1 Day of History & Art in Philadelphia

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by Ellie

May 8, 2024 · 2 min read

Philadelphia County 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a whirlwind tour of Philadelphia County, where history and art come alive. Start your day at the iconic Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted, spending an hour immersed in the stories of America's founding. Just steps away, witness the Liberty Bell, a symbol of freedom, and reflect on its historic significance during your one-hour visit. Next, marvel at the architectural grandeur of Philadelphia City Hall, a masterpiece of design, for another hour. Art enthusiasts will revel in the Rodin Museum, home to the largest collection of Rodin's works outside France, offering an hour of artistic inspiration. Don't miss the chance to snap a photo with the famous Rocky Statue, a monument to the underdog spirit, during a brief 30-minute stop. Conclude your day with an hour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, an art gallery that boasts an impressive collection of masterpieces. This one-day itinerary is perfect for those looking to capture the essence of Philadelphia's rich history and vibrant art scene.

Top 6 Hotels in Philadelphia County
TOP 1
Holiday Inn Express & Suites FT. Washington - Philadelphia
Holiday Inn Express & Suites FT. Washington - Philadelphia
hotelStar
2/5
102 reviews
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TOP 2
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Philadelphia West
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Philadelphia West
hotelStar
4/5
103 reviews
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TOP 3
Fairfield Inn & Suites Philadelphia Horsham
Fairfield Inn & Suites Philadelphia Horsham
hotelStar
2/5
103 reviews
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W Philadelphia
W Philadelphia
hotelStar
5/5
118 reviews
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Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel
Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel
hotelStar
3/5
40 reviews
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Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cherry Hill - Philadelphia
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cherry Hill - Philadelphia
hotelStar
2/5
114 reviews
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1 Day in Philadelphia County Itinerary: Day 1

1

Independence Hall

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Begin your Philadelphia journey with a visit to the iconic Independence Hall, where the seeds of American democracy were sown. Spend an hour immersed in the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing in the very room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and adopted. The Georgian architecture and the Assembly Room with its original furnishings provide a tangible connection to the nation's founding moments.

Attraction Info

  • 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-5:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Vernick Fish
Vernick Fish
/5 · 0 reviews
1.9 km from attraction
Franklin Social Kitchen & Bar
Franklin Social Kitchen & Bar
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0.2 km from attraction
Morimoto
Morimoto
4.6/5 · 11 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Amada
Amada
4.6/5 · 10 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
Gnocchi
Gnocchi
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0.8 km from attraction
Barbuzzo
Barbuzzo
4.6/5 · 10 reviews
1.0 km from attraction
2 min,0.17 km
2

Liberty Bell

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Just a short stroll from Independence Hall, continue your historical exploration at the Liberty Bell, an enduring symbol of American freedom. Reflect on the bell's storied past and its inscription calling for liberty throughout the land. The Liberty Bell Center offers an insightful perspective on this historic site, where you can delve into the significance of the bell and its crack that resonates with the country's quest for independence.

Attraction Info

  • 526 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-5:00pm
7 min,1.61 km
3

Philadelphia City Hall

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Next on your itinerary is the majestic Philadelphia City Hall, an architectural marvel and the largest municipal building in the United States. Dedicate an hour to admire the intricate sculptures and the towering statue of William Penn atop the building. The interior is equally impressive, with ornate stairways and corridors that lead to the observation deck, offering panoramic views of the city.

Attraction Info

  • 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open on Mon-Fri,10:00am-4:00pm
6 min,2.42 km
4

Rodin Museum

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Art enthusiasts will appreciate the next stop at the Rodin Museum, housing one of the largest collections of Rodin's works outside France. Spend an hour amidst masterpieces such as 'The Thinker' and 'The Gates of Hell,' and explore the museum's tranquil sculpture garden. The museum's collection and the serene ambiance make it a haven for those seeking artistic inspiration.

Attraction Info

  • 2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open on Mon, Fri-Sun,10:00am-5:00pm
10 min,0.69 km
5

Rocky Statue

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A quick visit to the Rocky Statue is a must for movie fans and those looking to capture a piece of pop culture. Snap a photo with the iconic statue that commemorates Sylvester Stallone's legendary character, Rocky Balboa, and perhaps even recreate the famous run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is your next and final stop.

Attraction Info

  • 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 30-40 minutes
  • Open 24 hours
3 min,0.24 km
6

Philadelphia Museum of Art

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Conclude your day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of the largest art museums in the country. With just an hour to spare, prioritize the museum's highlights, including its impressive collections of Renaissance, American, and Impressionist art. The museum's grandiose steps and its vast array of artworks provide a fitting end to a day steeped in culture and history.

