The Great American Road Trip ChallengeOne trip, ~2.5 years, 48 states
The Mid-Atlantic

Stop 8 · Days 126–131

Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

The birthplace of the nation — where independence was declared and signed — plus a world-class art parkway, the country's best food market, and the cheesesteak wars.

Where to stay

  • A hotel in Old City or Rittenhouse Square

    Old City puts you steps from Independence Hall; Rittenhouse is the walkable dining hub.

    Open in Maps

You gotta eat this

  • A cheesesteak

    Pat's and Geno's face off across one intersection; locals often send you to Dalessandro's instead.

  • Reading Terminal Market

    Roast pork sandwiches, Amish pretzels, and Bassetts ice cream under one roof.

The days here

Each day opens its own hour-by-hour page

  1. 126Day 126 — Independence & Old CityFull day · 5h planned
  2. 127Day 127 — The Parkway museumsFull day · 5h 45m planned
  3. 128Day 128 — Markets & the cheesesteak warsFull day · 4h 30m planned
  4. 129Day 129 — Penitentiary & scienceFull day · 4h 30m planned
  5. 130Day 130 — Free DayFree day
  6. 131Day 131 — North to ScrantonDrive day · 2h drive

What this stop is made of

  • National Parks & Forests
  • Landmarks & Monuments
  • Museums & History
  • Somber & Civil-Rights Sites
  • Film & TV Locations
  • Food & Drink Trails
  • Quirky Americana & Roadside Oddities
  • Shopping