: Follow along on Instagram for museum hours and public programming. 

Gratis

Gelegen in het hart van North Philly’s Het Goudcentrum buurt, Taller Puertorriqueño has been preserving and promoting Puerto Rican art and culture for more than 50 years as a community center, art gallery and event space for symposia, readings, film screenings, artist workshops and more.

The site regularly hosts rotating artist tentoonstellingen as well as events like community concerts and the beloved annual Feria del Barrio block party during Maand van het Spaans erfgoed.

Niet te missen: Auteursbezoeken, culturele lezingen en tweetalige boeken in de Julia de Burgos-boekhandel ter plaatse.

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De Athenaeum van Philadelphia was founded in 1814 to provide knowledge through books, before the advent of a public library. 

Today, this National Historic Landmark showcases Philly’s architecture, building and design legacy through a first-floor exhibition gallery, which features free rotating special exhibitions, and a stunning second-floor Reading Room. You can een rondleiding plannen om talloze oude boeken en de bibliotheek te bekijken, of om gratis evenementen zoals boekenclubs en filmvertoningen bij te wonen.

Niet te missen: De Verslag van vreemdelingen, the museum’s guest book signed by politicians, diplomats, scientists, and literary figures like Alexis de Tocqueville and the Marquis de La Fayette

Gratis (donaties worden aangemoedigd voor groepen)

Noord-Philadelphia Wagner Vrij Instituut voor Wetenschap - een van de weinige overgebleven wetenschappelijke genootschappen uit het Victoriaanse tijdperk - is een uitgebreide bibliotheek, natuurhistorisch museum en educatieve instelling die in 1855 werd opgericht door “gentleman-wetenschapper” William Wagner.

Take a step back in time as you explore the building’s 100,000-item collection that includes mounted birds and mammals, fossils, rocks and minerals, insects, shells, dinosaur bones and the first saber-tooth tiger bone discovered in America. 

Weet voordat je gaat: Bezoekers die hier voor het eerst komen, kunnen vragen om een speurtocht om de verkenningstocht wat richting te geven. 

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Nearly a century old — and home to millions of books, maps, manuscripts and more — the towering Beaux-Arts-style Parkway Centrale Bibliotheek is the largest in the 54-library system. Walk-ins are welcome for the site’s two free tours. 

The Historic Building Tour covers the site’s architecture, history and resources (10 a.m. Monday/Tuesday and 2 p.m. Wednesday/Thursday), while the Zeldzame Boeken Tour (11 a.m. Monday through Friday) highlights extraordinary literary artifacts — like the real-life, feathered inspiration behind Edgar Allan Poe’s De raaf. 

Niet te missen: Parkway Central Library — and other Free Library locations throughout the city — host duizenden gratis programma's en workshops voor volwassenen en kinderen, het hele jaar door.

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To find your way to the Comcast Technology Center, just look up and start heading toward the tallest building in the city. There, you’ll find De universele sfeer, a domed theater offering an accessible, multilingual and free series of rotating films.

The short films run every 15 minutes each Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including daily sensory-friendly shows. Reserve your complimentary tickets online up to 30 days ahead of your visit.

Weet voordat je gaat: Controleer de officiële website to see what’s showing. 

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Located on the University of Pennsylvania’s West-Philadelphia campus, the Instituut voor Hedendaagse Kunst (ICA) is een kunstmuseum met gratis toegang dat in 1963 is opgericht en dat een belangrijke rol heeft gespeeld bij het onder de aandacht brengen van het werk van ondervertegenwoordigde, opkomende en ondergewaardeerde kunstenaars. 

Tot de grootheden die hier in de loop der jaren te zien waren, behoren Robert Mapplethorpe en Cy Twombly, de museumdebuut van Laurie Anderson en Robert Indiana, en de allereerste solotentoonstelling van Andy Warhol (die bijna tot een kleine rel leidde). 

Weet voordat je gaat: Gepresenteerd in kunsthal Stijl, ICA heeft geen permanente collectie, wat betekent dat elk bezoek een nieuwe ervaring is.

