Philly To-Do List: Student Edition

It’s Saturday morning. The sun is shining and you get up and wonder, what can I do in the city of Philadelphia that is fun and affordable for me? Fear not — a lot of places in Philadelphia are either free or cheap. Face it, we as college students do not have a whole lot of extra money to spend. This list will give you opportunities to enjoy the city of Philadelphia at little to no cost.

For all the historians out there, let’s get started with the historic Independence Hall. Did you know that Philadelphia was America’s first capital? Well, here you can explore how this city became the meeting place for the early government of America. Not to mention that Independence Hall was the site where the founding fathers wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence.

For the art lovers, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a magnificent place where world-renowned artists, both past and contemporary, display their work for all to see. The cost of admission is just $14 when you present your Eastern ID. On the first Sunday of each month and every Wednesday evening, you can pay as much as you like. Starting with just a penny, you will have access to a wide range of art. When leaving the art museum, you’ll walk down the many steps taking you back to the ground level. Known as the “Rocky Steps,” these steps are named after the movie in which Sylvester Stallone had the honor of running up these steps.

You run up and down the steps and you start to feel hungry. Philadelphia has some cheap choices for all to enjoy. Rosa’s Pizza is one example. Located in Center City a block south of Jefferson Station, you can get a slice of pizza for a dollar. That’s right, just one dollar. Best of all, you can make a difference by donating some slices to help feed homeless people in Philadelphia. Amazing! If pizza is not on the agenda, perhaps the Reading Terminal market can indulge your appetite. Walk up and down the aisles full of vendor stalls, and experience a cheesesteak, stop at a restaurant, or indulge in some fresh produce.

When you are all full, you may like to try to burn off your indulgence. Fairmount Park west of the Schuylkill River is a place where people from all around come and exercise. Whether it’s running, biking, walking, or just enjoying nature, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Lastly, there is something for lovers of any sport. During the mid spring and early fall, you can watch the Phillies play baseball in the park that they’ve called home since 2004: Citizens Bank Park. During the dark and cold days of winter, the Wells Fargo Center has hockey and basketball teams that entertain people throughout the season.

So there you have it, a list of what you can do inside the city of Philadelphia on any given day. I hope that this list will give you cheap options not only for you, but your friends as well.