The city of brotherly love will have you head over heels with its history, art, shopping – and cheesesteaks.
THIS bustling city, the largest in the state of Pennsylvania, has long been synonymous with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is also associated with some of the silver screen's most iconic moments, such as Sly Stallone's Rocky Balboa po
unding up the steps of its Museum of Art, much of the exterior scenes from Trading Places and, of course, Tom Hanks's Oscar-winning turn as a lawyer with Aids in the film that bore the city's name. Off-screen, Philly is just as vibrant, and is bursting at the seams with culture, history and opportunities for those ready to explore.
BEFORE YOU GO Pick up a copy of Insight's Philadelphia City Guide or Eyewitness's Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, both published last year and featuring up-to-date information on the must-visit city sights. Then stick 'Eye of the Tiger' in the CD player or sit back with a Rocky DVD.
WHEN TO GO The summer months in Philadelphia can get pretty sticky and the winter is bitingly cold, so spring or early autumn are a good call if you want to avoid extreme elements. If you are a sun-worshipper and make it there in early July for the Independence Day celebrations, head for the highest point you can find to enjoy the fireworks in all their glory.
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES Philadelphia International Airport serves most domestic and international destinations. You can fly from Scotland with KLM for just over £320 return. If you're travelling to the city from inside the States, Greyhound Lines operates a 24-hour service to the Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal, on Filbert Street, from most major cities. By train, the Amtrak routes are regular and reliable.
GETTING AROUND Big Bus and Duck Tours both offer comprehensive and reasonably priced hop-on, hop-off trips around the city, with the latter probably more of a hit with the kids, thanks to its aquatic features and slightly 'quackers' tour guides. Or get on your bike – either cycle or moped – for a personalised tour. Just let the staff at www.philadelphiabike tour.com know whether you want a picnic by the river or to get to the zoo by lunchtime and they'll devise a route for you.
If you prefer to see your sights on foot, the Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia is a great way to see the city, and takes in more than 30 of the major attractions – all within a three-miles radius.
TOURIST TRAIL Make sure you run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and take in its 2,000-plus pieces, but don't think that's the art over with: the Rodin Museum is superb and well worth a visit, boasting more than 120 of the master's sculptures, including bronze casts of the Burghers of Calais and Eternal Springtime.
Movie fans can get their fix, too: there are several small-scale film festivals showing cutting-edge work throughout the year.
GO NATIVE For a night out, Philadelphians will often head to the area around South Street, which boasts more than 300 shops and 60 restaurants, cafés, bars and clubs. In terms of heritage, the most historic square mile of the city is Independence National Historical Park, locally referred to as Independence Mall. Straddling several blocks, the area includes the must-see sights of the Liberty Bell, Christ Church, Independence Hall and City Tavern.
And for a uniquely Philadelphian experience, why not mix it up with local fans from one of the big three teams: the Phillies (baseball), the 76ers (basketball) or the Eagles (American football).
WHAT TO BUY The queen bee of shopping is South Street, but elsewhere the city is a hive of retail energy. There are antiques dealers (Chestnut Hill), malls (Franklin Mills), local shops alongside national chains (Main Street Manayunk), hip and vintage stores (Old City) and luxury shops (Rittenhouse Square). Phew…
NIGHTLIFE For live music and decent eats, look no further than the trendy World Café Live, the popular 300-capacity, bistro-style concert room that attracts a hip crowd. Across town, 12 Steps Down is a good shout for laid-back tipples, where you can put another dime in the jukebox and shoot some pool.
WHERE TO STAY The Marriott (www.marriott.com) in downtown Philadelphia provides a good service in a great location. For a more luxurious stay, try the handsome Four Seasons (www. fourseasons.com/philadelphia). Those on a budget should find what they're looking for after a visit to www.hotelpronto.co.uk for last-minute deals.
WHAT TO EAT No visit would be complete without a Philly cheesesteak. A 1930s invention, the beloved cheesesteak – strips of beef and melted cheese on a long roll – can be found at street stalls and in the ubiquitous café-bars.
If that doesn't spoil your appetite, head for the Reading Terminal Market. This large farmers' market has been around for 100 years, and offers food from all corners of the globe, from Asian and Middle Eastern dishes to more traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare. It even has several Amish bakers' stalls where you can enjoy a pretzel direct from the oven.
