March in Philadelphia is a weather roulette wheel. That's the honest headline. You might get a 18°C (65°F) afternoon where everyone floods Rittenhouse Square in shirtsleeves, or you might wake up to 6 inches of wet snow. The average high sits at 13.1°C (56°F) and the average low dips to 2.3°C (36°F), but those numbers mask wild day-to-day swings that can span 15 degrees in either direction. The month also tends to be the wettest of the year at 122mm of rainfall, spread across roughly 9 rainy days. Gray skies are the norm, not the exception.
That said, March has one genuine draw that separates it from the surrounding winter months. The Philadelphia Flower Show, presented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society since 1829, typically runs for about 10 days in early-to-mid March. It's the largest and longest-running horticultural event in the United States, and garden enthusiasts do plan trips around it. Beyond the Flower Show, the city still sits firmly in the off-season. Crowds are thin at Independence Hall. Hotel rates remain well below summer peaks. The restaurant scene in neighborhoods like Fishtown and Passyunk keeps humming regardless of the calendar.
March is not Philadelphia's best face. The trees along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are still bare. The Delaware River waterfront feels raw and wind-bitten. But if you don't mind layering up and dodging rain, you get a city that's easy to move through, with short lines at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and elbow room at Reading Terminal Market that disappears by May.
Why visit in March
- The Philadelphia Flower Show, running since 1829, draws over 200,000 visitors across 10 days in early-to-mid March and is a genuinely world-class horticultural event.
- Hotel rates typically run 30-40% below the summer peak, making Center City properties noticeably more affordable than they are from May through October.
- No queues at major sites. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, which can have 45-minute waits in July, are often walk-up in March.
- Restaurant reservations are easier to secure. Tables at popular spots along East Passyunk Avenue that require 2-week advance booking in autumn often have same-week availability.
- Rita's Water Ice traditionally opens for the season around the first day of spring, March 20, with free water ice giveaways at locations across the city. The lines are half nostalgia, half sugar.
Worth knowing
- March is Philadelphia's wettest month at 122mm of rainfall, and the rain tends to arrive as cold, steady drizzle rather than quick showers. A gray, 7°C (45°F) drizzle at Penn's Landing is genuinely miserable.
- Temperature swings of 10-15°C between days make packing difficult. You might need a winter coat Monday and a light jacket by Thursday.
- Most outdoor attractions are still in off-season mode. Longwood Gardens' outdoor gardens are largely dormant, Spruce Street Harbor Park on the Delaware waterfront is closed until May, and the Schuylkill River Trail feels exposed and windy.
- Daylight Saving Time begins in mid-March, which means one morning of lost sleep and a few days of groggy adjustment if you're arriving from a timezone that doesn't shift.
Best for
Think twice if
March in Philadelphia feels like winter arguing with spring, and winter usually wins until the final week. The average high of 13.1°C (56°F) sounds mild enough on paper, but mornings regularly start near 2.3°C (36°F), and the wind off the Delaware River adds a raw edge that the thermometer doesn't capture. Rainfall reaches 122mm across about 9 rainy days, making March the wettest month of the year. Humidity sits around 63%, which feels clammy rather than oppressive. By the last week, you might catch a few afternoons near 18°C (65°F) that hint at what April will bring. But don't count on it. Snow is still possible through mid-March, and a late-season nor'easter is not unheard of.
Seasonal caution
- Late-season nor'easters remain possible through mid-March, capable of dropping 15-25cm (6-10 inches) of heavy, wet snow in a single day. These storms typically get 3-4 days of advance warning from forecasts, but they can shut down transit and close attractions.
