The Great American Road Trip Challenge~4.5 years · 48 states · one loop
The Mid-Atlantic

Stop 8 · Days 102–107

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. 102Day 102 — Independence & Old CityFull day · 5h planned
  2. 103Day 103 — The Parkway museumsFull day · 5h planned
  3. 104Day 104 — Markets & the cheesesteak warsFull day · 4h 30m planned
  4. 105Day 105 — Penitentiary & scienceFull day · 4h 30m planned
  5. 106Day 106 — Free DayFree day
  6. 107Day 107 — North to ScrantonDrive day · 2h drive

What this stop is made of

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