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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Welcome to our Area Attractions Page! There are a lot of exciting places to visit if you're in town. I've
indicated some of my f avorite places below, along with a photo and description.
I love to eat and try new places. I've also listed some of MY favorite restaurants below!
MY Dining MY Restaurant & Bar Picks

In Blue Bell Pennsylvania located just outside the city of Philadelphia sits the Black Horse Inn. ONCE
Threatened by recent developers who would like to tear it down to build a WALMART; IT HAS NOW
BEEN SAVED!! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SIGNED THE PETITION THROUGH CFSBOOKS.COM'S WEBSITE TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT TO THIS HISTORICAL LANDMARK!!- Black Horse Inn On Bethlehem Pike WILL REMAIN!!! Please donate to the project. THEY Need Your Help! Click here

Many famous individuals and historical events took place in our area. The signing of the
Declaration Of Independence, the battles in the Civil War,
The Revolutionary War, Betsy Ross, and the Liberty Bell, Scholarly subjects and much more!!

During the Revolutionary war George Washington stayed at the Blue Bell Inn, (once known as the White House until 1776). The Blue Bell Inn, now a fine restaurant has a wonderful menu! More information is provided below on the Blue Bell Inn under our Area Attractions Section. Historical Valley Forge Park was also once home for Washington and his troops during the war.

. Area Attractions

Click photos to enlarge-Most info. provided by gophila.com

Aerial of William Penn Statue Atop City Hall

The William Penn Statue, 37 feet tall, is the largest single piece of sculpture on any building in the world. The statue stands on City Hall in Philadelphia (built 1871-1901), which is the tallest building ever constructed without a skeleton of steel girders. Today, Penn is framed by modern skyscrapers with decorative nighttime lighting. Visitors can take free tours of City Hall and ride a tower elevator up to the base of Penn’s feet, where a domed area offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Delaware Valley. Philadelphia boasts the largest city hall in America. It is located at the intersection of Broad and Market Streets.

William Penn Statue

William Penn, standing atop the City Hall Tower, looks over the city he founded in 1682. At 37-feet tall, the bronze statue, created by Alexander Milne Calder, is the tallest statue on any building in the world.

Boathouse Row at Night

Local boating clubs take great pride in their 19^th century boat houses, which line the Schuylkill River just west of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At night, twinkling white lights outline one of the city’s loveliest views, which has become known as Boathouse Row. This sculling course at the western edge of Center City is one of the most popular locations for regattas in the world. It was immortalized by Philadelphia artist Thomas Eakins. The best views are from the West River Drive, entering the city.

Benjamin Franklin Bridge

A nighttime view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge shows its graceful structure, designed by Paul
Phillipe Cret, Beaux-Arts architect of the Rodin Museum and other Philadelphia landmarks. The
bridge spans across the Delaware River, connecting Philadelphia with Camden, New Jersey. It was
the largest single-span structure in the world when it opened in 1926. From dawn to dusk, visitors
can walk or bicycle across the bridge and enjoy breathtaking views of the waterfront and river life.

View down Benjamin Franklin Parkway toward Philadelphia Museum of Art

The grand Benjamin Franklin Parkway was built to connect Fairmount Park with the center of the city. This gracious boulevard stretches from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art (top of photo), and its design was inspired by the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris. The Parkway is lined with flowerbeds, trees, fountains, hotels and restaurants. It is home to many of the city’s large cultural institutions, including The Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Please Touch Museum,the Rodin Museum , the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Rittenhouse Square

Families gather in Rittenhouse Square, an upscale neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, featuring trendy shops, restaurants and galleries, for an afternoon in the park.

Rittenhouse Square – Delancy Street

Delancy Street is one of the many charming side streets in the Rittenhouse Square section of Center City, Philadelphia. A combination of colonial structures and contemporary houses make the intimate street perfect for a stroll.

Camac Street

A variety of early 19^th-century row houses occupy Camac Street, America’s only wooden block street. Camac is also home to two of the country’s oldest artist organizations such as The Sketch Club and The Plastic Club.

Society Hill by Horse and Buggy

The charmingly restored, 18^th century neighborhood of Society Hill is perhaps the most visited residential section of Philadelphia. With its fine mixture of Colonial and Federal style brick row houses, intimate courtyards and gracious cobblestone streets, Society Hill draws people on foot and by carriage. The neighborhood stretches from Front Street west to 8th Street and from Lombard Street to Walnut Street. The "society" in the name refers to the Free Society of Traders, a group of colonial businessmen to whom William Penn deeded land to encourage their economic leadership. Horse-drawn cabs driven by knowledgeable guides can be hailed in the vicinities of Independence Mall (4^th to 6^th on Chestnut Street) and Head House Square (2^nd and Pine Streets).

Broad Street – Avenue of the Arts

The Avenue of the Arts, located in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, is the city’s performing arts district. World-class theatres, museums, concert halls, and the soon-to-be-completed Regional Performing Arts Center call the Avenue home.

Chinatown in Philadelphia

The Chinese Friendship Gate, straddling 10^th Street just north of Arch Street, is 40-feet-tall and is the first authentic gate ever constructed by Chinese artisans outside of China. Building materials, including special ornamental tile, came all the way from Tianjin, China, the sister city to Philadelphia. Many of the artisans were from Beijing. Chinatown is centered at 10^th and Race Streets, around the corner from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The neighborhood is a residential and commercial hub for the local Asian community. More than 50 restaurants co-exist with grocery stores, bakeries, souvenir shops, martial arts studios, and a fortune cookie store.

South Street

A thriving commercial hub since colonial times, South Street has been reborn many times. Since the 1970s South Street has been an eclectic shopping and dining area of Philadelphia. From Front Street up through 9^th, one now finds specialty boutiques intermingled with traditional chain stores and eateries of all kinds. More serious restaurants and additional shops spill over onto the numbered streets flanking South. There are several venues for small theater and live music. This diversity invites an equally diverse crowd to mingle and enjoy the eccentric and trendy scene, which is especially popular with younger visitors. Take your teenagers to South Street and you might even get them to a museum. (They’ll love the Mummer’s Museum at 2^nd and Washington.)

South Street

South Street was the city limit in William Penn’s plan for a "greene Country Towne." Today, it is urban to the max — bustling with a wide variety of restaurants, stores, galleries and performance venues. If you’re looking for "the hippest street in town," head south, between Front and 9^th. You’re sure to find some youthful action.