- Nighttime lows near or below 0°C (32°F) are common in the first two weeks of March. Wind chill along the Delaware River waterfront and on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway can push perceived temperatures several degrees lower.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5 | -3 | 86 |
| Feb | 7 | -2 | 80 |
| Mar | 13 | 2 | 122 |
| Apr | 18 | 7 | 116 |
| May | 23 | 12 | 111 |
| Jun | 29 | 18 | 79 |
| Jul | 31 | 21 | 114 |
| Aug | 30 | 20 | 106 |
| Sep | 26 | 17 | 102 |
| Oct | 20 | 11 | 80 |
| Nov | 13 | 4 | 64 |
| Dec | 8 | 0 | 99 |
Headline events
Philadelphia Flower Show
Early to mid-March, typically spanning 10 days starting the first Saturday of the month
The largest and longest-running horticultural event in the United States, presented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society since 1829. The show fills its venue with elaborate garden installations, competitive floral design, and landscape exhibits that draw over 200,000 attendees across roughly 10 days. Garden enthusiasts fly in from across the country for opening weekend.
Best things to do in March
Philadelphia Flower Show
eventThe Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Flower Show fills the Pennsylvania Convention Center with elaborate garden installations, competitive floral arrangements, and landscape design exhibits across roughly 10 days. The scale is staggering. You'll smell lilac and hyacinth before you even clear the entrance hall. Over 200,000 people attend each year.
The show runs in early-to-mid March and is the single biggest draw of the month. Garden enthusiasts plan entire trips around opening weekend.Booking tipBuy tickets online in advance. Weekend sessions tend to sell out, and the Wednesday preview evening is usually the least crowded.
Reading Terminal Market
foodPhiladelphia's historic public market has operated at 12th and Arch Streets since 1893. Over 80 vendors sell everything from Amish scrapple and Pennsylvania Dutch whoopie pies to DiNic's roast pork sandwiches. The market hall buzzes with conversation and the overlapping smells of fresh-baked cookies, sizzling cheesesteaks, and brewed coffee.
March crowds are a fraction of summer's. You can actually sit at the communal tables near the Amish vendors without circling for 10 minutes first.Booking tipGo before 11am on weekdays to avoid the lunch rush. Saturday mornings draw the most foot traffic.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
museumOne of the largest art museums in the United States, sitting at the western end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The collection spans 240,000 works, from medieval European armor to Duchamp's entire studio reconstruction. The grand staircase hall alone, with its 15-meter ceilings and natural light, is worth the walk through.
Winter and early spring are the quietest months. You can stand in front of a Van Gogh or a Cézanne in the Impressionist galleries without anyone's shoulder touching yours.Booking tipThe pay-what-you-wish first Sunday of the month and Wednesday evening programs tend to draw more visitors. A regular weekday in March is likely the emptiest you'll find all year.
Barnes Foundation
museumAlbert C. Barnes assembled one of the world's finest collections of Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings. The gallery on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway houses 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, 59 Matisses, and several Picassos. The ensembles, where paintings hang alongside metalwork and furniture, reflect Barnes's idiosyncratic philosophy of art education.
March visitor counts are well below the fall peak. The timed-entry system means galleries never feel packed, but in March you'll have rooms nearly to yourself.Booking tipBook timed-entry tickets online a few days ahead. Morning slots on weekdays tend to be the quietest.
Walking the Italian Market on 9th Street
foodAmerica's oldest continuously operating open-air market stretches along South 9th Street from Wharton to Fitzwater. Vendors sell fresh produce, imported cheeses, cured meats, and kitchen supplies. The smell of roasting coffee beans from one end mixes with the sharp tang of provolone from the cheese shops.
The market operates year-round, but March's thin crowds let you linger at stalls without being herded by foot traffic. Shop owners are more likely to chat and offer samples when they're not swamped.Eastern State Penitentiary
historyThis former prison in Fairmount, operational from 1829 to 1970, held inmates including Al Capone and Willie Sutton. The crumbling cellblocks, peeling paint, and skeletal skylights create an atmosphere that's equal parts eerie and beautiful. The audio tour, narrated by Steve Buscemi, runs about 90 minutes.
March falls outside the Halloween season, when the popular Terror Behind the Walls event draws long lines. Daytime visits in March are quieter, and the chilly air inside the stone cellblocks feels appropriately atmospheric rather than uncomfortable.Exploring Fishtown and Northern Liberties
neighborhoodThese adjacent neighborhoods north of Center City have become Philadelphia's densest cluster of independent restaurants, craft breweries, and coffee shops. Frankford Avenue in Fishtown is the main artery, lined with spots like Suraya (Lebanese), Pizzata Pizzeria, and La Colombe's flagship roastery. The old industrial buildings and narrow streets have a texture you won't find in glossier parts of the city.