Gratis (aanbevolen donatie)

Gelegen in Market East in Centrum, De Stoffenwerkplaats & Museum (FWM) is a contemporary nonprofit arts organization with a free museum that celebrates modern art created from, on, and with fabric and other textiles. 

The only museum of its kind in the world, FWM displays not only garments and apparel, but also drawings, paintings, sculptures and large installations. The museum’s collectie also features more than 5,000 objects reflecting changing trends in contemporary art. 

Niet te missen: Snuffelen in de cadeauwinkel voor huishoudelijke artikelen, handtassen en kleding

Gratis (donaties welkom)

Ja, Fairmount Waterwerken is one of the most popular wedding venues in the city. But did you know that the architectural wonder once operated as the sole water pumping station for the entire city in the early 1800s? 

Today, the attraction operates as an environmental education center teaching all-ages visitors about sustainable uses of land and water through exhibits and events. Highlights include the towering Jonval Turbine and a film about Philly water history.

Niet te missen: De tentoonstelling over de mosselkwekerij op het terrein, waar je kunt ontdekken hoe deze kleine beestjes helpen het water schoon te houden 

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Moore College of Art & Design intentionally invites the public into its galerijen for free as a way to connect the city’s residents and visitors to contemporary art from international and national artists, as well as active students and alumni.

The galleries host rotating artist and alumni exhibitions in addition to art-centered programming. Don’t miss the Black Lives Matter: Keramische muurschildering, first created in 1975 by artist John Costanza and students and teachers at Philadelphia’s University City High School, now permanently housed at Moore.

Weet voordat je gaat: De locatie is op zondag gesloten. 

Gratis (met voorafgaande registratie)

Hear sonorous sounds from some of the best rising musicians in the world as students enrolled at the Curtis Instituut voor Muziek perform free recitals multiple times a week. Esteemed faculty members — some of whom have toured the world playing and honing their craft — also hit the stage from time to time. 

The elite Institute presents over 100 free performances a year, so be sure to practice your recital applause. Just make sure you reserve your complimentary spot ahead of time.

Niet te missen: Afstudeerconcerten. Ze hebben hier zo lang voor geoefend!

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This premier Philadelphia arts organization offers two series of free film screenings. 

The monthly Philly Filmvertoning highlights new work by up-and-coming local filmmakers of all ages, levels and backgrounds, while the Maandelijkse gemeenschapsvertoningen increase accessibility to movies that inspire, educate and challenge, as well as entertain. 

The nonprofit partners with other area arts and advocacy organizations and local up-and-coming filmmakers to pair thought-provoking works with post-screening activities or talk-backs, digging deeper into themes from the movie or the filmmaking process. 

Niet te missen: De kans om in contact te komen met de volgende generatie talent uit Philadelphia

Quench your thirst and learn about locally made brews at Philadelphia Brewing Company (PBC), which offers gratis rondleidingen van een uur every Saturday at noon and 2 p.m. 

The informal tour covers the basics of brewing, the history of the building and up-close views of the beer-making process. PBC’s five year-round hand-crafted ales — the Kenzinger, Newbold IPA, Walt Wit, Pennsylvania Pale Ale and PHL Session IPA — all pay homage to the city and the state. 

Weet voordat je gaat: Walk-ins are welcome, but if you’d like to secure your spot, use the online RSVP form.

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A must-visit pit stop for epic skyline views is the Schuylkill Banks Promenade van Locust Street naar de South Street-brug. Head to the ever-evolving greenway for year-round waterfront activities, from walking, jogging, skating and cycling to fishing, movie-watching, picnics, yoga and dog-walking.

Een deel van de Schuylkill River Trail — a growing 70-mile route from Philadelphia to Reading — Schuylkill Banks links the western edge of Center City north to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fairmount Park and Kelly Drive. 

Niet te missen: De nieuwste uitbreiding van de wandelbrug at Christian Street, which opened in spring 2025. A 650-foot cable-stayed bridge stretches from Christian Street to the northern end of the Grays Ferry Crescent section at 34th Street, connecting visitors to Zuidwest-Philadelphia.

