With world-class museums, an ever-growing slate of lauded restaurants and that famously scrappy energy, there's never a bad time to visit Philadelphia. But 2026 brings a whole new set of reasons to plan a trip, which is why it's one of TPG's 17 best places to visit this year.
On July 4, the U.S. marks its Semiquincentennial (250th birthday), and the city where the Declaration of Independence was first adopted becomes the stage for a celebration.
Philadelphia will also host six FIFA World Cup matches, including one July 4, alongside Wawa's Welcome America Celebration, with concerts, events and parade programming. The party won't be confined to one fireworks-filled weekend, though. Philadelphia's 52 Weeks of Firsts program drops a new neighborhood "Saturday First-ival" each week, turning the city's long list of civic, cultural and delightfully random firsts (first bubblegum, first Slinky) into an excuse to visit in any season.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on The Points Guy Articles.
