Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia is often overlooked by tourists seeking excitement in New York City, museums in D.C. or colonial history in Boston. But, America's first capital has unique sights, delicious eateries and a walkable downtown.
With easy access to major transportation, you should stop in Philadelphia during your summer road trip. Here are several things you can do in just five hours there.
Visitors can arrive by train or bus at the 30th Street Amtrak train station. Once you arrive, first walk north towards the Museum of Art and take a selfie with the "Rocky" statue or pose yourself on the iconic "Rocky" steps. Cross the street and check out the buffalo, bears, elk and moose of the Washington Monument.
Then, you can walk northeast to the Eastern State Penitentiary. Its slowly crumbling ruins are an exciting place to climb around and see an old castle-like prison.
Next, head southeast to check on the construction of the new LDS temple site near Logan Square on 18th Street. This area also features The Franklin Institute and the Barnes Foundation so you can check out those attractions as well.
That's a lot of walking so visitors should head straight south on 17th Street for donuts and fried chicken at Federal Donuts. After taking a break and eating breakfast, you can head back up to City Hall in the middle of the city. It can be viewed from afar along Market or Broad Streets, but is even more beautiful up close.
Across the street from City Hall is the Masonic Temple. For $10, you can see beautiful examples of architecture from all over the world in the Oriental, Ionic, Gothic, Egyptian, Norman, Corinthian and Renaissance Halls.
Brigham Wilson
Next, wander around the Pike's Place of Philadelphia: Reading Terminal Market on 12th Street. A second breakfast (or early lunch) at the Dutch Eating Place is delicious and never a mistake.
Visitors should continue to 6th Street where you will find the Independence Visitor Center, Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. However, you will have to wait for hours to get inside the attractions during the summer months. It is best to visit during off-peak times. Otherwise, if you only have a few hours to visit, you will have to be satisfied with an exterior view of the building and seeing the bell through the window.
Finish with ice cream from the Franklin Fountain on 2nd Street. Then eat your ice cream while walking through Society Hill. One of the delights of Philadelphia are the colonial neighborhoods that look the same as they did nearly 300 years ago — skinny lanes, short close brick houses and old trees.
Then take the Market-Frankford Line west to the train station and continue on your road trip, happy to have discovered this delightful city of the mid-Atlantic.
Brigham Wilson is getting an MBA from MIT Sloan. He loves Philadelphia like a brother. Email him at brighamtree@gmail.com.
