Philly

I just got back from a 5-day trip to Philadelphia. My sister had a conference there for work, and my mom and I tagged along! Here are a few highlights from our trip:

"Old City" (from left to right - click to enlarge):

• East room in Independence Hall, where Declaration of Independence was signed. Large chair behind desk at front of room is the only original piece in the room.
• Independence Hall exterior
• Colonial row houses in Society Hill
• America's first hospital
• Liberty Bell
• Close-up of tower on Independence Hall
• Constitution Center with my mom
• "We The People" inscription on Constitution Center facade
• Huge bust of Benjamin Franklin

"Center City"

• City Hall - the largest masonry building in the world. The tower was tallest structure in the world when it was completed in 1896. Statue of city planner William Penn on top of tower.
• Views from top of City Hall Tower: downtown skyscrapers, Benjamin Franklin Bridge crossing the Delaware River, Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Museum of Art 
• Love Park / JFK Plaza
• Oversized board game pieces: Monopoly Top Hat, Dominos, Sorry piece
• Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (the inside was beautiful!)

"Parkway Museums District"

• Benjamin Franklin Parkway with flags from every country lining the street and museum of art at the end
• Shakespeare monument and public library
• fountain at Logan Square
• Entrance statues flanking steps below Philadelphia Museum of Art
• view of downtown Philly from top of museum steps
• Rocky statue (the famous scene of him running up the steps was at this museum)
• Washington Monument and Museum building
• Thinking with "The Thinker" in front of the Rodin museum
• A Monet from the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Other Highlights:

• Trying an authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwich (just so you know, the "cheese whiz" is what makes it authentic. It's basically melty nacho cheese, not the stuff squirted out of an aerosol can.)
• Taking a horse-drawn carriage tour through Old City and Society Hill
• Refreshing my memory / learning more about the founding of our country
• Touring the Betsy Ross house
• Seeing the special Van Gogh exhibit at the museum of art
• Eating at the Reading Terminal Market, a huge indoor farmer's market full of ethnic food stands, fresh produce, delicious cookies, ice cream, and other treats, etc. housed in the building that used to be home to the Reading Railroad.
• Attempting to hail a taxi on the street, then trying to call one to pick us up from the museum of art, then having the dispatch lady on the phone ask me where the museum is. "If you don't know where the Museum of Art is then I'll try calling another company."
• Getting a foot massage in Chinatown after a long day of sight seeing
• Visiting my Aunt who lives an hour away in New Jersey in a large, beautiful brick home on a peaceful, wooded, secluded lot in the countryside. Thanks again for picking us up, Anita!
• And of course, spending some quality time with my mom, sister, and nephew!