Independence National Historical Park
On 8 July 1776, the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall summoned
citizens to hear the first reading of the Declaration of the
Independence. Today, the building stands proudly and is revered as
the birthplace of the American nation.
The Independence National Historical Park is an eight-block
neighbourhood in the very centre of old Philadelphia. The Liberty
Bell itself is on display in a pavilion in Market Street between
5th and 6th Street.
Originally built as the Pennsylvania State House in 1732,
Independence Hall on Chestnut Street is now famous for being where
the Declaration of Independence and later the Constitution of the
United States were ratified.
Historically significant buildings and museums pack out the rest
of the 34 acre park, interpreting the events and lives of main
figures involved in Philadelphia's years as the capital of the USA
from 1790 and 1800. These include former presidents George
Washington and John Adams.
About 20 buildings are open to the public daily, with times
varying according to season. Advance tickets are required for
Independence Hall, obtainable from the adjacent Visitors Centre or
bookable in advance through the National Parks Service.
Governor's Council Chamber
Artico2
Franklin Institute Science Museum
One of Philadelphia's most frequented museums, the Franklin
Institute on Benjamin Franklin Parkway opened in 1934 and fast
became recognised for its innovative and imaginative exhibits,
demonstrating the influence of science in our lives.
The museum complex divides into various sections. Firstly, the
Franklin National Memorial is dedicated to Benjamin Franklin. It
features a huge statue of its namesake and a collection of
memorabilia associated with the famous statesman.
Another section features hands-on and interactive science and
technology exhibits, ranging from a walkthrough model of heart to a
lightning gallery. This section also includes the Discovery
Theatre, with scientific shows each afternoon and a puzzle area.
The basement is the location of the Fels Planetarium.
There are numerous permanent exhibitions in addition to an
ever-rotating roster of temporary offerings, such as Amazing
Machine, The Franklin Air Show, and The Train Factory. Topics and
themes covered include space, the earth, computers, chemistry,
health, and electricity.
There is also an IMAX theatre, showing a variety of films.
Located on the lawn between the main museum buildings, the
CoreStates Science Park is a garden full of high-tech play
structures like a stand-on organ, maze and a high-wire bicycle. The
museum also features several restaurants and a snack bar.
Franklin Institute
Z22
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Established in the 1870s, the elegant Philadelphia Museum of Art
houses a permanent collection of more than 225,000 works in 200
galleries. The museum is recognised as being one of the finest art
collections in the USA.
Exhibits include not only magnificent paintings, but also
sculptures, period furniture, and faithfully restored historic
rooms. Built in the style of a Greco-Roman temple, the beautiful
building housing the collection stands upon a hilltop off Benjamin
Franklin Parkway.
The two storeys are designed with L-shaped wings leading off a
central court, and exhibits are arranged in period groupings. The
museum also has a cafeteria and a formal restaurant, and regularly
hosts visiting exhibitions.
Art Museum Pediment
Ed Uthman
Franklin Court
The part of the Independence National Historical Park between
3rd and 4th Street is where the home of Benjamin Franklin once
stood. While the actual house no longer exists, a 54-foot-high
(16m) steel skeleton ghost structure covers the remaining
courtyard.
It provides a novel and fascinating tribute to the life of
Franklin, allowing great insight into the iconic former statesman.
His many vocations included printer, diplomat, inventor, publisher,
author, and postmaster, as well as the founder of the University of
Pennsylvania.
Visitors can peruse an underground museum filled with paintings,
objects, and inventions associated with Franklin. There is a bank
of telephones with many testimonies from famous personalities about
the achievements of the great man.
There's also a US Postal Service Museum and a nearby home
displays an architectural exhibit explaining Franklin's
fire-resisting building techniques. Another building houses an
18th-century printing office and bindery with demonstrations.
Alongside sits the restored office of the newspaper published by
Franklin's grandson Benjamin Franklin Bache.
Franklin Court
Elisa.rolle
Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo opened in 1874, the first of its kind in the
USA. Today, it's one of the world's most renowned zoological
gardens, replete with animal exhibits, award-winning education and
conservation programmes, recreational opportunities, and scientific
accomplishments.
More than one million visitors flock to this leading city
attraction. Among special features offered are more than 1,600 rare
and exotic animals and 42 acres of picturesque Victorian gardens.
Highlights include the Peco Primate Reserve, an interactive exhibit
featuring around 10 primate species.
