In Philadelphia you can discover colonial America at UNESCO-listed Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. You'll find contemporary and Impressionist paintings at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and eclectic shopping in the Northern Liberties district. In the evening, dine at a cosy Italian restaurant in South Philadelphia.
Central Philadelphia is sandwiched between the Delaware River to the east and the Schuylkill River to the west. Head towards the Old City, just west of the Delaware, to see historical Philadelphia at the 18th-century buildings of the Independence National Historical Park. Philadelphia's neighbourhoods surround this core. Find the Northern Liberties' trendy boutiques in the north and Italian-influenced South Philadelphia in the south. To the west is the Parkway/Museum District, near the Schuylkill River. You'll find Valley Forge war-time camp in the north-west.
Plan to spend several hours at the Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia's main attraction. Here you'll see the America of George Washington and Ben Franklin at the landmark 18th-century Independence Hall. Take a peek at the Liberty Bell, most famously rung to announce the reading of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776, the original Independence Day. Then honour one of America's Founding Fathers at the near 20-foot-high Benjamin Franklin National Monument statue. Keep your energy up with a hearty Philly cheese steak sandwich, loaded with thinly-sliced beef and melted cheese. Then make the 30-minute trip to Valley Forge, an 18th-century American Revolutionary War camp. If you've had enough of history, spend an afternoon browsing Picasso and Monet artworks at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Learn about Philadelphia's maritime history at the Independence Seaport Museum. Then relax with the family at Philadelphia Zoo or visit Penn's Landing for its variety of bars, restaurants, musical concerts and sightseeing cruises on the Delaware River. Save time for shopping in the eclectic boutiques of the Northern Liberties. Then dine at one of the neighbourhood's trendy restaurants or at a family-owned Italian place in South Philadelphia. Slow your pace with a daytrip to Amish Country near rural Lancaster to see residents still driving horse-drawn carriages.
Ever-expanding Philadelphia International is one of the world's busiest airports, flying 31 million passengers from its seven terminals. Downtown Philadelphia is only seven miles away, a 25-minute trip by train.
