10 Things to Do in Philadelphia on a Small Budget

The Liberty Bell is an internationally known symbol of freedom, and you can see the real deal when you visit Philly—without breaking the bank. In fact, admission to the Independence National Park, where you'll find the relic, is completely free, so you can visit no matter what your budget is.

The exhibit feels larger than life, thanks to the bell itself having an aura of importance about it. Additionally, you'll find several historic documents as well as educational images around the display that let you learn more about it. You'll find it all on the west side of Old City.

The Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Benches are 3 benches where you can listen to real-life storytellers regale you with fascinating tales from history. All you have to do is take a seat on a bench with a uniformed storyteller, and they'll tell a fascinating 3- to 5-minute tale.

There's no charge to check out these storytellers, so you won't want to miss out on the tales they can tell. The stories often have unknown facts in them, like how Betsy Ross also made munitions in addition to stitching the country's first flag. You'll find it all in the historic district, just west of Independence Hall.

The Rocky Steps, made famous in the film "Rocky", are the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where you'll also find a statue of the film's titular character. It's not uncommon for visitors to try and run up the stairway and raise both arms at the top to see if they can accomplish the feat mastered by Rocky in the film.

Conquering these steps and taking a photo with the Rocky statue is considered a rite of passage by many travelers to the city, making a vacation to Philly incomplete without it. Given that the steps are open to the public, access is free. You'll find it northwest of downtown by the Schuylkill River.

Rittenhouse Square is an iconic spot in town where you'll find a relaxing, well-maintained park space surrounded by luxury residences and dining opportunities. While this square may be in one of the most expensive parts of town, visiting the square itself is completely free.

When you visit this space, you'll find plenty of greenery and trees that let you relax amid the hustle and bustle of the city. This square also puts you close to pristine dining and shopping opportunities, making it affordable on its own with an easy path to luxury. You'll find it in Center City.

Elfreth’s Alley is a narrow cobblestone street where you can see historic buildings and colonial homes along with a museum and gift shop. It's designated as a National Historic Landmark, so the 300-year-old street is remarkably well-maintained.

Taking a stroll along the street will have you passing 32 historic houses, many of which are still used as residential homes. You'll also find a museum and gift shop set up in 2 houses that were built in 1755. Access is free. You'll find it all on the north side of Old City.

Bartram’s Garden, the first garden in the country, dates back to the 18th century and is the origin from which gardening practices spread across the rest of the country. When you visit, you can take in serene surroundings that go far beyond the flower gardens that are bursting with color.

This garden is also home to a tranquil river trail that's perfect for a stroll. You'll also find a diverse array of bird species here, which is especially alluring to any bird-watching enthusiasts who visit. You'll find this garden around Kingsessing, along the western banks of the Schuylkill.

The Edgar Allan Pоe National Historic Site is the former home of the famous writer that has since been turned into a museum about the man's life. When you visit, you'll find the interior well-maintained and preserved as close to its original appearance as possible.

The displays inside this museum showcase Poe's family and his daily life here, including spots where he wrote some of his most famous stories, such as "The Black Cat", which features a basement as creepy as the one found in this house. You can see it all for yourself on the southeast side of Poplar, north of downtown.

The Rail Park is a unique park space that's elevated above the streets, letting you enjoy tranquil walking paths and relaxing benches that come with a scenic view. The park spans a significant portion of a railway line that was going unused by the city, and the entire park is set on former tracks.

When you visit Rail Park, you'll find a relaxing atmosphere that makes it easy to take in the surrounding views. Benches are placed around the park to make it easy to find a spot to sit. You can find it in west Callowhill.

Fireman’s Hall is a comprehensive museum that details the art and science of firefighting and how it developed over time. Among the displays here, you'll find information on how firemen extinguish fires with technology and techniques you may not have considered.

One of the more interesting aspects of this museum is that it also shows what firefighters do in between fires, which primarily consists of various recreational activities. Admission to this museum is completely free, though they accept donations. You'll find it on the north side of Old City.

The Curtis Institute of Music is a popular music school in town that regularly hosts live public performances. They feature orchestral and operatic performances, typically within the classical music genre, that seek to show off skill more than anything else.

When you go to a show here, you'll find a notably laid-back atmosphere, and you don't have to worry about a dress code as you might at a fancy theater. Tickets are also much more affordable compared to fancy theaters as well, though you still get stunning performances here. See it for yourself in Center City West.