The choice of Philadelphia for a reunion is certainly a good one, as there are many, many sites and activities in the Philly area—far more than can be seen during a short reunion stay. We have chosen a few of the most popular attractions to describe for you here.   Now, settle back and read about Philadelphia and then fill out the on line survey to let us know what you'd like to see!

     Famous as the birthplace of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Philadelphia offers much more than cobblestone streets and historical landmarks. Cultural, culinary, artistic and ethnic treasures abound in this city and its surrounding countryside.

A Guided Tour of Historic Philadelphia includes:

Independence Hall— This State House was first begun in 1732 and finished in 1756. It served as the meeting place of the provincial and state governments. The Second Continental Congress met here and drafted and ratified the Articles of Confederation. George Washington also presided over the Constitutional Convention here.

Congress Hall—Like the democratic ideals it once served, Congress Hall is simple, but powerful. The nation’s fledgling legislature occupied the former County Court House, a two-story brick Georgian structure that characterized Congress’ roles. The House of Representatives on the first floor (Lower House) looks as it did for John Adams’ inauguration in 1797-spare and unadorned, with desks for 106 representatives from 16 states.

On the second floor, the recently restored U.S. Senate (Upper House) is more elaborate, with deep green walls and fabric. Carpeting with the American eagle encircled by the seals of the 13 original states dominates the room. Larger-than-life portraits of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, gifts of the French government, hang in the adjacent committee rooms.

Liberty Bell—A symbol for freedom worldwide, the first “Liberty Bell” arrived from England in 1752. It was  cast to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Penn’s Charter of Privileges. The original bell cracked while being tested and was recast and hung in April 1753. Its most famous ring may have been on July 8, 1776, when it summoned the citizens of Philadelphia to the State House Yard to hear the Declaration of Independence read. The bell cracked again  in 1835 when tolling for the funeral of Chief Justice John Marshall.

The Liberty Bell has a new home, and it is as powerful and dramatic as the Bell itself. Throughout the expansive, light-filled Center, larger-than-life historic documents and graphic images explore the facts and the myths surrounding the Bell.

X-rays give an insider’s view, literally, of the Bell’s crack and inner-workings. In quiet alcoves, a short History Channel film, available in English and eight other languages, traces how abolitionists, suffragists and other groups adopted the Bell as its symbol of freedom.

Christ Church—A wonderful example of Georgian Colonial architecture, Christ Church is bordered by a tree-lined brick path, small park and a cobblestone alley, which provide the perfect setting for this historic treasure. The tower and steeple made it the tallest building in America until 1856.

The pulpit was crafted in 1769 by John Folwell, who also made the Rising Sun Chair in Independence Hall. The 600-year-old baptismal font arrived in 1697 from England, where it had been used to baptize William Penn. William White, ninth rector of Christ Church, chaplain of the Continental Congress and first Bishop of Pennsylvania of the newly formed Episcopal Church, is buried in the chancel.

The parish was founded in 1695; this building was constructed between 1727 and 1744. Benjamin Franklin raised money for the tower and steeple, added in 1754. By 1758, the parish had grown so large that St. Peters was established at 3rd and Pine Streets for members who lived in Society Hill. When National Days of Prayer were declared, President Washington and the legislative bodies attended Christ Church en masse. 

Elfreth’s Alley - While a modern, 21st-century city has sprung up around it, Elfreth’s Alley is the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited street, dating back to the mid 1700s.

Elfreth's Alley preserves three centuries of evolution through its old-fashioned flower boxes, shutters, Flemish bond brickwork and other architectural details.

Two adjacent houses, built in 1755, are now a museum and are open to the public.

The Reading Terminal Market, established in 1892 at 12th and Arch Streets, is the nation’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market. Through its long and interesting history, it has seen times both good and bad, but has emerged in the 21st century as one of the greatest public markets in the country.

When you visit the market, you can enjoy eating virtually every type of cuisine, from sublime soul food and exquisite Asian and Middle Eastern dishes to authentic Philly Cheesesteaks and traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare — all available from largely family-run stands.

The northwestern corner of the market is primarily devoted to Amish merchants from Lancaster County, who bring their farm-fresh products and distinctive prepared dishes to the Market four days a week. Watch as Amish bakers twist and bake soft pretzels right in front of your eyes — then try one while it is still warm from the oven.

Cooks from the finest local restaurants come to the market each morning for the very freshest in meats, poultry, seafood and specialty ingredients. Cooking demonstrations and cookbook signings are frequent events.
 

Franklin Court -  Publisher. Diplomat. Statesman. Scientist. The life and accomplishments of America’s favorite Renaissance man are celebrated in a museum complex tucked behind the city’s busy streets. A steel frame structure, nicknamed the “ghost house,” rises up from the ground, outlining the shape and dimensions of Franklin’s home.

Like any couple, Benjamin and his wife Deborah had strong opinions about their home’s design and décor and excerpts from their correspondence about the topic are embedded in the walkways surrounding the house. Descend into the adjacent underground museum to discover some of Franklin’s many inventions including his glass “armonica” (a musical instrument), library chair and music stand. A 20-minute film narrated by David Hartman tells the story of Franklin’s amazing life.

Cities in 18th century America were short on resident services. While many of Franklin’s inventions-bifocals, Franklin stove, lightning rod-improved the quality of life for individuals, many of his innovations had an even broader social impact. Public libraries, fire departments, postal services, public education and public hospitals are all rooted in Franklin’s philosophy of a comfortable and equitable society.

