April 1, 2012
By Ashley Weber
News Writer
Travel
Located between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, Philadelphia is the fifth-largest city in the United States. It is often called the “Birthplace of America,” a nickname well-earned, as it was in Philadelphia where the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independenceand later drafted the Constitution. Philadelphia for a short time was designated the nation’s capital. “Historic Philadelphia” spans the districts known as the Old City and City Center and is a popular as well as informative place to visit.
The Liberty Bell is a must-see for any visitor to Historic Philadelphia, located in the center of Philadelphia near Independence Hall. The bell, which cracked during its first use, is now on display for all to see. Admission is free, but there is a security screening. Nearby, Independence Hall takes visitors throughhistorical re-enactments of the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. Visitors can view the original inkstand used to sign the Declaration of Independence and a draft of the Constitution. Admission to Independence Hall is free, though it requires tickets, which can be picked up at the visitor center starting at 8:30 a.m.
One way to get an authentic and knowledgeable look at Historic Philadelphia is with a carriage tour. (See Philadelphia carriage tours) Tours run for an hour, and one fee covers up to four people. The carriage ride takes visitors through Independence National Historical Park, around the Old City and many historic landmarks, and past the Betsy Ross House where the first American flag was sewn. Reservations are recommended for evening tours, which can enhance any romantic evening.
Philadelphia is home to many venues for the performing and visual arts. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is currently hosting more than forty works by Vincent van Gogh in their “Van Gogh Up Close” exhibit, running through May 6. The Rodin Museum features sculptures by famed 19th-century artist Auguste Rodin. Though the museum itself is undergoing renovations and will open in the summer of 2012, the sculpture garden featuring bronze casts of his most famous works, including The Thinker, is open for viewing. Philadelphia also has the largest collection of public art in the nation, thanks to the city’s Mural Arts Program. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens are host to the folk art of Isaiah Zagar and feature huge mosaic installations. (http://www.phillymagicgardens.org/)
Any visitor to the Philadelphia Museum of Art will also see its steps, made famous by the 1976 film Rocky. Located at the bottom of the steps is a bronze statue of Rocky Balboa himself, one of the city’s most popular pieces of public art. Thousands of people every year recreate the scene in the movie by running up the steps and enjoying the view of the city skyline from the top.
No trip to Philadelphia is complete without trying their famous signature sandwich, the Philly cheese steak. Many cheese steak shops are located in South Philadelphia and claim to serve the best version of the sandwich, but only one can claim to be the first. Pat’s King of Steaks (See Pat’s King of Steaks), which opened in 1930, was the first to serve the steak sandwich. Their main competitor, Geno’s (See Geno’s Steaks), located just across the street, claims to have added cheese to the sandwich first. The two shops have waged a friendly rivalry for the past forty years. Wherever visitors choose to partake of this culinary staple, they can be ensured of an authentic Philly experience.
Philadelphia in the springtime is pleasant, with temperatures ranging in the 60s and 70s F. With its mild weather and host of attractions for visitors new and familiar to the city alike, Philadelphia is an ideal travel destination.
Hotels
Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel:
http://deals.sheraton.com/Sheraton-Philadelphia-Downtown-Hotel-1776/so.htm
Club Quarters in Philadelphia:
http://www.clubquarters.com/loc_philadelphia.php
Hyatt at the Bellevue:
http://philadelphia.bellevue.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?null
