For travelers on a budget, Philadelphia’s nitty gritty tendencies can come in handy. No, the city isn’t as posh as northern neighbor New York and has no beaches to boast of, but Philly’s working class sensibilities means no one will sniff when you pull out a coupon.
Art and Culture
There are plenty of museums and galleries here that are worth every penny — the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Mutter Museum, to just scratch the surface — but if you’re in town on a first Friday, the city’s historic Old City district hosts a completely free open gallery night.
Dining
A Philly soft pretzel will only set you back pocket change, but plenty of the city’s fine dining mainstays are offering affordable menus these days. Even if you don’t land here on a Restaurant Week (during which neighborhoods offer pre-fixe meals) you’ll find good food for cheap.
Shopping
While Old City and Center City host most of Philadelphia’s upscale boutiques, the quirky South Street shopping district throws in some priceless people watching opportunities. Also, be sure to check out the mosaic murals of local artists Isaiah Zagar while you walk through — tours are available for a small fee if you want to see more of the Magic Gardens.
Top 3 for free
1. Arts: The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an unbelievable work of architecture that hosts a gigantic and first-class collection. It’s free on the first Sunday of any month.
2. History: Here’s the thing about the Liberty Bell: It’s basically just a bell with a big crack in it. It is, however, free and open to the public every day and Philly likes it.
3. Culture: You can rack up a big bill on cheeses and chocolates in the Italian Market, but a walk through is almost as much fun. Between the sights, smells, and rambunctious Eagles fans, it’s a priceless tour.
