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Sight Old City, Philadelphia

Franklin Square

A sight in Old City, Philadelphia, free to visit and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Early evening.

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Franklin Square in Old City, Philadelphia
Photo: Wobbanight · CC0

Why go

One of William Penn's original squares, with a carousel, mini golf and a holiday light show set to music in December.

It is one of 15 curated places we feature in Philadelphia, alongside 8 sights, 2 places to eat and 1 activity. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.

Type
Sight · Cities
Neighborhood
Old City
Price
Free
Time needed
45 min
Best time
Early evening

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 1 beyond Philadelphia. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Liberty Bell Center

    The cracked Liberty Bell and exhibits on its role in abolition and civil rights.

    Sight · 0.4 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Independence Hall

    Where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.

    Sight · 0.5 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Reading Terminal Market

    1893 market hall with Amish bakeries and Philly sandwich counters.

    Food · 0.5 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Elfreth's Alley

    Narrow lane of 18th-century brick houses, often called the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the US.

    Sight · 0.5 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Fancy Brigade Finale

    Ticketed indoor show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center where the fancy brigades perform their full staged acts.

    Activity · Broad Street & South Philly · 0.5 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Museum of the American Revolution

    Story of the Revolution, including Washington's original war tent.

    Sight · 0.6 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Franklin Square is a stop on our Philadelphia, Longwood & Lancaster route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More sights to see in Philadelphia

4 more curated sights in Philadelphia. See the full Philadelphia guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Philadelphia run from 38°F in January to 86°F in July; July is usually the wettest month. For Franklin Square itself, we suggest: Early evening.

Modelled monthly averages for Philadelphia from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Philadelphia weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Franklin Square, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
39.95551, -75.15079
Destination
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Franklin Square: quick answers

How much time do you need at Franklin Square?

Plan on about 45 minutes at Franklin Square. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Franklin Square?

Our pick: Early evening. Insider tip: The light show runs several times each evening; catch one before dinner in Chinatown next door.

Is Franklin Square free?

Yes, we list Franklin Square as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Franklin Square?

Franklin Square appears on Philadelphia, Longwood & Lancaster, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Franklin Square to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Philadelphia.

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Also in Philadelphia

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.