Are you looking to take a vacation soon? Don’t you wish there was a place where you could
experience American history as well as enjoy the vibrancy that we all love in America’s
large cities?
The city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia is a great place to visit again and again. If
you’re a first-time visitor, there’s so much for you to see here. The city has many
historical monuments, exciting museums, and delicious food!
It’s a great place for solo travelers, couples, and groups. It’s one of America’s most
famous cities and one that you don’t want to miss out on! We know you’ll have a great
time.
Let’s look at the best things to do in Philadelphia…
NUMBER ONE – Visit the Liberty Bell
The first thing you should do when you get to Philadelphia is to visit the Liberty Bell.
This is a 3-mile walk that lets you see 16 historical monuments throughout Boston.
This is a free exhibition where you see the famous bell that represents liberty and freedom
in the United States. You’ll be moved by the inscription “Proclaim liberty throughout
all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
Make sure you take a snap of yourself in front of the Liberty Bell. On some days, you might
find a tour guide explaining the history of the Liberty Bell. You might want to visit
as early as possible as the monument can get rather crowded.
The Liberty Bell solidifies Philly as one of America’s most historical cities. It’s
one of the places where the American story was born and the American dream became conceptualized.
For any American, the sight of the Liberty Bell is moving… and you’ll have a hard
time forgetting your visit to it!
In fact, you might even want to stop by any souvenir shop and buy a small Liberty Bell
of your own…
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NUMBER TWO – Run up the Rocky Steps One of the most famous films made in Philadelphia
is of course Rocky. And who can forget the famous scene of Rocky Balboa running up what
is now known as the Rocky Steps? These are the vast steps leading up to the
Philadelphia Museum of Art. At the bottom of the steps, you’ll see a bronze statue
of Rocky. Once you get to the top of the steps, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of the city
skyline.
NUMBER THREE – The Philadelphia Museum of Art
Once you’ve had your “Rocky” moment, why not visit the magnificent building at
the top of the Rocky steps? The Philadelphia Museum of Art contains a
grand variety of sculptures and paintings. You’ll see an impressive exhibition of sculptures
by Brancusi and Duchamp. You’ll also find galleries of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist
paintings. You’ll see paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, and Pissaro.
You’ll also love the exhibitions featuring Greek and Medieval art.
There are also occasional temporary exhibits for photography, crafts, and installations.
You want to also take a few photos of the outside of the museum. It’s a gigantic monument
that is in itself, a work of art!
NUMBER FOUR – National Constitution Center If you’re really into American history and
the idea of America, then you’ve got to visit the National Constitution Center.
This is located near the Liberty Bell and was created in 2003. Here you’ll learn about
the Constitution, American history, and you can attend an event that explains the American
ideal. You can see a few exhibits on American history
including ones on the Civil War and the Reconstruction. There’s even an exhibition where children
can stand behind a replica of the President’s Seal and even recite the oath of office! If
you’re traveling with young children, the National Constitution Center is a must-visit!
NUMBER FIVE – Visit Independence Hall Philadelphia is truly where America was born.
If you visit Independence Hall you’ll see where the Declaration of Independence was
signed and where the Constitution was written. You want to take a guided tour so you can
learn more about the significance of Independence Hall. You’ll also learn more about the Declaration
of Independence and the Constitution. It’s a great way to learn about American history.
If you’re traveling with young children this is a must-see. Independence Hall makes
you appreciate America and Philadelphia as a whole!
NUMBER SIX – Get something to eat!
Philadelphia is definitely a foodie’s paradise. You want to make sure you try a Philly cheesesteak
at least once, or twice, or thrice – or whenever you can. This famous sub has melted
cheese mixed with juicy steak on a warm sub! You should also visit the Reading Terminal
Market. Here you’ll find many food vendors offering a variety of cuisines. The market
is over 120 years old and is a crucial part of Philly’s history.
You should especially try the Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine here! You can also find a great
Philly cheesesteak from the market. If you’re a fan of Italian food then you’ve
got to visit the Italian Market in Southern Philly. This market has been open since the
late 1800s. Not only can you get a great selection of Italian food but you might find a lot of
great Vietnamese and Mexican cuisine as these communities have been growing in this region
of the city. Apart from the Philly cheesesteak, you’ve
got to also try the roast pork sandwich – which is actually the official sandwich of Philadelphia!
You can find the roast pork sandwich at any street food vendor or at a quaint restaurant!
Make sure you keep a list of the restaurants you visit in Philly. The food here is so good
that you’ll want to visit a couple of these restaurants more than once during your trip!
NUMBER SEVEN – Fairmount Park If you want to take a break from the madness
of the city, you want to head to Fairmount Park. Here you can enjoy several walking,
hiking, and bike trails spread over 2000 acres. There’s also a Japanese Garden, a zoo – in
fact, America’s oldest zoo, and several historical mansions. This is a great place
to get away from the madness of the city and plan your next excursions.
If you’re traveling with others, this is a great place to go to wind down and reflect
upon your travels so far. It’s a place that you should visit at least twice during your
trip. Here you’ll find many travelers and locals alike enjoying the incredible nature
that Philly has to offer.
NUMBER EIGHT – National Museum of American Jewish History
Once a small museum, this has now become a large scale center to showcase the history
and achievements of American Jews. You’ll learn about American Jewish history
going back to colonial America in the 1600s. You’ll see many permanent exhibitions with
over 30,000 artifacts. You’ll learn about the immigration of Jews from Europe in the
19th and 20th centuries. Jews have played an integral part in American
history and are an example of a community achieving the American dream. You’ll also
learn about World War II and the creation of the State of Israel.
If you’re a history buff, this museum is a must visit. It’s another reason why Philadelphia
is such a great city for anyone fascinated with America’s incredible story!
NUMBER NINE – City Hall A City Hall isn’t usually an interesting
place to visit in most major cities. But that’s what makes Philadelphia unique from other
cities in the country. On the top of the building, you’ll see a
statue of William Penn watching over the city. You can walk into City Hall and get a great
view of the city. You can take a guided tour around City Hall and also learn more about
American history and the government. Once again, if you’re a history buff you
don’t want to miss out on City Hall. Even if you’re not, this is a great place to
visit just to get great views of the city. It’s a great place to visit toward the end
of your trip.
NUMBER TEN – The Distillery Trail Philadelphia was once home to many whiskey
producers – whose businesses were destroyed during the Prohibition Era.
However, in recent years the city is slowly becoming a great place for distilleries. The
Distillery Trail lets you explore the city through its various distilleries. If you like
wine tasting or beer tasting events, well, you should try this – it’s even better!
You’ll get to try a variety of drinks ranging from rum to whiskey to liqueurs. If you’re
traveling with a group, this is one of the best ways to bond. No doubt, some of your
best memories of Philly will be made on the Distillery Trail.
NUMBER ELEVEN – October Gallery You can end your trip to Philly by visiting
the October Gallery. Founded in the 1980s, this is one of the oldest art galleries featuring
works by Black American artists. It’s located in an old Victorian home and
also hosts many community events. If you love art and want to see an integral part of American
art, you’ve got to visit the October Gallery. The Gallery is also home to the Philadelphia
International Art Expo. During your visit to the October Gallery,
you’ll be impressed by the talent that exists in the city and in America as a whole. The
story of America was born in Philadelphia and the city remains an integral part of the
wonder that makes the United States!
So, are you ready to book your trip to the city of Brotherly Love? In fact, what are
you looking forward to the most?
Are you looking forward to learning about American history? Or are you looking forward
to visiting the incredible museums?
Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
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We’ll see you in the next video!