Holiday in Philadelphia

About Philadelphia

Philadelphia, affectionately known as Philly, is the birthplace of American democracy and one of the most historic cities in the USA. The Declaration of Independence was signed here in 1776, and the Constitution of the United States in 1787 — documents that changed the world. The Liberty Bell, the famous symbol of freedom with its iconic crack, is just a short walk away and can be visited for free. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of the largest art museums in the USA, is world-renowned for its 72 entrance steps — the Rocky Steps, where Sylvester Stallone completed his triumphant run in the film Rocky. A bronze statue of Rocky stands at the foot of the stairs. Inside, the museum houses over 240,000 works, including masterpieces by Renoir, Picasso, and Duchamp. The Reading Terminal Market, in operation since 1893, is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the USA: Over 80 vendors offer Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, fresh seafood, Amish products, and street food from around the world. Philadelphia's culinary hallmark is the cheesesteak — a sandwich filled with thinly sliced beef and melted cheese, around which a legendary rivalry between Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks revolves. The Mural Arts Philadelphia Initiative has transformed the city into the largest outdoor museum for street art in the USA with over 4,000 murals. The neighborhood of Fishtown has developed into a creative epicenter, while the historic district of Society Hill, with its 18th-century brick houses, exudes colonial charm. Philadelphia's music scene is legendary: The Philadelphia Sound of the 1970s shaped soul and R&B. Today, the city is a stronghold for indie rock and hip-hop. The Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music offer world-class classical concerts.