With plenty of free sights and activities, you don’t have to be rich to have fun in Philly. You can do all of the following for free — yes, you heard right, free.
Nearly all the sights of Independence National Historical Park [1] are free, including the Liberty Bell [2], Independence Hall [3], Franklin Court [4], Carpenters’ Hall [5], Bishop White House [6], Library Hall, Philosophical Hall [7], U.S. Mint [8], and Edgar Allan Poe House [9].
Most churches and cathedrals are free to explore, including Christ Church [10], Arch Street Friends Meeting House [11], Old Pine Street Presbyterian [12], and Mother Bethel A.M.E. [13]
Free self-guided walking tours are offered at the Independence Visitor Center [14]. While you’re there, check out the free mini-museum and the film Independence.
Two of Philadelphia’s [15] most spectacular buildings — the Kimmel Center [16] and City Hall [17], built more than a century apart — offer free tours.
On Sunday, pay whatever you wish at the Philadelphia Museum of Art [18].
At select times on Sunday, visit the following museums for free: Independence Seaport Museum [19] (10 a.m.–noon), Institute of Contemporary Art [20] (11 a.m.–1 p.m.), and University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology [21] (all day Sept.–May).
Most art galleries are free, including the Morris Gallery in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts [22], presenting rotating exhibitions of regional artists. The best time to visit the galleries of Old City is in the evening on the First Friday [23] of the month, when the galleries are free and open.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park/liberty-bell
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park/independence-hall
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park/franklin-court
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park/carpenters-hall
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park/bishop-white-house
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park/philosophical-hall-and-library-hall
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/more-old-city-sights/us-mint
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/northern-liberties/edgar-allan-poe-national-historic-site
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park/christ-church
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/more-old-city-sights/arch-street-friends-meeting-house
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/society-hill/old-pine-street-presbyterian-church
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/society-hill/mother-bethel-ame-church
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/old-city/independence-national-historical-park/independence-visitor-center
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/discover-philadelphia
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/arts-and-leisure/the-arts/concert-venues/kimmel-center
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/center-city-east/city-hall
[18] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/sights/fairmount/philadelphia-museum-art
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/arts-and-leisure/the-arts/museums/independence-seaport-museum
[20] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/arts-and-leisure/the-arts/museums/institute-contemporary-art
[21] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/arts-and-leisure/the-arts/museums/museum-archaeology-and-anthropology
[22] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/arts-and-leisure/the-arts/museums/pennsylvania-academy-the-fine-arts
[23] http://www.moon.com/destinations/philadelphia/arts-and-leisure/the-arts/galleries