Philadelphia is noted as one of the most historically significant cities in the United States, where millions of tourists flock each year to relive the birth of our nation. Independence National Historic Park is home to some of the most antique buildings and symbols of American freedom and liberty, including the renowned Independence Hall. This building is where 56 men , icluding Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, came together to compose the Declaration of Independence. It was here, 11 years later where representatives from 12 states wrote the United States Constitution. A few steps away from Independence Hall is the famous Liberty Bell Hall, which houses the iconic Liberty Bell. This significant symbol was cast in England and rung for the first time when the Declaration of Independence was first publicly read on July 8, 1776. The bell, previously in Independence Hall, was installed in its current home in 1976.

One of the most fascinating structures in Philadelphia, this large walk-in model of a heart is housed in the Franklin Institute Science Museum and open to the public. This exhibition was renovated in 2004 and features new and improved hands-on interactive devices used to explain various scientific concepts.

Another historical spot to visit is Christ Church, the first Protestant Episcopal Church in the country. The graves of Benjamin Franklin, who attended the church, and five signers of the Declaration of Independence are located here. A national historic landmark, the church was built during the reign of George II (1727-1754). The steeple is 196 feet high, and is one of the most visible landmarks in the city.

The Liberty Bell, previously housed in Independence Hall, now hangs in its own pavilion within eyesight of its previous home. The Bell was rung for the first time when the Declaration of Independence was first publicly read on July 8, 1776. The Bell has cracked several times, and there is much debate on what the real reasons are for the ruptures. However, the last crack has rendered the bell unringable.

A City Surrounded by Squares

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Each square is an equal distance from the Centre Square, which is directly in the middle of Center City. The five squares are named after significant individuals in Philadelphia?EUR??,,????'?????<

LOVE Park, officially known as JFK Plaza, is the home of Robert Indiana?EUR??,,????'?????<

Centre Square is the midpoint for which all roads lead in the city. Philadelphia?EUR??,,????'?????<

Just south of City Hall is the Philadelphia Academy of Music. Located on the Avenue of the Arts, the Academy of Music is the oldest grand opera house in the United States still used for its original purpose. After its opening in 1857, the Academy quickly became America?EUR??,,????'?????<

 

The Franklin Institute of Science has several areas to explore, each with interesting scientific and technological exhibits. Among the most fascinating sections are those that include the Wright Brothers Aeronautical Engineering Collection, an Observatory, and a Planetarium.

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The centerpiece of this park, the LOVE sculpture, was fashioned during the Pop Art movement by artist Robert Indiana. The park?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is a soaring, glass-enclosed facility located on the Avenue of the Arts in Center City. The $265 million center houses the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and other cultural entities.

LOVE Park is in close proximity to major subway and regional rail lines, which makes it easily accessible to everyone. LOVE Park became known officially as JFK Plaza during the 1960s.

In conjunction with the five original squares planned out by Penn, there are several neighborhoods that compose Center City, which include (but are not limited to) Penn?EUR??,,????'?????<

The next neighborhood that you will come upon is Old City, which occupies several blocks between Front and Sixth Streets, and is bounded by Vine Street to the north and Walnut Street to the south.

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A majestic architectural landmark in Philadelphia, the Academy of Music was modeled after Milan?EUR??,,????'?????<

In close proximity to the Independence National Historic Park is Franklin Square, home to the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, Philly Miniature Golf, new playgrounds and a restored 19th-century fountain. Franklin Square is also one of the 63 regional neighborhoods in Fairmont Park.

Fairmont Park is a true jewel in the city of Philadelphia. With over 9,200 acres, it claims 10 percent of the land in Philadelphia (city and county). Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and is bordered by the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek. Of the abovementioned 63 regional and neighborhood parks, the largest of these parks are the East and West Parks, Franklin D. Roosevelt Park, Pennypack Park, Poquessing Park, Tacony Creek Park and Wissahickon Valley Park. There are also several museums located within the park, and they can easily be located on ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The grand Philadelphia Museum of Art is made of Minnesota Dolomite and covers 10 acres of Fairmont Park. The museum houses more than 300,000 works of art spanning 2,000 years.

