Philadelphia City Walk Guide
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Philadelphia City Walk Guide - Cheesesteaks & the Birthplace of America
Host of 6 World Cup matches, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, home of the Philly Cheesesteak, and America's largest urban park system.
🏟️ World Cup Viewing Guide
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
- 📍 South Philadelphia Sports Complex
- 🏟️ Capacity: 69,328 | Home of the Philadelphia Eagles
- ⚽ Hosts 6 matches
- 🚇 SEPTA Broad Street Line to NRG Station, 10-minute walk
- 🍔 Philly essentials: Cheesesteak $12, Soft Pretzel $3, Tastykake $2
🚶 Day 1: Independence Hall → Liberty Bell → Old City
Morning: Independence Hall → Liberty Bell
🏛️ Independence Hall — where the Declaration of Independence (1776) and Constitution (1787) were signed. UNESCO World Heritage Site ($1 reservation fee).
🔔 Liberty Bell (free admission) — iconic crack symbolizing abolition and civil rights movements.
🍜 Lunch Recommendations:
- Reading Terminal Market (1912) — Beiler's Doughnuts $2, Carmen's Cheesesteaks $12
- Sonny's Famous Steaks — Best cheesesteak in Old City, $12
Afternoon: Elfreth's Alley → Betsy Ross House
🏠 Elfreth's Alley — America's oldest continuously inhabited street (1703), 32 Georgian brick houses on a cobblestone lane.
Evening: South Street
🎸 South Street — Philly's liveliest pedestrian strip. Jim's South St cheesesteak is a classic ($14).
🍜 Dinner Recommendations:
- Jim's South Street — Cheesesteak, $14
- Zahav — James Beard Award-winning Israeli cuisine, $55/person tasting menu
🚶 Day 2: Philadelphia Museum of Art → Rocky Steps → Center City
Morning: Philadelphia Museum of Art → Rocky Steps
🎨 Philadelphia Museum of Art ($30) — one of America's largest museums. Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Cézanne's Large Bathers. Ticket valid for two consecutive days.
🥊 Rocky Steps — run up the iconic steps from the movie! Rocky Statue at the bottom is Philly's most popular photo spot.
🍜 Lunch Recommendations:
- DiNic's Roast Pork (Reading Terminal) — Food Network's "Best Sandwich in America," Roast Pork w/ Broccoli Rabe $13
- John's Roast Pork — Legendary cheesesteak, $14
Afternoon: Center City → Love Park
🏙️ City Hall with William Penn statue on top. Love Park (JFK Plaza) features the famous LOVE sculpture — Philadelphia means "brotherly love" in Greek.
🚶 Day 3: Eastern State Penitentiary → Magic Gardens → Fairmount Park
Morning: Eastern State Penitentiary → Magic Gardens
🔒 Eastern State Penitentiary ($19) — America's most notorious prison (1829-1971), Al Capone was incarcerated here. Gothic castle facade and cell block ruins.
🎨 Philadelphia's Magic Gardens ($12) — Isaiah Zagar's mosaic art wonderland. Philly is the mural capital of the world (4,000+ murals).
🍜 Lunch Recommendation:
- Pat's King of Steaks vs Geno's Steaks — Philly's great cheesesteak rivalry, facing each other in South Philly, $12 each. Order: "Whiz wit" (Cheez Whiz + onions)
Afternoon: Schuylkill River Trail → Fairmount Park
🌿 Schuylkill River Trail — 4-mile riverside path with Boathouse Row views.
🌳 Fairmount Park — one of America's largest urban park systems (9,200 acres).
🍜 Philly Must-Eat List
| Food | Recommended Spot | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Philly Cheesesteak | Pat's / Geno's / Jim's | $12-14 |
| Roast Pork Sandwich | DiNic's / John's | $13-14 |
| Soft Pretzel | Street carts / Reading Terminal | $2-3 |
| Donuts | Beiler's / Federal Donuts | $2-3 |
| Water Ice | Italian Ice citywide | $3-4 |
| Hoagie | Citywide sandwich shops | $8-12 |
| Craft Beer | Yards Brewing | $7/pint |
🚄 Transportation Guide
- ✈️ Arrival: PHL (SEPTA Airport Line to downtown $6.75, 25 min)
- 🚇 SEPTA: Subway + bus, single ride $2.50
- 🚶 Walking: Philly is compact, Independence Hall to Museum walkable in ~30 min
💡 Practical Tips
- 💰 Budget: Budget $100-160/day, Mid-range $180-260/day
- ⏰ Time zone: EST (UTC-5), daylight saving EDT (UTC-4)
- 🎨 Mural capital: Philly has 4,000+ street murals; free mural tours available