Chestnut Hill

Dining and shopping along Germantown Avenue have become the thing to do in this charming neighborhood with the gentility of a bygone era. Northwest of Center City but still within the city limits, Chestnut Hill began to flourish in earnest late in the 19^th century, with the extension of the Pennsylvania Railroad line. The main thoroughfare, Germantown Avenue, is paved in hand-laid Belgian blocks and lined with restaurants, galleries and boutiques. Beyond "the Avenue," visitors find fine examples of Colonial Revival and Queen Anne style homes. The Woodmere Art Museum, at 9201 Germantown Avenue, is open to the public.

Manayunk

What happens when people discover the charm of a canal-edged Main Street just minutes from Center City? You get Manayunk — over a half-mile long, with over 65 shops and galleries and scores of restaurants. Shoppers and diners enjoy the wealth of possibilities, from Pacific rim relics to contemporary housewares and designer clothing. Le Bus is just one of the many Manayunk establishments offering relaxed dining inside and out.

City Council Caucus Room at City Hall

This skyward view shows the rotunda ceiling in the City Council Caucus Room of City Hall in Philadelphia. It is just one of many magnificent features in the nation’s largest and grandest city hall, designed in the Second Empire style by architect John McArthur, Jr. and built from 1871 to 1901.

Conversation Hall at City Hall

Conversation Hall was originally designed as a Council meeting chamber (hence, the name). However,
it never served this purpose, and today it operates as an adjunct to the Mayor’s Reception Room.
Located on the second floor in City Hall Tower, this impressive room features busts of the founding fathers, a statue of George Washington (featured in the photo), intricate mosaic floors, granite
columns, and a beautiful brass chandelier. It was restored circa 1980.

Old Pine Street Church

The Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church, established in 1768, is the only remaining
colonial Presbyterian church and churchyard in America. During the Revolutionary War, occupying British soldiers burned most of the interior. The space was used as a hospital and then a stable.
The soaring double Corinthian columns were added during a restoration in 1830. The church, located on the corner of 4^th and Pine Streets, is open daily and free to the public.

St Peter’s Episcopal Church

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church has been in continuous use since its first service in 1761. Mayor
Samuel Powel hosted George and Martha Washington here in pew 41. In the churchyard lie, among
others, painter Charles Wilson Peale and seven Native American chiefs. Scottish architect Robert Smith
designed this large, brick, Palladian-style structure, as well as Carpenter’s Hall and the steeple on
Christ
Church. William Strickland was responsible for the tower and spiral, added in 1842. The church is
located at
3^rd and Pine Streets.

Statue of Religious Liberty

"Religious Liberty" is a 25-foot marbel monument that was carved in Italy and shipped to Philadelphia for the nation's Centennial Exposition in 1876. It was created by Sir Moses Jacob Ezekiel, the first American Jewish sculptor to gain international prominence. The statue was dedicated to the people of the United States to honor their Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. In 1985, it was relocated (from Fairmount Park) tot the grounds of the National Museum of American Jewish History, located at 55 North 5th Street, (Independence Mall East).

Pennsylvania Convention Center

Opened in June 1993, the Pennsylvania Convention Center has 1.5 million square feet of space and an exhibit hall the size of six football fields. Visitors can cross a sky bridge from the Philadelphia Marriot
Hotel to view the architectural highlight of the Center – the magnificently restored, Victorian style
Reading train shed. The Center showcases the largest permanent collection of contemporary
art, installed throughout the building. Located at 1101 Arch Street, the Convention Center is
within walking distance of the historic area, shopping and other tourist attractions.

Comcast-Spectacor’s First Union Center

Comcast-Spectacor’s First Union Center has set the standard for sports and entertainment facilities, attracting more than 400 annual events and 4,000,000 visitors. The home of the Philadelphia Flyres (NHL), the 76ers (NBA) and the Wings (NLL) will also host the 2000 NCAA Women’s Final Four and the Republican National Convention. With more than 700,000 square feet, Comcast-Spectacor’s First Union Center can accommodate private parties, social gatherings and other hospitality requests from 20 to 21,000. Comcast-Spectacor’s First Union Center is the first arena with its own microbrewery and cigar club as well as a 24-hour regional sportsnetwork on the main concourse. The state-of-the-art facility features five different levels of seating, including three levels of premium seating (126 luxury suites
and 14 Club Box sections). Behind-the-scenes tours of Comcast-Spectacor’s First Union Center are
available.

Aerial View of Philadelphia Museum of Art and Skyline

One of the country’s leading museums, the Philadelphia Museum of Art makes an impression with its massive structure even before you enter. Modeled after a temple in the Greco-Roman style, the museum covers l0 acres where Fairmount Park spills into Center City. The view down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from the front steps of the museum is one of the city’s most breathtaking. The surrounding Philadelphia skyline has an interesting history. When City Hall (visible at the far end of the Parkway) was completed in 1901, an architectural "gentlemen’s agreement" prohibited any building from standing taller than the hall’s 40 stories or 491 feet. In the 1980s, a developer proposed a taller structure and a heated debate ensued, one side wanting to preserve the city’s "human scale" and another wanting to add drama to the city’s skyline. The latter group won out, and in 1987, Liberty Place One (61 stories) opened in Philadelphia, followed quickly by others.

ART MUSEUM

From the Schuylkill River, the Philadelphia Museum of Art rises majestically at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Constructed of Minnesota Dolomite and completed in 1928, the museum covers 10 acres and houses more than 300,000 works spanning 2,000 years. Beyond individual artworks, the museum offers the most lavish collection of period rooms found anywhere in America, as well as suits of armor, an entire Japanese tea house, and other faithfully reconstructed environments. Below the museum, on Kelly Drive along the east bank of the Schuylkill, is a section of the city’s famous Boathouse Row, home to many historic rowing clubs. To the right in the foreground is the Fairmont Water Works, built in 1812; it supplied Philadelphia with pure drinking water from the Schuylkill until 1911.

Griffin Adorning the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Several bronze griffins adorn the roof of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a structure that represents the pinnacle of Beaux-Arts craftsmanship in the United States. These mythological beasts symbolize strength and vigilance and are said to guard their hoards of fabulous treasure tirelessly. The world-renowned collection of artwork inside is symbolically protected by these "Hounds of Zeus." They have become the symbol for the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, founded in 1805, is the nation’s oldest art museum
and school. Housed in a Gothic Victorian building designed by Frank Furness and George W. Hewitt, it
was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975. The museum offers one of the world’s
finest collections of American painting and sculpture. Notable alumni of the Academy School
include Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Maxfield Parrish and Alexander Calder. It is located at 118
N. Broad Street (at the corner of Cherry Street), just two blocks from City Hall.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

The exquisitely restored Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts houses masterworks by
American artists such as Charles Wilson Peale, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, Horace Pippin
and Andrew Wyeth. Shown here, the great stairhall leads to the galleries on the second floor.
These galleries feature natural light and décor that matches their exhibits. The Academy is located
at 118 N. Broad Street (at the corner of Cherry Street), just two blocks from City Hall.