The restaurant and bar scene runs at full speed regardless of weather. March's off-season means you can walk into places that have 90-minute waits in June.Day Trip to Longwood Gardens
naturePierre du Pont's 1,077-acre estate in Kennett Square sits about 50km southwest of Center City. While the outdoor gardens are still dormant in March, the 4-acre conservatory complex stays open year-round, filled with orchids, tropical plants, and seasonal displays. The humid warmth of the conservatory is a welcome contrast to the March chill outside.
The indoor orchid display typically peaks in late February through March. The conservatory feels especially lush against the bare landscape outside, and visitor numbers are lower than spring and summer weekends.Booking tipBook timed-entry tickets online. Weekend mornings fill first; a weekday visit gives you the most space in the conservatory paths.
What to eat in March
On menus now
Italian Wedding Soup
Peak comfort food weather in South Philadelphia. The Italian Market on 9th Street has multiple delis and trattorias ladling out versions with tiny meatballs, escarole, and acini di pepe pasta. March's cold, damp days make a hot bowl of this particularly welcome around lunchtime.
Irish Soda Bread
Bakeries across the city stock Irish soda bread through most of March, peaking around St. Patrick's Day on March 17. The dense, slightly sweet loaves studded with raisins and caraway seeds show up at Reading Terminal Market's Amish bakers and neighborhood spots in Manayunk and Mount Airy alike.
Street food peaks
Soft Pretzels
Available year-round, but March is when you appreciate them most. A warm, fresh soft pretzel from a street cart near City Hall, slathered in yellow mustard, warms your hands as much as your stomach. The cold air carries that yeasty, salty smell further than it does in summer. Philadelphia consumes an estimated 12 times more soft pretzels per capita than the national average.
Rita's Water Ice
Rita's first location opened in Bensalem, Pennsylvania in 1984, and the chain traditionally marks the first day of spring, March 20, with free water ice. The mango and cherry flavors tend to go first. Expect lines at the Passyunk Avenue and Northern Liberties locations that wrap around the block by noon.
Regular events in March
St. Patrick's Day ParadeFree
Philadelphia's St. Patrick's Day Parade runs along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and has been a city tradition since 1771, making it one of the oldest in the United States. Expect marching bands, Irish dance troupes, and green-clad crowds lining the route from 16th Street to the Art Museum steps. The parade typically draws tens of thousands of spectators.
The Sunday before or on March 17Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers Home Games
March is deep in both the NBA and NHL regular seasons, with the 76ers playing at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia and the Flyers on the same home ice. You'll find multiple home games for each team throughout the month. The arena sits next to the sports complex at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, accessible by the Broad Street Line subway.
Multiple dates throughout MarchUniversity of the Arts and PAFA Student ExhibitionsFree
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), founded in 1805, and the nearby galleries in the Avenue of the Arts corridor often host student and faculty exhibitions in late winter. The work tends to be more experimental than the permanent collections, and gallery openings sometimes include free receptions.
Various dates, often late MarchPhilly Cheesesteak Week
A multi-day event where participating restaurants across the city offer special cheesesteak creations alongside the classics. Spots from South Philadelphia to Manayunk put up limited-run versions with creative toppings and regional ingredients. It's a lower-key food event than the summer festivals, but the participation list usually runs to 30 or more restaurants.
Varies, typically a week in mid-to-late MarchBest places this March
Reading Terminal Market
foodOver 80 vendors in a historic market hall at 12th and Arch Streets, open since 1893. Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods, DiNic's roast pork, Bassetts Ice Cream (operating since 1861), and Beiler's doughnuts are the headliners. March mornings are quiet enough to actually browse.
Center CityPhiladelphia Museum of Art
museumOne of the largest art museums in the country, with 240,000 works spanning European, American, and Asian collections. The building itself, a Greek Revival temple overlooking the Schuylkill River, is a Philadelphia landmark. The Rocky statue sits at the base of the front steps.
