"Olde Towne" Philadelphia

At the time of the American Revolution (circa 1775-1787) Philadelphia was the largest city in the colonies, a major industrial port city and the home to the Continental Congress. The history of this revolutionary period is preserved in a historic district termed “Old Towne”.

If time permits, don't limit your visit to Independence National Historical Park to just the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall. You can easily spend two or three days exploring the sites here. From Front Street to 7th Street and between Market & Race Street you can stroll the 20 city blocks which span over 55 acres as you discover much of our country's most important resources that are associated with the establishment of the United States of America. These sites include the First and Second Banks of the United States, Congress Hall and Old City Hall. Additionally, the park tells the story of Philadelphia's most famous citizen, Benjamin Franklin, in Franklin Court, where Franklin's home once stood.

OK I’m repeating myself from past posts but I think that Philadelphia does not get enough credit and is missing from many tourists’ maps and itineraries. The Greater Philadelphia Visitors and Convention has a great website and it will provide you with plenty of sightseeing suggestions and options.

In my travels here I’ve stayed outside the city center and used the public transit system to get around. Like Boston Philly is a great walking city plus its excellent transit system is the best way to get around town. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) offers a very comprehensive bus/subway/commuter-rail system and trolley commuter services that will get you anywhere you need to go or at least very close. At about $6.00 a person the day passes are the way to go.

My visits here have been history oriented but there is a wealth of other things to see and do, plenty of attractions for families and the non history type. I’ll touch on these options in later posts.