Gratis

When William Penn founded Philadelphia, he established five public squares that still welcome visitors centuries later. 

• Dilworth Park: City Hall’s populaire, op het westen gerichte voortuin (originally called Center Square) has tree groves, benches, cafes and a large programmable fountain that transforms into an ijsbaan in the winter.
• Franklin Square: Offering year-round, free family-friendly fun, Franklin Square features regular water fonteinshows (and colorful lights at night), plus ticketed activities like a Philly-themed mini-golf, the annual Chinees Lantaarnfestival van Philadelphia, and pay-as-you-go food and drink at on-site SquareBurger.
• Logan Square:  Philadelphia-born sculptor Alexander Calder’s Swann Memorial Fontein is the majestic centerpiece in what’s now called Logan Circle. The sculpture represents the region’s major waterways: the Delaware River, Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek.
• Rittenhouse Square: De namesake for one of Philly’s meest populaire wijken, Rittenhouse Square park offers an everyday serene spot to meet with friends or laze away an afternoon, plus regular craft fairs, farmers’ markets and other events.
• Washington Square: Once a burial ground and gathering spot for colonial-era African Americans, today’s Washingtonplein offers shady spots and ample benches to gather, plus historic features like the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier and the bicentennial moon tree, grown from seeds that once orbited the moon.

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Wandel door de geurige bloementuinen en weiden langs de rivier bij Bartram's Tuin, the nation’s oldest botanical garden and the place where gardening first took root in America. 

Highlights include the country’s oldest ginkgo tree; de zeldzame Franklinia-boom saved from extinction (and named after our good friend Ben); the Bartram’s Mile segment of the Schuylkill River Trail popular with hikers, runners and bikers; and free boating activities launched from the site’s dock on the Schuylkill River. 

Niet te missen: In addition to free entry, visitors can partake in fishing, enjoy free bicycle classes and rentals, movie nights and more.

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A quarter-mile stretch of green space situated on the elevated former Reading Railroad tracks offers an urban retreat with rustic plantings, industrial artwork and plenty of benches.

Het Rail Park is de first phase of a plan to transform a three-mile section of abandoned elevated and below-street-level rail lines stretching from Northern Liberties to Fairmount Park into green spaces where people can walk, bike, sit and admire the urban views.

Niet te missen: De supercoole reusachtige houten schommels die een prachtig uitzicht op de skyline bieden

Gratis (donaties worden geaccepteerd)

Een van de oudste speeltuinen in Amerika, waar de toegang altijd gratis is Smith Memorial Speeltuin en Speelhuis is best known for its circa-1905 Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide, which — at 60 feet in length and 12 feet in width — can accommodate numerous kids at a time (and made a gedenkwaardige verschijning in het favoriete tv-programma van Philly, Abbott Elementary).

The attraction’s massive outdoor playground also features over 50 pieces of equipment, while indoors, kids love the Stephen Starr Indoor Playground, Play-stallations and more. 

Weet voordat je gaat: De locatie is op maandag gesloten en heeft tijdens de koudere maanden kortere openingstijden. 

Gratis

Located across the street from the iconic Smith Memorial Playground, Het Ontdekkingscentrum biedt gratis, gezinsvriendelijke natuurprogramma’s en ontdekkingstochten aan, met als middelpunt een opgeknapt stuwmeer in East Fairmount Park.

Visitors can borrow binoculars to go birding, explore indoor exhibits or just enjoy relaxing in the outdoor green space, which the Mid-Atlantische afdeling van Audubon toepassingen voor onderzoek en natuurbehoud. Programma's ter plaatse waaronder activiteiten zoals het bijhouden van een natuurdagboek en het 's avonds observeren van nachtvogels. 

Niet te missen: Het centrum fungeert tevens als thuisbasis voor de Philadelphia Outward Bound School, die regelmatig Ontdekkingsdagen met mogelijkheden om dingen als bergbeklimmen uit te proberen.

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Parks are even cooler when they’re sky-high. Located 12 floors up, this University City park in de lucht is open year-round for chill hangs and free events most nights of the week. 

