Budget-conscious travelers, rejoice! It’s super easy to spend a few days (or more) seeing the sites in Philadelphia without spending much at all. Here’s what’s free to do in Philly: quintessential historic attractions (like the Liberty Bell Center and other attractions in Independence National Historical Park); outdoor hangs (like Race Street Pier and Cira Green); iconic public art (Rocky Statue and the LOVE sculpture) and much more. Plus, there are a handful of pay-what-you-wish opportunities at some of Philadelphia’s top museums. Here’s our guide to nearly 50 of the best free things to do in Philadelphia.
Free (requires pre-purchased timed ticket with $1 handling fee, March through December)
In 1776, the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in the Assembly Room at what’s now known as Independence Hall. Just 11 years later, representatives from a dozen states met here to lay the framework for the U.S. Constitution. Today, the goosebumps-inducing UNESCO World Heritage Site is the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park, and guided tours of this bucket-list gem are available year-round. While a visit to the site is free, timed tickets with a $1 handling fee are required from March through December .
In the heart of Old City and Society Hill — now known as Philadelphia’s Historic District — is where the country was born, as evidenced by the seminal locations that make up Independence National Historical Park. And while the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall are no doubt the most iconic things to do in the park, they’re far from the only ones — and far from the only free ones, too. Congress Hall and Old City Hall do not require tickets and are free first come, first served. Also free: the portrait gallery at the Second Bank of the U.S., The President’s House (more on that below), the Franklin Court Printing Office and more.
Yo, Adrian! The Rocky Statue and the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art are two of the most visited attractions in Philadelphia — and they’re both free. Live a little piece of film history in the most Philadelphia way possible. (For inexpensive ways to head inside the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, keep reading.)
Love don’t cost a thing. One of the City of Brotherly Love’s best-known landmarks is LOVE itself — the Robert Indiana sculpture in John F. Kennedy Plaza (or LOVE Park, as it’s known to locals). The sculpture was restored and repainted in 2018, and the park was entirely redesigned to add more green areas and a high-tech water feature. The AMOR sculpture — a Spanish-language version of the LOVE sculpture — is on display at Sister Cities Park, a short walk from LOVE Park.
The free-to-stroll-through Elfreth’s Alley was home to 18th-century artisans and tradespeople who were the backbone of colonial Philadelphia. While a modern city has sprung up around it, the alley now preserves three centuries of evolution. Philadelphia citizens still occupy these homes, with their old-fashioned flower boxes, shutters, Flemish bond brickwork and other architectural details. Two adjacent houses, built in 1755, are now a museum and open to the public (for a small fee).
The gateway to all things Philadelphia, the Independence Visitor Center is the perfect place to begin a visit to the region. Just a stone’s throw from some of Philadelphia’s most popular attractions — Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, etc. — visitors get a free comprehensive orientation to the culture, history, shopping and dining options available throughout the region from the friendly and knowledgeable staff. Before you head out, have a little fun with the center’s interactive exhibits or grab Ben Franklin and Rocky-inspired merch to take home at the Independence Gift Shop.
See where the first American soldiers made their icy winter home way back when. Valley Forge National Historical Park — the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of General George Washington and the Continental Army — offers a glimpse into the Revolutionary War. Visitors can explore the park — including Revolutionary-era artifacts at the visitor center — and its historic structures (like Washington’s Headquarters and the National Memorial Arch) by car, by bike or on foot guided via the park’s cell phone tour.
Forrest Gump isn’t the only bench-dwelling storyteller. In Philadelphia’s Historic District, professional storytellers hold court around public Once Upon A Nation benches. Learn fascinating details about some of our nation’s earliest “celebrity” citizens in the places where the history actually happened. Find the uniformed storytellers at multiple locations, including Independence Hall, Franklin Square and the Betsy Ross House.
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The President’s House: 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 explore the paradox of slavery and freedom at 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.
The argument can be made that America started right here in Carpenters’ Hall. In one of the first acts of defiance against the King, delegates from across the Colonies — including George Washington, John Adams and Patrick Henry — came together in 1774 to vote on an embargo against England, now known as the First Continental Congress. Today, items on display include original chairs used by the delegates, reproductions of a banner carried during the 1788 Constitution parade and an original 18th-century scale model of the Hall.
Free (suggested donation)
The 100,000-square-foot, five-story Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History brings the story of Jews in the U.S. to life. The museum’s galleries pull from the institution’s expansive collection of over 30,000 artifacts. On display, you can find material glimpses into the lives of everyday and notable Jewish Americans, as well as interactive history exhibits.
Free (donations appreciated)
This circa-1898 fire station-turned-museum offers lessons in the history of firefighting via old trucks, fire or “parade” hats, photographs and a tribute to fallen Philadelphia firefighters. Kids can try on firefighter coats and boots and learn about fire prevention.
Although he only lived in Philly for six years, Edgar Allan Poe created some of his most famous works here, like The Fall of the House of Usher, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Mask of the Red Death and Ligeia. (Philly has that effect on people, you know.) Tours of the house are currently on hiatus due to renovations but are expected to return in fall 2024.
