Philly sits on the West bank of the Delaware River in Southeastern Pennsylvania close to the western borders of New Jersey. New York City is straight North Two to Three hrs. by car or bus. A majority of central Philadelphia sits between the Delaware River, running North bound and South through Philly, and the tributary Schuylkill River in the West.

Philadelphia is easy to navigate and is divided into 4 unique regions, each with its own park. Most tourism attractions and lodging options are a short walk or cab ride or drive from each other. Market St. crosses the city East to West: Broad St. travels North to South. Most travelers spend a majority of their trip in historic Old City and Center City, which are built around public squares Penn, Franklin, Washington, Rittenhouse, Logan with the City Hall in the center. The other major areas of curiosity are University City located in Western Philadelphia, Fairmount Park is the Northwest area of downtown Philadelphia and South Philadelphia.

Independence National Historic Park:

Independence Park is shaped just like the letter L and is just West of the Delaware River that features some of the most renowned historical and tourism destinations in Philly. Known as the birth place of American government, Independence Hall was built from 1732 to 1756 as Pennsylvania State House, the colony's central headquarters. Independence Hall represents one of the best examples of Georgian architecture, simple, under stated designs that represent the extensive Quaker influences of the early years of Philadelphia. The 2nd Continental Congress later met here from 1775 to 1783. The Assembly Room is where the delegates from the thirteen colonies met to approve the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July in 1776, where the design of the American flag was agreed upon in 1777 and where the Articles of the Confederation were drafted in 1781 and where the Constitutional Convention was held in 1787, producing the USA Constitution.

Next door to the Pennsylvania State House is Congress Hall, where the USA Congress met from 1790 to 1800 when Philadelphia was the capital of the nation. Here, the Bill of Rights and the first ten amendments were added to the Constitution, the USA Mint was also established. George Washington was inaugurated for his 2nd term and Kentucky, Tennessee as well as Vermont were admitted to the Union. Nearby Independence Square is the location where the Declaration of Independence was read to the public for the first time on the eighth of July 1776.


The Liberty Bell.

The Liberty Bell Pavilion is one of the most popular tourism attractions in the Philadelphia area. Commissioned to memorialize the 50 th anniversary of the Charter of Privileges "Pennsylvania's constitution", enacted in 1701 by William Penn this 2,080 lb. 936 kg bronze bells inscription reads: 'Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, to all the inhabitants thereof.' The bell was secured in the belfry of Independence Hall and tolled on very important occasions, most notable the 1st. public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Independence Sq. The Liberty Bell became cracked during the nineteenth century: in spite of initial repairs it in due course became un-usable in 1846 after tolling for the birthdays of George Washington.

Next to Independence Hall is Franklin Court, the home of Ben Franklin and workplace. An underground museum on the site displays Franklins various inventions, including a heat efficient stove that warmed houses. The National Portrait Gallery was the 2nd bank of the USA until 1836, when it was ended by President Andrew Jackson. It is now home to several pieces of art by Charles Wilson Peale, who was one of the most renowned portrait painters in America at the time of the American Revolution. Other exhibit offerings include copies of the first edition of the Declaration of Independence and the earliest prints of Philadelphia Pennsylvania during the time it was the nations capital.

Old City Philadelphia:

Old City was central Philadelphia in the earliest history of the Philly. The face lifted Elfreths Alley is alleged to be the oldest residential street in America with colonial styled homes dating back as far as 1728. Also the Betsy Ross Home is also located in Old City. Some uncertainty surrounds Betsy Griscom Ross, an 18 th century seamstress. Although it is now known that she didnt design the American flag, she may or may not have sewn the first USA flag for the early federal government. This is the house where she lived and where you can see her sewing machines and other tools. The USA Mint in Old City is the largest in the world.

The National Museum of American Jewish History and Afro American Historical and Cultural Museums contain some of the finest collections in America detailing the role of Jewish and African Americans in the history of America. Congregation Mikveh Israel was established in 1740 in Old City and is the 2nd oldest congregation in America. This congregation is one of only four synagogues in the world that still uses the Sephardic Rite.

Old City is the far Mideastern section of Philadelphia Pa. along the Delaware River and located within Walnut and Vine Streets and Front and sixth Streets.

Valley Forge National Historic Park:

Valley Forge.

Valley Forge was the location of the American Armys famous winter encampment from the Nineteenth of December 1777 until 19 June 1778, while the British occupied Philadelphia, during the War of Independence. Not a battlefield, the location is considered a symbol of bravery and endurance. Two Thousand of George Washingtons twelve thousand troops died as a result of freezing temperatures, hunger and diseases. Notwithstanding such losses, the army was restructured and emerged in time to defeat the British. The English withdrew in 1778 once the Articles of Confederation became official by Congress and Americans made a treaty with the French. Critical sights include the National Memorial Arch to the soldiers who survived that horrific winter and the Monument to the Patriots of African Descent, there is bronze statue honoring the five thousand blacks that died in the war.

Valley Forge is twenty miles Northwest of downtown Philadelphia Pa. You can get there by taking a forty minute drive or bus from downtown Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania Dutch Country Region:

Amish Country.

The Dutch Country of Pennsylvania is home to a large colony of Amish Mennonites. The Amish arrived in the region back in the 1720 and are unified regarding the issue of separation of church and state. The Amish try to live an ideal Bible centered life and consists of voluntary members. The heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch area is a small collection of towns, farms and highlights spread out over a region encompassing more than three hundred and fifteen square miles. Most of the towns are laid out to the East of Lancaster, the regions main city and essentially its western periphery. East of Lancaster, the most popular road is Rt. 340 called Old Philadelphia Pike, with the settlements of Bird in Hand and Intercourse. South of the area running east to west as well is Rt. 30 Lincoln Highway, which features scenic landscapes and quaint dairy farms, guest houses and craft work shops. For an off the beaten track angle try taking one of the various side roads between Rts 30 and 340.

A majority of the Pennsylvania Dutch live on beautifully manicured farmland, but as a result of rising populations, urbanization as well as various outside pressures, many of the Amish have jobs working in small industry, producing quilts, furnitures and craft items. The Amish residents call anyone outside of their communities English,' no matter where they may be from. Please note also that the Amish object to being photographed.

The Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a one and one half hour drive West of Philadelphia on Rt. 30. There are several scheduled buses or trains from Lancaster to Philadelphia Pa.

Philadelphia Area Activities:

Fairmount Park.

The beautiful Fairmount Park is the central outdoor activity center of Philadelphia and also largest landscaped urban park in the world. With hundreds of miles of jogging trails and cycling paths there is plenty to see and do here. The Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek run through the park offering Rowing and Canoeing activities for tourists and residents alike.