Academy of Natural Sciences

"Discovering Dinosaurs" in Dinosaur Hall is the most popular attraction at this distinguished museum and research center on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Here you’ll find the reconstructed skeleton of a tyrannosaurus rex and a dinosaur dig where kids can hunt for buried fossils. In another exhibit, live butterflies flutter around you in a tropical rain forest. Founded in 1812, the Academy is the first museum of natural history in the country, and the building dates from 1868.

Rodin Museum

Rodin’s "Thinker" muses at the gateway to the Rodin Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. One of the city’s museum gems, this elegant structure houses the largest collection of work by Auguste Rodin to be found outside of France. The collection was amassed by Philadelphia motion picture exhibitor Jules Mastbaum, who assembled his extraordinary holdings in the space of four years. Beaux Arts architects Paul Cret and Jacques Gréber designed the building and grounds, with an entry based on Rodin’s own Chateau D’Issy. The unfinished "Gates of Hell," with over 200 distinct figures, is the massive centerpiece of the collection. Only two bronze casts of the work have ever been made — the one here and one in Paris.

The Thinker

This full size cast of "The Thinker" greets visitors to the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, which also has the largest collection of work by Auguste Rodin to be found outside of Paris. This pensive figure was originally conceived by the artist as Danté, contemplating his Inferno. He sat atop the monumental work "The Gates of Hell," which is actually comprised of 200 individual figures. The museum is located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 21^st and 22^nd Streets, an easy walk from the grand Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Chinese Rotunda at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

The Chinese Rotunda, featuring one of the finest collections of Chinese monumental sculpture in
the United States, is one of the 30 galleries in this museum on the campus of the University
of Pennsylvania. A visitor and her child are admiring a crystal ball once owned by the Empress
Dowager
of China. The world-renowned museum, designed by Italian born architect Wilson Eyre, Jr.,
among others, opened in 1899 and houses nearly one million artifacts from around the world. It
is located at 33^rd and Spruce Streets, within easy reach of Center City by public transportation or
on foot.

Lower Egyptian Gallery at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

The Lower Egyptian gallery of the world-renowned University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology includes the 12-ton granite Sphinx of Ramesses II among its treasures. The
museum, designed by Italian born architect Wilson Eyre, Jr. and others opened in 1899 and
houses nearly one million artifacts from around the world. It is located at 33^rd and Spruce
Streets, within easy reach of Center City by public transportation or on foot.

Benjamin Franklin Memorial at the Franklin Institute Science Museum

The heroic, 30-foot statue of Benjamin Franklin presides over the octagonal Benjamin Franklin Memorial Chamber which was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The Franklin Institute, named to honor inventor and scientist Benjamin Franklin, is the oldest organization in the United States devoted to the study and promotion of mechanical arts and applied sciences. The Institute was founded in 1824 by Samuel Vaughan Merrick. The current building, at 20^th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, also houses an interactive museum of science and technology and a giant screen, educational movie theater. The original building was completed in 1934 and modeled after the Deutsches Museum of Munich.

Walk-Through Model of a Human Heart at the Franklin Institute Science Museum

One of the most popular activities at the Franklin Institute is walking through the world’s largest artificial heart (220 times life-size). Other exhibits at this beloved family attraction include the cockpit of a T-33 jet trainer, a 350-ton Baldwin steam locomotive that actually runs, astronomy shows in the Fels Planetarium, and giant screen films in the Tutltleman Omniverse Theater.

Sky Bike at First Union Science Park Outside the Franklin Institute Science Museum

Children ride the Sky Bike at First Union Science Park, a play-and-learn area attached to the Franklin Institute Science Museum and Please Touch Museum®. Eighteen feet above the rest of the science park, this demonstration of gyroscopic stability is a favorite among young visitors. The Franklin Institute is located at 20^th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Mutter Museum

This collection of 139 skulls is found in one of the most unusual museums anywhere — the Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, which offers specimens of anatomy and pathology and historic medical instruments. Imagine the skeleton of a 7’6" giant and a 3’6" dwarf, bone and tissue fragments from famous and infamous Americans, a plaster cast of the original Siamese Twins, as well as old medical kits, lobotomy instruments, an early 20^th century doctor’s office, and an iron lung. Adjacent to the Museum is the College Gallery for changing exhibits on current medical topics, such as Emerging Infectious Diseases. The Museum and Gallery are located in the 1908 Gregorian-style building of the College of Physicians. The College was established by Benjamin Rush and twenty-three other prominent physicians in 1787, and is the oldest surviving private medical society in the country. The College is dedicated to enhancing the public’s understanding of current and historical medicine and of the role of the physician in society. It is located on 22^nd Street between Market and Chestnut.

Please Touch Museum®

Please Touch Museum® opened in its current location at 210 North 21st Street in 1983, with
the innovative mission of providing an educational, fun, and safe experience for children ages 1 to 7. One of its interactive exhibits, "Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland," allows children to live the
wild adventures in this classic tale. Other exhibits include "Sendak," a journey through four of
Maurice Sendak’s most popular books; "Studio PTM," a child-size television studio; and "Move It,"
an exhibit teaching children about different forms of transportation. In late 2001, Please Touch® plans to expand and relocate within the Penn's Landing Family Entertainment Center.

Independence Seaport Museum at Penn’s Landing

Independence Seaport Museum captures the Philadelphia region’s maritime heritage with family-oriented interactive exhibits, ship models, artifacts and art. Visitors can explore the Museum, watch a wooden boat being built, climb aboard Admiral Dewey’s 1892 cruiser OLYMPIA, tour the WWII submarine BECUNA and visit the museum’s nautical gift shop. This 10,000 square foot maritime museum is located at the Delaware River’s edge on Penn’s Landing, just a short walk from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

National Liberty Museum

The National Liberty Museum in Old City, Philadelphia, celebrates America’s heritage of freedom through computer interactives, videos, exhibits and artwork.

LIBERTY BELL

Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.

