Philadelphia
City of Brotherly Love
General Information
Other Name: Cradle of Liberty, District: Pennsylvania, State: Mid atlantic, United States of America
Area: 142.6 sq mi
Languages Spoken: English
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: The city is known for its hoagies, scrapple, soft pretzels, water ice, and is home to the cheesesteak.
Best Time to Visit: March to April and December,January
International Access: -Description
Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and the sixth most populous city in the United States.A popular nickname for Philadelphia is The City of Brotherly Love.The city is recognized as a strong candidate global city.One of the most historic cities in America, Philadelphia is an ideal place to spend a weekend - preferably a long one. Be sure to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed. Both are part of Independence National Historic Park. Philadelphia also boasts some outstanding art museums, including the Rodin Museum. The Franklin Institute Science Museum is one of many area attractions honoring the life and work of Benjamin Franklin, the city`s most famous ambassador.Philadelphia contains many national historical sites that relate to the founding of the United States. Independence National Historical Park is the center of these historical landmarks. Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Liberty Bell are the city`s most famous attractions.Location
-Climate
Humid subtropical climate
The first American flag was made by Betsy Ross. It''s not true, but it''s a great story. This house is still worth a visit as an example of Colonial living conditions. Betsy Ross mainly used this colonial abode to rent rooms to travelers and wayfarers. According to the Philadelphia Historic Society, more people visit the Ross house than any other historical attraction. The house is located in Old City adjacent to many shopping and eating destinations.
This beautiful cathedral is the centerpiece of one of the largest Catholic populations in North America. The foundation was dedicated June 29, 1846 and construction was finished in 1864. The Italian Renaissance style, with its beautiful baldachino dome over the altar, is a prime example of the style of the time. This is the oldest building on the Parkway-which makes sense, since the Parkway was not constructed until 1925.
The Eastern State Penitentiary is a former state prison in the United States. Today, the Eastern State Penitentiary operates as a museum and historic site, open from April 1 through November 30. In addition, it holds many special events throughout the year. Each July, Eastern State offers a Bastille Day celebration. In October, it offers a Terror Behind the Walls haunted house.
Known as the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, Independence Hall is one of the most recognizable historical landmarks not only in Philadelphia, but in the entire nation. The hall is the centerpiece of the 45-acre Independence National Historical Park , home to 20 buildings of historical significance.
In 1751, William Penn asked that the new bell being cast for the Pennsylvania Statehouse be engraved with the words, “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” The bell rang to call citizens to the first reading of the Declaration of Independence, and was later dubbed The Liberty Bell by abolitionists, who adopted the bell as a symbol of their fight for freedom for all Americans. Talks on the history of the bell are presented continually during open hours, which vary season to season.
Lights of Liberty is a spectacular sound and light show. Experience the events leading up to the American Revolution while walking through Independence National Historic Park after dark. A personal headset with surround sound tells the story of the American Revolution, while beautiful hand-painted, 5-story-high images are projected onto the sides of historical buildings. In less than a mile and about one hour visitors experience five acts in five locations. Visit the place and be a part of the revolution.
This little hollow across from City Hall is most noteworthy for Robert Indiana''s 1978 "Love" sculpture. The piece has become a popular symbol for the "City of Brotherly Love" and its image is plastered all over the city. It''s 20-foot-tall appeal lies in its simplicity: The letters L, O, V, E, stacked on top of each other. During a usual lunch hour the park attracts an odd combination of Armani clad businesspeople and skateboarders who skinny-dip their modes of transport in this concrete pond. They''re actually fun to watch.
Since 1956, there has been a sort of "multi-media" show at Lord & Taylor''s.Dancing water fountains, organ music, lights, moving figures and narrative present a Christmas story that no one can remember afterwards, though it''s wonderful to watch. Children sit on the floor of the Grand Court and watch the story played out on the four-story-high velvet curtain of the Grand Court atrium.
This 115-year-old museum keeps on acquiring new collections to keep the avid archaeology or anthropology fan on his toes. The upcoming collection of photographs is ''Antoin Sevruguin and the Persian Image''. Photography enthusiasts can view images of Iran at the turn of the 20th century-taken by Antoin Sevruguin, one of Iran''s most renowned early photographers. The exhibition includes 35 black-and-white photographs made from original glass-plate negatives and vintage prints.
Situated on a meadow in Fairmount Park, its high copper dome is visible for miles. Built in 1875, Memorial Hall was conceived as an international art gallery but became the central facility for the United States'' Centennial celebration. President Ulysses S. Grant opened the Centennial proceedings in Memorial Hall''s 150 foot-high ''Great Hall'' on May 10, 1876. This is the only significant structure remaining from the Centennial festivities. An exhibition in the basement pays homage to the Centennial fairground, the first World''s Fair ever held in America.
This museum, located at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, showcases medical oddities.
National Shrine contains the tomb of St. John Neumann, a Redemptorist priest and the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia. St. John was born in Bohemia and moved to the United States, where he was later ordained. St. John is remembered as the founder of Catholic education in America, and for his compassion toward immigrants. He learned to speak several languages so he could listen to confessions in at least six languages. His remains lie under the altar where daily mass is offered.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art features over 200 galleries filled with treasures spanning continents and cultures, drawn from a collection of more than 400,000 works of art. The huge stone edifice of the museum, supported by majestic Doric columns, looks over the Schuylkill River. Scale the steps made famous in the ''Rocky'' movies. Dine at the Museum Restaurant or walk in Fairmount Park , just behind the museum.
Established in the early 1800s, the Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest of its kind in America. Today it is home to nearly 2,000 creatures great and small from the top of the food chain to the bottom. Rare species from around the world are on hand, such as white lions, pandas, polar bears and the country''s only giant river otters.
During the day this park is alive with skateboarders, sunbathers and dog walkers; at night couples stroll on romantic walks. The natural sanctuary of lovely trees and green grass is surrounded by one of the city''s most upscale eating, shopping and residential districts. Renamed Rittenhouse Square in 1825 for esteemed clockmaker and astronomer David Rittenhouse, this spot is the ideal place to take refuge from modern distractions. A few steps down the path at any of the six gates, and the noise and traffic of the city seem to disappear.