FairmountIndependence Hall and the Liberty Bell
historyThe birthplace of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution (1787). The Liberty Bell Center sits across the street on Chestnut between 5th and 6th. March means minimal wait times at both, a sharp contrast to the 45-minute summer queues.
Old CityBarnes Foundation
museumAlbert C. Barnes's collection of 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, and 59 Matisses in a purpose-built gallery on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The ensemble displays, mixing paintings with ironwork and decorative objects, reflect Barnes's original installation from his Merion home.
Logan SquareEastern State Penitentiary
historyA crumbling former prison in Fairmount, operational from 1829 to 1970. Al Capone's restored cell is on the tour route. The vaulted cellblock corridors and skylights create one of the most photogenic interiors in the city. Quieter in March than during the fall haunted house season.
FairmountRittenhouse Square
parkPhiladelphia's most polished public square, bordered by cafés, galleries, and brownstones. On a warm March afternoon, you might find the first tentative picnickers of the year on the grass. The surrounding blocks on 18th and Walnut Streets are the city's densest stretch of upscale restaurants and boutiques.
RittenhouseItalian Market on 9th Street
foodAmerica's oldest continuously operating open-air market, running along South 9th Street. Produce stalls, cheese shops, butchers, and imported goods line both sides of the street. The energy picks up on Saturday mornings, and the smell of roasting peppers and fresh bread drifts across the sidewalk even in cold weather.
South PhiladelphiaPenn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology)
museumOne of the most underrated museums in Philadelphia, housed on the University of Pennsylvania campus at 33rd and Spruce Streets. The collection includes a 3,200-year-old sphinx from Ramses II's palace, a recreated Sumerian gallery, and one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese art outside Asia. March crowds are minimal.
University CityElfreth's Alley
historyThe oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the United States, dating to 1702. The 32 homes between Front and 2nd Streets in Old City are still occupied. The cobblestone lane and Federal-era facades photograph well in the flat light of a March afternoon, and you'll likely have the alley to yourself.
Old CityLongwood Gardens Conservatory
naturePierre du Pont's 4-acre indoor conservatory complex in Kennett Square, about 50km southwest of the city. The orchid displays peak in late February through March, and the tropical rooms, heated to a lush 24°C (75°F), offer a sensory reset from the gray March landscape outside. Timed-entry tickets required.
Kennett Square (day trip)
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Insider tips
SEPTA's Key card works on buses, trolleys, and the subway, and it's the fastest way to get from Center City to the sports complex on Broad Street or University City on the Market-Frankford Line. Buy one at any subway station kiosk and load a day pass rather than fumbling with cash fares.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art's pay-what-you-wish first Sunday each month is well known, but the Wednesday evening sessions after 5pm also offer reduced-rate entry and tend to draw fewer visitors than the Sunday program.
Reading Terminal Market's Amish vendors (Beiler's Doughnuts, the Dutch Eating Place) close at 3pm on Saturdays and are closed Sundays and Mondays. If Pennsylvania Dutch food is on your list, plan a Tuesday-through-Saturday morning visit.
The Italian Market on 9th Street has no central closing time. Individual vendors set their own hours, but most produce stalls and cheese shops are fully stocked and open by 9am. The delis and bakeries on the surrounding blocks keep later hours.
If the Flower Show is your primary reason for visiting, the Wednesday and Thursday daytime sessions tend to be the least crowded. Opening weekend draws the biggest numbers, and by the final Sunday the exhibit halls can feel packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
Rittenhouse Square's surrounding blocks on 18th and Walnut Streets have the highest concentration of restaurants in Center City. If you're staying nearby, you can walk to 15 or more sit-down dinner options within 3 blocks in any direction.
Avoid these mistakes
- Packing only for the average high of 13°C and getting caught by a 2°C morning or a late-season snowfall. March temperature swings in Philadelphia can span 15 degrees in a single week. Bring layers for the full range.
- Assuming outdoor attractions are in full swing. Spruce Street Harbor Park, the Schuylkill River Trail seasonal amenities, and most outdoor dining setups don't open until late April or May. Build your itinerary around indoor options.
