Love, liberty, and cheesesteaks: 48 hours in Philadelphia

Near Independence Hall is the iconic Liberty Bell. It's free to visit, and you'll want to hear the story of this famed symbol of freedom from park rangers. Learn about the bell and its notorious crack, and how it became synonymous with Philadelphia and U.S. independence through self-guided exhibits. Even if you just go for the photo op, it's worth a visit.

Another historic gem in Philly is the Reading Terminal Market. Home to restaurants, shops selling food and specialty ingredients, boutiques (don't miss Amazulu Gift Shop), and more, it's a great place for snacking and souvenir shopping.

Tommy DiNic's is known for its mouthwatering roast pork and broccoli rabe sandwich, Termini Bros is notorious for its cannoli, Beiler's makes a mean, Amish-style donut, Bassetts is known for its vanilla ice cream—we could go on and on, but don't fill up too much here if you're going to want to try a famous cheesesteak for dinner.

The ultimate Philly photo op? Love Park's oft-photographed sculpture. Designed by Robert Indiana, it was installed in 1976 and was initially intended to be temporary as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration. But public demand to keep it in place was high, so the statue's been around ever since.

Philadelphia's South Street was once a bustling Black neighborhood and the home of civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois. Today it's a tourist-heavy spot with a storied past and a reputation for being funky and artsy.

In the late 1960s, Isaiah Zagar, a renowned muralist and mosaic artist, started bringing his unique brand of art to South Street. The Magic Gardens were declared finished in 2008; it encompasses 3,000 square feet of brightly tiled labyrinth. If you look closely, you can see themes emerge and familiar places and events come together—everything from Las Pozas to Día de los Muertos to 9/11. Even though the neighborhood has changed, the Gardens continue Zagar's mission of beautifying the area. It also serves as a hub for artists in Philadelphia by hosting events, workshops, performances, and more.

It's cheesesteak time. As many know, there are two main cheesesteak spots in Philadelphia: Geno's and Pat's. Both claim to be the best, but you'll have to try them both and decide for yourself. Note that there are no bathrooms or indoor seating at Geno's, and don't even think about bringing a cheesesteak from Geno's into Pat's, or vice versa. (And definitely don't order your cheesesteak without the cheese whiz.)

Pat's is a little more humble; the kind of place where you'll find a lot of old locals—and it's the preferred cheesesteak of Rocky Balboa. Simply specify "wit" or "wit out" (translation: with or without grilled onions) and the kind of cheese (cheese whiz) and get ready to enjoy melty, meaty bliss. Bonus: Add cheese fries.

If you're looking for a beer, head to Khyber Pass. The gastropub serves up Creole cuisine (with loads of veggie options) and features a massive beer menu of harder-to-find brews. Snack on sweet potato fries or boiled peanuts and enjoy the dark and historic atmosphere as you sample a few beers. There are a lot of other great bars in the area if you're looking for some bar-hopping action.

McGillin's Olde Ale House has been open since 1860, and, as Philly's oldest operating tavern, it's a must-visit. It offers cocktails, beer, old-school eats, and a killer karaoke night. It's got the classic Irish pub feel that's synonymous with drinking in Philadelphia and is decked out in old signs and pictures from Philly's history. A history lesson while you throw back drinks? Classic Philly.

This casual cafe is the perfect brunch spot. The stuffed challah French toast is one of the most popular dishes, and it's perfectly decadent, but Sabrina's also offers steak and eggs, omelets, burgers, sandwiches, and more. Plus, with huge portions, great prices, inventive dishes, and free coffee refills, it's really no surprise that this joint is beloved by locals and tourists alike. You'll also find two other locations in the city, one on South Street and the other near Logan Square.

While the building isn’t huge, the museum's curators have filled it with weird medical oddities cut from the human body. Mutter Museum began humbly enough in 1858 as a small donation of specimens by Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. As the years went on, more oddities were added, and the collection eventually required its own building.

Today, there’s a whole section dedicated to mutants, a cabinet filled with more than 2,000 strange items swallowed by a single person, and the corpse of a woman whose body turned completely into soap. And all of that is just the beginning—just go, and enjoy the weirdness.

The city is known for its large Italian-American population, and you can't visit without at least trying a few meatballs. Ralph's has been serving up pasta and other classic staples to dignitaries and old-timers since 1900. Chicken livers, calamari, red gravy, veal, osso bucco, eggplant parm, and other traditional Italian favorites are on the menu, and have been prepared with the same love and attention that Nona would have used.