Attraction Info

  • 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open on Fri,10:00am-8:45pm;Open on Mon, Thu, Sat-Sun,10:00am-5:00pm
0/50 Reviews
Philadelphia
|0.47km from Philadelphia Museum of Art
4.4/550 Reviews
4.4/5Excellent50 Reviews
Philadelphia
|0.49km from Philadelphia Museum of Art

Top Things to Do in Philadelphia County-2024

TOP 1
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art
4.6/5 · 110 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 7,449 review
Highlights:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, built in 1877, is the third largest art museum in the United States. It was formerly a pavilion at the Philadelphia World Expo. It has been exquisitely remodeled and turned around. There are many sculptures of Greek gods and animals around the museum building. The symbol of the museum is a griffin. The collections in the museum amount to more than 300,000 pieces, including European paintings from the Middle Ages to contemporary times, Asian art treasures and American modern and modern masterpieces. It is worth mentioning the collection of French painting treasures in the museum. One of Van Gogh's ten extant "Sunflowers" is the treasure of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and is properly kept here. This "pot" of sunflowers in Philadelphia is said to have 12 sunflowers, while another "pot" of "Sunflowers" in the National Gallery in London has 17 sunflowers. It is better to count the number of them. In addition, Monet's "Japanese Bridge and Lotus", Picasso's Self-Portrait, Matisse's "Huge Blue Painting and Black Background", and Rubens' "Prometheus Bound" are all on display in the museum. . It has become a gathering place for French Impressionist masterpieces. Come to the museum to visit, please wait to be amazed at any time!
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TOP 2
Penn Museum
Penn Museum
4.5/5 · 35 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 522 review
Highlights:
In the nineteenth century, the University of Pennsylvania organized many expeditions to explore the Middle East and the Far East. Today, the museum collects a large number of cultural relics from Babylon, Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and Chinese and Far Eastern civilizations. , including mummies, ancient Greek sculptures, Chinese Han Dynasty unicorns, etc. In addition, there are two of the six horses in Zhaoling that are now lost in the United States - Sa Lu Zi and Quan Mao Qi. These exhibits have a very high level in the archaeological field, and many of them are unique works of art that can only be appreciated here, and the craftsmanship is astonishing.
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TOP 3
Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall
4.5/5 · 82 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,406 review
Highlights:
Philadelphia City Hall was designed by the famous architect John McArthur. It was built in 1871 for a period of 30 years and cost 24 million US dollars. With a height of 167 meters, the City Hall was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1901, and held the record for seven years. On the roof of City Hall stands a bronze statue of William Penn, the pioneer of the Philadelphia Port. At first, Philadelphia stipulated that the height of any building could not be higher than the height of the bronze statue. Later, due to the needs of development, a high-rise building had to be built on the back of the bronze statue where Payne "can't see", so today the east side of the building still has a building. It has a simple and simple style, while the west side is covered with high-rise buildings.
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TOP 4
Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell
4.5/5 · 183 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 4,909 review
Highlights:
On the west side of the lawn outside the Independence Palace in Philadelphia stands a small memorial, which houses the famous Liberty Bell. It is a symbol of the city of Philadelphia, a symbol of the American spirit of freedom, and the pride of Americans. The Liberty Bell occupies a very important place in American history. The Liberty Bell is a must-see attraction in Philadelphia, so there are many tourists who travel in groups. Usually, there is a 20-30 minute queue at the door. The doors and windows of the small memorial hall where the Liberty Bell is placed are all made of glass and steel frames, and the interior can be seen at a glance from the outside. Before entering the visit, you need to go through security check. The security check is very strict. Similar to the airport security check, you have to open each bag and backpack, open the whole body for inspection, and then check the whole body. You can enter after security check. The interior is like a small museum. After entering, you can see some historical photo exhibitions about the Liberty Bell. In one of the exhibition halls, there is a TV in Chinese explaining the historical significance of the Liberty Bell. If you are interested, you can listen to it. After watching the exhibition, you can come to the Liberty Bell. The bell was originally placed on the bell tower of the Independence Palace building. Later, because the bell body cracked, it was displayed in the memorial hall outside the lawn of the Independence Hall. Approaching the Liberty Bell, you can clearly see the crack on the bell body. The famous saying from the Bible is engraved on the clock face: "Declare freedom to all people in the world. There is also a transparent cylinder donation box opposite the Liberty Bell. , which contains coins donated by tourists from all over the world.
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TOP 5
Independence Hall
Independence Hall
4.5/5 · 169 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 9,133 review
Highlights:
This is a famous historical monument in the United States. It was built from 1732 to 1756. It is a two-story old red brick building with white doors and windows, a white minaret, and a bell inlaid between the main house and the tower. The attraction was originally the Pennsylvania State Capitol during colonial times. Several conferences have been held, and on July 4 the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Jackson, was passed, declaring the North American colonies to secede from Britain, a symbol of American independence.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Philadelphia County 1 Day Itinerary