LOCATION: 6th and Market Streets, in the Historic District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Open daily 9am-5pm with extended hours July and August. The bell is visible 24 hours a day. 215-597-8974 [MAP OF HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA

Independence Hall

Located on Chestnut Street between 5^th and 6^th Streets. The building is open year round,
though hours vary by season. Visitors are admitted free of charge by tour only. Constructed
between 1732 and 1756 as the state House of the Province of Pennsylvania, it is considered a
fine example of Georgian architecture. In the Assembly Room of this building, the Declaration
of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.

Second Bank of the United States

Designed by William Strickland, this building, built between 1819 and 1824, is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. Today the building houses an extensive collection of late 18^th and early 19^th century portraits.

Located on Chestnut Street, between 4^th and 5^th Streets the building houses the "Portraits of the Capital City" includes 185 paintings of Colonial and Federal leaders, military officers, explorers and scientists, including many by Charles Willson Peale. You can explore the gallery on your own, or guided tours are given upon request. The Second Bank is open daily.

Elfreth’s Alley: Fete Day

Colonial times were tough, and here a colonial re-enactor teaches today’s children how to defend their country during Fete Days in Elfreth’s Alley. This tiny, cobblestone street is the oldest continuously occupied residential block in America, dating to 1702. The Elfreth’s Alley Museum, at Number 126, is fully restored as a Colonial dressmaker’s home with authentic furnishings and kitchen and is open year-round. During Fete Days, the first weekend in June, Elfreth’s Alley residents dress in period costume and open their homes to the public. Homes are also open on the first weekend in December. The alley is tucked away between Front and 2^nd Streets, between Arch and Race.

Betsy Ross House

The Betsy Ross House, built in 1760, is seen here reflected in the window of a flag shop across the 200 block of Arch Street. A beautiful Colonial Philadelphia residence, the house normally flies the 13-star flag in its second-floor window to commemorate the first Stars and Stripes. This flag is widely believed to have been made by Ross to celebrate Independence in July of 1776. The eight-room house is full of artifacts such as a family Bible and the mistress’s chest of drawers and reading glasses. The small rooms are furnished with period pieces to reflect the life of the hardworking Quaker seamstress whose husband John owned an upholstery business and who was known for stitching ships’ colors during the Revolution.

CHECK OUT THE EDGAR ALLAN POE HOUSE RIGHT NEAR HERE

Bastille Day at Eastern State Penitentiary

Celebrate Bastille Day at Eastern State Penitentiary. Help storm the Bastille and join the crowds in deciding the fate of Marie Antoinette. Philadelphia, the home of American independence, is also the site of this rousing re-enactment of the French Revolution. It occurs at an 11-acre, historic prison in the Fairmount section of the city.

Pennsylvania Hospital

A sweeping garden graces the front of Pennsylvania Hospital, the oldest hospital in the United States, founded in 1751. It houses the nation’s first medical library and first surgical amphitheater from 1804, as well as a portrait gallery, early medical instruments, art objects, and a rare-book library with items dating from 1762. Today, Pennsylvania Hospital functions as a full-service modern medical center. It is located at 8^th and Spruce Streets.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (played here by an actor, standing on Elfreth’s Alley) is considered one of the greatest public figures in the history of our nation. He arrived in Philadelphia as a runaway apprentice from Boston in 1723. Until his death in 1790, he served the fledgling country as a printer, scientist, journalist, linguist, lawmaker, inventor, businessman and philosopher. Franklin was concerned with every trend that affected Philadelphia and the nation. He was instrumental in establishing such basic institutions as the postal service, fire companies, early hospitals and libraries. He even conceived of the first lottery (as a fund-raising measure during the French and Indian War) and the first matching grant (for the building of Pennsylvania Hospital). Franklin is also renowned as a pioneer in the field of electricity and his kite-and-key experiment is emblematic of scientific research.

Colonial Re-enactor in the Historic District

Philadelphia is a place where history reaches out and touches our lives. As the "nation’s birthplace," the city offers visitors the opportunity to trace the steps of our founding fathers (and mothers!) and experience great moments such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence or the drafting of the United States Constitution. Talented colonial re-enactors recreate the music, language and lifestyle of those momentous times and bring history off the page into vivid three-dimension.

SHOPPING

Rittenhouse Row

Shoppers love Philadelphia! Strolling on Walnut Street, you’re in the heart of Rittenhouse Row, surrounded by over 200 upscale dining, retail and cultural establishments. This is one of the nation’s most exclusive shopping neighborhoods, stretching from the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street) to 21^st Street, between Spruce and Market Streets. Rittenhouse Row is brimming with art galleries, haute couture boutiques, national retailers, specialty shops, luxurious spas and salons, restaurants and cafés. Whether you’re looking for a bargain, a bauble or a bagette, you’ll find it here.

Antique Row on Pine Street

Just six blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, antique-lovers can hunt for treasures in the shops along Pine Street (from 10^th to 18^th). From colonial heirlooms to 1950s kitsch, there’s something for everyone along this eight-block stretch known as "Antique Row." Restaurants and coffee shops provide a chance to rest your feet and admire your purchases.

The Bourse Shopping Mall

The Bourse, a unique urban shopping mall, is located just east of the Liberty Bell on 5^th Street, between Market and Chestnut. This delightful, late-Victorian building first opened in 1895 as home to Philadelphia’s maritime, stock and grain exchange, and was renovated in 1982 as an office and retail complex. With its airy atrium food court and many gift and souvenir shops, The Bourse is a convenient and refreshing stop for visitors to the historic district.

King of Prussia Mall

Three miles south of Valley Forge National Historical Park, King of Prussia The Plaza & The Court comprise the Nation’s largest retail shopping complex. Visitors can purchase clothing tax-free at 8 department stores (more than any other mall in the world) and over 350 specialty shops. Satisfy shopping-induced hunger at one of the mall’s 40 eateries.

King of Prussia Mall

YOU'LL NEED A MAP TO FIND YOU WAY OUT OF HERE!

King of Prussia The Plaza & The Court, the Nation’s largest retail-shopping complex, visitors will find shopping options for all budgets. They can choose from eight department stores (more than any other mall in the world) and hundreds of specialty shops such as Louis Vuitton, Gianni Versace, Abercrombie and Fitch, The Limited and The Gap, more than any other mall in the world! Shoppers never pay sales tax on clothing in Pennsylvania.

