Philadelphia is a city rich in history, and simply walking the streets and looking at landmarks is a great introduction to American culture and our nation’s beginnings. In addition to being the meeting place for the Founding Fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the city also played an integral role in the Revolutionary War, the Great Migration, and other historical events and movements that have helped make our country into what it is today.

Did You Know?

While many people know the City of Brotherly Love for its exceptional cheese steaks, its professional baseball team, and its Liberty Bell, there may be some facts that you didn’t know. For instance, when William Penn founded Philadelphia back in the 17th century, he didn’t envision it as a bustling city at all. Instead, he wanted it to resemble some of the rural landscapes in England and cordoned sections of it off into a grid pattern that would, ostensibly, allow for gardens, orchards, and separate lots for residences and businesses. Of course, as the city’s popularity grew, people split lots, expanded rapidly, and turned the area into the urban cityscape that it is today.

Philadelphia has also been the site of quite a few “firsts” throughout history, including the invention of mustard in 1768, the nation’s first library in 1731, the first computer in 1946. If you’re looking for some literary inspiration, you can even visit “Grip,” the stuffed raven that once belonged to Charles Dickens and may have been the inspiration for Edgar Allen Poe’s most famous poem, “The Raven.”

Popular Historical Monuments

If you visit Philadelphia, there will be no shortage of monuments for you to visit to get an education about the city’s deep roots. In fact, all together there are 67 National Historical Landmarks in the city. Narrowing the list down may be difficult, but a few must-sees include:

– The Liberty Bell – formerly in the steeple of Independence Hall; believed to be rung after America attained independence

– Independence Hall – where the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were signed

– Betsy Ross House – believed to be where Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag

– Declaration House – site of a boarding house where Thomas Jefferson rented rooms and wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776

– Elfreth’s Alley – oldest residential street in America

– Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier – war memorial built in 1954 in Washington Square

Eating, Drinking & Sleeping in Philadelphia

After visiting all the historical and cultural treasures that Philadelphia has to offer, you’ll likely want to sit back, relax, enjoy a bite to eat, and have a night cap before hitting the sack. But if you thought you could escape history and culture even when eating and sleeping, think again. Philadelphia is home to some of the oldest restaurants and hotels in the nation. Hotels like The Drake, Penn’s View, and Hotel Palomar offer great accommodations in historic buildings that are close to all the city’s monuments. Kick back at McGillen’s Olde Ale House, which opened in 1860, or City Tavern, which served as a watering hole in the late 1700s for some of the Founding Fathers. Then you can enjoy an Italian dinner at Ralph’s Italian Restaurant, which was opened in 1900 and is touted to be the oldest continuously operating Italian restaurant in the nation.

Philadelphia’s Ghosts

Of course, no historical city would be complete without its fair share of ghosts and Philadelphia is full of old haunts that are said to still be full of some of its oldest inhabitants. If you want to be spooked during your visit to what was once the nation’s capital, the City Tavern and the Betsy Ross House are both said to be haunted. Other stops along your ghost tour might include the Eastern State Penitentiary, Fort Mifflin, Washington Square, and Inn Philadelphia, among other places.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has contributed to a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to Philadelphia travel.

John Soland is an experienced writer who is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to Philadelphia travel. http://www.yellowpages.com/philadelphia-pa/laser-spine-institute

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has contributed to a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to Philadelphia travel.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Philadelphia, travel