Spotlight for Philadelphia, PA
With over 1.5 million residents, Philadelphia is the largest city in all of Pennsylvania. It is often referred to as the "city of neighborhoods," so despite the fact that it's incredibly large, it feels a bit smaller than it actually is. The city is situated just forty-six miles outside of New York City, and is rich with many components of American History.
It served as the temporary U.S. Capital from 1790 to 1800 and was also home to many of the events that were apart of the American Revolution and, ultimately, America's independence.
With Philadelphia's historical nature, its architecture has taken on many different styles and includes buildings that have stylistic influences dating back to the Colonial times. The remaining building styles include attributes of Georgian architecture, which can be seen in Independence Hall and Christ Church, in addition to Federal architecture, Greek Revival architecture, and more modern architectural elements in the more recent additions to the city.
As home to many events that compose the American Revolution, Philadelphia also contains many national historical sites. Independence National Historical Park is the center of all of these sites and contains Independence Hall (mentioned above), which is the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the infamous Liberty Bell. It is also home of Betsy Ross and Edgar Allen Poe's historical homes, in addition to the First and Second National Banks of the United States. The city's artistic offerings include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is the largest art museum in the whole country, and also contains the steps that were made famous by the well-known motion picture, Rocky.
The Philly Cheesesteak is a staple that can also be found throughout Philadelphia. The sandwich is composed of thinly-sliced pieces of steak, melted cheese and onions, all of which are served on a large hoagie roll. It is rumored to be originated by Pat and Harry Olivieri in the early 20th century by combining all of the aforementioned ingredients on a "large loaf of bread." Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks are both currently located in the heart of South Philadelphia and have a well-known rivalry involving whose Cheesesteaks are best.
As a large city in the heart of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia serves as a central hub of America that offers cultural and historical experiences for travelers looking to understand more about our country's past. Its close proximity to New York City and mild climate make it easily accessible and a great year-round vacation destination for young professionals and families alike.
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