Top Free Things To Do In Philadelphia This Fall

Some of Philadelphia’s most historic attractions, most popular museums and favorite tours are completely (or nearly) free or charge including admission to Independence Hall (shown here). (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)

Looking for a deal?

Free and small donation-based attractions and events abound in Philadelphia. Many of the city’s most popular museum offer select free or pay-what-you-wish admission days throughout the season — and some museums and historic attractions are even open for free all year round (like the Institute of Contemporary Art, Independence Hall and the Edgar Allan Poe Historic Site).

Beyond museums and attractions, the Philadelphia region is also home to free brewery tours, free movie nights, no-cost fitness and much more.

Free, or nearly free, fun is the focus of our roundup below, so leave your wallet at home and enjoy some free fun this fall.

TAKE IN SITES AT INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

• Independence Hall

What: Independence Hall is open for free 365 days a year. Note that free tickets are required on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Independence Visitor Center.
When: Daily
Where: Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street
MORE INFO

• Liberty Bell

What: The Liberty Bell is open with free admission daily. Mind the queue.
When: Daily
Where: 6th and Market streets
MORE INFO

• Congress Hall

What: After touring Independence Hall, embark on a free tour of neighboring Congress Hall. Congress Hall was the original home to the newly formed U.S. Congress. Tours are self-guided in the January and February and led by a tour guide March through December.
When: Daily
Where: 6th and Chestnut streets
MORE INFO

The Liberty Bell is one of the numerous Independence National Historical Park attractions that are always free.
(Photo by D. Cruz for Visit Philadelphia)

EXPLORE AN ART MUSEUM FOR FREE

• Free First Sunday at the Barnes Foundation

What: The Barnes Foundation offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month, and the deal day is complete with activities, music and more. Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 9 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month.
When: First Sunday of the Month
Where: The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
MORE INFO

• Pay-What-You-Wish Admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art

What: Every Wednesday night and on the first Sunday of the month, the Philadelphia Museum of Art offers nearly free entry with pay-what-you-wish admission.
When: First Sunday of the month, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesdays, 5-8:45 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
MORE INFO

• Free Sunday Mornings at Brandywine River Museum of Art

What: Explore the Brandywine River Museum of Art for free on Sunday mornings through November 22, 2015.
When: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.-noon through November 22, 2015
Where: Brandywine River Museum of Art, 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road
MORE INFO

There is a ton of free fun to be had in Philadelphia including the Institute of Contemporary Art, which always offers free admission.
(Photo courtesy J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)

• Free Admission to the Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design

What: Admission is always free to the galleries at the Moore College of Art and Design.
When: Monday-Saturday
Where: 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
MORE INFO

• Free Admission to the Institute of Contemporary Art

What: Admission is always free to the Institute of Contemporary Art on UPenn’s campus.
When: Wednesday-Sunday
Where: Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th Street
MORE INFO

• Free Admission to the Fabric Workshop and Museum

What: Admission is always free to the Fabric Workshop and Museum.
When: Monday-Sunday
Where: Fabric Workshop and Museum, 1214 Arch Street
MORE INFO

The Barnes Foundation is open for free on the first Sunday of the month.
(Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)

HANG AT FREE FALL FESTIVALS

• Harry Potter Festival

What: The world of Harry Potter comes alive at the annual two-day festival in Chestnut Hill. The fun kicks off with a bar crawl on Friday night and continues with a full-day fest full of mostly free happenings on Saturday.
When: October 16-17
Where: Throughout Chestnut Hill
MORE INFO

• Head of the Schuylkill Regatta

What: The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is one of the largest rowing competitions in the world, which brings together 7,000 athletes and upwards of 25,000 spectators for a two-day festival along Kelly Drive.
When: October 24-25
Where: Kelly Drive
MORE INFO

• Even More Fall Festivals

What: Beyond the blockbuster fall festivals mentioned above, the city celebrates autumn with the return of a number of popular festivals and the debut of a few new events.
When: Varies
Where: Various Locations
MORE INFO

Cheer on the athletes who participate in the Philadelphia Marathon, which is free to watch. (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)

SWEAT WITH FREE FITNESS

• Free Yoga at Race Street Pier

What: Continuing through November 1, weather permitting, amateur and accomplished yogis can congregate on Race Street Pier for free daily morning and frequent evening yoga sessions taught by the folks from Dhyana Yoga.
When: Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m.; Monday-Friday, 6 p.m.
Where: Race Street and Columbus Boulevard
MORE INFO

More, below.