Also located in Fairmont Park is the world-renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art. This establishment, built in 1876, houses over 300,000 works of art, and is known as one of the greatest art institutions in the world. Whether embarking on a journey through the main building or a stroll in the Perelman building, you are sure to be amazed by the pieces of art that come from six different continents and two millennia including American art (including the most important collection in the world of works by Philadelphia artist Thomas Eakins); costume and textiles (including a celebrated collection of Oriental carpets); East Asian and Middle Eastern art; European decorative arts and sculpture (including arms and armor, and a suit of 18th-century French interiors); European paintings before 1900; Indian and Himalayan art; prints, drawings and photographs; 20th-century art (including works by Picasso, Braque, Matisse, and Duchamp). In addition to the extensive collection of artwork at this museum, you can also run up the famous stairs like Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). The ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The spot where William Penn first settled along the Delaware River, Penn's Landing is the center of Philadelphia's naval soul and the city's dominant commercial district. Several historic ships are still stationed at Penn's Landing, where people are allowed to tour the USS Becuna, a naval submarine, and the USS Olympia, a cruiser widely recognized as the oldest steel warship afloat in the world.

Society Hill is another area of Center City, which has the largest area of original 18th and early 19th century architecture in the nation. Today Society Hill includes the land from the Delaware River to Washington Square and from Walnut Street to Lombard Street. The charm of Society Hill is its historic homes are not museums, but domiciles for Philadelphians who delight in 18th and 19th century houses. This vital part of the city was built with cobblestone streets that make way for brick row houses in the Federal and Georgian style. The row house originated in Philadelphia in the 19th century. The fist set of row houses was Carstairs Row in Philadelphia, designed by builder and architect Thomas Carstairs around 1799. These centuries-old homes, churches, and landmarks emanate the historical vibe still alive in this modern city.

Near Society Hill is one of the main retail hubs of Center City since the 1800s – Market East. This area is also home to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The Reading Terminal Market offers fresh produce, meat, poultry and baked goods. This 1892 establishment purports to be nation?EUR??,,????'?????<

Rittenhouse Square is a lovely spot for those visiting Philadelphia. The tree-filled area is home to stylish shops and excellent restaurants. The lush green grass, quaint benches, and animal statues are all popular spots among the citizens of Philadelphia, but also attractive opportunities for photographs. The picturesque qualities of this place are all thanks to the work of the Friends of Rittenhouse Square. The landscaping, lighting, restoration of fountains and fencing are all projects of the public-private partnership with the Fairmount Park Commission. The blocks to the south of the Rittenhouse Square, contain some of the most expensive residential real estate in Philadelphia.

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Logan Square is the area that lies north Market Street, south of Spring Garden Street, west of Broad Street, and east of the Schuylkill River. This square contains the Franklintown neighborhood, as well as Penn Center and much of Philadelphia?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the nation?EUR??,,????'?????<septa.org.

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Philadelphia is coined with many nicknames, but one that people may be surprised to hear is ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Philadelphia Zoo, founded in 1874, is widely recognized as America?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Franklin Institute Science Museum, aptly named after Benjamin Franklin, is a truly interesting point of attraction. It is located on the west side of Logan Square and is surrounded by Fairmont Park. For those who have an interest in all fields of science, you will find much to do in the Science center devoted to computers, information technology, electricity, space travel, and oceanography. The Franklin Institute of Science is home to a large walk-in model of the heart.

Thousands of rare and lovely woody plants, including some of Philadelphia?EUR??,,????'?????<

Moreover, visitors are allowed to participate in their own experiments, as well as take part in exhibits on sports, wellness, weather, and astronomy. Demonstrations on both natural and biological sciences are fascinating for visitors to see and take a part in. A 30-ton statue of Benjamin Franklin, as well as exhibits on of his inventions and successes are on display to greet you in the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.

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As you can see, there is much to see and experience in this great city of Philadelphia. Russel H. Conwell, American lawyer, author and clergyman, once stated, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Betsy Ross House is located in Old City, and is said to be the site where Ross sewed the nation?EUR??,,????'?????<

People can sit in the serene setting of Longwood Gardens, fashioned by Pierre S. du Pont. The site offers 1, 050 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows, 20 outdoor gardens, 20 indoor gardens within four acres of heated greenhouses, 11,000 different types of plants, and spectacular fountains. The gardens are 30 miles outside of the city, but are considered to be one of the the world's premier horticultural landscapes.

Sources:
philadelphia.about.com,
www.ushistory.org,
www.hellophiladelphia.com,
www.gophila.com,
wikipedia.org,
www.10best.com/Philadelphia,PA,
www.planetware.com,
www.preservationnation.org,
www.destination360.com,
www2.fi.edu,
www.nps.gov/inde,
www.phila.gov,
www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum,
www.emporis.com,
www.greatbuildings.com,
www.philorch.org,
www.phillyseaport.org