There’s so much more to Philadelphia than the Liberty Bell, Rocky Steps, and the LOVE sculpture! While the standard tourist attractions are perfect for time-strapped tourists, if you’re interested in going off the beaten path in Philadelphia, there is no dearth of unique activities in this historic city. Gorgeous gardens, fascinating neighborhoods, forgotten historical landmarks - you’ve many choices. Whether you are a tourist or a local looking for something different, our curated list will show you a side of Philadelphia you may not have known about. For accommodation, you will find plenty of hotels with an in-room hot tub. Prefer a homey stay? An Airbnb vacation rental is your best bet. If you are planning a trip soon, there are several exciting places to add to your travel itinerary in the city. Continue reading to learn more about the best non-touristy things to do in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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1. Hunt ghosts and discover spooky spots
Step back in time with this indoor activity in Philly and delve into the eerie and intriguing tales of the city’s past with this ghost tour. Led by a costumed guide whose lively storytelling keeps the fun alive, this tour kicks off at the Signers’ Garden and transports you through the cobblestone streets of Old City and Society Hill.
As you wander through the historic heart of Independence National Historical Park, your guide will mesmerize you with narratives of hidden burial sites and the chilling histories of haunted houses. Be prepared to uncover the secrets that lie beneath Philadelphia’s historic façade.
Book Tours : Ghost Tour of Philadelphia by Candlelight
2. Rock your soul out to good food and even better music
Elevate your dining experience with a visit to the Hard Rock Cafe, which is one of the best tourist spots in Philadelphia. With this experience, you can indulge in your choice of a tantalizing two- or three-course themed meal, typically featuring classic American cuisine, alongside the iconic Legendary Burger, a signature of the Hard Rock Cafe.
The best thing about this tour is the added luxury of priority seating and skip-the-line access, ensuring you spend more time savouring your delicious meal and less time waiting. While you dine, take a journey through music history as you fawn over the impressive rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia adorning the restaurant’s walls.
Book Tours : Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia
3. Visit Cira Green
An oasis of green right in the middle of Philly, Cira Green is a unique park atop a 12-story parking garage featuring landscaped grounds with stretches of grass, walkways and benches, just like a regular park. Situated at around 100 feet from the ground, you will get incredible views of the city skyline and a wonderful place to just chill out. A variety of events are held regularly at the park so do check before you visit.
Cira Green
Address: 129 S. 30th Street, Philadelphia
Website: Cira Green
Opening hours: Summer months: 6am - 10pm; Other months: 7am - 8pm
4. Do some vintage shopping at Fabric Row in Queen Village
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Fabric Row is a historic thoroughfare in Philly where textile shoppers have been buying fabric for over a century. This distinctive shopping area still has a plethora of places you can shop for outdoor/indoor and apparel fabrics. Today, Fabric Row is transforming into a hip neighborhood with boutiques, chic cafes/restaurants, and art galleries coming up alongside the older stores. Spend a day walking around the remarkable street, and shop for vintage collectibles, fabrics and knick-knacks. If possible, visit on the fourth Friday of every month when the entire street hosts after-hour shop-and-dine event.
Fabric Row
Address: S.4th Street between Bainbridge and Catherine Streets, Philadelphia
Website: Fabric Row
Philadelphia Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the ci... Read more
Tours by Annie
Philadelphia Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
Tours by Stephanie
Philadelphia Tour Guide
Vance Lehmkuhl
Tour operator and tour guide for American Vegan Center in historic Old City Philadelphia, administering walking tours focusing on Philadelphia's "veg history" - the vegans and vegetarians through history that started the US vegetarian and vegan movements in this city. Author of "Eating Vegan in Philly" (2016) and also "V for Veg: The Best of Philly's Vegan Food Column," a collection of my colum... Read more
Tours by Vance
5. Explore the Nerve of Harriet Cole
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
This attraction may not be for the faint-hearted! The Nerve of Harriet Cole is a stunning exhibit that showcases the human nervous system. Harriet Cole was a janitor at Philadelphia’s Hahnemann Medical College (part of Drexel University today) who willed her body to scientific research. After her death in 1888, Dr. Rufus B. Weaver, a professor of anatomy at the college, dissected, extracted and preserved her entire nervous system, mounting it in shape of a human form. This remarkable effort was a medical first and the exhibit became famous as an educational tool. You can find her today, enclosed in a glass case inside the Drexel University College of Medicine.