While Cira Green opens at sunrise, the real fun happens April through October when Zonsondergang Social organiseert live muziek, videogamesessies, ijsfeestjes en openluchtfilmavonden op woensdag, die worden vertoond op een scherm van 18 meter. Er zijn snacks verkrijgbaar voor een paar dollar.

Niet te missen: Honden en kinderen zijn altijd van harte welkom om mee te doen aan de pret. 

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De Delaware River Waterfront has no shortage of alfresco chilling destinations with prime views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. 

Cherry Street Pier’s resident artists regularly open their studios for free tours, while the attraction also features rotating photography and art exhibits, artisan markets, food festivals, PECO Multicultural Series concerts and Eerste vrijdag activeringen. 

Next door is social gathering hotspot Race Street Pier, popular for its amphitheater-style seating that wraps around the end of the pier.

Niet te missen: Eerste vrijdag van de maand bij Cherry Street Pier featuring an artisans market, exhibitions and studio tours

Gratis (met voorzieningen die per gebruik worden betaald)

Van mei tot oktober komt de oostelijke waterkant tot leven met verlichte bomen, kleurrijke hangmatten, drijvende tuinen, spelletjes en wisselende eet- en drinkkraampjes — allemaal onderdeel van Havenpark Spruce Street. 

Also in the warmer months, Blue Cross RiverRink Zomerfeest boasts a carnival-like atmosphere on Penn's Landing with pay-as-you-go roller skating, rides, mini-golf, and on-site food and drink, while Winterfeest offers holiday lights and a festive atmosphere, plus ticketed ice skating and more. 

Niet te missen: Lekker luieren in een hangmat in Spruce Street Harbor Park: een typische Philly-ervaring bij warm weer

Gratis

Enjoy prime wildlife watching at this 1,000-acre natuurreservaat in Zuidwest-Philadelphia, the nation’s first national urban wildlife refuge and a designated Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. 

In addition to conservation work, the park hosts lots of free evenementen and water adventures to choose from, including guided birdwatching and photography walks, hiking and biking across 10 miles of trails, archery lessons and more.

Leashed dogs are also welcome to join visitors on the trail.

Niet te missen: De hundreds of species of birds, animals, plants, trees and insects, including several endangered species, that live or fly through here

Gratis

Met aparte vestigingen in Philadelphia en Montgomery graafschappen, historische tuinkerkhoven Laurel Hill East and West’s combined 265 acres provide ample opportunity to take in some stunning funerary art — including historic headstones and ornate mausoleums — all surrounded by towering trees. 

Laurel Hill East’s peaceful grounds in the city’s Oostelijke watervallen neighborhood offer sweeping vistas of the Schuylkill River, while the tranquil Laurel Hill West in Bala Cynwyd boasts 10 miles of tree-lined, paved walking paths. 

Niet te missen: Het graf van Harry Kalas, de jarenlange omroeper van de Phillies, op Laurel Hill East. Het is versierd met een monument in de vorm van een microfoon en stoelen uit het Veterans Stadium, de thuisbasis van de Philadelphia Phillies en de Philadelphia Eagles van 1971 tot 2003.

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Spanning more than 200 acres, the state’s largest cemetery offers a tranquil place to visit with rich history. Once abandoned, the historic cemetery — where Betsy Ross was once buried — has been undergoing restoration, including designation as a Level 1 arboretum. 

Check out the list of notable people interred at the site — such as John Whitehead, half of Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’s McFadden & Whitehead — or just wander through the paths.   

Watch for bikers and hikers, as Cobbs Creek Trail passes through here.

Weet voordat je gaat: De door vrijwilligers gerunde locatie is alleen in het weekend geopend.

Gratis

Once the estate of William Hamilton — grandson of famous Philadelphia lawyer Andrew Hamilton — De bossen now serves as the final resting place for some of Philadelphia’s most notable citizens, including artists Thomas Eakins and Rembrandt Peale, the Drexel and Biddle families, and surgical pioneer Dr. Samuel Gross.

