20 Awesome Free Things to Do in Philadelphia
From ice skating and swimming to one-of-a-kind historical attractions, this is Jerry’s ultimate list of free things to do in Philadelphia.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Home to the effortlessly iconic Liberty Bell, the Rocky Steps, and countless fascinating museums,
Philadelphia
, Pennsylvania is full of free attractions, festivals, landmarks—you just have to know where to look.Thankfully,
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for you and has crafted this comprehensive guide on some of the best free things to do in Philadelphia. So whether you’re a Philly local looking for some budget-friendly fun this summer, or if you’re planning on passing through the City of Brotherly Love on your next road trip, here are some of the coolest free things to do in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Free outdoor adventures in Philadelphia
#1. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
Address: 8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Located next to Philadelphia National Airport, the
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
is home to more than 300 native species of birds as well as numerous mammal and reptile species. A perfect destination for bird watching, the Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum also offers 10 miles of hiking trails, canoeing and kayaking opportunities, and much much more—all free of charge! #2. Ice Skating
Address: Various
Looking for something to do in Philadelphia during the winter months? Why not check out one of Philly’s many free
ice skating
rinks? While you’ll have to provide your own skates, or rent them for a small fee, skating on any of Philly’s public ice skating rinks is completely free for the entire family.#3. Awbury Arboretum
Address: 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Originally the home of a large Quaker family, the
Awbury Arboretum
is a 55-acre nationally recognized non-profit organization that is open to the public. On your visit to Awbury you can explore one of the estate’s several beautifully manicured gardens or study the large variety of shrub and tree species on location. If you fall in love with Awbury Arboretum on your free visit, the location also doubles as a wedding and event venue, though you will have to pay for your reservations.
#4. Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course
Address: 33rd & W Oxford St, Philadelphia, PA 19121
This 27-hold disc golf course is one of the oldest in the country. Located in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the
Sedgley Woods disc golf course
is open to the public free of charge, though you will have to provide your own discs. While you’re there, why not stop for a picnic at the beautiful 2,000 acre Fairmount Park
in the heart of Philadelphia. #5. Public swimming pools
Address: Various
Similar to Philadelphia’s free ice skating rinks in the winter, you can also avail of the city’s more than 70
public outdoor swimming pools
in the summer months, all of which are open to the public free of charge.Philadelphia’s free events and festivals
#6. ODUNDE Festival
Address: 23rd & South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Held in early June each year, Philly’s
ODUNE Festival
is a one-day celebration of the city’s African-American community and heritage. Established in 1975, the ODUNDE Festival has taken over several city blocks each summer in Philly’s historically black Graduate Hospital neighborhood, attracting thousands of attendees and hundreds of vendors from all over the world. The ODUNDE Festival is inspired by similar celebrations in Nigeria and West Africa and was brought to the city by Lois Fernandez, the creator of ODUNDE Inc.
#7. South Street Fest
Address: 2019 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Taking place every Spring, Philly’s
South Street Fest
occurs in conjunction with the Brauhaus Schmitz German Maifest
. Together the two festivals attract hundreds of local food vendors, boutiques, and business alongside live music performances across multiple stages. #8. Chestnut Hill Home and Garden Festival
Address: 8000-8600 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
This day-long festival comes to Philadelphia annually, bringing together 30,000+ gardening enthusiasts and 150+ vendors for a jam-packed schedule of plants, crafts, and artwork. The festival also features food, live music, amusement rides, face painting, and more! So if you’ve got a green thumb, or are just looking for some free family fun, be sure to check out Philly’s
Chestnut Hill Home and Garden Festival
in May!#9. Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Address: 101 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
When the ice melts at the Blue Cross RiverRink, the location transforms into the
RiverRink Summerfest
—a one-stop shop for all your favorite summertime activities in Philadelphia. Summerfest features a roller rink, a boathouse-style lodge, carnival-style food and fun, and lounge chairs and picnic tables overlooking the beautiful Delaware River. Open to the public all summer long, Summerfest is free to attend, though attractions and food are pay-as-you-go.
