Philadelphia might be most famously known as the birthplace of American democracy, but you'll find it's an ideal destination for discovery as you explore its colourful neighbourhoods, learn more about its rich history and delve into its spectacular sights and attractions!
About Philadelphia
About Philadelphia
Philadelphia, a dynamic place where big city excitement meets hometown charm, awaits your arrival. Famous as the birthplace of life and the pursuit of happiness, the cradle of liberty offers much more than cobblestone streets and historical landmarks. Cultural, culinary, artistic and ethnic treasures are abundant in this city and its surrounding countryside. The second biggest city on the east coast (just over an hour from New York by Amtrak rail), Philadelphia looks forward to welcoming you.
New and one-of-a-kind attractions, awe-inspiring architecture, a walkable downtown, tax free shopping on clothes and shoes and a world class restaurant renaissance all promise to create an unforgettable Philadelphia experience.
And, of course, the greatest concentration of American history can be found just blocks away at Independence National Historical Park, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Best of all, Philadelphia's compact downtown places all of this and so much more within a short walk or cab ride from the Pennsylvania Convention Center and any downtown hotel.
Shop ‘Til You Drop Macy's Center City is a premiere fashion destination set inside an icon of Philadelphia's rich retail history, the historic Wanamaker Building on Market Street.
Audacious Freedom The African American Museum in Philadelphia welcomes its newest permanent main exhibition, Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876 .
Scary Sights in the City Spend time in a massive foreboding prison, Eastern State Penitentiary, haunting cemeteries, and a wealth of historic landmarks filled with stories of great terror.
Franklin Square and Liberty Bell For visitors traveling with kids, or for those who are kids at heart, Franklin Square is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny city day.The course ends when you hit the ball through the famous crack in the Liberty Bell in front of a model Independence Hall.
Wild Philadelphia Philadelphia's animal adventures are hardly limited to the region's indigenous inhabitants.
A Guide to Family Fun in the City Both a modern city and the birthplace of our nation, Philadelphia is teeming with educational experiences that are so much fun, kids will hardly realize they're learning.
Museum Round Up In Philadelphia, the whole world is available for you to discover with a world of museums.
CHEESESTEAK For decades, Philadelphia has been famous for its world-renowned cheesesteaks. It is, by definition, Philadelphia’s most iconic cuisine.
Philadelphia Museum of Art The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the United States, showcasing more than 2,000 years of exceptional human creativity.
----"Philadelphia's been like a real safe haven for me. The reason I'm here today is because of Philadelphia. They just backed the film. It was a real perfect blend of the character, which really represented the people of Philadelphia."
- Sylvester Stallone, Writer/Star "Rocky"
"I'll tell you, I love Philadelphia. I have a lot of love and loyalty for the place."
"I feel very at home here. Once you put on the Eagles uniform, as long as you do them proud and give your all, as long as you don't pull a T.O., they're going to love you forever."
- Mark Wahlberg, star of "Invincible"
"Philadelphia has a vibe - it doesn't feel like Boston or New York. There are a tremendous amount of looks you can get. You have a downtown that feels like an urban center, and you're not gonna find as many diverse working-class neighborhoods [in other places.]"
- Kevin Bacon, Philadelphia native, Star/Producer "The Woodsman"
"Philadelphia freedom took me knee-high to a man / Yeah gave me peace of mind my daddy never had / Oh philadelphia freedom shine on me, I love you… / Philadelphia freedom I love you, yes I do."
The winner of the WAYN/Philadelphia CVB competition Ann Foo travelled to the bright lights of Philadelphia. Check out the video of her visit below.
We love it - hope you do too and feel free to comment on what you like best about the city on the wall.
What's New
What's New?
See Philadelphia for le$$ Philadelphia CityPass, the easy-to-use discount ticket booklet to six popular Philadelphia attractions, is a great way to add value to your visit. In addition to saving money, CityPass saves time – since it contains actual tickets (not coupons), there is no waiting in ticket lines at most attractions. More>>
City Food Tours Bite sized tour of Philadelphia features in Top 10 Tours in America featured in the 2009 list of “Top 10 Tours in America” by TripAdvisor. More>>
The President's House Commemorative Site Debuted in 2010, the President’s House Commemorative Site, a permanent outdoor installation, tells the story of the nine enslaved Africans who lived and worked in the nation’s first White House, occupied by President George Washington. More>>
University City Neighborhood Home to six colleges and universities, Philadelphia’s original suburb is a diverse urban community with a young, hip vibe and a range of restaurants, galleries, museums and theaters. More>>
The National Museum of American Jewish History The National Museum of American Jewish History is the first national museum devoted to American Jewry and the only museum in the country dedicated to telling the story of Jewish participation in the growth and development of North and South America. More>>
International Flower Show During the first week of March each year, horticulturalists, gardeners, and beauty lovers alike flock to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the annual Philadelphia International Flower Show - the largest flower show in the world. More>>
History Goes High-Tech This summer, Historic Philadelphia, Inc. debuts its new 3-D spectacular — Liberty 360. Grab your Smartphone and download the Find Your Philly? application, built on Google-powered SCVNGR technology. More>>
Discover
Discover Philadelphia’s Treasures
Tax Free Shopping
From South Street to Rittenhouse Row and Jewelers’ Row, Philadelphia is a bona fide shopper’s paradise. The city offers incredible shopping complexes and one-of-a-kind specialty stores. And as added incentive to loosen those purse strings, clothing and shoes are tax-free. More>>
Sports
Philadelphia was recently named the No. 2 sports city in the nation by the Sporting News, and it's easy to see why. The city is home to venerated professional teams like the 76ers, the Phillies, the Flyers and the Eagles, and in recent years has played host to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the A-10 Women's Basketball Tournament and USA Gymnastics Tyson American Cup. More>>
Dining
Home to diversity that stretches across the globe, Philadelphia has cultivated a renowned dining scene full of distinct flavors and profound cultural influences. Whether it's Asian, French or Soul food, your palate will be pleased. More>>
To view PhiladelphiaUSA.travel's friends, you need to be added to PhiladelphiaUSA.travel's friends list.
History
History
Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker. King Charles II of England granted him a parcel of land that included 1,280 acres between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. Penn's chief surveyor, Captain Thomas Holmes, devised a grid pattern for the city that included five public squares, all of which remain, to realize Penn's dream of a "green countrie towne." Due to its excellent location on the Atlantic Coast and accessible port facilities, Philadelphia grew rapidly in the 18th century until it was the second largest English-speaking city in the world. It was called the Athens of the Americas as the cultural center of the New World.
|
Destinations |
Activities |
Mail |
Notifications |
News |
Meet People |
Who's Around |
Make Friends |
Photos |
Login
