Independence National Historical ParkOn July 8, 1776, the Liberty Bell rang out from the
tower of Independence Hall summoning citizens to hear the first
public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Today the Hall
stands proudly, revered as the birthplace of the American nation,
in Independence National Historical Park, an eight-block historic
neighbourhood in the very centre of old Philadelphia. The Liberty
Bell itself is on display here, in a pavilion in Market Street
between 5th and 6th Street. Independence Hall on Chestnut Street
was originally built as the Pennsylvania State House in 1732, but
became famous after first the Declaration of Independence and later
the Constitution of the United States was ratified here. The rest
of the 45-acre Independence Park is packed with historically
significant buildings and museums, interpreting the events and
lives of the movers and shakers involved in Philadelphia's years as
capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800, including George
Washington and John Adams. About 20 buildings are open to the
public daily, with times varying according to season. Advance
tickets are required for Independence Hall, obtainable from the
adjacent Visitor's Centre or bookable in advance through the
National Parks Service.Franklin Institute Science MuseumPhiladelphia's most visited museum, the Franklin
Institute on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, opened in 1934 and fast
became recognised for its innovative and imaginative exhibits that
demonstrate the influence of science in our lives. The museum
complex is divided into four sections. Firstly the Franklin
National Memorial is dedicated to Benjamin Franklin, featuring a
huge statue of its namesake and a collection of memorabilia
associated with the great man. The second section features a
collection of hands-on and interactive science and technology
exhibits, ranging from a walk-through model of a heart to a
lightning gallery. This section also includes the Discovery Theatre
where scientific shows are given each afternoon, and a puzzle
section. The basement area is the location of the Fels Planetarium.
The third section consists of the Mandell Futures Center, a
relatively new addition to the museum's offerings, which features
eight futuristic permanent interactive exhibits covering space,
earth, computers, chemistry and health. There is also an Imax
theatre arena here showing a variety of films. Lastly the museum
offers the CoreStates Science Park, located on the lawn between the
main museum buildings. This is a garden full of high-tech play
structures like a stand-on organ, maze and a high-wire bicycle. The
museum also features several restaurants and a snack
bar.Philadelphia Museum of ArtPhiladelphia's elegant art museum, established in the
1870s, houses a permanent collection of more than 225,000 works in
200 galleries, recognised as being one of the finest art
assemblages in America. Exhibits include not only magnificent
paintings, but also sculptures, period furniture and historic
rooms. The beautiful building that houses this collection is built
in the style of a Greco-Roman temple and stands on a hilltop off
Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The two-storey building is designed with
L-shaped wings leading off a central court, and exhibits are
arranged in period groupings. The museum also has a cafeteria and a
formal restaurant, and regularly hosts visiting
exhibitions.Barnes FoundationThe Barnes Foundation, housed in the French provincial
mansion of Albert Barnes, holds one of the finest collections of
French modern and post-impressionist paintings in the entire world.
Dr Albert Barnes was a wealthy Philadelphia born and bred
pharmaceutical entrepreneur who established the foundation in 1922.
This artistic experience without equal offers the chance to view an
awesome number of masterpieces by artists such as Matisse, Cézanne,
Renoir and Picasso. There are also objects like furniture, ceramics
and jewellery from around the world in this rare collection of
artistic treasures.Franklin CourtPart of the Independence National Historical Park, the
area between 3rd and 4th Streets is where the home of America's
most remarkable historic figure, Benjamin Franklin, once stood. The
house no longer exists, but the remaining courtyard has been
covered with a 54-foot high (16m) steel skeleton 'ghost structure'
and provides a novel and fascinating tribute and insight into the
life of Franklin, a printer, diplomat, inventor, publisher, author,
statesman, postmaster, founder of the University of Pennsylvania
and more. On the site visitors can see an underground museum filled
with paintings, objects and inventions associated with Franklin,
and use a bank of telephones listening to testimonies from famous
personalities about the achievements of the great man. There is
also a US Postal Service Museum and active post office on the site
and in a nearby house an architectural exhibit explaining
Franklin's fire-resisting building techniques can be viewed.
