3 Things to Do With 24 hours in Philly

Have you ever been curious about a well-known place but didn’t have much time to go? That’s how I felt about Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I had heard of it many times but didn’t have a ton of time to spend there. I was interested in the history and the food. So when I received an airline credit from American Airlines and saw I could go for free, I ventured off to Philly (solo of course) for a weekend but I really only had one day to spare. Unbeknownst to me, this was my last trip for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world two weeks after.

It was the last day of February 2020, a leap year. It was freezing outside. Nevertheless, I put on my coat and gloves and left the hotel to enjoy a day of history and culture. I stayed at a Fairfield Inn & Suites near the airport. You can never go wrong with Marriott properties! I walked to the train station across the street and took about an hour ride downtown. But with only 24 hours, what are the must-see, must-do spots? I’m glad you asked. Here are three things to do in Philly with only 24 hours.

1. Find the Best Philly Cheesesteak

My first stop was for food. Who goes to Philly and doesn’t try a cheesesteak? I heard of a couple of places that claimed to have the best cheesesteak. I went to Jim’s because it had the best reviews. It did not disappoint! The line was out the door and around the corner. I ordered a foot long cheesesteak with peppers, onions, and provolone cheese. I was told to try it with whiz cheese but I declined. Maybe next time. So I added my mustard and hot sauce and grubbed. It was delicious. It’s about a mile walk from downtown or a 10-minute drive.

2. The Rocky Steps

It’s always fun to visit locations of iconic movies when on vacay. So in Philly, go see the steps that Rocky climbed in the classic movie. Just Uber to the Philadelphia Museum of Arts and you’ll see many people recreating that triumphant scene, and playing the theme music too! It’s definitely a photo-worthy place and a must-see, must-do spot.

3. The Liberty Bell

Now for the history buffs. There are so many historic places to visit in Philly. Why not start with the obvious and take a look at the Liberty bell. The ticket was free but there may be a long line. The bell is encased in glass and you get to walk down a short hall of museum-like photos and readings before you see the bell. If that didn’t do it for you, walk diagonally across the street and see the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The ticket is also free and you get a short guided tour.

These are the top three things to do in Philly if you only have 24 hours, in my opinion. But if you get through these things quickly, go over to Reading Market downtown. This place has tons of unique food choices and shopping. It’s also right across from a train station. But don’t get caught up in there too long. Remember, you only have 24 hours!

If you have any other must-see, must-do suggestions for Philly, leave a comment below and tell me your experience.