Free and open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., the active cemetery is the largest green space in West Philadelphia, perfect for strolling or mindful meandering. 

Weet voordat je gaat: The National Historic Landmark also hosts social events, exercise meet-ups and evening programs.

Opened to the public in 1976, this 48-acre Devon property has nearly 5,000 individual plants across 1,500 varieties, showcased throughout natural woodlands and native gardens.

Enjoy always-free access to the tranquil site rich in wildflowers like azaleas and rhododendrons. Walk or hike streamside, or relax on a bench while watching wildlife like turtles and frogs at the site’s peaceful pond.  

The site also has a charming gift shop, with a small cafe and a nursery with plants for sale.  

Weet voordat je gaat: Although the site is open daily, the hours change seasonally. 

Philly's parken en wandelpaden roepen - en bijna allemaal zijn ze gratis om van te genieten! 

Onze gids voor hardlopen en fietsen bevat routelengtes en aanbevolen startpunten voor meer dan 20 schilderachtige wandelroutes. Ontdek uitgestrekte tuinen, picknickplaatsen, sportvelden en een onovertroffen uitzicht op de skyline in onze gids voor de beste parken van Philly, waaronder gratis toegang tot meer dan 15 tuinen en arboretums. 

Onze overzicht van plekken voor outdooravonturen belicht plekken om te kajakken, paardrijden, vissen en nog veel meer. En als je niet weet waar je moet beginnen, bekijk dan onze uitgebreide gids voor de buitenactiviteiten van Philly voor een volledig overzicht van wat je kunt doen en waar je heen kunt gaan.

Niet te missen: Fairmount Park and Wissahickon Valley Park in Noordwest-Philadelphia offer family- and dog-friendly day trips accessible by public transit, car and bike.

Soms is de beste manier om iets nieuws te leren — of geschiedenis te ontdekken die voor het oog verborgen blijft — om zelf op ontdekkingstocht te gaan. Profiteer van Greater Philadelphia's zelfgeleide autoritten en wandeltochten — many of which are free! — that put you in control of when and how you explore top attractions and important historical sites. 

Great for solo excursions or small groups, these self-guided explorations are an excellent way to uncover interesting facts about the region’s anti-slavery history, the encampment at Valley Forge National Historical Park and even the historic barns of Bucks County.

Niet te missen: Zelfstandige rondleiding door Mural Arts to see some primo public art in the best city in the country for street art

Philly’s vast public art collections transform the city into a giant outdoor art gallery, made free and accessible to all thanks to organizations like the Vereniging voor openbare kunst en Mural Arts Philadelphia, the nation’s largest public art program. Peruse our gids voor essentiële openbare kunst in Greater Philadelphia voor meer informatie over waar u deze werken kunt bekijken.

Marvel over the city’s eclectic and artistic architecture at these free-to-visit historische huizen en opmerkelijke gebouwen, or steep yourself in art reflecting life at Zwart, Latino en AAPI cultural sites, monuments and more. 

Niet te missen: Een art-filled stroll along Philly’s Champs-Élysées, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

People often call Philadelphia a city of neighborhoods, and there’s no better way to get a taste of the City of Brotherly Love than to explore one of Philly’s many distinct areas. 

Each neighborhood has its own personality, culture, attractions and hidden gems, which is why we created a tool with a handy map to help you navigate your way across the city and region, alongside curated neighborhood guides to help you explore.

Center City — the core of downtown Philadelphia — encompasses some of the city’s busiest, most densely packed, and most well-known cultural and historical neighborhoods, including Rittenhouse Square, Old City en Chinatown. 

Heading north, south or west from Center City, hip enclaves (Fishtown), delicious corridors (East Passyunk), a veritable museum row (Logan Square/Fairmount) and more await. 

Goed voor: Finding hidden gems and exploring like a local

Betaal wat je wilt

De eerste zondag van elke maandde Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) invites visitors to betaal wat je wilt to explore the entire main building.

The museum’s holdings encompass more than 240,000 works spanning 4,000 years, including pieces from the ancient world, medieval times and the Renaissance, plus iconic impressionist, modern and contemporary works by renowned artists such as Cézanne, Duchamp and Dalí.

