Philadelphia is a dish for every palate, an event for every culture hound, and national landmarks for every history lover. Begin your exploration in the business, government, cultural and historical hub locals call Center City. It consists of Penn’s Landing, Market Street District, Old Philadelphia, Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square to name a few.

    Penn's Landing quietly rests along the west bank of the Delaware River, but comes alive with festivals and daily boating activity. The landing is your gateway to Old Philadelphia, which contains Independence Hall, where the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Later, the U.S. Constitution was written here as well. Charming 18th century buildings and cobblestone streets surround Washington Square, an urban gem planned by William Penn. Converted lofts and warehouses nearby form one of the nation’s largest art, jewelry, and antique gallery districts – a specialty shoppers paradise.

    The Gallery on Market, filled with a wide range of shops, is an excellent place to shop in this in a state with NO SALES TAX on clothes. It blends into the exuberant Reading Terminal Market of fresh food and eateries. Chinatown's Friendship Gate at Arch Street greets you with exotic aromas and culinary delights.

    Avenue of the Arts is the region’s premier cultural destination and the city and philanthropic community deserve big props for making it happen. On South Broad Street, its home to the Academy of Music, Merriam Theater, Wilma Theater, Arts Bank, Clef Club of Jazz and the dazzling Kimmel Performing Arts Center. On North Broad Street, one finds the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and the soulfully engaging Freedom Theatre.

    Opened in 1901, this massive, architecturally enigmatic City Hall sits at a grand location. The saving race of its design is its central courtyard. For many years a gentlemens agreement in deference to history buffs, prevented any building taller than 538-foot City Hall. In the 1980s that gentlemen’s agreement was modified to permit taller buildings west of City Hall. Fortunately, architects have responded with several skyscrapers that form a distinctive skyline. Adjacent Rittenhouse Square features specialty shopping and numerous restaurants that earn Philadelphia a world-class dining reputation.

    After of Paris, Philadelphia has the largest collection of Impressionist art in its Rodin Museum. It is second only to New York for Broadway-style theatre in America. A leader in the city beautiful philosophy of urban design, Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program has more outdoor art than any other city in the world and more gardens and arboretums than any other region in America. Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts is one of the nation’s most cohesive collections of theatres and performing arts venues. It also has a Walk of Fame to local musical legends in Jazz, rock, R&B, opera, Hip-Hop, classical, blues, pop and gospel.

    Rocky fans should instantly recognize Benjamin Franklin Parkway stretching from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Home to numerous events and museums this elegant parkway is the city's crown jewel for outdoors destinations. Fairmount Park, which begins at Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and extends outward as America's largest landscaped park. It features early-American mansions, landmarks, sculpture, playing fields, and the very popular Boathouse Row.

    University City is home to the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, high tech companies, and plenty of nightclubs. Its undergoing a major makeover. West Philly also contains some of the best Soul Food and Barbeque restaurants. South Philly is home to several ethnic neighborhoods, eclectic shops, diverse restaurants, nightclubs and the delicious Philadelphia cheese steak. This district has a new basketball arena, baseball park and football stadium all conveniently located next to the Broad Street subway. North Philly is home to Temple University and the Uptown Cultural District. Located on the city's northwest district and laden with cobblestone streets, Germantown Avenue brims with art galleries, specialty shops and restaurants.

    In pre-Civil War times it was the largest center of the anti-slavery movement. Today, well-dressed brothers and sisters keep it real in commerce, government and education. Its a town that produced Dr. Bill Cosby; one that Sonia Sanchez likes to call home; one that feature the only Black female-owned boxing gym. There Black churches nearly as old as our national government, cultural sites, historic sites, restaurants, shops and soulful events in abundance. One example is Mother Bethel AME Church, the first African-American Methodist church. Another example is the African American Museum, which has a remarkable fine art collection. With two Black theatres and the outstanding Philadanco dance troupe, the performing arts don't get much better than here. For people watching and pageantry, the annual Penn Relays track meet is a must-see. Zanzibar Blue's jazz and Warm Daddy’s blues clubs are the pacesetters in a city with an abundance of Black nightclubs and home to the cherished music of Philadelphia International Records. African American contributions since Colonial times are recognized at the All Wars Memorial, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, and historic markers around town. With the abundance of Black culture and huge numbers of professional sisters, the Million Woman March was a natural fit for Philly.

    Built long before the automobile debuted, Philadelphia was designed for human scale. Most first-time visitors from the Midwest or West find it refreshing to walk between so many interesting districts that have fermented culture importance over 200 years. If walking does not suit you, catch the Phlash tour bus between visitor sites. Whatever modes of transportation you use, Philadelphia’s massive concentration of tourist attractions deserve a shout out in your travel plans.