Franklin Mills Mall

Franklin Mills, the Landmark of the Discount Shopper, offers bargain hunters top designer names at up to 60% off designer merchandise every day — with no sales tax on clothing in Pennsylvania. This 1.7 million-square-foot enclosed mall is located only 15 miles from Center City Philadelphia and is home to 200 great stores, two food courts, seven theme restaurants and a 14-screen movie theater. Daily shuttle services from Philadelphia hotels, airport and train station is available. Shuttle service is also available on Academy Bus Lines departing from the Port Authority weekly in New York City.

Reading Terminal Market

The Reading Terminal Market, at 12^th and Arch Streets, was established in 1893 and is the nation’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market. Visitors enjoy eating virtually every type of cuisine, from soul food to Asian and Middle Eastern dishes to traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare — all available from largely family-run stands. Cooks come to the market for the very freshest in meats, poultry, fish and specialty ingredients. Cooking demonstrations and cookbook signings are frequent events. The northwestern corner of the market is primarily devoted to Lancaster County Amish merchants who bring their farm-fresh products and distinctive prepared dishes. Sit-down eateries are scattered throughout the market. Cookware, plants and flowers, books and many other items are also available.

The Italian Market

Here’s a piece of Italy hiding in Philadelphia. It’s the Italian Market, an outdoor and storefront culinary delight . Discover meats, cheeses, spices and produce the way they were meant to be enjoyed: fresh, local, lovingly purveyed. Small, family-run restaurants, and cafés surround the main corridor, which stretches along 9^th Street between Christian Streets to Wharton Streets. It’s just across the southern border of center city. So put on your walking shoes and prepare for an adventure!

The Gallery at Market East

One of the nation’s largest urban shopping center, spanning nearly four blocks, is home to nearly 170 stores and 40 eateries. In addition, some 50 pushcart merchants offer a variety of unique items.

Shopping on Rittenhouse Row

Upscale shops, salons and boutiques line Walnut Street between Broad to 20^th Streets. Francis Jerome, Sophy Curson, Nicole Miller and Ralph Lauren are among the streets big-name retailers.

Shopping on Rittenhouse Row

Upscale shops, salons and boutiques line Walnut Street between Broad to 20^th Streets. Francis Jerome, Sophy Curson, Nicole Miller and Ralph Lauren are among the streets big-name retailers.

Shopping in New Hope

Unique shops, restaurants, galleries and studios line the streets of historic New Hope, PA, a charming Bucks County town just 35 miles north of Philadelphia.Check out Shippack Village too~Located on Rt. 73 & Skippack Pike

My RESTAURANTS & BAR PICKS

Blue Bell Inn-Restaurant

Since 1743, the Blue Bell Inn has been serving guests food and beverage, and its earliest days offered lodging. The historic building was known as the White House until 1796 and was marked on George Washington's military maps of 1777 which led Washington and his troops to the Battle of Germantown. The old well at the Inn provided water for the troops during the journey, much to the fear of the Hessian mercenaries that were hiding in a cubbyhole in the basement.

Today, the award winning Blue Bell Inn is famous throughout the Delaware Valley for its fine food. John Lamprecht, its owner-proprietor and executive chef, has followed a family tradition started by his father who was once the garde-manger at the Warwick Hotel and is known to be the creator of Lamaze Sauce. The building was extensively remodeled and while the exterior still remains an imposing 18th century white building, the interiors are contemporary and spacious.

Blue Bell Inn
601 Skippack Pike
Blue Bell, Pa 19422
(215) 646-2010 Reservations
(215) 646-2426 Fax

Rouge 99

An intimate, French bistro atmosphere presides at this popular restaurant/bar/outdoor café located right on Rittenhouse Square. Guests can sip cocktails and eat imaginative cuisine while people-watching on the Square, thanks to heat lamps that keep the sidewalk cosy year-round. Rouge 99 is located at 205 South 18^th Street, around the corner from the Rittenhouse Row shopping district.

Square Bar

Square Bar is an intimate Italian restaurant located in the Sheraton Rittenhouse Square Hotel at 18^th and Locust Streets. Outdoor seating, facing the city’s most beautiful square, adds to the appeal of this café style eatery. It’s an ideal spot to take a break from shopping and to enjoy the vibrant life on the Square.

Buddakan

A towering gilded statue of the Buddha generates elegant calm in this 175-seat, Pan Asian restaurant with sleek, modern decor. This immensely popular addition to Old City features two full bars as well as a 20-person community table for sharing food and conversation. Buddakan is located at 325 Chestnut Street, east of Independence National Historical Park.

	Zanzibar Blue The Pat Tandy Quartet is one of many hot acts that perform at Zanzibar Blue, a restaurant, bar and jazz club. Patrons enjoy the sweet sounds of jazz seven nights a week in an upscale environment with sophisticated cuisine. Local talent fills the bill on week nights, with national headliners on weekends. Zanzibar Blue is located at 200 South Broad Street on the Avenue of the Arts.
	Fayette Street Grill (LOVE IT!!!!!!!) Fayette Street Grille-308 Fayette Street-Conshohocken, PA 19428- 610-567-0366 or fax:610-567-0368* Email t: Fayette Street Grille (Please call for all reservations /except Chef's Table reservations) http://www.fayettestreetgrille.com/index.html
	Spamps (LOVE IT!!!!) An eclectic eatery that dishes up everything from steak and salads to seafood & Sushi Spamps restaurant is proudly owned by Mike Spampinato. His thirty plus years of restaurant experience are evident in his old-world charm, tasty recipes, and family appeal. He is nicely complimented by his youngest daughter, Marcie, who is managing the restaurant. Her teachings from the hotel/restaurant management program at Penn State University offer a contemporary edge to the warm atmosphere. Thanks to the decorating expertise of wendy, mike's wife, Spamps is looking fantastic. You can catch Carie & Jonie, Mike's other daughters, working at spamps regularly. So, please come to spamps, to meet the spamps, and enjoy! Bar: A rectangular copper bar features a contemporary decor with welcoming atmosphere. Top-shelf spirits promise a perfect martini or cocktail. An assortment of imports, domestics, microbrews, and premium draught beers quenches everyone's needs. Sushi Bar: Featuring the talents of sushi chefs Has and Ito http://www.spampsrestaurant.com/

Reading Terminal Market

The Italian Market

There’s a piece of Italy hiding in Philadelphia. It’s the Italian Market, an outdoor and storefront culinary delight . Discover meats, cheeses, spices and produce the way they were meant to be enjoyed: fresh, local, lovingly purveyed. Small, family-run restaurants, and cafés surround the main corridor, which stretches along 9^th Street between Christian Streets to Wharton Streets. It’s just across the southern border of center city. So put on your walking shoes and prepare for an adventure!

