Family Week in Philadelphia

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that New York City is impressive. Often referred to as the “Big Apple,” the “City That Never Sleeps” or the “Capital of the World,” New York is one of the most vibrant urban centers on the planet, and also one of the largest.

When people talk about New York, they typically mean Manhattan, which is but one of five boroughs that make up the city proper, the others being Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The full metropolitan area, which includes nearby Long Island, Westchester County, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, has a population upwards of 18 million.

New York draws tourists from around the globe, not only for its rich cultural and historical attractions, but also because it is a major center for media, theater, food, fashion, art, research, finance, trade and nightlife. It also has one of the most famous skylines on earth, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building.

First-time visitors can’t go wrong by hitting the traditional tourist spots: the top of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Greenwich Village and SoHo, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, even Times Square. But those looking for more local, authentic experiences, plan a trip to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park and the Botanical Gardens; Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a taste of old-world immigrant history meets modern-day hipsters and nascent art scene; or Jackson Heights in Queens, for the best Indian and Thai food outside of Asia.

Philadelphia, the birthplace of modern American democracy, was founded by William Penn in the late 17th century. The city’s name translates to “City of Brotherly Love” and has been a symbol of freedom since its inception. Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is the country's fifth-largest city.

Philly’s Old City houses its most historic attractions (the Liberty Bell, Constitution Hall, Independence Hall), as well as a burgeoning young artist and student community.

Philadelphia is one of America’s most walkable cities, which adds to its tourist appeal. Philly is marked extremely well by “Walk! Philadelphia” signs on each block (sometimes only several feet apart) that guide visitors toward shopping, dining, art galleries, cultural attractions and public transportation. Visit the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, home to many museums such as the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (from the Rocky movies).

Philadelphia has the largest collection of public art in America, courtesy of the city’s innovative Mural Arts Program, designed to stop graffiti and enliven the city’s buildings. Other notable public art includes the many glass mosaics found throughout the city; a sampling can be seen on South Street east of Broad.

Hilton Inn at Penn is located five miles from the Philadelphia International Airport. Local attractions include Philadelphia Museum of Art and Philadelphia Zoo.Hotel amenities include fitness center, gift shop, business center, meeting rooms, and modem.All rooms include coffeemakers, hairdryers, TV, telephones, dataports, high-speed Internet access, irons and ironing boards.

This is one of Philadelphia's most popular, unusual and entertaining tours. Join costumed tour guides for a leisurely stroll through Society Hill in the historic heart of the city at Independence Park and on the edge of the nationally famous restaurant district of Old City. This candlelight walking tour is based on the book "Philadelphia Ghost Stories" by Charles J. Adams III. Listen to tales of the unknown as you walk in the footsteps of famous men and women. Open daily 7:30am onwards.

Known as the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, Independence Hall is one of the most recognizable historical landmarks not only in Philadelphia, but in the entire nation. The hall is the centerpiece of the 45-acre Independence National Historical Park, home to 20 buildings of historical significance (many of which are open to the public). The Liberty Bell is located right around the way, though its original home was Independence Hall's bell tower. Tours of the hall are given every 15 minutes. See website for complete park details and further Independence Hall visitor info.

In 1751, William Penn asked that the new bell being cast for the Pennsylvania Statehouse be engraved with the words, “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” The bell rang to call citizens to the first reading of the Declaration of Independence, and was later dubbed The Liberty Bell by abolitionists, who adopted the bell as a symbol of their fight for freedom for all Americans. Talks on the history of the bell are presented continually during open hours, which vary season to season.

American schoolchildren have all heard the story: The first American flag was made by Betsy Ross. It's not true, but it's a great story. This house is still worth a visit as an example of Colonial living conditions. Betsy Ross mainly used this colonial abode to rent rooms to travelers and wayfarers. According to the Philadelphia Historic Society, more people visit the Ross house than any other historical attraction. The house is located in Old City adjacent to many shopping and eating destinations.

Open to the public virtually every day of the year, the exhibits in the center are on display for all the ages. This non-profit organization tries to reach out to the masses with its educational seminars as well as workshops that are held there. Boasting of a lot of esteemed speakers consisting of VIPs from diverse fields, this place has seen its fair share of debates and lectures. Do visit the highly informative website for clearer information.

This converted bank makes you think every bank should have a bar in it. There is an excellent list of Irish beers on tap, including Murphy's Stout, Caffrey's and Harp. A massive stone fireplace at one end of the room is ringed with cozy chairs and side tables. On Sundays, an Irish band sits by the fireside and jams on traditional tunes. It's a good spot for brunch on Sundays or a drink on rainy afternoons. The food is modern Irish fare, a nouvelle cuisine that sheds any old stereotypes of Irish cooking. There's a very light seafood chowder.

