Philadelphia

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love is in my opinion one of the best cities to visit in the USA. It is situated on the Delaware river, right next door to New-Jersey and just 90 miles from New-York.

Between 1790 and 1800 Philadelphia was the capital city of the USA and is steeped in American History with a multitude of places to visit.

The skyline of the downtown area (known locally as 'centre city') is so similar to Canary Wharf in london's East End that on my first visit on looking out of my hotel window on Benjamin Franklyn Boulevard I thought I was back home.

Part of the downtown area is dominated by the Old arts district which comprises of the 45 acre Independance Park where you can find The Liberty Bell exhibition and Independance Hall, (where the American constitution was drafted and signed).
Also you can visit the house of Betsy Ross (who made the first flag of the USA) and a variety of art galleries and museums.
On the down-side the museums are expensive to get into, apart from a Sunday morning when you can get into the Natural History Museum for just a couple of Dollars.

As most of the Old Arts district is of such historical interest with not only the national buildings, but architecture ranging from American revolution times, colonial, 19th century and modern; you will not find a major hamburger chain to spoil the atmosphere.
What you will find is a wonderful array of restaurants, eateries and bars that attracts a really eclectic bunch of people that come nightfall or the weekend really makes the place buzz with life.

Transport links within the city are very good; you can use the numerous buses, an open top tour bus that goes around all the places of interest or even the old trolley car or a horse and carriage.

As you wander around the city you may recognise quite a bit of it; I was certainly surprised at how many movies are made there, like Philadelphia with Tom Hanks, Witness with Harrison Ford, all the Rocky movies and more recently National Treasure with Nicholas cage.

Coming away from Centre City and the Old arts district the water front at Penns Landing is well worth a visit. It is made up of the waterfront (ok obviously) of the Delaware river, a picturesque and realxing walk with a number of ships that are restaurants. And the focal point of Penns Landing is South Street, which I can only describe as Philadelphia's equivelant to Camden Lock; enjoying the same mixture of funky people, quirky stores, fashion, bars, clubs and great places to eat.

Look out for 'The Duck' on South Street; an amphibious touring bus that takes you on a trip of South Street, Penns landing and the Old arts district and then James Bond stylee right onto the Delaware river.

While you are on South Street hang a right onto South 2nd street and stroll down to the Mummers Museum. The Mummers are a large collection of string and brass bands and dancing troupes (all male) that are a Philadelphia institution in their own right.
During various holidays they parade through Philadelphia dressed in wonderful and colourful costumes and if you arer lucky enough to be around over New-Year, the new-year day parade is a must see that is televised nation-wide.

Go to Philly; be entertained by the music, informed by the history, make friends with the people, and get fat with the local delicacy; The Philadelphia Cheese Steak.