The Best Time to Visit Philadelphia 2024: the Ultimate Guide

Philadelphia is one of the most exciting and fun cities that you can visit in the US. There are always lots of things to do and see in this city no matter what time of year you decide to visit and you can plan a very fun vacation even during the off-season weather-wise. The average temperatures can vary quite a lot in this part of the country during the year, so you might choose your dates to visit Philadelphia when the weather is optimal for your preferences. You could also plan to visit Philadelphia when there are key events going on. There is no wrong time to visit Philadelphia, and you will have a great visit when you are in this city during any season.

The first thing that you always need to do when you head to Philadelphia, is make sure that your luggage is in secure storage. Having your bags securely stored in Philadelphia will give you the freedom and peace of mind that you need to have fun during your stay. This is a busy place and you will not want to have to drag your luggage with you all over the city while you are trying to take in the sights and have experiences that you will never forget. No matter what season you are headed to the city, you will not want to deal with heavy or awkward bags as you try to experience Philadelphia.

Summer in Philadelphia: June - August

This is the most expensive time to visit Philadelphia, and it will be crowded in the summer as well. You will want to be sure that you are prepared for high costs and for crowds, but this can be a great season to head to the city if you want to enjoy Philly Beer Week or other outdoor events like the Cherry Blossoms Festival. There are also lots of music festivals to enjoy if you decide that this is the right season for visiting Philadelphia.

The average temperatures can be up around 90°F (32°C) during this season and lows will only get down to about 72°F (22°C). This means that you will want to have the right summer weather clothing packed as well as a hat or two and some sunscreen. Plan to avoid the hot part of the day when the average high is at its peak by heading indoors to tour historic sites or enjoying the best weather of the year in a shaded park location.

Hotel prices will be high during this season and you will want to be sure that you get accommodations that have air conditioning as it can get quite muggy and warm some days during the summer. Make sure as well, that if you are headed to Philly for outdoor festivals, that you prepare by having sunscreen on hand and water in your bag. Peak season can be a really fun time to be in the city if you don't mind some hustle and bustle since you likely won't have to deal with any rain. There's also so much to do that you'll never be bored!

If you are visiting Philadelphia when it is hot out, make sure that you have some plans that will take you indoors during the hot part of the day for a break from the sun. You can plan to see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, or the house that Betsy Ross used to live in if you need some city experiences on your list that will help you to beat the heat. Some people also head to the various parks in the city during the summer months to enjoy some yummy street cart food and bask in the summer weather.

This is also a great season to be in town because of the huge and fun Philly Pride Festival and restaurant week. This is also a key season to head to Spruce Street Harbor Park and enjoy all of the fun things that this open-air venue has to offer. This is the site of the Pride Festival but there are other cool events like concerts and pop-up beer gardens that can be accessed here. This is also the site of a seven-day Fourth of July festival that is one of the best in the US.

Fall in Philadelphia: September - November

The high temperature at this season is surprisingly still 80°F (27°C), but you will get lows that are in the 50s (11°C). You will need to bring a wider array of clothing with you during this part of the season so that you are comfortable when the mornings are a bit brisk. This is a great season for declining room rates and you will love the fall colors that you cannot see during the high season. Make sure to head to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway if you want to see fall colors in all their glory!

The Philadelphia Marathon happens during this part of the year as well as the Philly Fringe Festival and the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show. This is also a great time to head to places like Franklin Square where pop-ups will herald local craftsman and street food vendors selling their wares. This is one of the places that can be quite busy during prime time for the city's tourism, but it is a very pleasant experience when you are visiting around Labor Day or later.

This is also a great time to find declining room rates but some of the events that take place when the average temperature is lower can cause spikes in the cost of hotel rooms. This is the best time to visit Philadelphia if you enjoy arts festival events as well as things like the Thanksgiving Parade which is held every year no matter what the weather.

Winter in Philadelphia: December - February

Winter can be quite cold in Philadelphia, bringing with it snow, sleet, and ice. The average temperatures at this time of the year are a high of 41°F (5°C) and lows of 28°F (-2°C). You will need to have your cold-weather clothing packed for sure as well as sturdy and waterproof shoes. You can still have lots of fun in the city during the coldest part of the year and this is a great time to visit Philadelphia if you want to save some money.

The Mummers Parade takes place during this season as well as the Philadelphia Auto Show. If you love ice skating, you need to make time to visit the Blue Cross River Rink Winterfest. Being able to ice skate near the Delaware River is really fun and there is a carnival that is near the ice skating rink with a Ferris wheel, fair food, and more. This is one of the key events of the winter season and you will love everything about this fun event.

This can be a great season to head to normally crowded places like the Zoo, although you might not see all of the animals since it will be chilly and they might have been moved to winter quarters. Chinese New Year will be in full swing in February in the city and the Christmas Light Show and Wanamaker Organ Concert is a huge event at Macy's Center in Center City before Christmas. There is no shortage of really special events to partake of during the colder times of the year in this city and you will not be let down by heading to the city during the chilly and more affordable time of the year.

Philadelphia also celebrates the winter season in style with holiday lights and holiday cheer. You will get swept up in the spirit of the season and you can enjoy wandering through the city looking at the decorations on buildings like City Hall and other administrative or historic sites. Center City is a great place to head when the Christmas season is in full swing because there are so many Christmas lights and decorations to see. This is also one of the oldest parts of the city and it is worth some attention no matter what season you decide to visit Philly.

Spring in Philadelphia: March-May

This is considered the ideal time to visit Philadelphia, both for the weather and for the key events that are going on during the season. Every flower in the city will be in full bloom during this time of the year and places like Fairmount Park will be teeming with life. Hotel rates can be higher than during the low season but they are not quite as steep as times like early July. The high is usually around 50°F (10°C) but the lows are not nearly as chilly as what you will experience in the winter months.

This is a great time to see the cherry blossoms in Fairmount Park and to enjoy key events like the Philadelphia Flower Show, the Philly Beer Craft Festival, and the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Parades are always a big deal in this city and you will not be let down even by smaller holidays that offer a parade in this city. This parade has been going on no matter what the weather since 1771!

There will be school children touring some of the historic sites with you during this season, but if your kids are getting to skip school, they will probably enjoy the trip even more because of this. There are fewer people wandering through the major attractions in the spring, which can be really nice if you have decided to come to the city to see the historic sites and the museums. Places like Chinatown will be much less crowded as well, so this can be the right season for you to head to Philly if you want to be sure to get the full cultural experience.

When is the best time to visit Philadelphia for you?

The answer to this question will vary for most people. You might have concerns about your budget, which means you will be more likely to travel to Philadelphia in the winter. While this is a cold time of the year for the city, you will be able to enjoy holiday events, ice skating, and so much more! If you want to enjoy some really special events, you will want to pick between the summer and the spring. These are the seasons with the most going on as far as art shows, music festivals, and street fairs.

Visiting in the hottest part of the year can be a bit tough if humidity and heat are not your friends, but you can avoid the hottest part of the season and choose the spring for a very similar, and much more affordable trip. When you have kids in tow, the spring can be a better time to visit as well since the local children in the area will be in school, and crowds at museums and parks will be thinner. There is really no bad time to visit Philadelphia, and you will have a great time in this lovely city no matter when you visit.

No matter what season you head to Philly, make sure that you have a plan to store your luggage securely. When your bags are safe and tucked away, you will feel much more prepared to go see all that this incredible city has to offer! Philadelphia offers you access to lots of historical sites to enjoy as well as new and fun venues that appeal to all ages. Whether your trip is in January or July, you'll have far more fun with your bags out of the way and in safe storage.