• Schuylkill Banks’ Pay-What-You-Can Yoga

What: After October 18, the donation-based yoga class will move indoors to Philly Yoga Factory at 15th and Sansom streets. The class will run from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Saturdays.
When: Saturdays, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Where: Philly Yoga Factory, 1520 Sansom Street
MORE INFO

• Free Bootcamp at the Market and Shops at the Comcast Center

What: On Saturdays through November 21, the Market and Shops at the Comcast Center host a free morning bootcamp to start your weekend.
When: Saturdays through November 21, 10 a.m.
Where: The Market and Shops at the Comcast Center, 1701 JFK Boulevard
MORE INFO

• Independence Dollar Days with Ride Indego

What: On the first Tuesday of the month, Ride Indego offers nearly free bike rentals — the first half an hour is only $1 compared to the normal $4 for walk-up rides.
When: First Tuesday of the Month
Where: Various Locations
MORE INFO

Through November 1, Race Street Pier continues to host free daily yoga classes. (Photo courtesy DRWC)

CHILL AT FREE MOVIE NIGHTS

• Movie Nights at La Peg at FringeArts

What: The beer garden at La Peg at FringeArts continues its season and hosts free outdoor movie screenings on select days this fall — Jackie Brown on Wednesday, October 14 and A Nightmare on Elm Street on Thursday, October 22.
When: Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 22
Where: Various Locations
MORE INFO

• Halloween Movies at Venice Island in Manayunk

What: As part of Manayunk’s day of Halloween fun, Venice Island hosts two outdoor movie screenings It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! at 6:30 p.m. and Evil Dead at 8 p.m.
When: Saturday, October 24, 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Where: Venice Island, 7 Lock Street
MORE INFO

On select nights this month, the beer garden at FringeArts hosts free outdoor movie nights. (Photo courtesy FringeArts)

GROOVE TO FREE CONCERTS

• Sittin’ In at the Kimmel Center

What: On the third Wednesday of the month, the Kimmel Center hosts Sittin’ In, a monthly jam session featuring talented musicians of all sort (everything from jazz to hip hop), a DJ and food and drinks.
When: Third Wednesday of the Month, 8 p.m.
Where: Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets
MORE INFO

• Live at Lunch at Dilworth Park

What: Lunch breaks can be spent tapping your toes to live music at Dilworth Park’s live at lunch concert series on Wednesday afternoons.
When: Wednesdays through October 28, 12-1:30 p.m.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th Street
MORE INFO

• Student Recitals at the Curtis Institute of Music

What: Three times per week — Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays — the students of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music perform free concerts at the school.
When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Where: Various Locations at the Curtis Institute of Music
MORE INFO

On select Wednesday nights, the Kimmel Center hosts free performances for its Sittin’ In series. (Photo courtesy The Kimmel Center)

ATTEND FREE THEATER AND TALKS

• Scratch Night at FringeArts

What: On the first Monday of the month, talented local performers give audience members a sneak peek of their in-progress shows at Scratch Nights at FringeArts.
When: First Monday of the month
Where: FringeArts, 140 N. Columbus Boulevard
MORE INFO

• Free Sundays at Philly Improv Theater

What: Philly Improv Theater hosts free shows on Sundays.
When: Sundays, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Philly Improv Theater, 2030 Sansom Street
MORE INFO

• Free Library Author Talks

What: The Free Library of Philadelphia hosts a variety of authors for free talks at the library throughout the year. And, of course, the Free Library of Philadelphia is, as its name states, always free to visit.
When: Varies
Where: Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street
MORE INFO