Another building in Market Street houses an 18th-century printing
office and bindery where demonstrations are given, and alongside is
the restored office of the newspaper published by Franklin's
grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache.Philadelphia ZooPhiladelphia's state-of-the-art Zoo, opened in 1874,
was the first in the United States and today takes first place as
one of the world's most renowned zoological gardens with its
wonderful animal exhibits, award-winning education and conservation
programmes, recreational opportunities and scientific
accomplishments. More than one million visitors a year are drawn to
this leading city attraction. Among the special features offered
are more than 1,600 rare and exotic animals and 42 acres of
picturesque Victorian gardens. Highlights are the Peco Primate
Reserve, an interactive exhibit featuring 10 species of primates;
the Rare Animal Conservation Center giving close up views of some
of the world's most endangered animals; the Reptile and Amphibian
House, which has an interactive adventure path showcasing 87
species including the King Cobra; an African animal section; the
chance to ascend in a helium balloon; children's petting zoo and
daily live animal shows.DoylestownThe city of Doylestown, about 25 miles (40km) north of
Philadelphia in the centre of Bucks County (of which it is the
county capital), is renowned for its Historic District which
contains more than 1,000 structures dating from between 1851 and
1910. This treasure-trove of architectural heritage, bounded by
Union, Cottage and East Ashland Streets, Hillside Avenue and South
and North-West Streets, draws hundreds of visitors to the city,
which has been named one of a 'Dozen Distinctive Destinations' by
the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The city also offers
inviting antique and handcraft shops, numerous excellent
restaurants and in the surrounding Bucks County countryside there
are vast recreational possibilities, from fishing and boating on
the scenic Delaware River to hiking through nature trails and
discovering surprises like the 300-year-old Fallsington village.
Nearby too is the site where George Washington crossed the Delaware
River and changed the course of the American
Revolution.Dutch CountryRated as one of the most popular summer drives in
America, a tour of Pennsylvania's Dutch Country is a relaxing and
rewarding experience, enjoyed by an estimated five million visitors
every year. Central to the area is Pennsylvania's scenic Lancaster
County, just one and a half hour's drive west of Philadelphia. The
main drawcard is the fascinating lifestyle of the local Amish
(plain Quaker) farming communities, who live according to age-old
traditions and values without making use of any modern
conveniences, even eschewing electricity and telephones. The area
abounds with interesting historic and rural attractions, including
28 picturesque covered bridges on quiet country roads, the oldest
Mennonite meeting house in America and the home of a former US
president. Many visitors opt to tour the area in a horse and buggy
or by bicycle. Another big attraction in the area is the food,
which, because of the local agriculture is 'fresh-from-the-farm'
home style cooking, all offered at local restaurants and markets.
To wash down the farm fare there are wineries and breweries open
for tours and tastings. Shopping for local crafts and antiques is
another popular pastime.Gettysburg National Military ParkThe small town of Gettysburg in Adam's County,
south-central Pennsylvania was the site of the largest Civil War
battle ever waged in the Western Hemisphere. It was here, too, that
Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal address. The bloody Battle
of Gettysburg started on July 1, 1863 and lasted two days,
resulting in a Union victory. The Gettysburg National Military Park
now stands testimony to the battle, incorporating about 6,000 acres
of land, 26 miles of park roads and more than 1,400 monuments,
markers and memorials.Hershey's Chocolate WorldNo Charlie should miss out on the treat of visiting
Hershey's Chocolate World in the town where chocolate making has
become an art. Hershey, billed as 'the sweetest place on earth', is
about 90 miles (145km) from Philadelphia via Lancaster. A free of
charge simulated factory tour ride is offered at the official
visitor's centre of the Hershey Foods Corporation, and a new
Chocolate Tour begins in a tropical rain forest where the chocolate
beans grow, and follows the journey as they make their way to
Hershey's. Visitors can attend a 20-minute presentation on how
Hershey's Chocolate is made, run every half hour in the 3-D Theater
Lobby. There are also gift and souvenir shops, a food court, and
the Hershey's 3-D show.Brandywine ValleyAbout 35 miles (63km) west of Philadelphia on US 1
(accessible by bus and train) is the scenic cultural and historical
Mecca of the Brandywine Valley, sprinkled with magical natural
settings, country inns, fascinating museums and beautiful gardens
in the heart of Chester County. Visitors can enjoy Longwood
Gardens, the Brandywine River Museum (with its unique art
collection in a grist mill), the Chaddsford Winery, the Simon
Pearce glassblowing studio and shopping in historic Kennett Square
to name just a few of the attractions in this naturally beautiful
part of Pennsylvania.
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