Spoiler alert:
You can experience the best of Philadelphia in one day, but you’ll need good shoes, curious kids, and a flexible plan.
If you’ve only got one day in Philadelphia, this itinerary is for you. As a full-time RV family, we’re always on the hunt for cities that blend education, fun, and adventure — and Philly delivered in every way. From walking the streets where the country was born to discovering hidden gems around every cobblestone corner, here’s exactly what we explored, what we’d change, and how we made it all work with kids in tow.
🚐 Where We Parked the RV for our day in Philly
We stayed at Lake and Shore in New Jersey as part of our Thousand Trails membership and drove our Jeep (Moxie!) into the city from there. It gave us easy highway access and a low-stress launch point for exploring Philly with kids.
We don’t recommend bringing your RV into the city unless absolutely necessary. Parking is limited, garages have height restrictions, and maneuvering a big rig downtown is no joke.
Curious about how Thousand Trails works? Find out more about our Thousand Trails membership here and why it makes city stops like this one so much easier.
🗺️ Our One-Day Itinerary – Philidelphia
We walked over 18,000 steps and still didn’t get to everything, but this route gave us an incredible overview of Philly’s historic and family-friendly highlights.
🛑 First Stop: LOVE Park
We kicked off the day with a classic—LOVE Park! It’s an easy stop for a quick photo op with the iconic sculpture and a good central point to begin your city adventure. The fountains and city skyline make a perfect backdrop.
🏩 Philadelphia City Hall
From LOVE Park, we walked over to City Hall. The architecture is absolutely jaw-dropping. This historic building is one of the largest municipal buildings in the country and you’ll get amazing photo angles from every side. If you have time, you can take an elevator to the top of the tower for an amazing view.
🥩 Cheesesteaks: Geno’s & Pat’s…
We had to try the famous Philly cheesesteak showdown, so we headed to South Philly to sample both Pat’s and Geno’s. While it was fun for the experience, we didn’t love either sandwich, the fries were on point at both. Both different styles of fries and delicious.
Pro Tip: Our friends recommended trying Sonny’s or Steve’s Prince of Steaks next time for a better experience.
🍫The real food star was the Cannoli next door
BUT — just behind Geno’s sits Cafe Creme King Cannoli, and that’s where the real magic happened. Kelly got the traditional, the boys shared a chocolate and vanilla dipped, and Raegan went all out with their special flavor of the day (it changes, so ask!). They have every flavor you can imagine along with coffee, gelato, and GIANT cannoli that supposedly holds over a full pound of filling. Total win for the whole crew.
🇺🇸 Independence Visitor Center
This is a great place to stop mid-day for a bathroom break, maps, and information. It’s also where you can orient yourself before heading to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The staff were helpful and gave us suggestions based on the kids’ ages, and there are exhibits and videos to get everyone excited about what they’re about to see.
Bonus: This is also where we got our Junior Ranger books, badges, and cancellation stamps—a fun and educational keepsake for the kids.
🔔 Liberty Bell
Just a short walk from the Visitor Center, this iconic American symbol sits inside its own glass pavilion. The exhibit leading up to the bell shares the history and myth behind its famous crack. It’s free to enter, stroller-friendly, and a great conversation starter with the kids.
Accessibility Tip: The Liberty Bell Center is wheelchair accessible.
📜 Independence Hall
This was hands down the highlight of the day—and not just because of its history. Being in the room where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed hit differently when you’re standing in it with your kids. The ranger-led tour was engaging and full of passion. Our guide brought the room to life with stories about what it was like to be there in 1776, including the chaos, the disagreements, and even the heat and flies of that famous Philadelphia summer.
We loved seeing our kids observe quietly in the same room where the founding fathers once debated the future of a new nation. It sparked real conversations afterward, especially for Grant, who had so many questions about the compromises and the different viewpoints that shaped the Constitution.
There are a few different ways to experience Independence Hall depending on when you go:
- Early mornings 9:00–9:50 AM – Self-guided walk-through, no ticket required. Rangers are available to answer questions. Entry is not guaranteed due to capacity limits.
- 10:00 AM–4:00 PM – 20-minute ranger-led tours every 20 minutes.
- 4:20 PM – 40-minute extended tour, not wheelchair accessible.
Ticketing Info: Tickets are released in two batches:
- Advance Tickets become available 30 days ahead.
- Day-Before Tickets are released at 5 PM ET the day before your visit.
All tickets must be reserved on Recreation.gov and go quickly, so plan ahead and be logged in before the release time!
🧱 Final Stop: Elfreth’s Alley
We ended our day walking to Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in America. It’s picture-perfect, quiet, and feels like stepping into another century. There’s a small museum and shop (check hours), and we recommend slowing down to take it all in. I fell in love with one of the brick houses—it’s for sale too!
🧭 What We Missed (But Plan for Next Time):
If you have more than one day or want to swap a few stops, here’s what’s next on our list:
- Museum of the American Revolution (NARM) – An incredible look at the stories and artifacts from the founding of the U.S. This tour comes with an audio guide option!
- National Constitution Center – Super interactive and educational for both kids and adults.
- United States Mint – A behind-the-scenes look at how coins are made.
- The Franklin Institute (ASTC)– One of the best science museums for kids and curious adults.
🎨 Bonus Ideas Based on Your Interests
Here are some things we cam across during our day that were noteworthy
Art Lover?
The Philadelphia Museum of Art (NARM) is huge and filled with incredible collections across centuries and continents.
Traveling with Littles?
Check out the Please Touch Museum, Franklin Square (with a playground and mini golf!), or the Franklin Institute for kid-friendly fun.
Animal Lover?
Adventure Aquarium is just across the river in Camden and is great for younger kids and marine enthusiasts alike.
Nature Fan?
Spruce Street Harbor Park is a colorful seasonal spot along the Delaware River with hammocks, food stands, and games.
Want more guided options? Check out more Philly tours on Viator here.
🙌 Final Thoughts & Tips
📍 Ready to Plan Your Philly Adventure?
If this post helped you map out your own one-day tour of Philadelphia, we’d love it if you shared it with a friend or pinned it for later! We’ll be updating this guide with even more tips, parking maps, and bonus stops, so be sure to follow along on Instagram and subscribe to our email list for updates.
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Until next time, Your Dream, Your Way.
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