Philadelphia skyline with Schuykill River Photo: Terry Way © Commonwealth Media Services, 1996 Provided by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office and www.VisitPa.com
Some of the most important quotations in American history originated in Philadelphia: "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal." "We the people, in order to form a more perfect union…" "Yo, Adrienne" When it comes to American history, no city can compare to Philadelphia. You can walk through the same streets as Ben Franklin, and see the same homes as he did almost 250 years ago. You can be in the same room where Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence was ratified. And, yes, run up the stairs at the Museum of Art, like Sylvester Stallone did in Rocky. On the surface, Philadelphia may appear to be only about history. Boosting the "Most Historic Square Mile in America," it is easy to understand the perception. But this city of over 2 million people has far more to offer. It is a city of neighborhoods, from upscale and historic Society Hill, to cultural Chinatown to blue collar South Philly. While diverse, citizens of the city display their civic pride openly and furiously. Since Ben Franklin's time, the city has been a center for culture and learning. Five major colleges and universities are in the metro area. Museums, large, small and obscure, are plentiful, diverse and will appeal to any taste. From pricy antiques and art galleries on Rittenhouse Square to Amish crafts and food stalls in the Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia is a shopper's paradise. If the shopping and sightseeing make you hungry, grab yourself a cheesesteak, Philly's contribution to world cuisine. Then walk it off with a stroll through Fairmont Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States. While keeping a strong hold on its history, Philadelphia is also looking towards the future. Former warehouses and factories are being converted into luxury condos and hotels. The Comcast Center, at 57 stories, will be the tallest in the city when it opens in 2008. With every visit, the city looks better and better.
