Vacation/Travel Supplement
A taste of Philadelphia:
Savor history, food and fun in City of Brotherly Love
The Liberty Bell is located in Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia and is one of the world’s most famous symbols of freedom. (Photo by Robin Miller/Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau)
By John Shaughnessy
PHILADELPHIA—Every great American city has its own special flavor.
If you’re considering a trip to Philadelphia and want a taste of its unique flavor, start with these eight ingredients:
• The heart of American history—In downtown Philadelphia, the Independence Hall area is a step back in time and place to the setting where the dream of American freedom became a reality.
It’s where our country’s revolutionary leaders debated and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and drafted the Constitution of the United States in 1787.
Walk through the area where Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin breathed life into an infant country. Get in line to gaze upon the Liberty Bell. See the free, short films at the Independence Visitors Center that re-create the spirit and conflicts of that time.
Plan your trip to the suburbs to visit Valley Forge, where Gen. George Washington held the American troops together through a brutal winter. Let the wonder of it all sink in for you.
For an interactive approach to history in Philadelphia, check the Web site at www.onceuponanation.org.
• Take me out to the ball game—Sure, the Philadelphia Phillies haven’t won a World Series since 1980, but hope springs eternal for baseball fans and the team’s Citizens Bank Park is one of the great new places to watch a major league game.
Opened in 2004, the stadium features real grass, great concessions, die-hard fans, fun areas for children, beautiful views of the city’s skyline and the most entertaining mascot in sports, the Phanatic.
As for the Phillies, they’re one of the most exciting or most exasperating teams to watch, depending on the game. Tickets start at $15. For information and tickets, check the Web site at www.Phillies.com.
• From Rocky to renaissance—The Philadelphia Museum of Art is viewed as one of the largest and most important art museums in the United States.
It’s also the home of a bronze statue of Rocky Balboa, the fictional boxing hero of the Rocky movies—starring actor Sylvester Stallone—who ran up the steps of the art museum while training for his fights.
Go inside the museum and view art by Van Gogh, Rubens, El Greco and Manet, and exhibits featuring pop art, Irish silver, a Tibetan altar and American Presidential China.
Stay outside the museum, where the Rocky statue is located, and run up the steps just like Rocky did. When you reach the top of the steps, don’t forget to turn toward City Hall, jog in place and raise your hands above your head in triumph.
Do both the Rocky run and the tour of the museum and you can call yourself a true renaissance person.
• Beauty at every turn—Located 30 miles from Philadelphia, Longwood Gardens is considered one of the most stunning horticultural showplaces in the world. In 1906, it was the site of an arboretum where the trees were destined to be cut for lumber until tycoon Pierre S. du Pont bought it. Today, more than 11,000 types of plants and flowers decorate 1,050 acres of land that feature 20 outdoor gardens, 20 indoor gardens and more fountains than any other garden in the United States.
• A city of neighborhoods and ethnic flair—Views of Philadelphia’s rich ethnic heritage can be seen in Chinatown, the Italian Market, and an Irish Memorial at Penn’s Landing that captures the struggles and the spirit of the millions of immigrants who found hope and a home in the United States.
If you’re seeking a less traditional and more adventurous cultural neighborhood, head for South Street with its eye-opening variety of stores and restaurants.
• Sightseeing on the cheap—Enjoy six attractions in the Philadelphia area with savings of nearly 50 percent. The City Pass includes tickets to the Philadelphia Zoo, National Constitution Center, Franklin Institute Science Museum, a Philadelphia trolley tour and the Adventure Aquarium across the bridge in Camden, N.J. The pass also includes a choice of the Academy of Natural Sciences or Independence Seaport Museum. The pass is $34 for children 3 to 11, and $49 for youths and adults.
• Heading to The Shore—If you’re in Philly during the summer, join in the quintessential Philadelphia road trip—heading to the Jersey Shore.
Less than two hours from the City of Brotherly Love, numerous beaches on the Atlantic Ocean in southern New Jersey have lured Philadelphia-area residents for generations. If you like to gamble, there’s Atlantic City. If you prefer a family resort, consider Ocean City.
If you’re from the Midwest and you’re this close to the ocean, it’s worth the trip.
• Philly food—Here’s how to gain a pound a day with few regrets. Philadelphia has many fine restaurants, including City Tavern where you can savor Martha Washington Style Colonial Turkey Pot Pie or beer made from recipes by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Or enjoy the ambience of Old Original Bookbinder’s, located near the Delaware River, which has been serving seafood since 1865. Lobster is their signature entrée. The restaurant walls are papered with photographs of famous entertainers, athletes and politicians who enjoyed meals there over the years.
But for a real taste of Philly, step into a neighborhood deli or steak shop and order an Italian hoagie with hot peppers or a cheesesteak with fried onions.
After that culinary delight, have a soft pretzel with mustard or choose from a Tastykake selection of Peanut Butter Kandykakes, Butterscotch Krimpets or a Coconut Junior. Wash it all down with an Italian water ice and then do yourself this favor: Don’t count the calories or the cholesterol damage. Just smile, loosen a belt notch and savor one more special taste of Philly. †