Famous as the birthplace of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the cradle of liberty offers much more than cobblestone streets and historical landmarks. Cultural, culinary, artistic and ethnic treasures abound in this city and its surrounding countryside.
The fifth-largest city in the country, Philadelphia is a welcoming place, a city based on freedom of expression.
One-of-a-kind attractions, a wealth of art and culture, renowned performing arts companies, awe-inspiring architecture, a walkable downtown, seemingly endless shopping (with no county and state sales tax on clothing and groceries) and a restaurant renaissance that has caught the world’s attention all promise to create an unforgettable Philadelphia experience.
The greatest concentration of American history can be found just blocks away at Independence National Historical Park, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
Philadelphia’s compact downtown places all of this and so much more within a short walk or cab ride from the Pennsylvania Convention Center and any downtown hotel.
Philadelphia History: Americas Birthplace
From 1774 to 1800, Philadelphia was linked to the American Revolution.
Independence National Historical Park, ‘America’s most historic square mile’, has two of the USA’s most famous monuments to freedom : The Liberty Bell, symbol of the nation’s freedom, and the Independence Hall, the birthplace of the nation, where a group of dissatisfied colonists adopted Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Philadelphia was the Nation’s capital from 1790 to 1800.
Founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker, Penn named Philadelphia, meaning ‘City of Brotherly Love ‘ in Greek, to reflect his view toward religious tolerance.
Due to it’s excellent location on the Atlantic Coast and accessible port facilities, Philadelphia grew rapidly in the 18th century until it was the second largest English speaking city in the world. Called the ‘Athens of the Americas’ it was the cultural of the New Philadelphia a city of American ‘Firsts’.
Philadelphia today is a vibrant city with world class museums, restaurants, hotels, exciting nightlife, cultural and entertainment venues. The city combines Old World architecture with modern buildings.
Sightseeing Highlights of Piladelphia
Read our article: Philadelphia — Sightseeing Highlights
Climate and Temperatures
Philadelphia has four distinct seasons.
Winters are moderately cold with some snow. Summers warm and sunny with some humidity July average temperature, 25 degrees Celsius) Spring and fall moderate and comfortable. Average yearly rainfall: 41 inches.
Data and Facts
Area
135 sq. miles.
350 sq. kilometers
Public transportation
SEPTA
Subway, trolley, commuter train and bus service with
connections throughout the city and region. Web: https://www.septa.org/
Population
Metropolitan area: 5 million
City: 1.5 million
Airport
Philadelphia International Airport located just 20 minutes
by train or car from Center City (downtown). Web: https://www.phl.org/
Elevation
45 feet above sea level
Visitor Center
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
1700 Market Street, Suite 3000
phone: 215-636-3300
Newspaper
Philadelphia Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/