The United States Mint, 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 tour and see it. Philadelphia’s mint offers free self-guided 45-minute tours each weekday (and summer Saturdays) via a catwalk 40 feet above the factory floor. Tour highlights include America’s very first coining press dating back to 1792, seven turn-of-the-century Tiffany glass mosaics and more. Just don’t ask if you can take home any free samples.
Over five centuries of scientific discovery are packed into the walls of the Science History Institute. The permanent exhibition showcases hundreds of artifacts as well as interactive experiences and activities. Together, they tell the stories of the successes, failures and surprises behind the scientific discoveries that changed our world.
Free (donations welcome)
Re-live the Ryerss family’s glory days at The Ryerss Museum , located inside the Northeast Philadelphia mansion that the family owned. Inside, guests can find artifacts that the trading family acquired during their travels, including statues from Japanese Buddhist temples, European art, Native American woven baskets, and the family’s personal collection of shells, rocks and even sea creatures. While admission is free, donations are welcome.
Free (donations suggested)
It’s all about science, art and history, so it’s no surprise that the American Philosophical Society (APS) was another of Ben Franklin’s ideas. Exhibitions come from APS’s collection of nearly 13 million early American manuscripts, maps, Native American languages, scientific instruments and more.
Taller Puertorriqueño, in El Centro de Oro’s El Corazόn Cultural del Barrio, serves as a community center, art gallery and event space for symposia, readings, film screenings, artist workshops and more.
Before the advent of a public library, the Athenaeum of Philadelphia was founded in 1814 to provide knowledge through books. You can schedule a tour to see tons of old books and ornate reading rooms.
Free (donations encouraged for groups)
The three-story 19th-century exhibit hall at the Wagner Free Institute of Science houses mounted birds and mammals, fossils, rocks and minerals, insects, shells, dinosaur bones, and the first American saber-toothed tiger.
A centerpiece of Philly’s iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the main branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia is just as storied as the books that line its walls. Designed by prolific early 20th-century architects Horace Trumbauer and Julian Abele (the minds and hands behind other local landmarks like Reading Railroad Terminal and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, respectively), the library offers guests a closer look at its grand Beaux-Arts style and many collections throughout the week with its Historic Building Tours. Meanwhile, the library’s Rare Book Tours dive deep into one of those exciting collections, showcasing literary artifacts from throughout human history. Feel free to drop in: Reservations are only required for the Historic Building Tour for groups larger than 10.
Located on the Ivy League school’s West Philadelphia campus, the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania (ICA) is an art museum founded in 1963 with a mission of shining a light on underrepresented artists. Luminaries on display here over the years have included Robert Mapplethorpe and Cy Twombly, early museum exhibitions by Laurie Anderson and Robert Indiana, and Andy Warhol’s first-ever solo exhibit (which nearly caused a riot). Presented in kunsthalle style, the Institute houses no permanent collection, which means every visit brings a fresh experience.
Free (suggested donation)
Located in Market East in Center City, The Fabric Workshop & 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, plus permanent exhibits featuring fabric-related creations from celebrated artists best known for working in other media.
Free (donations welcome)
Originally the sole water pumping station for the city in the early 1800s, Fairmount Water Works is now an educational and environmental center, teaching visitors about sustainable uses of land and water. (It’s also a fancy event venue, too, though that’s not free.)
See contemporary art from international and national artists and students enrolled at this visual arts school for women.
Free (with advance registration)
Students enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music perform free recitals multiple times a week. Faculty members — some of whom have toured the world playing and honing their craft — also hit the stage on occasion. The Institute presents over 100 free performances a year, so be sure to practice your recital applause. Just make sure you reserve your spot ahead of time.
Free (RSVP required)
Non-commercial radio station WXPN hosts free concerts from national touring bands at World Cafe Live (on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania) each and every Friday at — you guessed it — noon. The long-running series (dating back to 2005) has included scores of iconic and internationally renowned artists throughout its history like Adele, The National, Blondie, Brandi Carlile, Dr. Dog and Graham Nash. Make sure to register in advance for tickets.
Crafted by Murray M. Harris (known as “The Father of Organ Building in the American West”) for the 1904 St. Louis World Fair, the world’s largest fully operational pipe organ made its way out East thanks to 20th-century retail tycoon John Wanamaker. Since it arrived in Philadelphia in 1911, the grand organ has sounded twice a day, six days a week for over a century. The current tenant of the historic Wannamaker Building, Macy’s, continues the tradition with free 45-minute concerts, Monday through Saturday. No tickets or reservations are necessary; just claim a spot in the store’s Grand Court next to the giant, 2,500-pound bronze eagle and look up.
This premier Philadelphia arts organization offers two series of free film screenings — the Philly Film Showcase and Monthly Community Screenings — meant to 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.