The Rare Animal Conservation Center allows intimate views of
some of the world's most endangered animals. The Reptile and
Amphibian House has an interactive adventure path, showcasing
dozens of species like the King Cobra. Additionally, there is an
African animal section, and a children's petting zoo.
Tigers
fPat Murray
Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum is located in Memorial Hall in Fairmount
Park and is a shining example of what must be one of the rarest
cultural attractions anywhere in the world: a museum where children
are actually encouraged to lay their hands on exhibits.
Mainly aimed at kids aged seven years and younger, the museum
seeks to educate and entrance its young visitors in equal measure,
offering them a hands-on experience of an assortment of life-size
interactive exhibition zones.
Although the exhibits change frequently, highlights have
included an Alice in Wonderland area complete with rabbit holes and
garden mazes, a miniature supermarket, and a scaled down SEPTA bus
display.
Parents and grandparents are undivided in their approval of the
museum and its child-friendly approach, describing it as an ideal
way to spend a day out with the kids. The museum also offers a
delicious selection of wholesome food and drinks.
Dentzel Carousel
Smallbones
Philadelphia enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot, muggy
summers, mild shoulder seasons, and cold winters. Rainfall spreads
fairly evenly throughout the year with some wet weather every
month. In summer, between June and August, temperatures average
between 63°F (17°C) and 87°F (31°C).
In winter, between December and February, temperatures average
between 25°F (-4°C) and 44°F (7°C). Snowfall is unpredictable, with
some winters experiencing only light snow and others characterised
by continual snowstorms. The city centre and inner suburbs
generally have light snow, with heavier falls experienced to the
north and west of the city.
Philadelphia International Airport
Location: The airport is located eight miles (13km) from downtown
Philadelphia.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday
in November).
Transfer Between Terminals:
Philadelphia International Airport consists of seven terminals
(A East, A West, B, C, D, E, and F). Terminal F is the only
building not directly connected to the others, but free shuttles
connect it to Terminal A-East and Terminal C.
Getting to the city:
SEPTA operates public transport, providing a high-speed rail
service between the airport terminals and central Philadelphia,
which is the fastest connection to the city centre.
Trains depart every 30 minutes between 4.52am and 11.52pm every
day, and the journey takes about 25 minutes. SEPTA Bus Routes 37,
108, and 115 also run to downtown Philadelphia. Taxis, shuttles,
rental cars, and ride-hailing app services are also available.
Car Rental:
Car rental agencies represented at the airport include Alamo,
Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Information
is available for each of the car rental agencies from Ground
Transportation Information desks located in all baggage claim
areas.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available, day and night. They are metered but charge
a flat rate for transport to the city centre. Taxis are found on
the Commercial Transportation Roadway in Zone 5.
Facilities:
Airport facilities are comprehensive, with banks, ATMs, and
currency exchange facilities. Travellers can also choose from the
numerous restaurants, cafes, and fast food outlets available. The
airport features art exhibitions and multiple shops, including
duty-free.
Parking
Short-term parking at Philadelphia International Airport costs
$4 for half an hour and $2 per 30 minutes thereafter, up to a daily
maximum of $44. Long-term parking has similar rates, but the daily
rate is just $24. The Economy Lot costs $11 per day and is
connected to the terminal via a free shuttle service.
The city of Philadelphia is well-equipped with public transport,
most of it run by SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation
Authority). There is a subway system, but this does not serve the
city centre. It's mainly useful for accessing the extremities of
the city.
Good, reliable buses are the main standby, particularly the
purple PHLASH bus service designed for visitors. The PHLASH route
loops through downtown, covering numerous major attractions near
about 22 stops.
SEPTA buses and commuter trains cover numerous fixed routes
through the rest of the city and suburbs.
Taxis are plentiful in the city centre but scarcer elsewhere,
particularly at night. It is possible to rent cars, but not
strictly necessary. Having a vehicle can be useful for those
wanting to explore further afield. Uber, Lyft, and other
ride-hailing app services are also available.
Once home to the founding fathers, Philadelphia is the
birthplace of the United States and the site of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence. Most of the city's tourism revolves
around these historic events and sites, while the Philly Cheese
Steak shouldn't be underestimated.
Top attractions in Philadelphia include the Liberty Bell, a
symbol of freedom across the country, and Independence Hall. The
National Constitution Center boasts a number of historical
exhibitions, while Franklin Court is the former location of
Benjamin Franklin's house.
