Philadelphia Points of Interest
The Philly Skyline from the Delaware River
Philadelphia is much more than cobblestone streets and historical landmarks. It's
an exciting city surrounded with cultural, culinary, artistic and ethnic treasures that
will surely spark and capture your interest and give you wonderful memories for
many years to come.
The exciting city of Philly is famous
as the birthplace of life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness and is often
referred to as the city of brotherly
love. It is a city that has far more
sights and activities to enjoy than
can be seen during a short reunion
stay and will have you saying I wish
we weren’t leaving for home.
For a bit of the Philly’s flavor, we
have pointed out a few of Philly's
popular attractions that are only a
short walk away from the Loews
Hotel that is hosting our Perry's 9th reunion.
Liberty Bell-A symbol for freedom worldwide
The first "Liberty Bell" arrived from England
in 1752. It was cast to mark the fiftieth
anniversary of Penn's Charter of Privileges.
The original bell cracked while being tested
and was recast and hung in April 1753. Its
most famous ring may have been on July 8,
1776 when it summoned the citizens of
Philadelphia to the State House Yard to hear
the Declaration of Independence read. The
bell cracked again in 1835 when tolling for
the funeral of Chief Justice John Marshall.
The Liberty Bell has a new home that is as
powerful and dramatic as the Bell itself.
Throughout the expansive, light-filled
Center, larger-than life historic documents
and graphic images explore the facts and the
myths surrounding the Bell. X-rays give an insider's view, literally, of the Bell's
crack and inner workings. In quiet alcoves, a short History Channel film, available
in English and eight other languages, traces how abolitionists, suffragists and other
groups adopted the Bell as its symbol of freedom.
Independence Hall
This State House was first begun in 1732 and
finished in 1756. It served as the meeting place
of the provincial and state governments. The
Second Continental Congress met here and
drafted and ratified the Articles of
Confederation. George Washington also
presided over the Constitutional Convention
here.
Congress Hall
Like the democratic ideals it once served,
Congress Hall is simple, but powerful. The
nation’s fledgling legislature occupied the
former County Court House, a two-story
brick Georgian structure that characterized
Congress’ roles. The House of
Representatives on
the first floor (Lower House) looks as it did
for John Adams’ inauguration in 1797-spare
and unadorned, with desks for 106
representatives from 16 states. On the second
floor, the recently restored U.S. Senate
(Upper House) is more elaborate, with deep
green walls and fabric. Carpeting with the
American eagle encircled by the seals of the
13 original states dominates the room.
Larger-than-life portraits of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, gifts of the French
government, hang in the adjacent committee rooms.
Avenue of the Arts
Designated in 1993 by representatives of the region’s
business, political, community and arts leadership,
the Avenue of the Arts is a stretch of more than fourand-a-half miles along the main artery of Broad
Street that encompasses the recently built Kimmel
Center for the Performing Arts, as well as landmark
establishments such as the historic Academy of
Music and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine
Arts, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2005.
Along and around the Avenue, restaurants, shops and
hotels enliven the busy thoroughfare, and just blocks
away is the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, an arts and
cultural hotspot that stretches from City Hall to the
Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Art in City Hall
Discover fine art on display year-round, in special display cases on the 2nd and 4th
floors of the landmark Second Empire-style building of City Hall. Art in City Hall
mounts three group shows a year,
each on a different theme, and
always featuring artists of the
Philadelphia area.
Guest curators, invited jurors or
members of an advisory council
choose the artists, keeping ideas
fresh and quality high. Recent
exhibits have looked at examples
of digital art, artwork made in
glass, and images of City Hall, for
its 100th birthday. Over 800
artists have been showcased
through this program so far.
Begun in 1984, the Art in City
Hall program was revived by
Mayor Rendell in 1992 to
underscore the city's commitment
to the arts. The program makes
City Hall a true participant in the
"Avenue of the Arts," the stretch
of Broad Street that includes the Kimmel Center, the Pennsylvania Academy of the
Fine Arts, and other cultural attractions.
Elfreth's Alley
While a modern, 21st century city
has sprung up around it, Elfreth's
Alley is the nation's oldest
continuously inhabited street,
dating back to the mid 1700s.
Elfreth's Alley preserves three
centuries of evolution through its
old-fashioned flower boxes,
shutters, Flemish bond brickwork
and other architectural details. Two
adjacent houses, built in 1755, are
now a museum and are open to
the public.
Franklin Court
Inventor. Publisher. Diplomat.
Statesman. Scientist. The life
and accomplishments of
America's favorite renaissance
man Ben Franklin are
celebrated in a museum
complex tucked behind the
city's busy streets. Descend into
the adjacent underground
museum to discover some of
Franklin's many inventions
including his music stand, glass
"armonica", and library chair.
While many of Franklin's
inventions like his bifocals,
stove and lightning rodimproved the quality of life for
individuals, many of his
innovations had an even
broader social impact. Public libraries, fire departments, postal services, public
education and public hospitals are all rooted in Franklin's philosophy of a
comfortable and equitable society.
The Reading Terminal Market
Established in 1892, the market is the
nation's oldest continuously operating
farmers' market in the country. At the
market, you can enjoy eating virtually every
type of cuisine, from soul food and
exquisite Asian and Middle Eastern dishes
to authentic Philly Cheese-steaks and
traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cooking.
The northwestern corner of the market is
primarily devoted to Amish merchants from
Lancaster County, who bring their farmfresh products and distinctive prepared
dishes to the Market four days a week.
Watch the Amish bakers twist and bake soft
pretzels right in front of your eyes then try
one while it is still warm from the oven. Chefs from the finest local restaurants
come to the market each morning to purchase the very freshest in meats, poultry,
seafood and specialty ingredients. Cooking demonstrations and cookbook signings
are frequent events.