Budget Travel in Philadelphia
Things to Do Under $15 in the City of Brotherly Love
Gooey cheesesteaks are a must in Philadelphia and so are imitating Rocky, visiting the Mütter Museum and seeing the Liberty Bell.
Budget travelers disguised as foodies, history buffs and the morbidly curious will appreciate the following list of things to do in Philadelphia, each under $15. While saving on activities, budget travelers can save on getting around town, since Philadelphia is an easy walking city. Saving on activities and transportation will be easy on the travel budget when paying for a city hotel.
Be a Movie Star, Imitate Rocky
Running up the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a popular thing to do in Philadelphia. Tourists are often seen imitating Sylvester Stallone’s underdog-boxing character, Rocky Balboa, as he triumphantly ran up the museum steps in five Rocky films. Fans often pose by a bronze statue of Rocky at the base of the steps. This activity is ideal for the budget traveler since running up the steps is free. (Tip: General adult admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art is $14 but on Sundays, admission is "pay what you wish.")
Be Inspired in America’s Cradle of Liberty
Visiting the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are sites every tourist, whether American or not, needs to see when visiting Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love is nicknamed the Cradle of Liberty for being the location where the modern United States began with the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
What caused the crack in the Liberty Bell? Engaging facts about the bell and American history are revealed during a self guided tour. Afterwards, join a National Park Service Ranger for a guided tour through Independence Hall (a timed tour ticket is required). See where the beginning of the United States took place. These activities are easy on the budget traveler’s wallet, admission to both are free.
Take a Bite out of Americana
A must-eat thing to do while in the City of Brotherly Love is bite into the greasiest and gooiest Philly Cheesesteak. Rick’s Philly Steaks at the Reading Terminal Market serves one of the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia. It’s easy on the travel budget, too. Just under $10 will buy a sandwich (order “wit” Cheez Wiz and onions), chips and pop (soda for non-northeasterners).
Save room for dessert! While in the Market, stop by Dutch Eating Place, a Pennsylvania Dutch restaurant. Sit at the counter and savor the sinfully delicious and generous apple dumplings for less than a few bucks out of the travel budget.
Only for the Morbidly Curious
Ever seen a collection of skulls all perfectly labeled with date of death and occupation of the once living? For the morbidly curious, visiting the Mütter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia is an odd thing to do in the City of Brotherly Love. The museum has a collection of skulls along with bones, intestines, other human biological materials and medical instruments. Visiting the Mütter Museum is like viewing a bad car wreck; it’s hard not to look but the strangeness is like a magnet making it difficult to look away. The $12 general adult admission price is worth every bizarre penny.
More than Chopsticks and Egg Rolls
Enjoying a Philly Cheesesteak is the main thing to eat in Philadelphia, but head to Chinatown for lunch or dinner. Or, shop the markets for authentic Chinese foods and inexpensive Chinese souvenirs, like fun and funky chopsticks for less than a dollar. Chinese isn’t the only flavor in Philadelphia’s Chinatown. Japanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Thai restaurants are found there, too. Look for the Chinese Friendship Arch at 10th and Arch Streets. A walk through Philadelphia’s Chinatown is ideal for budget travel, it’s free.
Check out these Philadelphia fun facts before traveling and learn about the Historic City of Philadelphia. Additional information on visiting can be found on the Philadelphia Convention & Visitor's Bureau Web site.
