Information for Travelers
Philadelphia is one of the most important historic cities in America.
At Independence Hall on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted, and in September 1787 the Constitution was drafted.
A century earlier, William Penn, a prominent Pennsylvania Quaker and namesake, had been a catalyst for the changes that transformed these British colonies into an independent nation.
Today, modern office towers coexist with the narrow cobblestone streets of Independence Historic National Park, which is home to historic buildings and landmarks including the Liberty Bell, Franklin Court and Independence Hall.
To the south is Society Hill, the city's original residential area. Many of these 18th century buildings have been beautifully restored.
Likewise, Germantown, in northwestern Philadelphia, is another old residential section, inhabited initially by Germans and Dutch.
Culture
The city of Philadelphia is notable for its rich history, on display at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed.
To the west, along the Schuylkill River, is Fairmount Park, a vast greenbelt containing numerous federal-style mansions, as well as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum.
To the south is the museum district, including the Franklin Institute of Science Museum and the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Also iconic are the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, immortalized by Sylvester Stallone's triumphant run in the movie "Rocky."
Read about Philadelphia in Wikipedia