Philadelphia is the cultural and economic center of Delaware Valley and the only World Heritage City in the United States. Philadelphia was the temporary capital of the US while the current one was being constructed. It houses the Philadelphia Stock Exchange as well as the offices of major companies like Comcast, CIGNA, Aramark, and GlaxoSmithKline. There are a number of places to visit in Philadelphia that is important historically. The presence of universities like the University of Pennsylvania, the Temple University, and the Drexel University makes it a favorite international study destination. It is also famous for its cuisine especially the cheesesteak that was invented by the Italian and Greek immigrants.
Historical View of Philadelphia Through History Tours
Philadelphia history tours can be undertaken on the hop-on hop-off buses or on Victorian trolleys. Philadelphia is a melting pot of cultures, a place where there has been an amalgamation of different immigrant traditions and local traditions. Its rich history captivates thousands of tourists who flock to this city. The Declaration of Independence as well as the adoption of the US Constitution happened here. The Independence Hall commemorates these events. The Liberty Bell at the Independence National Historical Park is a symbol of American independence. These iconic symbols are testimony to Philadelphia's contribution to American independence.
Visiting Philadelphia with Tourist Guides
Some of the places to visit in Philadelphia are the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the Eastern State Penitentiary, and the United States Mint. The open top buses have well trained guides who are able to regale the tourists with historical information as well as fun facts about Philadelphia. One of the popular stops is the Philadelphia City Hall which is the seat of the government. This building which took 30 years to construct was once one of the tallest buildings in the world.
A Walk down the Years in Philadelphia
Tourists to this place make it a point to visit Elfreth's Alley which is the oldest residential street in America. It is also a National Historic Landmark District. The Federal and Georgian style houses with cobblestone sidewalks are a treat for history lovers. Philadelphia history tours also include a visit to the Love sculpture by Robert Indiana. This is a symbol of peace especially during the turbulent times of the Vietnam War. Betsy Ross House in memory of the local seamstress who first stitched the American flag, the Stars and Stripes, is also an important stopover in the sightseeing tour.
Philadelphia is an excellent tourist spot worth visiting for its historical monuments, its exceptional food stops as well as the other artistic and ethnic experiences.
Martin Wynn
