Philadelphia is a great city that has charm and history. It’s one of the founding cities and was once home to Congress. Like any big city, however, there can be a lot to do. If you are going on a budget, it can feel like you don’t have the means to see or do everything that you want, but that’s simply not true. There are so many ways to do more with less, especially in a great city like Philadelphia where walking is going to be your best friend.
Create the Ultimate List of Things to Do
When starting any trip, the first thing to do is always create a full list of activities, events, and destinations. Knowing all the top things to do in Philadelphia can help you plan the best trip for you. Once you have that list, knock off anything that doesn’t particularly interest you. While having a big collection of ideas is a great place to start, you won’t be able to get through it all. Rushing is only going to detract from the experience. That’s why you need to prioritize.
You’ll be able to do two to three big things per day. You might be able to do more if, for example, one of your bucket list items is to go to a certain restaurant or bar. The reason why you’ll only really want to do three things is to give yourself time to enjoy the activity in question, time to get there, and time to rest and eat in between.
Plan (and Book) Ahead
The best way to make any trip more affordable is to spread out the cost. While getting the money upfront and then paying it off in instalments later can rack up interest costs, paying ahead of time can help you easily manage your budget and fill up your trip long before you get there. If you’re in town to learn about the history and soak it all in, for example, then you could book a walking tour in advance. Walking tours are budget-friendly and let you see all the big sights (and learn a thing or two while you’re at it), making them a great option for those who want to do more with less.
Use PHLASH
If you want to get to all the top destinations in Philadelphia for less, use the PHLASH bus. This bus system runs every 15 minutes from 10 am until 6 pm and will take you to all the highlights in the city. It’s the ultimate city-run hop-on-hop-off bus since you can buy an all-day pass for just $5. This pass will help you start saving from your third bus trip, so if you take it to all the sights and then back to your hotel, you’ll save big (and avoid parking fees).
Keep Your Eye Out
If you want to explore on your own, do it. The old part of the city is very walkable, and there are many lovely things to stumble upon. When exploring on foot, do keep your eye out for any blue signs that you see. The city has put up these signs to mark a significant spot, so you can read more and learn about the history as you go.
Go to the Museums on the Free Days
Most museums offer free days. Sometimes, these free days are the same day every month from museum to museum, in other cases, they’re free on an individual day that is unique to the institution in question.
Philadelphia’s Museum of Art, for example, has a special day, the first Sunday of every month, where visitors can pay whatever they’d like to. If you want to go for free, go for free, if you only have a dollar, pay a dollar. The museum also hosts this discount every Friday in the evenings from 5 pm to 8:45 pm.
Then, there are the perpetually free museums. In Philadelphia, you can always go into The Science History Institute for free Thursdays to Saturdays.
Book Accommodation with a Kitchen
If you want to save and eat well, book accommodation with a kitchen. While a hotel room may be cheaper than, say, a studio apartment or suite, if you work out the costs you can save by eating out maybe once a day instead of three times a day, you’ll see the costs even out and even start to be cheaper. Restaurant dining is expensive, and if you’re in town for a week or more it can start to feel very heavy. By renting a place that has a kitchen, you can then get fresh produce and food from local markets and make yourself some wonderful Philly-themed meals for less. This doesn’t mean you should avoid eating out, but instead, eat out more mindfully, so that you can enjoy the best of the best.