Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: A Travel Guide

Founded by William Penn in 1660, Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in America. Known as the "City of Brotherly Love," Philadelphia has a long history of promoting personal freedom and is well known as a center of the American Revolution, having played host to many significant moments in the history American independence. Today, the city offers the visitor many opportunities to experience this history as well as providing a wealth of 19^th history, sports, and contemporary food and drink.

Any visitor's first stop in Philadelphia should be the Liberty Bell, arguably the most significant historic symbol of America's independence. The bell was cast in 1753 for the Pennsylvania provincial capitol building and inscribed with the words "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof." A crack in the bell first appeared in 1846, and despite attempts to repair it, the crack, visible today, has continued to grow. The Liberty Bell today is located at the Liberty Bell Center, which provides visitors with relevant video presentations and exhibits. The historic bell itself can be viewed but is today encased in protective glass.

The second stop for any visitor to Philadelphia is Independence Hall. Opened in 1756 as the seat of government for the provincial colony of Pennsylvania, the building today is best known as being the place where American independence was born. This is where the Second Continental Congress met, where George Washington was appointed Commander in chief of the Continental Army, and most importantly, this is where the Declaration of Independence was debated, voted upon, and signed. The building is open to the public, but you must join a tour hosted by the National Park Service. Admission is free, but you must obtain a ticket ahead of time.

Another popular travel site in Philadelphia is the Betsy Ross House, once the residence of the woman who is credited with embroidering America's very first national flag. The home is a fairly typical example of those built in the mid-18^th Century, featuring a storefront on the ground floor and a domestic living area above. Ross lived in this building between the years 1773-1785, so it is assumed that she produced the flag here, but there is no concrete evidence to substantiate this assertion. The house is open to the public; admission is $3.

One of the most historic churches in Philadelphia is Christ Church, whose congregation was founded in 1695. Today's structure dates to 1727 and is a wonderful example of the Georgian style of ecclesiastical architecture in America. Its steeple was funded by a lottery organized by one of its parishioners, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is buried in the church's burial ground, which is nearby, but not adjacent to the church. The church is open to the public.

The Arch Street Friends Meeting House, dating to 1804, is the oldest Quaker meeting house still in use in Philadelphia and is also the largest in the world. Unlike most churches, there is no pulpit, no religious icons or shrines.

At 167 feet, the Philadelphia City Hall is the tallest load bearing building in the world, whose walls at their base are an unbelievable twenty-two feet thick. But perhaps of more note is the thirty-six foot tall bronze statue of William Penn that is perched atop it central tower. Supposedly this is the largest statue placed on top of a building in the world. There is an observation area just below the statue that offers lovely views of the city.

A wonderful Philadelphia photo op can be found at the plaza that is popularly known has LOVE Park. Home to the pop artist Robert Indiana's world famous piece LOVE, his juxtaposition of the letters and the slating of the O have been mimicked on posters, postcards, and t-shirts the world over. The United States Postal Service even issued a LOVE stamp based upon this sculpture.

One of the nicest areas of Philadelphia is the park known as Rittenhouse Square. A lovely tree lined area surrounded by lovely Victorian architecture, it is a perfect place for a stroll or a brown-bag lunch. The park is wired for wireless internet connection.

South Street is one of Philadelphia's most popular destinations. Essentially a commercial boulevard consisting of retail shops, restaurants, bars and music clubs (the Bourbon Street of Philadelphia?), South Street has largely resisted the encroachment of national chains and still maintains a local and gritty feel to it. Locals may disagree with this last assessment, but South Street is much better than what many other cities have to offer.

For old school fans of college basketball, don't forget about The Palestra, one of the storied homes in the history of college hoops. Dating to 1927 and featuring bleacher style seating that comes up right to the edge of the court, this 8700 capacity area is the home arena of the University of Pennsylvania, but it's famous for its hosting an informal tournament known as the Philadelphia Big 5, which includes Pennsylvania, St. Joseph's, Temple, La Salle, and Villanova.