Independence Hall, Philadelphia – where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and adopted
~~~~ Read my story set in Philadelphia area yet?? Click Here ~~~~
Are we there yet?!
So where is Philadelphia…?
Philadelphia is on the East Coast of United States, in the state of Pennsylvania. It is currently US’s 5th most populous city. Being right in between New York and DC, Philly is as connected as it can get.
Philly Skyline alongside Schuylkill river
The Long and Short of it…
William Penn Statue by Alexander Milne Calder (installed 1894) atop City Hall Philadelphia
Founded in 1682 by William Penn as capital of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia was America’s first planned city. It is indeed a city of many firsts – first stock exchange, first library, first medical school..! During the Revolutionary War, Philadelphia was the capital, and most happening city of America. Several of the key events took place here, with many historic monuments, streets, buildings and battlefields commemorating these. Philadelphia is the only UNESCO World Heritage City in the United States.
While Philly is chockfull of Independence memorabilia, Philly is as much Penn’s city, with the stamp of colonial Pennsylvania, as it is a vibrant modern city in the present.
Elphreth’s Alley, America’s oldest residential street
A visit to Philadelphia can satiate an appetite for history, modern art and culture, iconic local eats, outdoor activities… the list goes on! The city has character and charm, it’s part quirky, yet equal parts classically grand. Philly is as much about its neighborhoods as it is about its famous monuments. Framed by two rivers and its several parks, it is scenic in every season. It’s a large city, yet has a cozy feel… Add to this mix its renowned centers for art, education and commerce, and you have a unique exceptional city.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Arts.
If you’re into museums Philly doesn’t disappoint – a walk down Benjamin Franklin Parkway is an awesome experience not just for its dramatic culmination at Philadelphia Art Museum, but for the several museums on the way: Rodin, Franklin Institute, Barnes Foundation… these among several others in the city.
Rodin Museum Philadelphia
To experience Philly is to indulge in its culinary delights. Some iconic local bites, like a Geno’s original Philadelphia cheeseburger, require standing in a queue around the block! Personally I
Reading Terminal Market
find myself drawn to Reading Terminal market, an old train terminus converted into an epicurean collection of assorted stalls selling their specialties. Buzzing South street also has many interesting joints, and the food trucks across Philly could take up a chapter by themselves!
Enjoy the great outdoors? Philly does not let you down – parks, river walks, boating, trails galore! Fairmount Park is easily the biggest and most diverse, but there are so many delightful seconds… Rittenhouse square, Love Park, Washington Park to walk through, muse in and munch at. Want a riverside? – have two! Just as there’s much to do and feel along the Delaware River, particularly at Penn’s Landing, so is there much to enjoy cycling or jogging past the Boat Row Houses on the Schuylkill, or wandering along its banks behind the Art museum!
So many neighborhoods to see, so little time! The charm of Philly is exploring its many little nooks, each special in its own way… China Town, Society Hill, Broad Street, City Hall, Rittenhouse Square are just some of the many…
Just around Philadelphia are many many places of interest as well… be they historic, scenic, both or otherwise interesting! Valley Forge, a key historic site of the Revolutionary War, is just outside Philly. Similarly my story set in Moland House is in suburban Philadelphia. Here are just some links to the long list of sights on the National Register of Historic Places in the counties around Philly.
Ooooh, finally raining here so I can read 🙂 Thanks for letting me see this beckon since it is mine, too. Reading Terminal and Franklin Museum my favored. And these days all this Constitution and Independence stuff so comes to mind as we see history coming back. Did you make these pictures yourself? – good they are. I suppose there will be something about Philly suburbs soon, I have a feeling you might have a beckon there, too. Cheers – my next rainy day is in two weeks 🙂
🙂 Thank you so much Leszek! So glad this hit a chord that resonates with you as well! For this particular post I have been tardy in puttting in the picture credits, most pics are from the public domain, I will be updating pc’s very soon. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and I hope to have something for you by your next rains!! ? It might not be anywhere familiar, but I hope you will still read, and hopefully enjoy!
Ooooh, finally raining here so I can read 🙂 Thanks for letting me see this beckon since it is mine, too. Reading Terminal and Franklin Museum my favored. And these days all this Constitution and Independence stuff so comes to mind as we see history coming back. Did you make these pictures yourself? – good they are. I suppose there will be something about Philly suburbs soon, I have a feeling you might have a beckon there, too. Cheers – my next rainy day is in two weeks 🙂
🙂 Thank you so much Leszek! So glad this hit a chord that resonates with you as well! For this particular post I have been tardy in puttting in the picture credits, most pics are from the public domain, I will be updating pc’s very soon. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and I hope to have something for you by your next rains!! ? It might not be anywhere familiar, but I hope you will still read, and hopefully enjoy!