Bonus! PMA also offers pay-what-you-wish entry Friday after 5 p.m., typically alongside live music, snacks and drinks. 

Niet te missen: Cézanne’s De grote baadsters and Duchamp’s Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass)

Gratis (na registratie)

On the first Sunday of every month, families can enjoy gratis toegang (registration required) at the Barnes Foundation, along with themed art activities and live performing arts. 

One of the world’s most important collections of impressionist, post-impressionist and early modernist paintings by renowned artists like Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso and Van Gogh joins American paintings and decorative arts, metalwork, African sculptures, and more — all presented in collector Albert C. Barnes’ distinctive arrangements.

Niet te missen: Native American textiles, jewelry and ceramics

Have a SEPTA Key card? Keycard holders can save money through discounts on museums, shops and even food and drink. 

Get $2 off general admission tickets at participating museums when you present your valid SEPTA Key card at each site. Note that the perk does not include special exhibitions and cannot be combined with other offers.

Use the drop-down menu to sort discounts by category, with new perks added regularly. 

Niet te missen: A discount on admission to the only-in-Philly Eastern State Penitentiary, waar ooit beruchte criminelen als Al Capone en Willie Sutton gevangen zaten.

What started in 1991 by a small group of Old City galleries as a collaborative open house has blossomed into a citywide custom. 

Here’s how it works: Every first Friday of the month, starting at 5 p.m., art galleries open their doors to the public, with crowds flowing and local artists showing off their latest pieces alongside lectures, live music and typically free-flowing sips and snacks.

Neighborhoods with robust First Friday offerings include Old City, Fishtown, Chestnut Hill and Fairmount. Or, check sociale media om te zien wat er komen gaat. 

Niet te missen: Museums are getting in on the First Friday action, too, with special events like Barnes Foundation-mixers.

Ga naar de groene omgeving van Philly Noordwest to discover historic homes, museums and green spaces that tell the story of Historic Germantown, with many sites offering free admission and special programming on the second Saturday of each month from May through October. 

Start your visit at the new, always-free-to-visit Germantown Visitor Center, located within the Historische Vereniging Germantown. 

Pro-tip: Second Saturday programs pop up frequently at the six-acre estate surrounding Cliveden — the location of the Battle of Germantown — and the 56-acre grounds of Awbury Arboretum.

Weet voordat je gaat: Check the official Tweede zaterdagen page to see what’s coming up. 

Betaal wat je wilt

Met de grootste collectie werken van Auguste Rodin buiten Parijs, is het Rodin Museum bevat schatten zoals De poorten van de hel en een bronzen afgietsel van De denker. 

The surrounding serene gardens are free to explore and a great place to find artistic inspiration. Gallery admission is always pay what you wish (with a suggested $15 admission for adults), but the outdoor garden is free to enter. 

Niet te missen: De denker because it’s so instantly recognizable

Gratis

Located inside an elegant stone mansion on six acres in Chestnut Hill, Woodmere’s dynamic collection of over 8,000 works highlights the incredible talent of Pennsylvania artists — past and present —  both inside and outside of its walls. Check it all out for free every Sunday. 

Find paintings, prints and photography by the likes of Violet Oakley, Arthur B. Carles and Pennsylvania impressionists. Works by and for children also frequently grace the museum’s walls. 

Niet te missen: Woodmere’s buitenparel sculpture garden to see pieces by Harry Bertoia, Robinson Fredenthal and many others dot the lush grounds surrounding the museum

Any individual who has a Pennsylvania-issued ACCESS/EBT card or identifies as a person with a disability can get access to $2 admission at over 100 museums, gardens and performing arts venues across Greater Philadelphia through the nonprofit Art Reach.

Individuals with a PA (or Delaware) state-issued ACCESS card can show the card to automatically get $2 admission at participating sites. Individuals who self-identify as having a disability — including out-of-state visitors — can purchase an ACCESS card from Art Reach to enjoy the same discount. 

Weet voordat je gaat: Controleer de officiële website voor meer informatie.