Every month, FringeArts hosts a free performance night known as Scratch Night. (Photo by Bill Hebert)

EXPLORE FREE PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS

• Mural Arts

What: The Mural Arts Program enables professional artists and young Philadelphians to showcase their artistic talent in a constructive way — by creating thousands of murals on blank sides of buildings throughout Philadelphia. This month, be sure to check out Mural Art’s citywideOpen Source exhibition.
When: Varies
Where: Various Locations
MORE INFO

• Association for Public Art

What: The name says it all — the Association for Public Art oversees an art collection that residents and visitors alike can check out in public places for free all throughout Philadelphia.
When: Varies
Where: Various Locations
MORE INFO

Philadelphia is home to tons of free public art thanks to programs like the Association for Public Art and the Mural Arts Program. (Photo courtesy Mural Arts)

CHECK OUT FREE ATTRACTIONS THROUGHOUT PHILLY

• U.S. Mint

What: During free self-guided tours of the United States Mint, visitors watch coin production from 40 feet above the factory floor and see the nation’s first coining press.
When: Daily
Where: 151 N. Independence Mall
MORE INFO

• Chemical Heritage Foundation Museum

What: Located in a former Civil War-era bank building, the 10,000-square-foot Chemical Heritage Foundation Museum houses the permanent exhibition Making Modernity. Admission is always free.
When: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Chemical Heritage Foundation Museum, 315 Chestnut Street
MORE INFO

• Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

What: The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site was once home to the macabre poet, and it was here that he penned his famous (and terrifying) stories A Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher.
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, 532 N. 7th Street
MORE INFO

• Fairmount Park System

What: The Fairmount Park system is made up of 9,200 acres of green space that is free to explore. Go for a bike ride, run, picnic and more at the expansive park system.
When: Daily
Where: Various Locations
MORE INFO

The entire Fairmount Park system is always open for free for residents and visitors alike. (Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)

DRINK LOCAL BEER ON A FREE BREWERY TOUR

• Yards Brewing Company

What: Yards Brewing Company offers free tours on Saturdays and Sundays of its Delaware Avenue brewery.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4 p.m.
Where: Yards, 901 N. Delaware Avenue
MORE INFO

• Philadelphia Brewing Company

What: Philadelphia Brewing Company is home to free brewery tours on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, noon-3 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Brewing Company, 2440 Frankford Avenue
MORE INFO

• Victory Brewing Company Downingtown

What: Victory Brewing Company teaches guests about the process behind their popular beers at free brewery tours at the Downingtown brewery location.
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: Victory Brewing Company, 420 Acorn Lane, Downingtown
MORE INFO

Local breweries like Victory (shown here), Yards and Philadelphia Brewing Company offer free brewery tours throughout the year. (Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)

STEP OUT FOR A FREE WALKING TOUR

• Museum Without Walls: Audio

What: A program of the Association for Public Art, the Museum Without Walls: Audio gives people an engaging and fun way to experience 65 outdoor sculptures along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in Fairmount Park and Center City anytime.
When: Daily
Where: Various locations
MORE INFO

• The Schuylkill Center For Environmental Education

What: The Schuylkill Center For Environmental Education hosts free walks though its grounds on the last Saturday of the month, including Saturday, October 31.
When: Last Saturday of the month
Where: Schuylkill Center For Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road
MORE INFO

• Mural and the Mint Sound Tour

What: For just $1, you can download the Mural and the Mint’s sound tours of Rittenhouse Square or Race Street Pier and take an audio tour of the spaces any day you please.
When: Daily
Where: Various Locations
MORE INFO

• Art & Architecture Tour at the Kimmel Center

What: Learn about the Kimmel Center’s architecture at a 90-minute free tour on Saturday mornings.
When: Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets
MORE INFO

There are a variety of free walking tours throughout Philadelphia including make-your-own fall foliage tours.
(Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)

by Jillian Wilson, www.uwishunu.com