So you´re on vacation. Believe it or not, that doesn´t mean you have to splurge!

In Historic Philadelphia, you´ll find plenty of places where prices haven´t changed much since our Founding Fathers were milling about town.

And we have put an entire weekend itinerary together for you, a step-by-step guide full of budget-conscious meals, fun stuff for the family and even a few cost-effective cooktails.

Welcome to Philadelphia, “America´s best beer-drinking city.” To start your vacation on the right foot ? rather, the right barstool ? head to The Khyber, a charmingly gritty bar in the middle of 2nd Street.

This is a great spot to get a casual burger and fries, knock back a few local microbrews and catch an up-and-coming live act. And for authentic Philadelphia attitude, you really can´t do much better than The Khyber.

Just up the street is National Mechanics, a newer bar known for its gastropub-esque menu and quirky decor. Try a delicious salad or a gourmet burger ? everything is tasty and light on your wallet.

From Old City, it´s just a short, breezy walk down to Penn´s Landing where, on Friday nights, you can catch free concerts all summer long. Ranging from gospel to jazz to R&B, the music is family-friendly and the scenery ? the Delaware River to the east and the Philadelphia skyline to the west ? is pretty much unbeatable.

Extra credit: If you visit Philadelphia for a mid-week stay, you can get cinematic on Thursday nights in the Summer with Penn´s Landing´s free Screenings Under the Stars.

And if you visit during the colder months, lace up and skate at the Blue Cross RiverRink. This ice rink comes equipped with a heated pavilion, snack bar and lessons for the whole family.