Drexel University College of Medicine
Address: Outside the bookstore in the Student Activities Center, Drexel’s College of Medicine, 2900 W Queen Ln, Philadelphia
Website: Drexel University College of Medicine
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
6. Go to the Cave of Kelpius
Discover one of the hidden gems in Philadelphia and its history by exploring Fairmount Park for the Cave of Kelpius. In 1694, a cult headed by mystic and scholar Johannes Kelpius set up base at the edge of the Wissahickon Wood anticipating the end of the world. Kelpius and his followers created several structures in the area, but only the stone vault that Kelpius reportedly lived and meditated in survives, although many believe it may be just an old springhouse. Marked today by a granite monolith, you’ll find the cave near Hermit Lane, above Wissahickon Creek. Beware it can be a little hard to find. And it can get spooky!
Cave of Kelpius
Address: Wissahickon Valley Park, Fairmount Park,
Website: Fairmount Park
7. Admire Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
Enjoy a slice of Japan in Philadelphia with a visit to the serene Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. This beautifully designed garden spread over 1.2 acres (0.5 hectares) was constructed in the 17th traditional Japanese style using authentic materials and techniques. Walk around its grounds taking in the landscaped gardens, feed the koi fish that you will find in the pond and tour the Japanese tea house and tea garden. Events including tea ceremonies are held regularly so be sure to check. The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival (usually in April) is a wonderful time to visit.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
Address: Lansdowne Dr & Horticultural Dr, Philadelphia
Website: Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
Opening hours: (Mar 23 - Oct) Wed - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 5pm; (Nov - Dec 8) Sat - Sun: 10am - 4pm
Price: 12 USD
8. Head to Fort Mifflin
Spend a day soaking in American history with a visit to Fort Mifflin. A one of kind historical site, Fort Mifflin is the only fully intact Revolutionary War battlefield in the United States that’s still active. Spread over around 40 acres (16 hectares), this complex features several buildings authentically restored, such as the Commandant’s House plus several cannons. There’s also a beautiful riverfront along the Delaware River out front, where you can walk or have a picnic. Thanks to its notoriety as one of the most haunted sites in the country, paranormal/ghost tours in the Fort are popular if that’s of interest!
Fort Mifflin
Address: 8300-8390 Fort Mifflin Rd, Philadelphia
Website: Fort Mifflin
Opening hours: (Mar 1 - Dec 15) Wed - Sun: 10am - 4pm
Price: 8 USD
9. Visit Pizza Brain's Museum of Pizza Culture
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Here’s a museum with a rather unusual theme - pizzas! Yes, the Museum of Pizza Culture, located within a popular pizzeria Pizza Brain, is certified as having the world’s largest collection of pizza-related memorabilia and collectibles. Explore its one-of-a-kind collection that includes pizza-themed music, books, toys and advertising as you wait to enjoy its famed brick-oven pizza pies.
Museum of Pizza Culture
Address: 2313 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia
Website: Museum of Pizza Culture
Opening hours: Mon - Thur: 11:00am - 9:00pm; Fri - Sat: 11:00am - 10:00pm; Sun: 12:00pm - 9:00pm
10. Check out Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
The Magic Gardens is a dazzling walk-through art installation created entirely of mosaics. Spread over two indoor galleries and a two-level outdoor labyrinth-like sculpture garden, Magic Gardens is a creation of artist Isaiah Zagar who has used a variety of materials ranging from mirrors, glass, tiles, to urban waste like bike tires to develop this fascinating art institution. There are guided tours and other events that you can register for, or else, just wander around enjoying the spectacular creativity of the artist.
Magic Gardens
Address: 1020 South Street, Philadelphia
Website: Magic Gardens
Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 11:00am - 6:00pm; Closed on Tuesdays
Price: 10 USD
11. Enjoy indoor skydiving
If you are looking for an adrenalin rush, then this tour is for you! Enjoy the thrill of free-fall without having to jump from a plane in this indoor skydiving experience. Guided by a trained instructor, you’ll have two one-on-one flights where you’ll fall through an 800-horsepower vertical wind tunnel. While the entire experience will last for about 75 minutes, your individual flights will be for 60 seconds each.
12. Take a Latin dance lesson
Experience the vibrant Latin dance scene of Philadelphia with an evening of social dancing. Don’t worry, you don’t need prior knowledge of dancing or a partner to have fun on this tour. Lasting 2.5 hours, the tour begins with you meeting your host and your fellow guests at a Center City rooftop lounge, where you’ll enjoy a complimentary drink taking in the beautiful city views. Next, you’ll get your bearings in the one-hour group beginner’s lesson after which you’ll head out to a dance club (in Society Hill area) to spend the rest of the evening on the dance floor.
Book Tours : Let's Dance, Explore the Salsa Scene
Explore the lesser-known side of Philly
As a tourist to Philly, make your itinerary a mix of the regular tourist attractions and the lesser known ones for a memorable experience. Don’t forget to check out the city’s top culinary specialties, especially the cheesesteak, so you don’t miss out on the essential Philly experience.
Frequently asked questions about non-touristy things to do in Philadelphia
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