Cream of Philadelphia (Philadelphia)

Member Name: x_elff_x

Product:	Philadelphia
Date:	31/10/01 (326 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Food, Accesibility, Tax-free shopping

Disadvantages: Weight gain, Credit card bill

History is not a subject which we traditionally associate with America - preferring rather to marvel at her futuristic cities, immense sky-scrapers and the American Dream.

But a visit to Philadelphia shows that modern America as we know it has a fascinating history.

Founded in 1682 by English Quaker William Penn, the city's name, the Greek for 'Brotherly Love' was chosen by him to reflect his views on religious tolerance. And tolerance was to become a big part of Philadelphia's history, as between 1774 to 1880 it became the setting for the American Revolution, when our US brethren ditched the British once and for all with Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

The interweaving of this rich historic tapestry of Philadelphia, with its more modern developments makes Philadelphia an interesting place to visit.

One of the great things about Philly is that you can travel around on foot easily and safely and with many of the tourist centres close together, this is ideal for those on a budget.

If art - or dodgy film trivia - is your thing then a trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a must. Situated at one end of the Champs Elysee-modelled Benjamin Parkway, the museum's steps became more famous than its art when one Sylvester Stallone ran up them in the guise of Rocky Balboa. Today it seems traditional for tourists to race one another up to the top, but even if you opt for a more leisurely stroll it is worth it for the stunning views of the city skyline afforded from the museum's entrance.

Inside, is a treasure trove featuring everything from American-painted masterpieces to Shaker-style furniture and a fully-reconstructed Indian Temple and Medieval Cathedral.

If you have any art energy left after a tour, it is well worth stopping off at the much more manageable Rodin museum on the way back towards the town centre. This museum houses the largest collection
of Rodin's sculptures outside of Paris including The Thinker, The Burghers of Calais and Gates of Hell.

Being cultural can be a hungry business which is handy as Philadelphia is certainly mad about food. So much so that the mayor announced a citywide fitness drive earlier this year to tackle the issue of over-eating.

Visitors needn't worry though, after all calories don't count when you are on holiday, and the perfect place to sample the local speciality, the Philadelphia Cheesesteak - thin strips of fried beef smothered in the cheese of your choice and nestled with onions in a baggette - is Reading Market Terminal.

This airy market is a feast for the senses as well as the stomach, playing host to myriad tiny stalls all selling different produce or snacks.

If feasting on traditional fare isn't cultural enough for you, then a trip to the Historic District and the Independence National Park, should definitely do the trick. Here you can visit the impressive Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed and see the famous, cracked Liberty Bell. Start with the free 28-minute film at the visitor centre which should help you to plan your trip and try not to scowl when the American's gloat about how they won the war.

If you want to gen up on all things Independence then the Lights of Liberty evening show takes you back in time to the years of the Revolution.

Five-storey images light up the buildings of the National Park, while headsets provide you with a re-enactment of the years that led to the Declaration of Independence.

The show is great for children, too, with a special recording by Whoopi Goldberg relating the story in simple terms. Adult tickets cost around £12 and children under 12 about £8.30 (details from www.lightsofliberty.org).

One of the great things about a visit to Philly, however, is that you needn't limit yourself to staying within the cit
y confines. Shopaholics will be chomping at the bit to visit the King of Prussia Mall - the largest retail complex on the East Coast - with the added incentive of tax-free clothing.

This huge mall is just 15 miles from the centre of Philadelphia and could easily make a day trip in itself. Round trip shuttle buses are available on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, picking up from your hotel for $10 (approximately £7).

Garden enthusiasts too, will not be disappointed, as Philadelphia boasts more public gardens and arboreta than anywhere else in North America. In the city itself you can visit America's oldest botanical garden - Historic Bartram's Garden - or travel further afield to the spectacular 1050-acre estate of Longwood Gardens with its indoor conservatories, fountain displays and children's garden.

If you are venturing out of the city, then a trip to Lancaster County's Amish community is an absolute must. Eschewing modern technology and farming techniques, the Amish travel the county in their horse-drawn buggies and traditional garb, tilling the land as they have done for more than 250 years.

Dating back to the 1700s a trip to the Amish towns like Bird-In-Hand feels like stepping into another country. The Amish are happy to let you watch them go about their business of quilt-making, land-tilling and food-making, though it is worth remembering that you must not photograph them so they can be recognised as they view this as a sin before god.

While in Lancaster county, you will have the opportunity to sample local delicacies such as fasnachts, red-beet eggs and shoofly pie, a chance not to be missed.

If all the history and culture gets to much you can guarantee a night out on the tiles of Rittenhouse Row's hotel district or the up and coming Penn Landing will shake off the cobwebs.

Traditionalists can indulge in one of the fantastic steaks at the Warwick Hotel's Prime Rib res
taurant (but wear loose clothing!) while the more avant garde may prefer to sample the casbah-bedecked delights of Tangerine on Market Street, followed up by a night in one of the cities many jazz bars.

Ultimately, Philadelphia is the perfect destination, whether you are looking for a city break, a shopping extravaganza or just to gain a few pounds from all the fantastic food.


(Reprinted from my article in The Edinburgh Evening News)

Summary: