ABOUT THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA:Philadelphia, or Philly as it is commonly called, was founded by William Penn as part of his colony of Pennsylvania, and became a city in 1701. The Quakers came here to obtain religious freedom not possible in post-Restoration Britain and the city has always attracted escaping persecution. Several of the most important events in the history of the United States have happened here, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the building now known as Independence Hall. For a few years in the 1790s, Philadelphia was the first national capital of the United States. It is also home to the Liberty Bell.
The city is known for its culture and is jam-packed with museums, including the Rodin Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, the University of Pennsylvania Museum and Archaeology and Anthropology and the Academy of Natural Sciences. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the venue for concerts by the Philadelphia Orchestra, while the Philadelphia Opera resides at the Academy of Music. Literary Philadelphia can be studied at the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site.
There is a wide range of architectural styles on display, including Georgian, Queen Ann, Palladin, Gothic and Greek revival, from the early public buildings that survive to the Victorian ‘row houses’ that still make up many districts to modern skyscrapers. The oldest building in the city is the Old Swedes’ [Gloria Dei] Church, which was completed in 1700, it was the home to Philadelphia soul in the 1960s and was influential in the spread of hip-hop and gangsta rap.
As you would expect from somewhere with Philadelphia’s rich history, the city is dotted with important monuments celebrating the foundations of the USA and its cultural life.
LOCATION OF PHILADELPHIA:In the southeast corner of the northeast state of Pennsylvania. 75 miles southwest of New York City. 160 miles northeast of Washington, DC. Philadelphia International Airport is 8 miles southwest of the city centre.
SERVING AIRPORTS:Philadelphia International [PHL]
Flight time from the UK: approximately 8 hours 30 minutes
SHOPPING IN PHILADELPHIA:A shopper's dream come true. Antiques, artwork and gift shops, boutiques, craft emporiums, upmarket clothing outlets and gourmet food markets abound. A handful of quality department stores. The historical shopping area of Philadelphia Bourse has a wide range of speciality shops. Chinatown Mall for Asian goods and food. The Italian Market has fresh produce, home-made pasta, clothing and spices. Liberty Place has one of the city's most elegant malls. Reading Terminal Market has a variety of stalls, including Amish vendors. Outside the city limits is the King of Prussia Mall, one of the nation's largest shopping complexes, with 8 department stores, 400 boutiques and speciality stores, and 40 restaurants.
EATING OUT IN PHILADELPHIA:A real restaurant town, with fashionable eateries scattered throughout the city centre, the suburbs and out on the Main Line, where the wealthy still live on rolling estates. Ethnic areas, especially Chinatown and the Italian section in S Philly, provide delicious, inexpensive cuisine; you can also sample Cajun, Southwestern, Pennsylvanian and colonial-era fare; Japanese, Indian, Moroccan, Brazilian and vegetarian. Middle Eastern, Greek, French, Spanish and Mexican restaurants on the increasingly trendy South Street.
DON’T MISS IN PHILADELPHIA:- The local culinary speciality:
- the cheesesteak
- The Liberty Bell
- The Philadelphia Fringe Festival
YOU SHOULD KNOW:The Second Continental Congress, at which the Declaration of Independence was signed, was convened here.
Disclaimer:
By its very nature much of the information in our destination guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
Loading special offers... Please wait.
It can take up to 30 seconds to load the offers.