Elfreth's Alley is the oldest residential street in the USA,
while Christ Church, founded in 1695, is where many of the
country's leaders are buried. However, this is just a smattering of
what the city has to offer and sightseers will have their hands
full.
The Philadelphia CityPass saves visitors about 45% on admission
to some of the city's top attractions, with the added bonus of
allowing holders to skip entrance queues. The pass is purchasable
online via the official website.
Doylestown
About 42 miles (68km) north of Philadelphia, the city of
Doylestown sits in the centre of Bucks County. Also serving as the
county capital and renowned for its historic district, containing
more than 1,0000 structures dating from 1851 and 1910.
This treasure-trove of architectural heritage draws hundreds of
visitors to the city, named as one of a 'Dozen Distinctive
Destinations' by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The
city also offers antique and handcraft shops, numerous restaurants,
and vast recreational possibilities in the surrounding Bucks County
countryside.
Visitors may discover the 300-year-old Fallsington Village, go
fishing and boating on the wide Delaware River, or hike scenic
nature trails. Also nearby is the site where George Washington
crossed the Delaware River and changed the course of the American
Revolution.
Mercer Museum, Doylestown
Jared Kofsky
Dutch Country
Rated as one of the most popular summer drives in America, a
tour of Pennsylvania's Dutch Country is a relaxing and rewarding
experience enjoyed by millions of visitors every year. Central to
the area is Pennsylvania's scenic Lancaster County, just one and a
half hour's drive west of Philadelphia.
The main drawcard is the fascinating lifestyle of the local
Amish farming communities. They live according to age-old
traditions and values without making use of any modern
conveniences, even eschewing electricity and telephones.
The area abounds with interesting historic and rural
attractions, including 28 picturesque covered bridges on quiet
country roads, the oldest Mennonite meeting house in America, and
the home of a former US president.
Many visitors opt to tour the area in a horse and buggy or hire
a bicycle. A big attraction in the region is food, benefiting from
the local agriculture mantra of being 'fresh from the farm'. This
home-style cooking makes its way onto the menus of many local
restaurants and markets.
Be sure to try the area's famous Shoofly Pie, an open pie made
with molasses and sweet crumbs. To wash down the farm fare there
are wineries and breweries open for tours and tastings. Shopping
for local crafts and antiques is another popular pastime.
Amish Buggy, Lancaster
David Wilson
Gettysburg National Military Park
The small town of Gettysburg in Adam's County, south central
Pennsylvania, was the site of the largest battle in the American
Civil War. It was the inspiration for Abraham Lincoln's celebrated
Gettysburg Address.
The Battle of Gettysburg started on 1 July 1863, lasting two
days and resulting in a Union victory. The Gettysburg National
Military Park stands testimony to the battle, incorporating about
6,000 acres of land, 26 miles of park roads, and more than 1,400
monuments, markers, and memorials.
One of the most famous military encounters in US history, the
Battle of Gettysburg has been immortalised in many books,
paintings, poems, and movies. The town is now a pilgrimage of a
sort for military history buffs and anybody interested in the Civil
War and Abraham Lincoln.
Gettysburg National Military Park
Muhranoff
Hershey’s Chocolate World
No chocolate lover should miss out on the treat of visiting
Hershey's Chocolate World in the town where chocolate making has
become an art. Billed as 'The Sweetest Place on Earth', it's about
90 miles (145km) from Philadelphia via Lancaster. The official
visitors centre of the Hershey Foods Corporation offers
free-of-charge factory tours.
The Chocolate Tour begins in a tropical rainforest where the
chocolate beans grow, following the journey as the beans make their
way to the Hershey's factories. People can attend a 20-minute
presentation on how Hershey's Chocolate is made, run every half
hour in the 3D Theater Lobby. There are also gift and souvenir
shops and a food court.
Hershey's Chocolate World
Jim, the Photographer
Brandywine Valley
The cultural and historical hub of Brandywine Valley sits about
35 miles (63km) west of Philadelphia, on US 1, which is accessibly
by both bus and train. It has magical landscapes, country inns,
fascinating museums, and beautiful gardens, all found in the heart
of Chester County. Visitors can enjoy Longwood Gardens, the
Brandywine River Museum with its unique art collection in a grist
mill, the Chaddsford Winery, and shopping in historic Kennett
Square.
Longwood Gardens
Jill Constantine