The Real Philadelphia

Welcome to the City of Philadelphia, commonly referred to as the City of Brotherly Love, located in the Keystone State. The city, with a population of roughly 1,526,006 individuals as of 2010, is about the fifth most populated city in the entire United States. Philadelphia was first founded in 1682 and has since been known as one of the most historical cities in America. The city is home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, The Philadelphia Museum of Arts, and the very first zoo in America, The Philadelphia Zoo.

The city of Philadelphia is known for its rich history, culture, and most importantly, the arts. The citizens of Philadelphia take great pride in having so much to offer guests and tourists. You will be utterly amazed when you arrive in Philadelphia because there are so many different things to learn and experience. Aside from the culture and history, Philadelphia is predominantly known for some of its delicious foods. The Philadelphia Cheesesteak, for example, is like no other cheesesteak from any other area. When you come to Philadelphia, you absolutely have to have a cheesesteak, with or without, and it will surely satisfy your taste buds. The soft pretzel is also considered a Philadelphia food. These pretzels are nothing like the kind you find in the freezer section of your grocery store. They are often handmade, baked to perfection, and served warm.

While in Philadelphia, you can experience the culture and arts by visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This museum happens to be one of the biggest museums of art in America. As a visitor, you will be able to enjoy the work of various artists and tons of different artistic collections. The museum is constantly showing different exhibits and there are plenty of art galleries to be seen. Visiting the museum is perfect for adults and children because it is fun but it is also a learning experience as well. If you have never been to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you may recognize it from the famous Rocky movies, which seems to have made the city of Philadelphia famous around the globe. Outside of the museum, you will notice the infamous Rocky Balboa statue and you can take a picture with it if you would like. While downtown, you will also want to visit Independence Hall. Independence Hall is a historical landmark because this is the location in which the Declaration of Independence was discussed. The Liberty Bell is also located within Independence Hall and is quite a sight to see. The bell was first made in the late 1800’s and is now a piece of history that will remain in its location for centuries.

After experiencing the delicious Philly cuisine and learning more about the history and culture of the city, you can head over to some of the most popular attractions in Philadelphia. One of these attractions is the Philadelphia Zoo. The Philadelphia Zoo is the first zoo to have ever existed in the United States and that is something Philly prides itself on. The zoo in Philadelphia is an affordable attraction for adults and children. There are more than 1300 different animals and species in the zoo, some of which you will even be able to interact with. The zoo features a section that enables children and adults to pet and even ride certain animals. Children and adults love the exhibits of different mammals, reptiles, birds, and more. Children can also enjoy a carousel ride, swan boats, and face painting. The Zoo Balloon is also available, for those who want to go on a thrilling adventure.

While the zoo is loads of fun, the Please Touch Museum provides hours of fun for children and adults as well. This is a museum that people with children absolutely love because it was designed for the children. Your children will not get in trouble at this museum, as they are allowed to touch every exhibit. In fact, that is actually the point! From roadhouse attractions to Playhouse Theater, kids will enjoy their time at this Philadelphia Museum and you will too.

The people of Philadelphia are also known for being huge sports fans, proudly representing their cities team at any given opportunity. Depending on when you visit, the Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, or the Philadelphia 76ers may be playing games. Out of all the different sports that are played in Philadelphia, it seems that the fan favorite is baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies actually won the World Series in 2008. The Phillies play at the Citizens Bank Park and you can easily score some tickets for your family and yourself, enjoying quality time with the family while watching a live sports game. If you are going to a Phillies game, make sure you wear your read in support of the team, as red is one of the major Phillies colors.

The nightlife in Philadelphia is quite vibrant, with bars, pubs, and night clubs located all around the city. The downtown area is known for having some of the most popular night clubs and bars, along with the ever so popular South Street. South Street is a stretch of street, home to different kinds of stores, theaters, and bars. Many people, both citizens of the city and tourists, enjoy shopping on the stretch of South Street. You will find piercing and tattoo spots, such as The Tattooed Mom. You will also find popular bars, such as Fat Tuesday’s. Some of the shops on the stretch include Bare Feet Shoes, CEX, Game Stop, Starbucks, and many different pizza and steak shops. Jim’s Steaks always has a line out the door because people cannot get enough of the cheesesteaks. The Steaks on South restaurant is also a good spot to grab a bite to eat. If you want to grab a Philadelphia souvenir and some frozen yogurt or ice-cream, there are also different stores and shops on the stretch of South Street that cater to these different items.