#10. Manayunk Arts Festival
Address: Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127
One of countless free artistic destinations and events in Philadelphia, the
Manayunk Arts Festival
hits the streets for two days each June attracting more than 200,000 attendees. Manayunk features artistic events as well as hundreds of local and national artist vendors selling their artwork in various mediums including fibers, glass, ceramics, photography, woodwork, sculpture, painting, drawing, and jewelry. RECOMMENDED
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Free museums, monuments, and more
#11. SEPTA Transit Museum
Address: 1234 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
The SEPTA Transit Museum features exhibitions on Philadelhpia’s 100+ year-long public transportation history, complete with model subway engines, rolling stock, and a collection of SEPTA memorabilia. The museum is located in the
SEPTA Store
at the 13th Street Station. #12. Fabric Workshop and Museum
Address: 1214 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
The
Fabric Workshop and Museum
goes beyond fabric and textiles to partner with local artists, including a permanent exhibit of contemporary art as well as preliminary sketches and videos of artists discussing their work. Both onsite and virtual tours and workshops are available. #13. Ryerss Museum
Address: 7370 Central Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111
Located in a repurposed 1860s mansion,
Ryerss Museum and Library
is home to an impressive collection of Asian and European art, as well as Native American objects and a large collection of paintings of the family that once inhabited the mansion. Ryerss Museum is open from 10am to 4pm from Friday to Sunday.
#14. Institute of Contemporary Art
Address: 118 S 36th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Famous for featuring Andy Warhol’s first solo museum exhibition, the
Institute of Contemporary Art
is located on the University of Pennsylvania Ivy League campus. The Institute features 12 different art shows each year, so there’s always something new to see, even if you’re a regular visitor. #15. Independence Hall
Address: 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Easily one of Philadelphia’s most famous destinations,
Independence Hall
is filled to the brim with exhibits and history of the Founding Fathers who once roamed the building’s halls. The location has incredible historical significance, being the location where the United State’s Declaration of Independence was drafted, debated, and signed. Today, visitors can explore Independence Hall free of charge!
Unique free activities in Philadelphia
#16. Pizza Brain
Address: 2313 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Not all of Philly’s destinations are rooted in American history. Instead, some of them are rooted in, well, pizza!
Pizza Brain
is a museum and pizzeria that is home to the Guinness Book of World Records-certified largest collection of pizza memorabilia and collectibles in the world! While the collection and museum are free to explore, you will have to pay for the slices you enjoy while you walk around. #17. The Love Sign
Address: Arch & 16th St, Philadelphia PA 19104
Located in
Love Park
, the Love Sign is an iconic photo opportunity for anyone visiting Philadelphia for the first or fiftieth time. Designed by Robert Indiana, the Love “Sign” is actually a pop art piece that can be found in cities around the world, though it is most synonymous with the City of Brotherly Love. #18. The Rocky Steps
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
The instantly recognizable 72-steps leading up to the
Philadelphia Museum of Art
were made famous by their appearance in the Sylvester Stalone film Rocky. Today the steps and the Rocky statue located at their base make a great photo opportunity and see thousands of tourists running up them each year to recreate Stalone’s iconic performance in Rocky. MORE: How to get cheap car insurance for young drivers
#19. The Liberty Bell
Address: 526 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Where else but Philadelphia can you visit some of America’s most historic landmarks free of charge? Once housed in the Independence Hall bell tower, the
Liberty Bell
now has its own dedicated building where history buffs can visit the Bell up close and personal.#20. Edgar Allan Poe House
Address: 532 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Though the iconic American poet and short story writer Edgar Allan Poe is mostly associated with Baltimore, Maryland, many people don’t know that the writer spent six years living and writing in downtown Philadelphia. Poe lived in several homes during his time in Philly, though only one remains standing—the
Edgar Allan Poe House
. The location currently houses exhibits on Poe’s life, writing, and legacy, and you can visit it free of charge!
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FAQs
When is the best time to visit Philadelphia?
While there are plenty of free things to do in Philadelphia year round, the majority of the city’s festivals and outdoor events are during the summer, particularly in June.
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