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| Independence Mall |
WHY VISIT?
If you want to learn what has shaped this country and made it into what it is today, there's no better place to start than in its birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The list of city's "firsts" is as long as the lines for its famous cheesesteaks.
Did you know Philadelphia was the first capital of the U.S.? (From 1790-1800) Or that the city is home to the first public grammar school, brick building, public library, hospital, public bank, and American flag?
The "City of Brotherly Love" is an easy weekend getaway only a 2 hour drive from New York and less than 3 hours from Washington, D.C. It's also easy to get to using the Philadelphia International Airport or Amtrak.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
The line to see the Liberty Bell looks long, but it moves very quickly.
Make sure to stay in the downtown or "Center City" area. It won't be hard because most of the hotels are located here.
Philly is a very walkable city; You really don't need a rental car here. Know there is a subway system and taxis are reasonably priced.
The subway has two lines: Market-Frankford line (Blue) runs east to west and the Broad Street line runs north to south. Both intersect at City Hall for free transfers.
The cheapest and easiest way to get from the airport to city center is the SEPTA R1 train line. It runs every 30 minutes (from 6 AM to midnight) - which is much faster than waiting for a taxi. You can not buy tickets in advance. Board the train and pay your $7/each to the ticket taker. The train makes 4 stops: University City (University of Pennsylvania campus), 30th Street Station (connect to AMTRAK, and convenient to Drexel University), Suburban Station (17th & JFK), and Market East (a few blocks east of City Hall).
A lot of the restaurants are cash-only. It's worth checking in advance.
Ordering a cheesesteak in Philly can be a stressful event. Be assertive and know what you want before you get to the front of the line.
Typically a Philly cheesesteak is made with beef. So all you need to decide is which toppings you want. First, pick the cheese: Cheez Whiz (a Philly fav), American, or Provolone. Second, onions are the typical topping. If you want these just say "with" (or "wit" if you want to sound like the locals). Other toppings include mushrooms and/or peppers. So if you want it with cheese whiz, onion, & pepper say, "whiz with peppers".
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| Jim's Steaks |
TOP 10 TO SEE & DO:
1. Cheesesteak
There are few things Philadelphians take more seriously than this. The debate lives on as to which one is the city's best, but honestly, you can't go wrong. Forget the menu and follow the lead of locals when ordering (see intructions above). Try Jim's (conviently located at 4th & South Streets) or drive south to Pats (Near 9th & Passyunk) or it's archrival across the street at Geno's (Near 9th & Passyunk).
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| Independence Hall |
2. Independence Hall
Both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed in this historic building. If you are able, make reservations in advance (link below). The nearby visitor center can help with maps, questions, and/or bathroom breaks. Open 9 AM - 5PM, 364 days a year (excluding Christmas).
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| Liberty Bell |
3. Liberty Bell
Easy to visit and free. You'll have to be aggressive and quick to get that Kodak moment with the iconic symbol of freedom, liberty and justice that rang summoning Philadelphians to the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. A visit here usually takes less than 30 minutes.
4. Rocky
Drink some raw eggs, throw on that hooded sweatshirt and run up up the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art just like the legendary movie character did. Don't forget to pose with the statue of him out front and to the right of the museum.
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5. Philadelphia Museum of Art
After you sprint up the stairs, why not go inside and take a peek at America's third-largest art museum. Plan on two hours to do the museum justice. ($14/adults, Closed Monday)
6. Benjamin Franklin grave site
As the saying goes, a penny saved is a penny earned, but a penny tossed on Franklin's grave could mean very good luck! Thousands of tourists do it every year. Visit Christ Church Burial Ground (5th & Arch Streets) only two blocks north of the Liberty Bell.
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| Citizen Bank Park |
7. Citizens Bank Park
Drive or take a cab to root for the Phillies at this old-fashioned ballpark. It's also a great place to grab a cheesesteak at Tony Luke's (near the scoreboard). If you can't get tickets, just grab a beer with Phillies Phanatics at McFadden's right outside the park.
9. City Hall
It's the largest municipal building in all of the U.S. - even larger than the U.S. Capitol. A statue of Philadelphia's founder & architect William Penn adorns the very top. Tour information is in Room 121. An hour and half tour is available starting at 12:30 PM and costs $10, but feel free to go in and just have a look. Head to the observation deck for the best views of the city. (Open 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM, M-F, Broad & Market Streets)
Also, make sure to check out artist Claes Oldenburg’s famous Clothespin out front. You may remember it from the movie "Trading Places".
10. Shane Handcrafted Candies
The oldest candy store in Philadelphia, and it also claims to be the oldest in America (established in 1876) transports you back in time for a sweet treat. 110 Market Street between Front and Second (3 blocks east of the Independence Visitors Center).
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME:
- Betsy Ross House - Historic Georgian-style home where the first American flag was made pays tribute to the creator of the Stars and Stripes.
- U.S. Mint - Time is money, and it's not worth wasting it here.
USEFUL LINKS:
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