There's no shortage of good choices of where to go, but high on our list was Philadelphia. We'd been wanting to take the kids for awhile, and now that it was only two hours away, it was the perfect destination. Plus, it was a great bookend to the Revolutionary War lessons we'd learned recently.
(A great traveler's tip BTW for you spontaneous types- priceline.com. We use the site frequently, especially the "name your own price" option. If you want the pointers email me and I'll give you the tricks- but it can save you bundles when traveling.)
Back to Philly. Staying in downtown afforded us the chance to walk and be close to the historic area. One of the things we always try to do in big cities is take the touristy bus tour. The hop-on-hop-off kind are the best. One can attain a great perspective of the entire city and then later go back and see things in detail. The kids thoroughly enjoy the bus rides and frankly, it minimizes the grumbling.
In a little over 24 hours, we managed to knock off the top spots to see. Can you guess what they are?
- The Liberty Bell (that was a gimme)
- Independence Hall (another gimme)
- Betsy Ross' house
- Elfreth's Alley
- Rocky Steps
- Pat's for a cheesesteak hoagie
Philadelphia is such an amazing place of history, art and architecture. Sure, there are parts of the city one would do well to not visit, but the rest of it is well worth seeing. Independence Hall had to be the most meaningful building we entered. As Americans, it's such a vital, if not THE most vital building in our nation's history. To envision the men sitting at their desks hashing out the details of the Declaration, then later, the Constitution, defies imagination. I am so thankful the building has been preserved for all to see and enjoy. If you've never seen this place, put it on your list. Truly an awe inspiring locale, if your American or not. Before you go however, make sure to reserve your tickets online (getting in is free, but requires a ticket) for a nominal fee. It behooves you to plan ahead, as only a limited number of tickets are available each day, and no one likes to be disappointed.
Of course, it wouldn't be Philly without having a cheesesteak hoagie. Delectable, greasy, and not for the healthy at heart, this is one of those treats that defines the city. What's the quickest way to stand out as a tourist? Fumble when you order your cheesesteak. Here's how it was defined to us: you don't have to say "cheesesteak" since they know that's what you're ordering. Simply say "wit onions" or "witout onions" (and no, that was not a typo) and the type of cheese you'd prefer: cheese wiz, provolone or American. It's that simple. If you end up with indigestion afterwards, you can thank me later.
Rocky Steps
Our little champion
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