There’s More to Philly Than Cheesesteaks and Rocky

Rocky Steps

Only a short trip from New York lies a city which is known for its cheesesteaks and boxing movies. Philadelphia, otherwise known as “Philly”, is rich with history. Famous people to come out the city include Benjamin Franklin and William Pen, but there’s one person who has recently done more for Philly than anyone else and he goes by the name of Rocky!

During the late 70’s when Philly started to deteriorate, Rocky, a fictional character, was able to give hope to millions of people from similar “tough” backgrounds. Today, thousands of tourists make the trip to Philadelphia to retrace his famous steps. But what travelers to Philly also find is a city that is loaded with activities and sights to keep even the most avid traveler occupied.

To help you maximize your time in Philly I’ve compiled a list of my top 5 things to do in Philadelphia:

1. Brunch at Parc: Start the day in the French quarter of Philadelphia opposite the Rittenhouse Square. Enjoy a Bellini with your omelet and crepes while watching the world pass you by.
2. Rocky Steps: Philly’s most famous steps are located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Join the thousands of travelers to run up the stairs each year and don’t forget to punch the sky at the top. Also wander down the tree-lined, Franklin parkway which connects the Museum to City Hall.
3. Philly Cheesesteaks: No trip to Philly is complete without trying one of their famous sandwiches. The most famous spots to get a cheesesteak are Jim’s, Geno’s and Pat’s all located on or near South Street. While there take a stroll down South Street and you’ll find everything from tattoo parlors to bars, restaurants to consignment clothing stores.
4. Independence National Historic Park: Which contains some of Philly’s most historic buildings, including Independence Hall (the Deceleration of Independence is on display here), Congress Hall and Old City Hall. Across the way is Liberty Hall, which houses Liberty Bell. The bell was rung that hard after the signing of the Independence that it cracked.
5. Historic/Waterfront District: Wander the streets of old Philly in-particular the neighborhood of Society Hill, which feels more like you’re in London than America.

Society Hill

One of the great things about Philadelphia is its size. The city’s grid like design makes the town very accessible by foot. You can read more about the city’s history by clicking on Experience Franklin, Rocky and More in Philadelphia.  Whether you have a couple of hours or days spare in Philadelphia there’s plenty to see and do in the “City of Brotherly Love”.