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Things to do in Penn's Landing

Our most recommended things to do in Penn's Landing

Philadelphia: Double-Decker Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

1. Philadelphia: Double-Decker Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Explore the origins of America on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Philadelphia. Discover the city where America’s Founding Fathers first declared independence, and ratified the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of historic landmarks including the Christ Church Burial Grounds, Elfreth’s Alley, the Betsy Ross House, and Independence Hall.   Begin your tour at the Bourse Building, across from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Listen to the multilingual audio commentary as you enjoy the views from the open-top deck. See the Friendship Gate in Chinatown and be amazed by the architecture of Philadelphia’s City Hall.   Hop off to explore the various museums along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including the world's largest collection of post-impressionist art at the Barnes Foundation. Marvel at Philadelphia’s skyline and stop to enjoy a bird’s-eye view from the One Liberty Observation Deck. Pass through the charming neighborhood of Society Hill and end your tour with a drive along the banks of the Delaware River. Stops:  • The Bourse Building  • Betsy Ross House  • National Constitution Center  • Chinatown  • Reading Terminal Market  • Love Park  • Cathedral Basilica  • Logan Circle  • Rodin Museum  • Eastern State Penitentiary  • Special Events - The Perelman Building  • The Rocky Steps and Statue  • West Entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Boat House Row  • Civil War Memorial  • Please Touch Museum  • Philadelphia Zoo  • Franklin Institute  • Mutter Museum  • One Liberty Observation Deck  • Avenue of the Arts  • Society Hill, Antique Row  • Mother Bethel A.M.E Church  • Headhouse Square  • Vietnam & Korean War Memorials  • Penns Landing  • Museum of the American Revolution  • Christ Church  • The Liberty Bell

Philadelphia: Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

2. Philadelphia: Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

See the sights of the city from onboard the Spirit of Philadelphia during a brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise on the Delaware River. Enjoy an attended buffet dining experience as you sail through the city and delight in panoramic views of the skyline. Board your vessel at Penn's Landing and receive a personal greeting. Have your photo taken by the ship's photographer to capture the memory before being seated at your private table. Once there, gorge on your brunch, lunch, or dinner buffet which includes an array of dishes and delicacies. Choose from organic mixed field greens salad, organic spinach and kale salad, green bean salad, bean and chickpea salad, red beetroot salad, and more. At the veggie station, opt for roasted broccoli florets, creamed corn and cheddar cheese casserole, baked ziti pasta, and tasty mashed potatoes. For your entree, dine on oven-baked Atlantic flounder fillet, honey and sesame chicken, or Italian beef meatballs. If you’ve still got room for dessert, tuck into some seasonal fruit, fluffy raspberry mousse, lemon pound cake, coconut vanilla cake, and carrot cake. After your meal, sip your cocktail on the spacious outdoor deck as you glide along the river for optimal views of the city. Enjoy music with a live Dj set and take in the sights, including Naval Shipyard and Ben Franklin Bridge.

Philadelphia: Segway Adventure Tour

3. Philadelphia: Segway Adventure Tour

Take a Segway tour of Philadelphia to see the main city sights and get an informative commentary on the history of the city at the forefront of the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence. Your guide will give you a 30-minute training session before you set off on the self-balancing vehicles. Then, traveling in groups of up to 6 people, head down to Penn's Landing for views across to New Jersey and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Glide through the Historic District, passing Elfreth's Alley and the Betsy Ross House. Admire Independence Hall en route to Society Hill, where you can marvel at the stately homes while catching the aroma of fresh coffee at quaint cafés. Pass over Avenue of the Arts to Rittenhouse Square, before winding through the Fitler Square neighborhood to Schuylkill River. The scenery changes here, as you work your way along the paths of the Schuylkill Banks, joined by runners and bikers en route to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Admire the statue of Rocky Balboa at the bottom of the famous steps he ran up in the 1976 blockbuster movie, before moving on to Benjamin Franklin Parkway to see Rodin’s “Thinker” statue in the outdoor sculpture garden.  Take back streets that will lead you to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, from where you can loop through Chinatown and the end of your tour.

