Guide to Philadelphia: how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to go in the evening. The most interesting in Philadelphia: fresh reviews and photos, places to see, branded entertainment and shopping.
According to toppharmacyschools, Philadelphia is the sixth most populous city in the United States and one of America’s oldest cities. Located in the state of Pennsylvania in the east of the country, just 72 km southwest of New York.
“The City of Brotherly Love” – this is how the name Philadelphia is translated from Greek, which corresponds to the idealistic sentiments of the Quakers, who called themselves “friends” or “brothers”. It was founded in 1682, and its founder, William Penn, was inspired by the legend of Babylon during construction.
Philly, as the city is also called, is one of the most important financial, political and economic centers of the country. In 1790 Philadelphia became the first capital of the United States.
Benjamin Franklin is the most famous resident of Philadelphia.
How to get there
You can get to Philadelphia only with a transfer. First, a flight to New York, then on a high-speed electric train to Philadelphia. Direct regular flights to New York are operated by Aeroflot and Delta Air Lines, with transfers by SWISS, Czech Airlines. The duration of the flight without connections is 10.5 hours.
Trains from New York to Philadelphia run quite often. The trip will take 1 hour 25 minutes.
Find cheap flights to Philadelphia
Weather in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a humid continental climate with occasional subtropical climates. In summer it is moderately hot here (+22…+25 °С), and in winter it is moderately cold (-1…+3 °С). The average rainfall per year is 1000 mm.
Hotels
As in any major city, Philadelphia has many hotels and inns of various classes. The cost of living can vary from 80 EUR to 900 EUR per day, depending on the area, distance from the city center and, in fact, the comfort class. The prices on the page are for August 2021.
Philadelphia Transportation
Philadelphia is served by four subway lines with 85 stations.
- The Market-Frankford Blue Line runs through the city center from west to east (under Market Street).
- The orange branch of Broad Street is laid out from north to south, it is mostly underground and runs under the Broad Street of the same name.
- The PATCO (Port Authority Transit Company) Red Line runs between Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey.
- The Norristown High Speed Green Line runs west almost parallel to the Market-Frankford line.
Less popular and convenient modes of transport are buses and trams.
Entertainment and attractions in Philadelphia
One of the main attractions of the city is Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, and the US Constitution in 1787. Next to Independence Hall in the Liberty Bell Center is the Liberty Bell, a symbol of US independence. It was his ringing on July 8, 1776 that announced the announcement of the Declaration of Independence. The Hall of Congress is also located here, where the Bill of Rights was signed.
Just a few blocks away are such key buildings for the history and appearance of Philadelphia as the First Bank of the United States (First Bank of the United States) and the Second Bank of the United States (Second Bank of the United States) – a complex of buildings 18-19 centuries., which now houses the National Portrait Gallery, the Philadelphia Custom House and the Merchants’ Exchange. It is also home to the Betsy Ross House, where, according to legend, the first US flag was created.
Elfreth’s Alley (Alfert Alley) – the oldest in the United States. It has preserved 30 houses built in 1728-1836. It is home to St. George’s (1763-69), the oldest Methodist church in the United States, Christ Church, attended by Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, and Old Joseph’s Church, major religious landmarks in the city. The architectural complex surrounds Girard Fountain Park. This quarter, surrounded by alleys, squares and park, is considered the historical center of Philadelphia.
Notable sights far beyond Philly also include the Powell House, the Italian Market, the Acquarama, the restored Philadelphia Main Station, which now looks like it was during the Great Depression, and the first Wanamakers supermarket in the United States. (Wanamaker’s).
Not far from the historic part of Philadelphia, on the banks of the Delaware River, Penns Landing is marked – the landing site of William Penn, the “father of the city.” And the embankment itself overlooking the Benjamin Franklin Bridge is a favorite place for residents and guests of the city. Another popular place to visit in Philly is Fairmount Park. This is one of the largest urban parks in the world, spread over 37 hectares – in addition to various green spaces, the oldest zoo in the country (1874) is located here.
Museums in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is perhaps the most famous not only in the city and the state, but also one of the most famous in the United States. About 225 thousand different works of art are presented here: paintings, sculptures created by recognized masters, including such artists as Picasso, Renoir, Rousseau. Some of them are exhibited in more than 200 galleries. 72 stone steps lead to the Museum of Art, from which a beautiful view of Philadelphia opens up.
In addition, these steps are called the “Rocky steps”: Sylvester Stallone’s character Rocky Balboa ran on them during training. He was so fond of the public that a bronze statue of the character was installed next to the museum.
Address: 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, phone: +1 (215) 763-81-00. A visit to the main building of the museum for adults will cost 20 USD, students, children over 12 years old, seniors over 65 years old – 20 USD, children under 12 years old – free of charge.
The Mütter Museum of Medical History (website) is a museum of medical pathologies, antique medical equipment, and biological artifacts. The museum’s somewhat grotesque collection includes skulls, a 12.5 cm long human intestine, a woman’s corpse turned into soap, and preserved organs and skeletons. Address: South 22nd St., 19; tel.: 215-563-3737, working hours: Monday-Friday – 10:00-17:00, Saturday-Sunday – 10:00-17:00.
Of interest is the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology of the University of Pennsylvania, which at the beginning of the 20th century organized several important archaeological expeditions to Egypt, Mesopotamia, Africa, East Asia and Latin America. From where he brought almost his entire collection. Address: 3260 South Street, tel.: 215-898-4001. Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday – 10:00-16:30, Sunday – 13:00-17:00. The museum has a Pay-what-you-want system (pay-as-you-want) from Tuesday to Saturday after 15:30 and on Sunday after 16:00.
On the waterfront of the Delaware River is the Independence Seaport Museum. The museum complex includes the cruiser Olympia and the submarine Bekun. Vessels are moored off the coast and open to the public. The address of the museum itself: S Columbus Blvd., 211; phone: 215-925-5439.
