Nor

I want to see historical sights, eat at a good restaurant, see shops, walk, and eat a good piece of cheesecake? Thanks!

teena

Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Since 9/11 they have beefed up the security a lot, so get there early as lines can be very long.Great tour guides!
South street is a few blocks away for lots of shops and food. Philly is famous for Cheesesteaks (PATS)
Soft Pretzels and Tastycakes.

Clara

We went to Philly for a day trip a few years ago. We hopped on one of those tour busses. It took us to all of the historic sites and museums. It was the perfect way to see the city! The tour guied was excellent. We caught the bus in front of the liberty bell.

Paul Rabe

Note that there is no contemporary account that the Liberty Bell was rung on July 4, 1776; that's why the city almost sold it for scrap in the 1840s. Its becoming a national icon had to wait over 70 years, and was ONLY because abolitionists used its statement "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land" to promote their agenda.

Start the day by having scrapple for breakfast; just don't ask what goes into it. Make certain it's scrapple with no snouts.

See Independence Hall first thing; that's where REAL history took place (you have heard of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights?). Get a letter stamped at the post office at Franklin Court, with a replica of Ben Franklin's first official US stamp. Wander down Elfreth Alley and Rittenhouse Square.

Have lunch downtown at any fine restaurant that catches your fancy.

After that, take the #76 bus to the Art Museum OR the zoo (depending on your tastes and the weather).

In the evening, check out the stores on Market Street around City Hall. Make certain to go to Lord & Taylor.

Finish the day with a cheese steak at either Pat's or Geno's.

Phil

Go to this site to find the cheapest and fastest way to get around Philadelphia:
http://www.phillyphlash.com/home.html
Most of the historic highlights are within walking distance of one another, but to get to South Street and the Art Museum or the business district, this purple bus is ideal.
Also, I would begin at Capenter's Hall, and then, go on to Independence Hall because historically the happenings at IH would never have been possible if earlier events at CH had not happened first.
Enjoy the city- -try to get to the seaport and the great museum there.

Amy

In addition to the above, don't miss the Reading Terminal Market for lunch. Shopping at Liberty Place (and designer discounts at Daffy's across the street) and shopping and walking in the Rittenhouse Square area are also good additions.

(Sorry I can't help with the cheesecake; the Country Club diner in the Northeast section has good ones, but they're definitely not in the downtown area!)

Have a wonderful trip....are you sure you can't stay longer There's so much to do and so many, many great restaurants: Fork, Ralph's, The Fountain, Imperial Inn, Vetri's, Brasserie Perrier, Le Bec Fin........plus all the good little places and the street food!

Diana

Ditto on the Reading Terminal idea for fun and an amazing spectacle & variety of eats. For cheesecake you might be able to find Aramingo Diner cheesecake there. Historical area is 3rd to 7th Streets, Pine to Arch Streets. Reading Terminal is just up Arch at 12th Street. Market between 2nd and 5th is now the restaurant renaissance area. The Fork on Market, Spasso on Front (on the river) for Italian are 2 good dinner spots in the area. Visitors orientation center is on 3rd street near Walnut. You can stay in historic area & go to Reading Terminal for souvenirs and avoid South Street. It has some interesting shops & restaurants but it's becoming infested with low lifes. It's 6 blocks south of the historic area and for my money you can avoid it and not miss that much.