Spanning eight miles of riverfront winding through the heart of Philadelphia, Schuylkill Banks is open year-round for walking, jogging, cycling, picnics and dog-walking. Part of the Schuylkill River Trail, the park stretches along the Schuylkill River and links the western edge of Center City to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fairmount Park and Kelly Drive. One of the coolest parts of Schuylkill Banks: the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, a 2,000-foot-long pathway that extends the Schuylkill River Trail from Locust Street to South Street — and also enables visitors to literally walk over the river and enjoy some of the best skyline views around.
Free (with pay-as-you-go amenities)
Hanging out in the expansive, delightful Franklin Square — one of William Penn’s original city squares — and marveling at the fountain show, which features water spraying and soaring in the air in sync with music (and colorful lights in the evening), is 100% free. Partaking in the carousel, Philly-themed mini-golf and SquareBurger requires a small fee (as does the annual Chinese Lantern Festival).
Stroll through the fragrant flower gardens and riverside meadows at Bartram’s Garden, the nation’s oldest botanical garden and the place where gardening first took root in America. Highlights include the country’s oldest ginkgo tree, the rare Franklinia tree, and the Bartram’s Mile segment of the Schuylkill River Trail for hikers, runners and bikers.
A quarter-mile stretch of green space situated on the elevated former Reading Railroad tracks is free and open to the public, boasting rustic plantings, industrial artwork and plenty of benches.
Free (donations accepted)
One of the oldest playgrounds in America — best known for the circa-1899 Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide — offers tots (ages 10 and under) a safe place to play, jump, swing, climb and learn about nature.
Parks are even cooler when they’re sky high. Located 12 floors up, this University City park in the sky is open year-round for chill hangs and free events most nights of the week during the summer months, including live music, video gaming sessions, ice cream socials and outdoor movies. Concessions are available for a few bucks.
The Delaware River waterfront has no shortage of alfresco chilling destinations, two of which offer excellent views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Cherry Street Pier is home to artists in residence who open their studios for free tours too. Race Street Pier is a photography hotspot for its unique perspective under the bridge and the river.
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Cast a line or go birdwatching at this wildlife refuge just beyond the grounds of the Philadelphia International Airport. The over 1,000-acre preserve, created to protect the largest freshwater tidal marsh in the state, also offers kayaking, canoeing, and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Historic headstones and ornate mausoleums combine history and eye candy at this historic cemetery, open for free visits. One of the oldest garden cemeteries in the United States, the attraction also offers free self-guided tours via its app.
Spanning nearly 200 acres, this vast cemetery features an iconic crumbling brownstone gatehouse, perfect for Instagram photos. Paths are clear but take you through the mostly abandoned attraction, giving vibes of exploring an ancient Greek or Roman city.
Philly’s parks and trails are calling — and almost all of them are free to enjoy! Our guide to running and biking includes route lengths and recommended starting points for more than 20 scenic trails. Find acres of gardens, picnic spots, athletic fields and unbeatable skyline views in our guide to Philly’s top parks — a collection of restful spaces in Center City and beyond. Our roundup of spots for outdoor adventures highlights places for kayaking, horseback riding, fishing and more. And if you don’t know where to start, check out our comprehensive guide to Philly’s outdoor activities for a full rundown of what to do and where to go.
Sometimes the best way to learn something new — or discover history that’s hidden in plain sight — is to explore on your own. Take advantage of Greater Philadelphia’s self-guided driving and walking tours — 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.
Speaking of public art, Philadelphia is home to one of the largest collections of it in the country. The city has thousands of artworks thanks to organizations like the Association for Public Art and Mural Arts Philadelphia, the nation’s largest public art program. Stunning sculptures sit outside of museums and in parks, while captivating murals brighten the facades of skyscrapers in Center City and walls in quieter neighborhoods. And new works are commissioned and added to the city’s collection all the time, joining well-established pieces by accomplished artists like Robert Indiana, Amy Sherald and Auguste Rodin in Philly’s giant outdoor art gallery. Peruse our guide to essential public art in Greater Philadelphia for more on where to see these works.
Pay what you wish
The first Sunday of every month, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is open to visitors who can pay what they wish to explore the entire main building, featuring works by Marcel Duchamp, Salvador Dalí, Himalayan artists and many others. Budget-conscious art lovers can also take advantage of reduced admission (and enjoy live performances!) between 5 and 8:30 p.m. on Friday evenings as part of the museum’s Friday Night Lounge series.
Free (with registration)
On the first Sunday of every month, visitors can enjoy free admission (with registration) at the Barnes Foundation, home to 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. The museum also showcases American paintings and decorative arts, metalwork, African sculpture and Native American textiles, jewelry and ceramics — all presented in Albert C. Barnes’ distinctive arrangements.
Pay what you wish
Housing the largest collection of works by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris, the Rodin Museum features treasures such as The Gates of Hell and a bronze caste of The Thinker. The surrounding serene gardens are free to explore and a great place to find artistic inspiration. Gallery admission is always pay what you wish, though the museum does provide suggested donation amounts.
Located inside an elegant stone mansion on six acres in Chestnut Hill, the Woodmere Art Museum’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. Exploring the galleries, you 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.