Visiting Philadelphia, PA on a budget? Here are the best free things to do.
If you’re looking to have a fun time in Philadelphia but don’t want to open up your wallet, no worries. There are plenty of ways to explore the city without spending a cent. Everything from historic places brewery tours, we’ve got you covered. Seasonal and special events are at the bottom.
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Last Updated: January 19, 2025
25 Free Things to Do in Philadelphia
1. Pizza Brain
2313 Frankford Ave, 19125, map
It’s a museum dedicated to one thing, all things pizza!
2. Bartram’s Garden
5400 Lindbergh Blvd, 19143, map
This garden has deep roots! It’s America’s oldest botanical garden.
3. Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
532 N. 7th St, 19123, map
Take a free self-guided tour of the unfurnished home where Poe lived and we dare you to go into the basement!
4. Franklin Square
200 N. 6th Street, 19106, map
Hang out in one of the oldest parks in the city. It was sketched into William Penn’s original plan for the city.
5. Institute of Contemporary Art
118 S. 36th St, 19104, map
This is the place to get up close and personal with an original Andy Warhol painting.
6. Independence National Historical Park
2313 Frankford Ave, 19125, map
Independence National Historical Park is a National Park unit, and some notable landmarks within the park are Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center (you can no longer ring the bell).
Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Entrance to Independence Hall is by timed entry ticket only from March through December. No tickets are necessary for January and February.
Independence Hall tickets are FREE. There is no charge for same day distribution (non-reserved) tickets obtained at the Independence Visitor Center on the day of your visit, but there is a handling fee of $1.50 per ticket if you want advance reservations.
See More: Your Complete List of All National Parks in the US
7. Love Sculpture
39.951849,-75.1997247, map
Take a photo with one of the City of Brotherly Love’s best-known landmarks, LOVE! It’s located in the John F. Kennedy Plaza (or LOVE Park, as locals call it).
8. United States Mint
151 N. Independence Mall E, 19106, map
See coins being made! The tour is free and self-guided and takes most people about 45 minutes to do.
9. Schuylkill River Trail
39.9905026,-75.2018054, map
Walk the Schuylkill River Trail. Riverfront path provides easy access to the Schuylkill Banks.
10. Yoga on the Race Street Pier
Race St & N. Columbus Blvd, 19106, map
Free, hour-long yoga sessions are here on any given day of the week. They welcome your kids and pets to join you by your side, too! Depending on the day and season, yoga session times vary. Donations are welcome.
11. Spruce Street Harbor Park
301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd, 19106, map
Hang out in a hammock at the Spruce Street Harbor Park. A perfect spot to disappear from the heat of the city and hide behind a book or your sunglasses.
12. Reading Terminal Market
51 N 12th St, 19107, map
It’s one of the largest and oldest public markets in the US and has been around since 1893. Open 8 am to 6 pm every day.
13. Drexel University College of Medicine Bookstore
2900 W Queen Lane, 19129, map
Challenge your nerves at the Drexel University College of Medicine Bookstore. On display is the dissected nervous system of Harriet Cole, the college’s former cleaning lady.
14. The Fabric Workshop and Museum
2900 W Queen Lane, 19129, map
Challenge your nerves at the Drexel University College of Medicine Bookstore. On display is the dissected nervous system of Harriet Cole, the college’s former cleaning lady.
15. Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
148 N. 8th St, 19107, map
Have a shoe fetish? Check out hundreds of pairs of shoes dating back to Ancient Egypt at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. Entry is free but you will need to schedule your visit in advance.
16. Science History Institute
315 Chestnut St, 19106, map
Engage your inner scientist at the Science History Institute / Chemical Heritage Foundation.
17. Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial
Kelly Dr at Girard Ave, South of Girard Ave Bridge, 19130, map
Bring a friend or meet a new one at the whispering bench at the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial.
18. The Rocky Statue
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Center City, 19130, map
Run up the steps and then down again to take a selfie with the Rocky Statue! The Rocky Statue has been moved to an area at the bottom of the steps leading to the PhilaMOCA.
19. Awbury Arboretum
1 Awbury Road, 19138, map
It has been free and open to the public for nearly a 100 years. See the 55-acre grounds with beautifully manicured gardens once home to a Quaker family.
20. Fireman’s Hall Museum
147 N. 2nd Street, 19106, map
Did you share in having a childhood dream of being a fireman? Well, you can continue the dream at the Fireman’s Hall Museum.
21. The Dream Garden
699 Walnut St, 19106, map
It’s made up of 100,000 pieces of Tiffany Glass in the lobby of the Curtis Center.
22. Mount Moriah Cemetery
6310-6312 Cobbs Creek Pkwy, 19142, map
Visit the newly cleaned up Mount Moriah Cemetery where over 80,000 people are buried.
23. John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
8601 Lindbergh Blvd, 19153, map
Explore the trails and over 300 species of birds spread out over 1,000 acres at this nature preserve.
24. Gayborhood
NW corner of the square, S. Broad Street & Chestnut St, 19107, map
Take a stroll thru this quaint neighborhood west of City Center.
25. Kimmel Center for Performing Arts
300 Broad St, 19102, map
Learn more history through a free tour of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Also, every month they offer a handful of free shows.
Map of Free Things to Do in Philly
More Free Things to Do in Philly
- First Friday – On the First Friday of every month, rain or shine, over 40 art galleries open their doors from 5 – 9 pm. Most galleries are between Front and Third st or Market and Vine st.
- Barnes Foundation – free Sundays (2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, 19130-3602)
- Outdoor Movies – on the banks of the Schuylkill River at two different locations: the Walnut Street Bridge and the Wharton Street Esplanade at the Grays Ferry Crescent.
- Creative Mornings – an inspiring new guest speaker once a month.
- PHIT Comedy – free intro improv workshops (2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103)
- Disc Golf – free at Sedgley Woods outside of Philly Open (33rd Street & Oxford Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121)
Best Places to Stay
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
Which of these have you done? Did we miss anything?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Caroline + Erin
They are entrepreneurs and creatives who are good at finding adventure, both big and small, everywhere they go. The two have made a daily practice of sharing vulnerabilities, truth telling, and side splitting laughter. Both value being able to spend time getting to know a place but understand that life doesn’t always allow one to really settle into a place. So, they’ve honed the art of traveling fast and seeing and doing all of the things that an adventurer can do in a day or two. The couple lives in Asheville, North Carolina and spend as much time as possible in the mountains.
