Pork Belly and I often have a debate about where in the world we could live if we weren’t rooted so firmly in English soil.
He could pretty much go anywhere and find a way to fit in – me, not so much.
I love to visit places.
Struggle with the language (lots of arm-waving, gestures and laughter).
Deal with the weather (daily downpours in beautiful Bali, icy hilltops in New Zealand and all-pervading red dust in Oz).
Enjoy every mouthful of exotic dishes (except the green grass jelly and kidney bean concoction we experienced in Singapore).
But I have a sneaking suspicion I could live – really, forever live – in Philadelphia.
It’s something about the size of the city – neat grid arrangement, easily walk-able and its generous suburbs, rivers, woods and open spaces – that is very appealing.
So, maybe one day …
In the meantime, we’re sharing 5 things we both love about Philly.
1. Philadelphia history
They call it the birthplace of America and around almost every street corner there’s a big slice of the past, often being re-enacted by a crew of locals and students in full costume.
Don’t miss the reading of the Declaration of Independence in the garden behind Independence Hall. It makes you realise this wasn’t just words on a bit of paper, with meaning for the select political few, it really had an impact on ordinary people.
If you have a strong English accent, you can expect a bit of good-humoured heckling too!
For details of these free performances, see the Historic Philadelphia website.
The Liberty Bell is worth standing in line for.
It’s open daily from 9am to 5pm and is free, but can get very busy. The guides are informative and entertaining.
Exhibits line the hallway approaching the Bell and are well worth a read.
The Liberty Bell Center is wheelchair accessible.
The visit inside Independence Hall, with the two rooms where famous rumps seated themselves to sign that vital document, is also free.
But security is tight and the line can be long. Go early morning or twilight if you can to feel less rushed.
You don’t have to be in a building to get a sense of the city’s history.
Take a stroll down Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest residential street in America, and see how butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers lived and worked 300 years ago. Flower-boxes and colourful shutters adorn the well-preserved row of houses, which have been designated a National Historic Landmark.
2. Philadelphia’s museums are awesome
If your family goes “Booorrrrriiing” at the mention of museums, take ’em to Philly.
A 20-foot marble statue of Benjamin Franklin, the city’s founding father, looms massively over the entrance to the Franklin Institute, Pennsylvania’s most visited museum.
You could spend days in there and still not explore everything. Lots of hands-on science; walk-through, interactive body-parts, space-flight simulators, climb-aboard steam-engines, and enjoy the stars in the planetarium.
The Franklin Institute‘s website has a list of exhibits and experiences
Did Betsy Ross really make the first American flag?
Why not ask her yourself at the Betsy Ross museum.
Staff in full costume and character bring this tour to life, demonstrating the crafts of the day.
“Betsy” will even teach your young ones to make the original five pointed star. Again, lots of hands-on activities and an audio tour that is entertaining as well as informative.
Learn more about the Betsy Ross House Tours.
The National Constitution Centre is a must.
The show “Freedom Rising” which combines live acting with audiovisual is truly moving.
Then you can don judicial robes to pass judgement in the Supreme Court and take the Presidential oath of the office.
In Signers’ Hall, life-size bronze figures of the Constitution’s proposers and dissenters loom over you while you choose whether to sign or disagree.
And if you are a fan of the film National Treasure, you’ll love being able to see one of the rare original public copies of the Constitution on display.
3. Philadelphia is quirky
Benjamin Franklin is said to still roam the streets of Old City, and you can try to see him yourself on one of the city’s nightly ghost tours.
Taking candle lanterns, you visit all the major historic sites, which do look distinctly spooky at twilight, while your guide tells you tall tales of mysteries and mayhem.
It’s a lot of fun and includes a slow amble through St. Peter’s Cemetery, widely reported to be the most haunted site in the city.
The view from the top of City Hall is well worth the trip up in the rattly lift. Sitting just under the statue of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania state, the observation deck is nearly 500 feet above street level.
The sculptor Alexander Milne Calder wanted his bronze statue of Penn to face south so it would be in sunlight for most of the day.
Instead, it faces north-east, giving him excellent views of Penn Treaty Park, commemorating the site where he signed a treaty with the local Native American tribe. Maybe that’s better anyway.
The views are great, even though the City Hall tower is now dominated by the huge skyscraper of One Liberty Place.
Okay, cue music.
People of a certain generation just can’t go to Philly without humming that inspiring theme tune and launching themselves up the Art Museum’s steps, as Sylvester Stallone did in the original Rocky.
There’s a bronze statue to “the Italian Stallion” at the foot of those steps, and always a line of folks waiting to take that triumphant pose alongside him.
If you’re a real Rocky fan, you can take the Rocky Tour of the city, stopping off at all the famous film locations.
Just don’t be too disappointed if they don’t look exactly like they did on the screen all those years ago.
4. Philadelphia is family friendly
Philadelphia Zoo is a fabulous family day out with nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered, to meet. Primates and big cats have their own network of tunnels and paths which cross the human route, so you need to keep your eyes peeled as they could be anywhere all around you.
If it’s hot, there are plenty of parks to enjoy in the city centre, including the fun water spouts at the Sister Cities park.
This open space is inspired by the nearby Wissahickon Valley, which if you have transport you really must visit. It’s the most beautiful trail through woodland, a covered bridge and waterways.
Originally built in 1737, The Thomas Mill Covered Bridge on Forbidden Drive is the only remaining Covered Bridge in the Wissahickon Valley Park.
5. Fast food that’s really good
This could turn into a long list of culinary delights.
Everyone will have their own opinion of where you can get the best, but you can’t come to Philadelphia without trying at least one of the following:
- A Philly cheese-steak
- A Hoagie
- Soft pretzels
- Amish doughnuts
- Anything at all from Reading Terminal Market
As you can tell, we love Philly. So, have we tempted you to explore the best things to see and do in Philadelphia?
Like us, you’ll discover historic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods, world-class museums, and delicious food.
More information about Philadelphia
The City of Brotherly Love is a great city break in any season.
• See the Visit Philly website
Where to next?
• A royal day out at Hever Castle, Kent
• Malga Mure – real Italian home-cooking
• Fallingwater