Philadelphia Overview

Welcome to Philadelphia, birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, home to some of the finest restaurants in the country, plenty of museums and nightlife, and a growing reputation for 21st century technologies.<

Districts

Philadelphia occupies as much land as New York City, but with a smaller population of about 1.5 million spread out over the area. Downtown Philadelphia is referred to as Center City. This covers 30 blocks from the Delaware River on the east end to the Schuykill River on the west side, as far north as Spring Garden Street and south to South Street. But within this area there are even more neighborhoods.

You'll find most places are within a mile of City Hall. Stroll on pleasant, tree-lined streets that display a rich mix of architecture ranging from Colonial to Victorian to Bauhaus, sometimes all presented within the same block. Each street connects to smaller and smaller streets and alleyways that hide small groups of houses, clever gardens, footnotes to American history and good coffee spots to take a rest.

Entertainment

Philadelphia has a history of introducing new entertainment to the rest of the country. Broadway shows used to regularly try out their material here before moving on to New York. There are still lots of new plays and touring companies that perform here and this is still a town where they talk about the Philly Sound.

Because of the city's rich history, there are plenty of museums chronicling national history, including the multicultural and technological innovations that came with democracy. These museums and historic sites are friendly to children and innovative in the way they educate and entertain at the same time.

Dining and Drinking

If every museum, business, historic site and theater in town burned down overnight, you could still have a terrific trip to Philadelphia simply by eating. Everything is available here, starting with an extraordinary number of Italian and Asian restaurants. Philadelphia was also an early center for American nouvelle cuisine and this has developed into a heritage the locals take for granted. For the adventurous traveler with a hearty appetite, try the famous Philly cheesesteak!

According to recent surveys, Pennsylvania has the third largest number of microbreweries after California and Colorado. And what beer! While it is to be expected that some of the microbrews are not very interesting, what's unexpected is the large number of high-quality local beers available in many of the bars and restaurants here.

Where To Stay

Opening the new convention center a few years ago caused a hotel building boom that nearly tripled the number of accommodations overnight. Everything is available, from five-star luxury suites to family bargains at inexpensive motels. Bed-and-breakfast establishments can put you in a quiet cozy room a few blocks from your destination. Cabs and public transportation make cars unnecessary for most places, though many hotels provide parking.

Did You Know?

Philadelphia has an international reputation for its Rowing competitions such as Head of the Schuylkill. Inter-collegiate and professional rowing teams are a popular sight up and down the Schuylkill River that runs through Philly. The City of Brotherly Love is also home to the Liberty Bell and the place where the Continental Congress met in 1776 to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Orientation/Geography

Philadelphia is on the Delaware River, in southeastern Pennsylvania near the New Jersey border.


Content Provided by WCities