Philadelphia: Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus Tour

4. Philadelphia: Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus Tour

Climb aboard the double-decker hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus and discover the sights of Philadelphia at your own pace. Benefit from the services on an onboard guide and avail of frequent departures every day of the week. Learn the history of the city and its cultural attractions, and hear where the best places to eat and shop are along the way. Follow in the footsteps of "Rocky" and climb the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Enjoy an authentic cheesesteak or retrace the steps of the founding fathers and see where they signed the Declaration of Independence. Sit back and enjoy the 90-minute ride around Philly seeing almost 30 points of interest along the way. Sights you will see: • Independence Visitor Center (northeast corner of 5th and Market Streets) • Betsy Ross House  • U.S. Mint and Ben Franklin’s Grave  • National Constitution Center  • Chinatown (northeast corner of Arch Street at 10th Street) • Reading Terminal Market/Convention Center  • City Hall and Love Park • Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul/Sister Cities  • Barnes Foundation (21st Street and Ben Franklin Parkway)  • Rodin Museum • Eastern State Penitentiary • Perelman Building of the Philadelphia Museum of Art • Philadelphia Zoo  • Please Touch Museum/Memorial Hall/Fairmount Park • Rocky Steps • Philadelphia Museum of Art • Franklin Institute/Logan Circle • The Bellevue/Rittenhouse Square • Academy of Music/Broad Street • Antiques Row (10th and Pine Street) • South Street/Headhouse Square • Vietnam Veterans Memorial • Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing/Columbus Boulevard • Penn's Landing/Waterfront • Old City/Christ Church • Museum of American Jewish History

Philadelphia Private Driving Tour - Half or Full-Day

5. Philadelphia Private Driving Tour - Half or Full-Day

Explore the city of Philadelphia on a private driving tour, customized to suit your preferences, and available as either a half-day or full-day option. The former capital of the Pennsylvania Colony, Philadelphia is intimately connected to the history of Amercia. You will see all the highlights, including Elfreth’s Alley and the Liberty Bell. Go to Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was first debated. Pass Christ Church to see the birthplace of the American Episcopal Church, and Penn's Landing, where William Penn docked in 1682. Drive down the Avenue of the Arts and see Love Park (JFK Plaza), dominated by Robert Indiana's “Love” sculpture. Continue the arts theme at the Rodin Museum or Philadelphia Museum of Art, complete with Rocky’s statue and the steps used in the blockbuster movie. See where Al Capone was incarcerated at the Eastern State Penitentiary, admire the boat houses on the Schuylkill River, and visit Memorial Hall in Centennial Park. You’ll almost certainly get out to Belmont Plateau for a great view before coming back through Rittenhouse Square. There will be time to get out and take pictures or enjoy a short walk, perhaps down Elfreth’s Alley, or to the gazebo next to the boat houses on the Schuylkill. It’s your tour and your choice, but your guide will give some great suggestions. Take detours into Society Hill and out to the 9th Street Italian Market, home of the great Philly Cheese Steak. The full-day tour can be customized to include nearby neighborhoods or the beautifully situated Laurel Hill Cemetery and Historic Rittenhouse Town. Suggestions will also be given for lunch, whether you fancy a snack or full-blown meal.

Philadelphia: Independence Seaport Museum and USS Olympia

6. Philadelphia: Independence Seaport Museum and USS Olympia

Dive into "River Alive!", a new exhibit that describes the wildlife, science, and wonder of the Delaware River, where 5% of Americans get their drinking water. Raise the sails and discover the history of the U.S. Navy aboard the National Historic Landmark Ship Cruiser USS Olympia. Discover Philadelphia’s connection to the founding of the United States Navy. The Patriots & Pirates exhibition features curated objects never, or rarely, seen by the public, highlighting the little-told story of America’s conflict with pirates. Uncover the past with one of the largest maritime art and artifact collections in North America. With so much to explore, Independence Seaport Museum is the premier, family-friendly destination on the Penn's Landing waterfront.

Philadelphia: Old Town Exploration Game

7. Philadelphia: Old Town Exploration Game

Play an exploration game on your phone that takes you on a self-guided tour of Philadelphia. Stop at the most iconic spots of the city and learn their history while using clues, solving problems, and unlocking stories. Enjoy the flexibility of a tour taken entirely on an app. The game begins with you following the trail of a missing son. Start your pursuit at Spruce Street Harbor Park. From there, simply follow the route and instructions on the app. Explore at your own pace: pause the game and resume anytime from any location where you paused it. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. See Penn's Landing, the Liberty Bell, Benjamin Franklin's Grave, and more. Discover Philadelphia’s cobblestoned streets, photo-worthy Independence Mall, and old town. Choose to play on your own, in a large group, or in several smaller groups to compete against each other and race to the final stop of the game. Try a new type of experience that’s the perfect mix between a tour, outdoor escape game, and treasure hunt.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Penn's Landing

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What people are saying about Penn's Landing

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 557 reviews

It was too crowded and cramped in the castle. Considering its importance, the garden was in rather poor condition! (very dried up)

Had a great time. Segways were easy to use. Our guide, Cijonie, knows Philadelphia and has a heart for this town.

Sargeant very knowledgeable and certainly made our Philadelphia historic experience very positive.

Our guide CC was great. Very kind, patient and knowledgeable. I learned a lot and had fun.

It was great, everyone should definitely give a try