Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, and it has a population of over 1.5 million people. Philadelphia was the first city in the U.S. to have a hospital, zoo, and medical school. Additionally, the city has a lot of history, and there are a lot of things to see and do. If you are only in Philadelphia for 48 hours, you are going to be busy.
In the midst of all the potential chaos it is always important to keep a map handy so you do not end up in one of the bad areas. Overall, Philadelphia is a very safe city, so there should be no major concerns though! And these five attractions are sure to give you a great overview of life in Philly:
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art contains over 240,000 objects from European, American and Asian origin. The artwork includes photographs, drawings, prints, paintings, sculptures, and more.
The general admission rates are $25 for adults. Seniors 65 and over and students with a valid identification receive discounted rates. Members do not pay an admission fee and their guests only pay $12.
The museum offers special rates throughout the year. Depending on when you visit, you may not have to pay admission fees. You can go to the museum’s website for additional information.
- Reading Terminal Market
The Reading Terminal Market is one of the oldest and largest public markets in the U.S. It opened in 1893. The market has more than 80 merchants that sell a variety of merchandise including flowers and plants, books, crafts, gifts, produce, and more. Also, the market has a food court.
It is free to visit the Reading Terminal Market, but you can pay for a tour if you want. You can find more information about the tours and make a reservation by going to their website.
- Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens has over 1,000 acres to explore. The gardens consist of over 4,500 different types of fountains, plants, and trees. If you do not enjoy the outdoors, Longwood Gardens has 20 indoor gardens within a group of heated greenhouses.
The general admission rates are $25 for adults. Seniors 62 and over and students with a valid ID receive a $3 discount. Children four and under don’t pay an admission fee. Additionally, youth five to 18 pay only $13.
- Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo chartered in the U.S. The zoo has over nearly 1,300 animals. You will see giraffes, hippos, zebras, swans, bears, frogs, snakes, penguins, monkeys, kangaroos, and more. In addition to its animals, the zoo contains over 500 plant species.
The general admission rates are $20 for people over two. Members and children under the age of two don’t pay admission fees.
- Adventure Aquarium
The Adventure Aquarium is located across the Delaware River from downtown Philadelphia in Camden, New Jersey. The aquarium contains over 8,500 aquatic species and two million gallons of water.
The general admission rates are $31.99 plus tax for people 13 and over. Seniors 65 and older receive a $2 discount. Additionally, you can buy memberships and other deals on their website.
Philadelphia welcomed 41 million domestic visitors in 2015. 88% of those people visited the city for leisure. Additionally, the city is one of the most historical cities in the U.S, so do not forget to visit some historical sites during your stay.
