North America: Round-the-World Travel Destinations
Budget Scale: 1-5
1-least expensive; 5-most expensive
4– Philadelphia isn’t quite on the same par as New York or LA when it comes to expenses, but it isn’t too far behind.
Indie Travel Scale: 1-5
1-not a good Indie Travel destination; 5-a great Indie Travel destination
3– Philadelphia is a huge city – the 5th largest in the US. While the Birthplace of America has plenty of touristy sites to see, its size makes is pretty easy to get off the beaten path.
Indie Travel Tips
Follow these tips to have an indie travel experience in Philly.
- Get the Philadelphia CityPASS. You can get a greatly discounted rate for admission to 6 Philadelphia attractions within 9 days of initial use.
- Thanks to the Mural Arts Program, much of the art attractions in the city are totally free.
- Check out Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens for a really cool and original folk art environment.
- If you’re a college basketball fan, go explore the Palestra, a museum highlighting Philadelphia’s Big 5 programs.
- There are plenty of parks to hang out in and explore during your time in Philly.
- Go see a sporting event with some of the most passionate fans in the country.
Why you should add Philadelphia to your RTW travel list
- Feel the love in the City of Brotherly Love
- Fatten up on a Philly Cheesesteak and hoard a hoagie
- Visit the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence during July, for parades, fireworks, the whole nine yards
- Get dressed up for the Mardi Gras-like New Year’s Day Mummer’s Parade
- No visit would be complete without seeing the Liberty Bell
- See the diversity of cultures in South Philadelphia
- Take a day trip out to Pennsylvania Dutch Country
- Philly is one of the most walkable cities in the country, which always bodes well for RTW travelers.
Why you should not add Philadelphia to your RTW travel list
- If you find yourself in the US in the winter, Philly can be pretty brutal in terms of weather.
- Pennsylvania has some complicated liquor laws that make buying liquor a little more difficult than other cities. This also effects restaurants, many of which are BYOB, so pay attention if you want to have a cocktail with dinner.
Are you heading to Philadelphia? What do you need to do?
- Buy an international plane ticket
- Book a hostel in Philadelphia
- Book a Philadelphia hotel
- Talk to travelers on the North America message boards
- Check out our Philadelphia Travel Guide
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