If You Like

If You Like

American History

Many things may have been taken away from Philly since the Declaration of Independence was ratified here in 1776: Washington D.C. became the new nation's capital and New York became the center of finance and publishing. But the country's past remains inexorably linked to this city, and we have the venues to prove it.

Independence Hall. This relatively unimposing brick building on Chestnut Street is where both the Declaration and Constitution were composed, argued about, and eventually signed. From such humble beginnings do mighty nations eventually arise. Just behind it is a small park, perfect for walking around and mulling the fate of a new nation.

National Constitution Center. Opened in 2003, the NCC presents a vast multimedia experience to better explain the significance of the blueprint of the country. It also allows you a chance to play Supreme Court Justice and weigh in on many rousing topics of the day, posting your response via the imposing Post-It note.

Liberty Bell. One of the country's most powerful symbols of freedom, the bell, replete with famous crack, now sits in its own dedicated center, still hanging from its original yoke. Despite the disputation by historians of its most famous ringing -- for the first public reading of the Declaration -- the bell remains a historic mainstay.

Food Markets

Philly is routinely listed as one of the fattest cities in the country, and here's why: there's so much good food here you'd have to have the discipline of an ascetic monk to ignore it. Ethnically, the city is as diverse as it is rich in cultural heritage, and this diversity works very much to the benefit of the culinary landscape.

But in addition to the restaurants and cafés, there's also a rich tradition of open-air markets -- places where you can get everything from the most basic staple to the exotically sublime.

Italian Market. For more than a century, this stretch of 9th Street between Bainbridge and Washington has offered everything from fresh sausage to homemade ricotta. While the gist of stores still tend toward the Mediterranean, you can also find a growing presence of South American and Asian foods.

Reading Terminal. A massive, enclosed market, RTM houses more than 80 different vendors, ranging from fresh produce to seafood to killer cupcakes. The Amish community is also well represented with several outlets, including a sit-down diner that offers pancakes the size of a tractor tire complete with their own stick of (home-churned) butter.

Clark Park Farmer's Market. Setting up in West Philly's largest park, this market offers a community-gathering vibe in addition to the rows of fresh fruits and vegetables and baked goods. On a given day, you might find impromptu jam sessions of musicians, artists gathering around their easels, and freestyle floral-arranging lessons.

Museums

With the cultural and historic significance relating to the birth of this country, history is absolutely the main thing here, but Philly is also blessed with a wide range of other possibilities, from world-class art museums to a few, shall we say, more off-beat options.

Philadelphia Museum of Art. Yes (sigh), upon the very steps of which Rocky triumphantly galloped up, the MOA offers an outstanding permanent collection, including masterworks by Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, and local boy Thomas Eakins, in addition to excellent ongoing exhibits. It's also host to one of the best views of the city.

Barnes Foundation. There's still controversy over whether the Barnes will stay on the Main Line or move into the city, but either way it will remain a treasure trove of art, from its extensive collection of impressionist and modern paintings, by such luminaries as Picasso, Matisse, and Cezanne, to its impressive array of African sculpture.

Mutter Museum. People flock here to see the macabre collection of medical abnormalities, like conjoined twins (and their livers); celeb body parts like Grover Cleveland's jaw tumor; and, as a horrific coup de gras, a massive human colon. Needless to say, not for the fainthearted.

Rodin Museum. You won't find a better collection of Rodin's sculpture outside France. This museum has one of the artist's most famous works -- the 21-foot-high Gates of Hell, with more than 100 human and animal figures, as well as the eternally romantic The Kiss.

Neighborhood-hopping

Like most old Eastern cities, Philly is meant to be walked. Sure, you can drive (if you have a lot of time on your hands), or bike (wearing a helmet and a grimace), but walking through the neighborhoods gives you a much better sense of the history and context of the city.

South Philly. A vast area, roughly from South Street all the way down to Oregon Avenue, South Philly encompasses many smaller communities and attractions, like the BYOBs and parks of Queen Village and the classic Italian restaurants of East Passyunk, and, naturally, the Italian Market. The area is also home to growing Latino and Asian communities.

West Philly. Known for its diversity, West Philly is also home to University City, the area around Penn and Drexel universities. Clark Park, just west of Penn's campus, remains one of the city's best-loved parks, with some of the city's finest African, Middle Eastern, and Indian restaurants.

Society Hill. This mostly residential area is lovely to stroll through, as it has several cafés and shops worth stopping in, including those at Headhouse Square. It feels much like the area around Rittenhouse in terms of its well-to-do vibe, but a bit more laid-back and less commercial. Just to the south are two continually budding neighborhoods -- Bella Vista and Queen Village.

Old City. This is the place to come if it's nightlife you're after. During the day, you'll find a host of art galleries, independent movie theaters, and trendy shopping spots. Several years back this area was truly hipster, but the cutting-edge trendsetters have moved to nearby Northern Liberties, also worth checking out.