Avenue of the Arts - Designated in 1993 by representatives of the region’s business, political, community and arts leadership, the Avenue of the Arts is a stretch of more than four-and-a-half miles along the main artery of Broad Street that encompasses the recently built Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, as well as landmark establishments such as the historic Academy of Music and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2005. Along and around the Avenue, restaurants, shops and hotels enliven the busy thoroughfare, and just blocks away is the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, an arts and cultural hotspot that stretches from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Art in City Hall - Discover fine art on display year-round, in special display cases on the 2nd and 4th floors of the landmark Second Empire-style building of City Hall. Art in City Hall mounts three group shows a year, each on a different theme, and always featuring artists of the Philadelphia area.

Guest curators, invited jurors or members of an advisory council choose the artists, keeping ideas fresh and quality high. Recent exhibits have looked at examples of digital art, artwork made in glass, and images of City Hall, for its 100th birthday. Over 800 artists have been showcased through this program so far.
 

Begun in 1984, the Art in City Hall program was revived by Mayor Rendell in 1992 to underscore the city’s commitment to the arts. The program makes City Hall a true participant in the “Avenue of the Arts,” the stretch of Broad Street that includes the Kimmel Center, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and other cultural attractions.

Battleship USS NEW JERSEY - At 887 feet of armor-plated steel, the 45,000 ton Battleship New Jersey dominates not only the New Jersey waterfront, but also American naval history. Winding through tight, narrow companionways, visitors see the communication center, officers’ and enlisted men’s mess halls and sleeping quarters, which range from small private rooms for senior officers to even smaller cots stacked atop each other for enlisted men.

The dimly lighted Combat Engagement Center displays radar and sonar tracking stations, and videos show the launch of Tomahawk missiles. A highlight of the tour is the turret where 2,700-pound shells were loaded and fired. Best of all, some of the tour guides served active duty on the “Big J” and share their personal experiences.

Through World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the Gulf War, the Iowa-class Battleship New Jersey earned an unprecedented 19 Battle and Campaign Stars for outstanding service. As technology changed, the ship’s equipment changed, too.

Today the battleship is preserved how it was when it was decommissioned for the fourth and final time in 1991. Visitors can travel back to an earlier time in the battleship’s history on the 4D flight simulator’s “Seahawk” program, which re-creates a WWII era dogfight over Iwo Jima.

Brandywine Battlefield Park  - Most preserved battlefield sites memorialize winning fights, but the revolutionary army actually lost ground at Brandywine. Still, the rolling hills of Brandywine Battlefield Park serve as a memorable addition to any Revolutionary War tour of the Philadelphia area. George Washington used the Benjamin Ring House for his headquarters before the battle, and though the house burned in the 1930s, it is now preserved to be what it looked like in 1777.
 
 Nearby is the house in which the Marquis de Lafayette stayed prior to the battle, the home of a wealthy farmer, Gideon Gilpin, whose property was pillaged by the British in the wake of the battle. The Visitors Center shows a video of the battle and its aftermath.
 
 The revolutionaries lost a crucial battle at Brandywine on another fateful September 11, this one in 1777. They were outmaneuvered by the British Gen. Howe and had to retreat, eventually to Valley Forge several miles away, where they spent a devastating winter. Two weeks later, Howe occupied the colonial capital, Philadelphia.

VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL PARK—Of all the places associated with America’s War for Independence, none convey the suffering, sacrifice and ultimate triumph of our nation more than Valley Forge. No battles were fought here; no bayonet charges or artillery bombardments took place. Nonetheless, some 2,000 soldiers died – more Americans than were killed at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown combined.

Valley Forge is the story of an army’s epic struggle to survive against terrible odds, hunger, disease and the unrelenting forces of nature.

Rows of canyons in Artillery Park; the soldiers’ log huts; and earthen fortifications around the rim of the park are silent reminders of the past.

With the British army occupying Philadelphia, Continental commander George Washington had to find a place to encamp for the winter. He chose what seemed to be a strategic high-ridged area to the West. The winter was fierce, and 2,000 men died without a shot fired, yet they emerged in mid-1778 to win significant battles.

Though no military battle was fought here, the six months in Valley Forge, with its heavily-rationed supplies and awful winter, were among the roughest for the Continental Army during the entire war.

The refurbished Welcome Center displays a new exhibit, "Determined to Persevere," utilizing Revolutionary War artifacts to tell the story of life during the winter encampment. You can touch muskets, and see how even General Washington lived in tough conditions.

The outbuildings, some authentic, like Washington’s Headquarters, and some replicated, like the Muhlenberg Brigade huts, bring that pivotal winter to life. Like no other Revolutionary War site, Valley Forge suggests the arduous spiritual and physical experience the Continental army went through on its way to eventual victory.

Today, Valley Forge is a lush, 3,600-acre expanse of rolling hillsides dotted with flowering dogwood trees. Washington’s original stone headquarters has been restored and furnished, and statues and monuments throughout the park remind visitors of our national heritage.

Among them are the Memorial Arch; statues of General “Mad Anthony” Wayne and Baron Friedrich von Steuben; and the Monument to Patriots of African Descent. Costumed interpreters are posted at the Muhlenberg Brigade huts on summer weekends, and at Washington’s Headquarters all year-round.
 

Lights of Liberty Walking Tour  - You'll arrive at dusk and pick up headsets automatically tuned to a script read by such actors as Ossie Davis and Charlton Heston, and which are triggered automatically as your group arrives at the planned Park destinations.

Led by a guide, you'll walk across the moonlit cobblestone streets to Park sites, where the Revolutionary story is compressed into five acts. Rifles crackle, cannons boom, and the founders of America argue with actual quotes interwoven into the script. They're backed with choral music and a soundtrack performed by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The visuals are somewhere between shadow-box projections and animation, with superb color and resolution. The finale of 1776 takes place right in back of Independence Hall, and it's irresistibly thrilling.