Philadelphia
October 2022

Ahhh – autumn in the mid-Atlantic, with the leaves turning as the weather changes to crisp.

Although I’ve been to New York City numerous times, as well as Boston and Washington DC, this SoCal girl had never been to Philadelphia. I came on a “discovery” tour in preparation for bringing a group to the Philadelphia Film Festival this October. What a wake-up call to have missed this fabulous city!

Philadelphia is one of the United States' most visited cities. The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were both signed at Independence Hall. Benjamin Franklin once lived here. And before Washington D.C. assumed its role, Philadelphia served as the country's capital. The Philly of today is filled with great museums, fun nightlife, sports, and a restaurant scene that encompasses much more than just the Philly cheesesteak.

I’m a history buff, so I started with the Old City neighborhood where I was excited to explore the nation’s most historic square mile at Independence National Historical Park, which contains the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the National Constitution Center, the Benjamin Franklin Museum, and the Independence Visitor Center.

I then went on to modern Philadelphia, with its plethora of public art and fabulous art museums, including the Barnes Foundation and Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Plus a “de rigueur” photo stop in Love Park, along with a delicious Philly cheesesteak and beer in the bustling Terminal Market.