Planning a trip to Philly can be a lot. Between historic sites, museums, all the amazing food (so much food), and trying to decide which neighborhood to start in, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed fast.
So! I did what any Type-A traveler would do- I made a Google MyMap loaded with 300+ things to do in Philadelphia, and I’m sharing it as a free travel guide for anyone heading to the City of Brotherly Love.
This free travel planning tool includes:
- The best food and drink stops
- Breweries, wine bars, and classic Philly eats
- Museums and historic sites (both the iconic and the wonderfully weird)
- Monuments, murals, and public art
- Performing arts venues and concert halls
- Parks and nature escapes across the city
- Plus a whole bunch of unexpected gems you won’t find all on one list anywhere else
I scoured blogs, tourism boards, guidebooks, TV mentions, award lists, and local tips- then pinned everything on a single map so you can see it all in one place.
And the best part is that you can make your own copy of the map, customize it, color-code your priorities, delete anything that doesn’t fit your vibe, and even add your own must-sees.
Whether you’re here for museums, monuments, or mouthwatering meals, this map is designed to make planning easier, and make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Meet Your New Favorite Trip-Planning Tool
If you’ve ever stared at a million Philly recommendations and thought, “Okay…but how do I fit all of this into one actual day?”, then same. That’s exactly why I put together an interactive Google MyMap loaded with 300+ things to do in Philadelphia.
This map pulls everything into one place so you don’t have to juggle open tabs, sticky notes, or the “I swear I saved that post somewhere” panic. Even better- it’s fully customizable to your trip.
What It Is
It’s a giant map of Philadelphia packed with:
- Restaurants, breweries, and cafés
- Museums and historic spots
- Parks, gardens, and trails
- Monuments and public art
- Performing arts venues
- Odd curiosities and those “wait, I’ve never heard of this” gems
Who It’s For
Short answer: anyone planning a Philadelphia trip.
Whether you’re bringing kids and are all about hands-on museums and zoo days, or you’re traveling adults-only and want breweries, markets, and after-dark fun, this map covers all of it.
It spans the whole city- historic core, riverside parks, quirky neighborhoods, and all the good food spots in between.
Why We Made It
When we started planning our time here, I felt like we were drowning in lists. Every blog had great ideas, but nothing put them on a map where we could actually see what was near what.
So I built one.
And because I know every traveler has different priorities, you can:
- Save your own copy
- Add and delete locations
- Color-code your must-dos
- Drop your own pins and notes
How to Use Your Philly Planning Map
First, Make Your Own Copy
Before you start customizing, you’ll want your own version. Make sure you’re signed into your Google account, then:
- Open the map
- Click the three dots next to the map title
- Select “Copy map”
- Give it a name and you’ll have your own fully editable version!
Next, Customize Your Pins
Once you’ve copied the map, you can tweak it to match your trip.
- Add a spot: search for a place → click the pin → choose “Add to map”‘
- Change colors or symbols: open a pin → click the paint bucket (I like to color code mine based on my biggest priorities and where I’ve already been)
- Add personal notes: click the pencil icon to jot down opening hours, reservations, or why you want to go
Finally, Work With Layers
Layers are the secret sauce for staying organized.
- Look on the left side for the Layers panel
- Drag and drop pins between layers
- Check or uncheck boxes to hide or show entire categories
Use them to group things by neighborhood, day plans, or whatever makes sense for you, the map is super flexible.
The Highlights: 300+ Philly Spots, Sorted the Easy Way
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants a little bit of everything (good food, culture, history, parks, and those weird little places that only locals know about) you’re in the right place.
Here’s a peek at what’s waiting on the map:
Food & Drink (116 delicious stops)
Philly knows how to eat, and this layer proves it. You’ll find:
- Breweries, wine bars, and cozy neighborhood restaurants
- Tourist-board favorites and buzzworthy award winners
- A handful of Michelin-recognized spots
- Even restaurants that snagged their moment of fame on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (hi, The Dining Car and Meetinghouse!)
Want the heavy hitters? You’ll also see James Beard Award winners like:
- Zahav
- Vietnam Restaurant
- Kalaya
Plus all the must-try Philly staples- cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, roast pork, water ice, and more carb-filled happiness.
Museums, Historic Sites & More (63 spots)
This layer has something for every nerdy curiosity level. We’ve got:
- Classics like the Liberty Bell and The Franklin Institute
- Quirky picks like the Mütter Museum (medical oddities!) and Otherworld Philadelphia (immersive art meets sci-fi dreamscape)
- Kid favorites like the Please Touch Museum and the Museum of Illusions
- National Park gems including:
- Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
- Independence National Historical Park
Basically: whether you love American history, weird science, or air conditioning on a hot day, you’ll be happy.
Monuments, Markers, Public Art & Statues (61 stops)
Call this the “pull over and snap a pic” layer. Inside you’ll find:
- Iconic icons like the Rocky Statue and the LOVE Sculpture
- Historical “you’d-walk-past-it-if-you-didn’t-know” spots like:
- Alexander Hamilton’s former home site
- The birthplace of Girl Scout cookies
- Public art worth detouring for- Common Threads Mural, Electric Street, Keith Haring Garden, and plenty more that make Philly’s walls feel like a museum.
Performing Arts & Entertainment (30 venues)
Whether you love big shows or indie performances:
- Massive arenas like Citizens Bank Park and Xfinity Live!
- Small-but-mighty theaters including The Drake, FringeArts, and other places where you’ll stumble into shows you end up loving
Comedy, concerts, Broadway tours- they’re all pinned and ready to browse.
Parks, Gardens & Nature (30 green escapes)
Philly isn’t just concrete and cobblestones, the outdoor options are so good. This section covers:
- Botanical spaces like Morris Arboretum and Bartram’s Garden
- Best playgrounds in the city (Smith Memorial and Sister Cities are musts)
- Peaceful nature breaks including:
- Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
- John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Grab the Map
If you’re dreaming up a Philly trip, whether it’s your first time wandering Old City or you’re coming back just for the pretzels, this map is here to make planning way easier (and honestly, way more fun). Grab your free copy, customize it however you like, and let it guide you to your next cheesesteak, museum stop, mural sighting, or hidden gem. Click below to open the map, save it, and start building your perfect Philadelphia itinerary!
Our Pennsylvania Blog Posts
Make sure to also check out our blog posts about our time in SE Pennsylvania:
A Day of Revolutionary History: Must-See National Park Sites in Philadelphia
How We Spent 10 Days in Southeastern Pennsylvania
Camping at French Creek State Park: Everything You Need to Know