Please Touch Museum is the country's first museum designed for children ages seven and younger. Please Touch is home to nine interactive exhibits including Barnyard Babies, Move It! and The Supermarket. Families can also take part in special gallery activities and catch a Please Touch Playhouse theater production.

All you choco maniacs will dig this place. A café dedicated to chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. Feast on the likes of Lemon-thyme burst, dark chocolate with an explosive, and tart and spicy liquid center. The frozen drinking chocolate is also quite a hit. So make Center City your haunt and keep looking for excuses, oops occasions to celebrate!

Lights of Liberty is a spectacular sound and light show. Experience the events leading up to the American Revolution while walking through Independence National Historic Park after dark. A personal headset with surround sound tells the story of the American Revolution, while beautiful hand-painted, 5-story-high images are projected onto the sides of historical buildings. In less than a mile and about one hour visitors experience five acts in five locations. Visit the place and be a part of the revolution!

The Academy of Natural Sciences boasts one of the most extensive collections of dinosaur remains and fossils in the country. Visitors can view the 40-foot frame of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, the vanquished rulers of the Earth. In addition to the permanent displays, the academy often puts emphasis on ecological exhibits and their relevance to today's environment. It is conveniently located close to the Franklin Institute and other museums, as well as shopping and eating destinations.

Families can start a day of museum hopping with a trip to the Franklin Institute, located within walking distance from the Academy of Natural Sciences, Rodin Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. One of America's best science museums, The Franklin Institute is filled with hundreds of hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, high-tech theaters and special programs designed to open the world of science. Walk through a heart, age yourself with a special computer, get lost in the 360° screen of an Omnimax film or explore the stars in the Fels Planetarium.

Regarded as the best farmers' market in America at least in Philadelphia, the Reading Terminal Market is a terrific place to sample all the culinary grandeur Philadelphia has to offer. Experience the traditional cheese steak, a custom-made deli sandwich, or an authentic Pennsylvania Dutch hearty home cooked breakfast prepared by Amish farmers. Aside from the prepared foods, over 80 food merchants purvey fresh fish and meats as well as an assortment of exotic and local fruits and vegetables.

Hilton Inn at Penn is located five miles from the Philadelphia International Airport. Local attractions include Philadelphia Museum of Art and Philadelphia Zoo.Hotel amenities include fitness center, gift shop, business center, meeting rooms, and modem.All rooms include coffeemakers, hairdryers, TV, telephones, dataports, high-speed Internet access, irons and ironing boards.

Philadelphia, the birthplace of modern American democracy, was founded by William Penn in the late 17th century. The city’s name translates to “City of Brotherly Love” and has been a symbol of freedom since its inception. Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is the country's fifth-largest city.

Philly’s Old City houses its most historic attractions (the Liberty Bell, Constitution Hall, Independence Hall), as well as a burgeoning young artist and student community.

Philadelphia is one of America’s most walkable cities, which adds to its tourist appeal. Philly is marked extremely well by “Walk! Philadelphia” signs on each block (sometimes only several feet apart) that guide visitors toward shopping, dining, art galleries, cultural attractions and public transportation. Visit the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, home to many museums such as the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (from the Rocky movies).

Philadelphia has the largest collection of public art in America, courtesy of the city’s innovative Mural Arts Program, designed to stop graffiti and enliven the city’s buildings. Other notable public art includes the many glass mosaics found throughout the city; a sampling can be seen on South Street east of Broad.

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that New York City is impressive. Often referred to as the “Big Apple,” the “City That Never Sleeps” or the “Capital of the World,” New York is one of the most vibrant urban centers on the planet, and also one of the largest.

When people talk about New York, they typically mean Manhattan, which is but one of five boroughs that make up the city proper, the others being Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The full metropolitan area, which includes nearby Long Island, Westchester County, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, has a population upwards of 18 million.

New York draws tourists from around the globe, not only for its rich cultural and historical attractions, but also because it is a major center for media, theater, food, fashion, art, research, finance, trade and nightlife. It also has one of the most famous skylines on earth, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building.

First-time visitors can’t go wrong by hitting the traditional tourist spots: the top of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Greenwich Village and SoHo, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, even Times Square. But those looking for more local, authentic experiences, plan a trip to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park and the Botanical Gardens; Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a taste of old-world immigrant history meets modern-day hipsters and nascent art scene; or Jackson Heights in Queens, for the best Indian and Thai food outside of Asia.