Pat’s Steaks

The cheesesteak sandwich is a Philadelphia tradition and Pat’s is where it all began. Thin slices of beef are smothered in melted cheese (onions and sauce optional), encased in a crusty, Italian roll. Locals have been known to ship them to friends and relatives across the country who miss that Philly taste. From presidents to movie stars, visitors flock to try this quintessential Philadelphia eating experience. Pat’s is located at 1237 East Passyunk Avenue, a short cab ride from Center City.

Gina's Steaks

Prepared just the way you like it! No matter when you get a hankering for a Philadelphia original, Gina's is open around the clock. This South Philadelphia landmark is directly across the street from Pats...ech! lol

Old City Coffee

Old City Coffee, located at 221 Church Street, is the perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee and a bit to eat.

Warmdaddy’s

Live blues music makes Warmdaddy’s a happening scene six nights a week. The Old City hot spot also serves a combination of traditional and modern Southern cuisine.

Café Lulu’s

Café Lulu’s is one of more than 30 eateries located in historic New Hope, PA. The charming Bucks County town, just 35 miles north of Philadelphia, is home to many unique restaurants, shops, galleries and studios.

Cultural Sites & Attractions/Public Art

Philadelphia Orchestra

For many people, a visit to Philadelphia isn’t complete without hearing a concert by the world famous Philadelphia Orchestra, here conducted by Music Director Wolfgang Sawallisch. The orchestra celebrates its Centennial in the year 2000, and it has a history of great music directors including Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy and Riccardo Muti. In an average season, the Orchestra performs nearly 200 concerts, many with the finest guest soloists in the world.

Pennsylvania Ballet

The Pennsylvania Ballet, one of the nation’s foremost dance companies, was founded in 1963 and has a performance season from October to June. This energetic and versatile ensemble is known for its command of the Balanchine repertoire, in addition to work by other contemporary ballet masters, full-length classics and premieres of innovative new work. Here, the company is shown performing The River by Alvin Ailey. Highlights of the 1999-2000 season include: Kevin O’Day’s critically acclaimed Col Legno, Agnes de Mille’s masterwork Rodeo, a new work set to the country rhythm and blues songs of Lyle Lovett, John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet, and the premiere of Ben Stevenson’s spectacular Dracula.

Reading Terminal Market

LOVE Statue

Arguably the most popular sculpture in Philadelphia, LOVE, by artist Robert Indiana, debuted in John F. Kennedy Plaza during the 1976 Bicentennial celebration. Philadelphians were incensed when it was removed and returned to the artist. In response, F. Eugene Dixon, former owner of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team, bought the sculpture and donated it to the city in 1978. Today, it sits in the Plaza at 15^th and Kennedy Boulevard and is the symbol for the city’s tourism marketing effort, inspiring the tagline: "Philadelphia the place that LOVES YOU BACK."

Clothespin

Claes Oldenburg’s 45-foot-high, 10-ton sculpture stands in front of the Center Square Building at 15^th and Market Streets, near City Hall. Criticized by many at its debut in the Bicentennial year, this whimsical giant of pop art now co-exists peaceably with the city’s mostly traditional outdoor statuary. The metal fastening at the top reads "7" on one side and "6" on the other, in the Bicentennial spirit. Philadelphia is known for its extensive collection of public art, including more murals than any other American city.

Swann Fountain

On hot summer days, Swann Memorial Fountain, also known as "The Fountain of Three Rivers," is a favorite oasis for city residents and visitors alike. Its majestic plumes of water frame City Hall tower in the distance. This sumptuous fountain on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway honors Wilson Cary Swann, a Philadelphia physician who championed drinking fountains for people and troughs for horses throughout the city in the 19^th century. Wilson Eyre conceived the fountain’s overall form, while Alexander Stirling Calder crafted the dramatic sculptures from 1921-24. The three main figures of Swann Fountain represent the city’s major waterways: the Delaware, Schuylkill and Wissahickon Rivers.

Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Circle

Swann Memorial Fountain on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is one of the most outstanding examples of public art in Philadelphia. Lit at night, its graceful sprays of water create a magical oasis on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The fountain was magnificently restored in 1990. The bronze sculptures, created by Alexander Stirling Calder in the early 1920s, represent the city’s three main waterways—the Schuylkill, the Delaware, Wissahickon creek. Smaller, water-spouting frogs and turtles delight children. For residents and visitors, Swann Fountain is a place to refresh, contemplate, and celebrate.

Sand Sculpture at Liberty Place

The Vitetta Group Sand Sculpture at Liberty Place (a shopping mall in the heart of downtown Philadelphia) was one of the artworks created as part of the 1999 Sunoco Welcome America! Festival, which culminated on July 4^th. These are not your average sandcastles. Looming high above visitors’ heads and crafted with breathtaking detail, these sculptures celebrate Philadelphia’s historical past and exciting present. In this detail, one can see chimpanzees from the new Primate House at the Philadelphia Zoo.

PECO Energy Lights of Liberty

"Revolution. As it happened, where it happened." A combination of 3-D audio headsets, historical surroundings, and incredible visual and special effects bring history to life in this walking show of the historic district in Philadelphia. The PECO Energy Lights of Liberty show is a breathtaking, entertaining and educational experience.

PECO Energy Lights of Liberty

Watch the events that shaped our nation’s birth and feel a part of the action. The PECO Energy Lights of Liberty show combines cutting edge technology with historic settings to bring history to life.

Philadelphia Zoo

In "Bear Country" at the Philadelphia Zoo, visitors watch polar bears swim in a 200,000-gallon tank with glass walls. Established in 1859, this is the oldest zoo in America, and it is home to more than 2,000 animals representing six continents. The zoo houses rare white lions, giant otters, exotic rainforest animals, a hummingbird exhibit, the newly renovated Amphibian and Reptile House and the innovative new PECO Primate Reserve. The zoo is located at 34^th Street and Girard Avenue, in Fairmount Park, just minutes from the downtown area off I76.

Blue Cross RiverRink

Kids can’t get enough of the Blue Cross RiverRink, Penn’s Landing’s open-air ice skating rink, located at Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. Special events every weekend make the rink a must-visit for families.

Blue Cross RiverRink

Phillie Phanatic

Phillies baseball games have been a Philadelphia tradition since the team’s debut on May 1, 1883. The Phillies mascot, the "Phillie Phanatic," has frolicked and cheered with fans since 1978. Famous for antics like shooting hotdogs into the crowds, the ever ebullient Phanatic makes every game a winner.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

VALLEY FORGE PARK

After Revolutionary forces suffered losses at Brandywine and Germantown, General Washington led his troops to Valley Forge. Today, the Valley Forge National Historical Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore replicas of the soldiers’ huts and some of the officers’ lodgings. Although many lives were lost during the cold winter months that Washington camped here with his men, by springtime, the troops regained their strength and fought victoriously for independence.

National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge National Historical Park

The National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge was constructed in 1914 to honor George Washington and his troops, who endured bitter winter months here. The arch stood for over 80 years, but by the mid-1900s it was in need of structural repairs. Restoration was undertaken in 1996-97 by the Freemasons of Philadelphia, to acknowledge the heroism and leadership of George Washington, a prominent freemason, as well as his soldiers.

Cannons in the Valley Forge National Historical Park

Replicas of Revolutionary cannons rest in Artillery Park. This section of the 3,000-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park was a storage place for colonial arms. The park marks the area used as a base by George Washington and his troops during the momentous winter of 1777-78, when Washington’s Continental Army of 12,000 used virtually all of the park’s acres for their livestock and log cabins.

Wharton Esherick Museum (exterior)

Woodworker Wharton Esherick helped to create the American sculpture style early in the 20^th century. His wonderfully quirky home studio and workshop were built over four decades.The workshop which is currently a private residence, was designed by the renowned architect Louis Kahn. All reflects Esherick’s unique thinking about form and material. Esherick’s style is present in every detail, from the camouflage tower to the door hinges, light switches and winding stairs. Over 200 works in wood are displayed, many of them marvels of ingenuity and craftsmanship.

Wharton Esherick Museum (interior)

The home and studio of painter-turned-woodworker Wharton Esherick, are now open to the public as a museum. Tours offer visitors a rare opportunity to see an artist’s work in the environment in which it was created. Over 200 of Esherick’s works are displayed. The interior and exterior of the complex embody Esherick’s unique vision and ability to combine beauty, form and function in furnishings as well as in art.

	Devon Horse Show The Devon Horse Show is the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse competition in the United States, dating back to 1896. Ever popular among competitors and spectators from around the world, the show maintains its country fair atmosphere, rich with local traditions of the Philadelphia Main Line.
	THE PHILADELPHIA RACE TRACK AND CASINO http://www.philadelphiapark.com/

BUCKS COUNTY

Grand Carousel at Peddler’s Village

Take a spin on the splendidly restored, 1922 Grand Carousel at Peddler’s Village. This charming, colonial style town offers 75 specialty shops plus a variety of restaurants and 166 room inn. Special events occur throughout the year, including: Evening in a Colonial Kitchen; Scarecrow Competition Display; and Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Peddler’s Village is located between New Hope and Doylestown, in Lahaska, PA.

Apple Festival at Peddler’s Village

Peddler’s Village has small town, colonial charm, with over 75 specialty shops, restaurants and 166 room inn spread across acres of landscaped grounds and winding walkways. The Apple Festival, one of many themed weekends, is held every year in November. People of all ages enjoy shopping, crafts, live entertainment and, of course, lots of apples.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Peddler’s Village.

James A. Michener Art Museum

The building that originally served as the Bucks County jail now houses an art museum honoring Pulitzer Prize winning writer, James A. Michener. The collection — a gift from Michener to his native Bucks County — includes primarily works of 19^th and 20^th century American art, many by Bucks County painters and sculptors. The museum’s reading room is named for the late George Nakashima, a celebrated woodworker who also practiced his art in this area. The museum is located at 138 South Pine Street in Doylestown, PA.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Stephen Barth for the Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

Mercer Museum

The Mercer Museum opened in 1916, one of three buildings that form the legacy of Henry Chapman Mercer. This eccentric historian, architect, anthropologist and archaeologist became devoted to tile making, and Mercer tiles are widely known and valued. The museum houses Mercer’s collection of tools, representing over 60 crafts, and more than 50,000 objects created before the age of steam. The four-story central court of the museum is crammed with log sleds, cheese presses, fire engines, boats, and bean hullers, suspended by wires from the walls and ceiling. The Mercer Museum is located at 84 South Pine Street in Doylestown, PA.

Fonthill

Henry Chapman Mercer, a Harvard educated millionaire, designed and constructed this unique mansion in 1910 entirely of reinforced concrete. Modeled after a 13^th century Rhenish castle, Fonthill was built from the inside out, without using blueprints. Inside, Fonthill surprises visitors with Gothic doorways, sudden stairways, dead ends and inglenooks. The ceilings and walls are embedded with tiles from Mercer’s own kilns and with ancient tiles from around the world. Fonthill is located at East Court Street and Swamp Road in Doylestown, PA.

New Hope

New Hope, formerly a colonial-style town, is now an artists’ mecca filled with specialty shops, restaurants and galleries. The town sits on the banks of the Delaware River, and its Main Street is lined with outdoor porch bars and restaurants, some with great river views. New Hope is just a few miles from Washington Crossing, along River Road in Bucks County, PA.

"New Hope & Ivyland Railroad

All aboard! The Ivyland Railroad in New Hope leaves from the New Hope depot, a Victorian gem of a building dating to the 1890s. The train, one of the few remaining steam powered engines, takes passengers on a nine-mile, 50-minute, scenic journey from downtown New Hope west to Lahaska. En route, the train crosses a trestle used in many rescue scenes in the classic "Perils of Pauline" movies. The station is located at West Bridge and Stockton Streets in New Hope.

Mule-Drawn Canal Boat Ride on the Delaware Canal

Coal barges began traveling the Delaware Canal in 1832. Today, the canal is part of the Delaware canal State Park where the New Hope Mule Drawn Canal Boat Ride offers rides on a mule-pulled barge, available from April to November. The one-hour, narrated excursions glide past Revolutionary-era cottages, gardens, and artists’ workshops. The entrance is located at New and South Main Streets in downtown New Hope, PA.

Tubing Down the Delaware River – "Bucks County River Country"

Just one hour from Philadelphia, the Delaware River is perfect for tubing, canoeing, rafting and kayaking. There are number of rental companies that cater to individuals and groups. Point Pleasant, PA, just a few miles north of New Hope, is the center of this delightful river activity. The season runs from April to October. This is great but watch out for floaters!

