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Philadelphia
Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, was settled in 1681 by Captain William Markham, who, with a small group of colonists, had been sent out by his cousin William Penn. Penn arrived the following year with the intention of creating a safe haven for the Quakers. Situated at the intersection of the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers, Philadelphia, at the time of the American Revolution, was the economic and political center of the fledgling United States. Today, Philly boasts the largest surviving district of original colonial homes and shops in the country, with dozens of attractions in and around Independence National Historic Park. History aside, Philadelphia is also known as a city of neighborhoods (109 by one count). Shoppers haggle over prices of fresh produce in South Philly's Italian Market, families picnic in the parks of Germantown, street vendors sell soft pretzels in Logan - and the list goes on. And of course, a visit through Philadelphia's neighborhoods would not be complete without stopping for one of Philly's infamous cheesesteak sandwiches. So grab a hoagie and head over to a sporting event of one of the city's eternally hopeful sports teams. Philadelphia sports fans are rumored to be among the loudest and most obnoxious, and in the wide world of sports that's a good thing. Correction...that's a great thing! Philadelphia, like many other northern American cities, can be hot and humid in the summer and cold in the winter (average snowfall is 21 inches). And although you'll always find a place that will welcome you in out of the heat or the cold, you may want to think about visiting when the climate is perfect - think spring or fall! But for tourists and historians alike, ultimately, any time is the right time to visit this revolutionary American city par excellence! Philadelphia TransportationAirports Rail Services Bus Services Traffic Philadelphia Attractions"On the whole, I'd rather be in Philadelphia" - reads the epitaph of W.C. Fields. What a sense of humor he had. All joking aside, if Mr. Fields were alive today, he would be eating his words. Especially when you consider all that the city has to offer: the most historic square mile in America, more than 90 museums, innumerable colonial churches, row houses, mansions, an Ivy League campus, more Impressionist art than you'll find in any place outside of Paris and leafy, distinguished parks -- including the largest one within city limits in the United States. Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia ShoppingShopping in Philadelphia is not for the faint of heart. As a city of neighborhoods, just about every one of them has something different to offer when it comes to wares. This means lots of walking, talking and of course, spending. If you're in the market for expensive period pieces and Colonial heirlooms head to Antique Row. At the Chestnut Street Transitway you'll find stores that sell rare and used books, custom tailors, sporting goods stores and inexpensive, trendy clothing stores. Jewelers' Row is one of the world's oldest and largest markets of precious stones: more than 350 retailers, wholesalers and craftspeople operate here. For browsing, a visit to the historic and hip Manayunk neighborhood is worth the 7-mi trip from Center City. This former mill town along the Schuylkill River is crammed with art galleries and clothing boutiques, and one-of-a-kind stores selling everything from clocks and crystals to board games and artifacts. If art is your thing, then you want to find your way to Old City -- home to all things artsy. Lofts, art galleries, furniture store, and unique home decor shops line the streets. Shop-till-you-droppers, make a beeline for Rittenhouse Row. Here you'll find the greatest concentration of swanky stores, boutiques, galleries jewelers and street vendors. South Street makes for great people watching and shopping. More than 300 unusual stores and 100 restaurants line the area. You'll find a few of the national chains, but 95% of the stores are individually owned, selling things you won't find in the mall back home. Chestnut Hill Philadelphia NightlifeWhatever your pleasure, Philadelphia has a scene to suit your taste. Looking for a Center City hotspot? Well, you have your choices. Want to drop $200 on a bottle of vodka? There are plenty of luxurious lounges to satisfy. Looking for a place to hear prominent national and local DJs spin reggae, house, hip-hop, techno or old school? Dozens of bars, restaurants and lounges feature DJs on a nightly basis, and new spots seem to open every week. But then again, maybe you're just in the mood to find a cool spot around the corner from your hotel where you can relax with some friends. Philadelphia is home to a vibrant nightlife, from local sports bars to trendy clubs and lounges. Philadelphia Healthcare FacilitiesYou should expect nothing less than the finest healthcare in Philadelphia. After all, this city is not only the birthplace of our nation, but of the nation's first hospital as well. Here you'll have your choice of expert medical facilities, from the University of Pennsylvania Health System to the Albert Einstein Health Network. When you're in Philadelphia, you can rest assured that there are plenty of caring hands to look after you. Major Philadelphia area medical facilities include: Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (Jefferson Health System) Philadelphia Nursing ResourcesPennsylvania State Board of Nursing Philadelphia WeatherWhen is the best time to visit Philadelphia? The answer is simple - anytime you want. Philadelphia is a Northern American city, you can expect warm summers, with the average high temperature of about 85ø and the average low of about 70ø, and cold winters, with the average low temperature of about 26ø and the average high of about 33ø. There are plenty of activities going on throughout the year, all geared according to the season they are in. One thing you should know about Philadelphia is that not only is it the "Cradle of Liberty" but it is also the "Cradle of Horticulture" as well. Enlightened settlers brought to the New World their curiosity about the natural world. William Penn was so inspired by the eastern hardwood forest that greeted him that he named his colony Penn's Woods, or Pennsylvania. His desire to establish a "greene countrie towne" was fundamental to his vision of the colony as a place of religious freedom. Today, the Philadelphia region is blooming with parks and gardens, many of which grace the city's historic homes and art museums. With this said, you may think that spring and summer are the obvious best times to visit, but that's not necessarily the case. Many of the city's parks offer extraordinary winter gardens as well. |
Impressive past, fascinating future -- A Philadelphia Story. |
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