The city of Philadelphia is one of the best places to visit in the U.S and is especially satisfying to people who love American history.
Located in the state of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, or The City of Brotherly Love, is where the nation was founded, with the American Constitution drafted and the Declaration of Independence signed therein.
If keen on making your first trip there, there are things you just have to do. Keep reading this guide to find out what they are.
Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell doesn’t make a sound, so there’s no risk of you feeding your curiosity and then getting into trouble. The message, though, still resounds throughout every state, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
The bell, though cracked, is a national treasure, and people from all over the world flock to it every year to take photos and just marvel at the historic aura. There’s also Independence Hall, where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were drafted and signed (respectively), right there. Both sites are free to visit.
Visit The LOVE Sculpture
They don’t call Philly The City of Brotherly Love for nothing and, one of the most famous landmarks over there is the Robert Indiana sculpture or LOVE sculpture in the John F. Kennedy Plaza, or LOVE Park as it’s more affectionately known.
The sculpture attracts loads of folks who want to take photos near it, such as couples, families, and friends looking to show how much they love each other.
The LOVE sculpture was restored and repainted in 2018, while the park has been redesigned in order to have more green areas, as well as a high-tech water feature and a small visitor’s kiosk that was added in 2021.
There’s also another LOVE sculpture in the city; this one’s just west of Center City on the University of Pennsylvania campus near 36th and Locust Street. The Spanish version, the AMOR sculpture, can be found at Sister Cities Park, just six minutes from LOVE Park.
Take A Photo With Rocky
That scene in Rocky where Sylvester Stalone runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art has become iconic, and the 72 steps have long since been a heavy tourist spot. People from all over visit the location so they can run up the stairs themselves, hands in the air and all.
While it might seem corny to some, it’s definitely fun. And, waiting at the bottom when you’re back is the famous bronze Rocky statue built for the third iteration of the movie. Since you’d be right outside of the museum, you might as well pay a visit there too.
Enjoy An Authentic Philly Cheesesteak
You’ve heard of the Philly cheesesteak, right? It’s been vaunted in many movies and TV shows, more memorably in Will Smith’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Philadelphia’s most famous thing to eat, you just have to try it whenever you go there, diet or not.
The Philly cheesesteak consists of chopped steak, cheese, and fried onions (if you want fried onions). You get to choose the type of cheese too. The folks who are very familiar with the glorious treat have theirs with American, Whiz, or provolone.
You could find Philly cheesesteaks in plenty of locations and the best spot to get one is the subject of many an argument. But for the best experience, head over to the intersection of South 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue where you could choose from Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks. Both spots attract thousands of people every day. You could try both out and decide on the one that’s right for you.
Catch a 76ers Game
If you’re in Philly during the NBA season and can find tickets to a 76ers game, book yourself a visit to the Wells Fargo Center, the home of the famous Sixers. Philly is away from the action at the moment, having exited the playoffs in the second round. But next season should be a good one, given that the team is sort of in transition.
You could make some money on the games too as the major pennsylvania bookies offer odds on team futures but, if that’s not your thing, there are Pennsylvania online casinos replete with various games that can win you lots of cash.
Visit Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Modeled after the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is referred to as Philadelphia’s most artistic mile. Some of the city’s most important cultural institutions, such as the Franklin Institute and Barnes Foundation, are there. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway also houses The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
You could also check out the former prison, Eastern State Penitentiary, which is a 15-minute walk from the Museum of Art.