Re-enactment of Washington Crossing the Delaware

George Washington crossed the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, to launch his decisive attack on enemy forces in Trenton. Today, historical re-enacters faithfully recreate the event each year at Washington Crossing Historic Park. This 500-acre state park lies 35 miles north of center city Philadelphia. Visitors can see artifacts and a film at the Memorial Museum and tour a variety of restored, furnished buildings. Of special interest is the Thompson-Neely House, the riverside headquarters for Washington’s Revolutionary forces.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Stephen Barth for the Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

Cabin Run Covered Bridge

Located in Plumstead Township, Bucks County, this bridge, built in 1871, crosses the Cabin Run Creek. Of the 36 bridges originally built in Bucks County, only 11 remain.

Cuttalosa Farm – Solebury, PA

Sheep are just one of many animals to delight children at Cuttalosa Farm in Bucks County, PA, an area sprawling with magnificent trees, rolling hills and lush landscapes.

Fall Foliage – Bucks County

One of the best places to see fall foliage is in Bucks County, PA. Just an hour’s drive from Philadelphia, the area is sprawling with magnificent trees, rolling hills and lush landscapes.

Fall Foliage – Bucks County

One of the best places to see fall foliage is in Bucks County, PA. Just an hour’s drive from Philadelphia, the area is sprawling with magnificent trees, rolling hills and lush landscapes.

Fall Foliage – Bucks County

One of the best places to see fall foliage is in Bucks County, PA. Just an hour’s drive from Philadelphia, the area is sprawling with magnificent trees, rolling hills and lush landscapes.

Fall Foliage – Bucks County

One of the best places to see fall foliage is in Bucks County, PA. Just an hour’s drive from Philadelphia, the area is sprawling with magnificent trees, rolling hills and lush landscapes.

Van Sant Airport – Erwinna, PA

This small airport in Erwinna, PA, offers glider, aerobatic and bi-plane rides of varying lengths in an assortment of aircrafts.

Stover-Myers Mill

In 1855, this water-powered gristmill/sawmill, located in Pipersville, PA, was powered by steam. Tours of the mill are provided with reservations only.

Stover-Myers Mill

In 1855, this water-powered gristmill/sawmill, located in Pipersville, PA, was powered by steam. Tours of the mill are provided with reservations only.

Lake Nockamixon – Bucks County, PA

Although swimming is not permitted in Lake Nockamixon, adventure seekers can partake in fishing, boating and canoeing expeditions in the 1,450-acre body of water located in Nockamixon State Park.

Lake Nockamixon – Bucks County, PA

Although swimming is not permitted in Lake Nockamixon, adventure seekers can partake in fishing, boating and canoeing expeditions in the 1,450-acre body of water located in Nockamixon State Park.

SPECIAL EVENTS

FIRST FRIDAY

The first Friday of every month, the member organizations of the Old City Arts Association hold a community-wide open house. Art lovers fill the many galleries, shops, theaters and restaurants in this fascinating neighborhood on the northeastern edge of center city. Casual browsers as well as serious buyers enjoy the festive atmosphere of First Friday openings.

First Friday Philadelphia (exterior)

The many galleries and shops of Old City unveil new exhibitions on the first Friday of every month. Festivities spill out onto the sidewalks, where musicians and performance artists entertain the crowds of "First Friday" regulars and newcomers. Restaurants abound, from the casual to the serious. This neighborhood-wide open house extends along Second and Third Streets, from Market to Race.

Sunoco’s Dad Vail Regatta

Thousands of student athletes and visitors arrive in Philadelphia each Spring for Sunoco’s Dad Vail Regatta. The Schuylkill River provides an idyllic setting for this event.

U.S. Pro Cycling Championship

This 156-mile bike race attracts top cyclists from around the world, who speed around the River Drives and labor up the 300-foot-high "wall" in Manayunk. Two weeks of celebration lead up to the First Union U.S. Pro Cycling Championship and festivities continue through the day of the race.

Pro Cycling Championship

Hundreds of professional cyclists peddle through the streets of Philadelphia each year during the First Union U.S. Pro Cycling Championship. Festivities surrounding the race include a Victorian Main Street Stroll in Manayunk, thousands of cheering onlookers, and a special race up the infamous 300-foot-high "wall" the night before the main event.

Pro Cycling Championship

Spectators are invited to come and watch as many of the world’s top cyclists race through Philadelphia in the First Union U.S. Pro Cycling Championship. The row houses of Manayunk provide a charming backdrop for much of the race, as fans cheer on their favorite teams and enjoy the city-wide excitement.

Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Annual

The gracious park at 18^th and Walnut Streets becomes an outdoor gallery each year, when over a hundred local artists exhibit and sell their work the Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Annual. Painters, sculptors and printmakers line the paths of the square with art of all types. The tradition began in 1931, making this the oldest and largest juried, outdoor art show in America.

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

During the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, the many restaurants, shops, spas, salons and cultural institutions of Rittenhouse Row provide outdoor dining and entertainment. People of all ages enjoy the activities available in historic Rittenhouse Square Park and along Walnut Street, between Broad and 19^th Street.

Sand Sculpture at Liberty Place

"Philadelphia, the Place that Loves You Back" Fourth of July Parade (marchers)

Happy Birthday America! Independence Day is always cause for an immense celebration in Philadelphia, the nation’s birthplace. The "Philadelphia, the Place that Loves You Back" Fourth of July Parade winds through the city’s streets, dazzling onlookers with a spectacle of red white and blue. Patriotic tunes are provided by a variety of marching bands, including the city’s inimitable Mummers.

Fourth of July Fireworks

Fireworks blazing over the Philadelphia Museum of Art are a July 4^th tradition in Philadelphia. Timed perfectly with exhilarating live music, the fireworks paint the skies over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Thousands of residents and visitors come out for the most patriotic party in America.

Bastille Day, Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary hosts Bastille Day to commemorate the storming of the Bastille by French revolutionaries. This historic, 11-acre prison in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia is also the site of art exhibits, theater performances and other special events.

Manayunk Art Festival

Visitors to the tri-state area’s largest outdoor juried arts and crafts festival stroll along historic Main Street in Manayunk, Philadelphia in search of unique wares created by professional artists from around the world.

Manayunk Arts Festival

There’s plenty of food available at the Manayunk Arts Festival, the tri-state area’s largest outdoor juried arts and crafts festival along historic Main Street.

THIS SITE IS UPDATED AND MAINTAINED DAILY BY ME~ CAROLANN SIRCHIE-2009.