As I planned my trip to Philadelphia and looked up tourist attractions one by one, I found that there are more places to visit than I expected.

True to its reputation as the city where American independence began, there are many old buildings, famous art museums, and great restaurants.

However, what seems to matter more when traveling is not how many famous places you visit, but the order in which you see them.

Especially when traveling with family, it's important to avoid wasting time going back and forth.

Fortunately, Philadelphia's major historical attractions are concentrated in the Old City area.

A good itinerary would be to explore the history of American independence in the morning, have lunch at a famous market, and then visit an art museum and the Rocky Steps in the afternoon.

The first destination is Independence Hall.

This is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution was created in 1787. While I celebrate Independence Day every year living in the U.S., I rarely have the opportunity to visit the place where that history began.

To tour the inside of Independence Hall, you may need to check for timed tickets depending on your visit date, so it's best to confirm in advance.

After the tour, head over to the nearby Liberty Bell Center. It's just a few minutes' walk away.

The Liberty Bell has free admission and is a prominent artifact symbolizing American independence and freedom. You can also see the large crack in the bell up close.

Next is Elfreth's Alley.

This is an old residential alley located about a 15-minute walk from Independence Hall.

People have lived here since the early 1700s, and residents still live here today.

Small brick houses line both sides of the street, giving it a vibe more reminiscent of an old European village than America.

It's a great spot for taking photos and feeling the old charm of Philadelphia.

After finishing the morning historical tour, it's time for lunch.

Reading Terminal Market is a famous indoor market in Philadelphia.

It's about a 20-25 minute walk from Elfreth's Alley.

Opened in 1893, the market features a variety of restaurants and grocery stores.

Here, you should definitely try a Philadelphia cheesesteak. With cheese and meat, it's easy to enjoy in one bite.

This dish is so popular that it appeals to Korean tastes as well, making it a representative food of Philadelphia.

You can also enjoy soft pretzels and food from Amish bakeries.

If you're with kids, it's a plus that everyone can choose their own food.

After lunch, head to Eastern State Penitentiary.

It's about 2 miles from Reading Terminal Market, so from this point on, it might be more convenient to use Uber or a car.

This prison opened in 1829 and was once home to the famous gangster Al Capone.

It now operates as a historical tourist facility, allowing you to explore the old cells and hallways.

The atmosphere is quite different from a typical museum. It can feel a bit gloomy and may be somewhat boring, so it's good to decide whether to visit based on your time.

Next, head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It's relatively close to Eastern State Penitentiary, making it convenient to drive there.

The museum itself is famous, but for those who remember the movie Rocky, the front steps may be even more familiar.

This is the very spot where Sylvester Stallone ran up the steps and raised his arms in triumph.

Even now, tourists run up the steps like Rocky and take photos. At the bottom of the steps, there's also a Rocky statue.

To properly explore the museum's interior, you may need two to three hours.

If you're on a day trip, you might just want to see the Rocky Steps and statue, but if you love art, it might be better to skip the penitentiary and spend more time at the museum.

Finally, it would be nice to stroll along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which leads from the museum toward the city.

This is a wide avenue that connects the Philadelphia Museum of Art to City Hall, surrounded by museums, parks, and fountains.

If you have enough time, you can also visit the Barnes Foundation.

However, it may be too tight to properly visit both museums in one day.

A trip to Philadelphia is efficiently planned by starting in the Old City, moving through the market in Center City, and then heading to the Fairmount area in the afternoon.

If you're visiting for a day, just visiting Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth's Alley, Reading Terminal Market, and the Rocky Steps would make for a fulfilling trip.

On the other hand, if you have a two-day itinerary, you could comfortably include a visit to Eastern State Penitentiary and the museum's interior.

Seeing the history of American independence, walking through old alleys, enjoying cheesesteaks, and finally climbing the steps like Rocky—this sounds like a pretty good way to spend a day in Philadelphia, doesn't it?