- Skipping the Barnes Foundation in favor of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Both are world-class, but the Barnes's concentrated collection of Post-Impressionists, 181 Renoirs in one building, is unlike anything else in the country. It's a 10-minute walk between the two on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
- Driving to Center City when SEPTA's regional rail connects 30th Street Station to the airport in about 25 minutes. Parking in Center City runs steep at hourly garage rates, and the one-way street grid frustrates drivers unfamiliar with the layout.
- Visiting Reading Terminal Market at noon on a Saturday and expecting elbow room. The weekend lunch rush, roughly 11:30am to 1:30pm, is the most congested window. Weekday mornings before 10am offer a calmer experience.
Practical tips for March
SEPTA is the primary transit system, with subway (Broad Street and Market-Frankford lines), trolleys, and buses covering most visitor areas. The airport regional rail line connects PHL to 30th Street Station in Center City in about 25 minutes. Uber and Lyft operate throughout the metro area. March weather demands flexible clothing. Start each day by checking the forecast, since conditions can shift from near-freezing to mild within 48 hours. Most major museums are closed on Mondays (the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Barnes Foundation both follow this pattern), so plan your museum days for Tuesday through Sunday. Restaurants in Fishtown and East Passyunk Avenue neighborhoods are walkable clusters, so you can cover dinner and drinks without needing transit. If the Flower Show is on your list, buy tickets online before arriving, as weekend sessions can sell out. Hotel bookings in Center City during Flower Show week should be made at least 2-3 weeks in advance, since the Convention Center-adjacent properties fill up first.
FAQ
Is March a good time to visit Philadelphia?
March is a fair time to visit. The weather is unpredictable, with average highs of 13°C (56°F) and frequent rain at 122mm for the month. That said, the Philadelphia Flower Show in early-to-mid March is a genuine draw, hotel rates sit 30-40% below summer peaks, and major attractions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Independence Hall have minimal crowds. It's a solid month for budget-minded museum and food lovers who don't mind layering up.
What is the weather like in Philadelphia in March?
Expect average highs around 13.1°C (56°F) and lows near 2.3°C (36°F), with wide day-to-day swings that can span 15 degrees. March is typically the wettest month at 122mm of rainfall, mostly arriving as cold, steady drizzle rather than quick showers. Snow is still possible through mid-March, and late-season nor'easters can drop 15-25cm in a single storm. Humidity runs around 63%. The last week of the month occasionally delivers afternoons near 18°C (65°F), but don't plan around it.
When is the Philadelphia Flower Show in March?
The show typically runs for about 10 days beginning the first Saturday of March, though exact dates shift year to year. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which has presented the show since 1829, usually announces the dates by late autumn of the prior year. It's held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City. Weekend sessions tend to sell out, so buying tickets online in advance is worth the effort.
How do I get from Philadelphia Airport to Center City?
The SEPTA Airport Regional Rail line connects Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to 30th Street Station in about 25 minutes, with trains running roughly every 30 minutes. From 30th Street Station, you can transfer to the Market-Frankford Line or Broad Street Line subway to reach specific neighborhoods. Uber and Lyft are also available from the airport arrivals area. The train is typically the fastest option during weekday rush hours, when I-76 traffic into the city can add significant time to a rideshare trip.
What should I wear in Philadelphia in March?
Layers are essential. Mornings can start near 2°C (36°F), so a warm base layer and mid-layer fleece or sweater are practical. A waterproof shell jacket is the single most important item, since March averages 9 rainy days and the rain tends toward cold, persistent drizzle. Waterproof shoes matter. The wind along the Delaware River and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway can make 10°C feel closer to 5°C, so a scarf and light gloves earn their suitcase space.
Things to Do in Philadelphia in March
Free cancellation Philadelphia Old City Historic Walking Tour with 10+ Top Sites
City tour — 1.5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia
City tour — 1.2 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Philly By Night Double Decker Bus Tour
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Free cancellation Philadelphia Historical Independence Walking Tour
City tour — 1.5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Private Half Day Philadelphia Driving Tour with Local Guide
City tour — free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Yo! A Private Rocky Balboa Driving Tour of Philadelphia
City tour — 4 hours, free cancellation.
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