It’s a little gritty yet gorgeous. It’s a dining mecca with an artistic streak. It’s the birthplace of the United States — not to mention the Slinky, ice cream soda and cheesesteak. And, of course, it’s the home to the 2025 Super Bowl champions, the Eagles.
Welcome to Philadelphia. In this age-old American city, you can step back in time to where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed, climb the famed “Rocky Steps” up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art or soak up the rhythms of the city from a bench in Rittenhouse Square.
Whether you’re drawn to its history, culture, food or sports, Philly is on a roll. Here’s how to make the most of it all during two days in this East Coast gem.
Day One
First things first: Unpack your bags at one of Philadelphia’s most luxurious hotels. Minimalist design mavens will love Four Travel Guide Four-Star Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center atop the city’s tallest building. Start your day with a swim in the exclusive infinity pool, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking skyline views, and don’t miss a chance to dine at Five-Star Jean-Georges Philadelphia on the top floor.
If you gravitate toward classic luxury, Four-Star The Rittenhouse has extra-large rooms and suites overlooking its namesake historic square. The spacious floorplans, elegant dining options like Four-Star Lacroix and easy access to the city’s top landmarks make it an ideal home base. While you’re there, try the creative tipples at the Library Bar or put your feet up at the sumptuous spa for a hot stone massage or HydraFacial.
After fueling up with a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel, grab a coffee to go at one of Philly’s many top-notch cafés — La Colombe, Menagerie Coffee or Thank You Thank You all have remarkable pours — and stroll through Old City, where it quickly becomes clear why the Philadelphia was named the first World Heritage City in the U.S. back in 2015.
Cobbled streets and historic landmarks tell the story of America’s past in this charming corner. Tour Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, and tip your hat to the Liberty Bell, which is believed to have been rung on July 8, 1776, to mark the first reading of the Declaration of Independence.
From there, choose your adventure: Within just a few blocks, you can easily explore treasures like the Museum of the American Revolution, the African American Museum, the United States Mint, Christ Church Burial Ground (where Benjamin Franklin was buried), the Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley (one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the country) and several other worthwhile institutions, depending on what sparks your curiosity. A 15-minute walk west brings you to the Reading Terminal Market, one of the country’s oldest public markets. Inside this vibrant culinary hub, more than 75 family-owned vendors serve everything from Pennsylvania Dutch specialties to hand-carved deli sandwiches to fresh seafood. Grab a DiNic’s roast pork sandwich, a quintessential cheesesteak or a Philly-style soft pretzel (they have a unique shape and taste a little chewier than other varieties), then top it off with a cone from Bassett’s, America’s oldest ice cream company.
After a busy morning, indulge in some well-earned relaxation. Take the Four Seasons’ exhilarating glass elevator to the Five-Star Spa at Four Seasons, where extensive relaxation areas and panoramic city views create the ultimate urban oasis. When it comes to treatments, you really can’t go wrong. But if you need some inspiration, we’d recommend the signature Luminous Crystal Facial for a reinvigorating experience featuring healing crystals, Sodashi products and a balancing crystal massage.
Before dinner, sip a martini at SkyHigh, the hotel’s chic rooftop lounge, as the sun dips behind the Schuylkill River. Then, head northeast to the Fishtown neighborhood for a memorable meal at one of the city’s hippest eateries: Kalaya.
Helmed by respected chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, this buzzy Southern Thai spot goes big on décor, vibes and flavors. Come for the kanom jeeb nok (a trio of bird-shaped dumplings filled with caramelized cod and preserved radish) and stay for the intensely spicy gaeng pae (goat and lamb curry). The tom yum alone, served in grand fashion with jumbo river prawns the size of your forearm, is worth the visit.
End the night with an amaro or two at Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, a warm, welcoming restaurant and bar inside an 1890s building that once housed a whiskey blending and bottling facility. From its gorgeous tilework to the inviting wooden bar, this neighborhood haunt is a great nightcap.
Day Two
Greet the day with perfectly baked pastries and savory sandwiches from High Street Bakery. The goods change frequently, but if you see the Forager breakfast sandwich (piled high with fluffy eggs, kale, cheese and mushrooms) and the black sesame kouign-amann pastry on offer, snap them up.
Your next stop this morning is City Hall, an architectural masterpiece that took more than 30 years to complete. Designed in the Second Empire style, it remains the largest municipal building in the United States. Its ornate façade is adorned with more than 250 statues, including the 37-foot bronze sculpture of William Penn, which crowns the building.
Step inside for a guided tour of the elaborate council and reception rooms, where gilded ceilings, stained glass windows and hand-carved woodwork reflect the grandeur of the late 19th century. Then, take the century-old elevator up to the observation deck, the city’s highest open-air lookout, for skyline views stretching to the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.
Across the street, wander through JFK Plaza, commonly called LOVE Park after Robert Indiana’s iconic sculpture, before sitting down for lunch. Just a block away, head to Victory Brewing Company, where you can unwind on the rooftop patio, if the weather is nice. This 14,000-square-foot taproom has a low-key, friendly atmosphere that sets the tone for sampling regionally brewed craft beers and casual dishes, like house-made pretzels, charbroiled oysters and juicy burgers.
If escargot and grand cru are more your taste, enjoy a leisurely meal at Parc, about a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive south. This lively Parisian brasserie has sidewalk seating overlooking Rittenhouse Square and an authentic French menu peppered with classic dishes like fresh seafood platters, earthy mushroom soup, trout amandine and steak frites.
Next, go northwest up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway — Philadelphia’s answer to the Champs-Élysées — for a veritable buffet of art museums. Start at the Barnes Foundation, where a world-class collection of Renoir, Picasso, Cézanne and Matisse pieces awaits, then peruse the Rodin Museum, home to dozens of thought-provoking sculptures and an enchanting garden.
Crowning the parkway is the mighty Philadelphia Museum of Art, with its vast collection spanning more than 200 galleries. Channel your inner Rocky Balboa and run up the museum’s famed steps before taking it all in. Afterward, wrap up the afternoon with a relaxing amble along the Schuylkill River Trail, a scenic riverside path lined with 19th-century boathouses.
Warm up for another night on the town with a cocktail at the Ranstead Room, a sultry, speakeasy-style bar hidden down a Center City alleyway just a seven-minute walk from your hotel. Look for the black door with the “RR” logo, then step inside for a dimly lit atmosphere and expertly crafted drinks. Lean into the boudoir vibes with one of the signatures — the Ranstead Daiquiri No.1 is particularly good — or ask for the “Bartender’s Choice” for a surprise based on your preferences.
For an extra dose of culture, catch an evening show at the Academy of Music or find an after-hours event on the eclectic calendar for the Bok Building, a former-school-turned-creative-hub. And when it comes to sports, the action never stops. Between the 76ers, Flyers, Phillies and the high-flying Eagles, there’s always a game worth catching at the Sports Complex.
But if you’d rather conclude your trip with a memorable dinner, see what New American flavors are all about at Vernick Food & Drink, which lives up to its long-standing reputation as one of Philadelphia’s best restaurants. Chef Gregory Vernick’s intimate bistro is set in a charming brownstone and elevates seasonal ingredients with creative touches — think fromage blanc and pickled cherry toast, sliced kanpachi drizzled with blood orange, fennel and chili vinaigrette or charcoal-grilled black sea bass in a rich toasted sesame broth. And the drinks are just as impressive.
