Philadelphia City Guide

Located in the southeastern Pennsylvania, on the southern fringe of the mid-Atlantic region, Philadelphia is a beautiful and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States. Abbreviated as “Philly”, the city’s metropolitan area encompasses twelve counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Philadelphia is often known as the “Birthplace of America” and is a place famous for several reasons. The city is divided in several districts like Center City, Old City, South Philly, West Philly, University City, Manayunk, East Falls, Far Northeast and the Art Museum Area. Each of these districts boasts plenty of attractions to lure the young as well as the old ones. But Philadelphia is significant not just from the travel point of view, it also has a great contribution in the socio-political development of United States. The city is the birthplace of America’s modern democracy and was founded in 17th century when it received the name “City of Brotherly Love”.

The rich past of Philadelphia is preserved in its grand museums. There are a number of magnificent museums that put to display some exclusive historical artifacts and the great art and craft of the city. Some of the well known museums are the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The African- American Museum, Atwater Kent Museum, Independence Seaport Museum, the Mutter Museum, Please Touch Museum, the National Museum of American Jewish History, Rosenbach Museum, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Academy of Natural Sciences. Philadelphia has also certain other interesting historic sites such as the Eastern State Penitentiary, Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, Fairmount Water Works and the Independence National Historic Park.

A big attraction in Philadelphia is its parks. The city offers a variety of parks for the sightseeing and enjoyment of people. The Fairmount Park, the Clark Park and the LOVE Park are some world class parks in Philadelphia. Not to forget are the famous sites Rittenhouse Square, Washington Square, Franklin Square, Logan Circle and the City Hall.

Philadelphia is not all about sight seeing. There are plenty of other things to do in the city. The visitors take great delight in the tours such as the Philadelphia Phlash, Big Bus Tours, Philadelphia Trolley, Ride the Ducks, Once Upon a Nation, ‘Philadelphia in the Movies’ Tour and the Constitutional Guided Walking Tour of Philadelphia. This birthplace of America is also an ideal place for shopping. There are some big and bustling shopping avenues like the Gallery at Market East, the Shopped at Liberty Place, the Chestnut Street Shopping, Walnut Street Shopping, Franklin Mills Mall, King of Prussia Mall, The Reading Terminal Market, Souvenirs, Antique Row and the Willow Grove Park.

Not to miss are the delicacies served at the various big and small eating joints in Philadelphia. The most famous food of the place is cheeseteak, a sandwich made with grilled shaved beef and cheese. The other lip smacking snacks are the soft pretzel and the Tastykake.

So if Philadelphia is your next vacation destination, decide the means to get there. The city can be reached through plane, train, car as well as bus depending on the distance and your pocket. Once you reach, getting around can be easily done through car or metro.