{"id":4621,"date":"2024-10-07T11:35:59","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T15:35:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/?p=4621"},"modified":"2024-10-09T08:45:01","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T12:45:01","slug":"palmera-go-destination-highlight-philadelphia-pa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/2024\/10\/palmera-go-destination-highlight-philadelphia-pa\/","title":{"rendered":"Palmera GO Destination Highlight: Philadelphia, PA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Whether you\u2019re seeking to explore a city drenched in history, or you\u2019re wanting to surround yourself with rich culture and culinary delights, the \u201cCity of Brotherly Love\u201d boasts iconic landmarks, renowned museums, and a thriving food scene that all types of travelers will love.<\/strong> Located between New York City and Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania makes for a wonderful day trip, weekend getaway, or week-long stay. Easy to reach by car or rail, visitors can also fly into the Philadelphia International Airport that is just seven miles from the city\u2019s center and offers convenient nonstop flights from cities throughout the United States. Extremely walkable and deemed \u201cAmerica\u2019s Garden Capital\u201d for good reason, expect to see lush parks amid the collection of historic and contemporary neighborhoods.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image by Bruce Emmerling<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Since the city\u2019s history is a huge draw for visitors of all ages, let\u2019s start with all of the must-see landmarks and must-do activities during a trip to \u201cThe Birthplace of America\u201d. <\/strong>\u00a0Just a quick history refresher: Philadelphia was the country\u2019s first capital<\/strong> city before Washington D.C., and both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed in Independence Hall. <\/strong>Visitors can actually see the Assembly Room during either a self-guided tour of Independence Hall in the morning or while taking a guided tour starting mid-morning and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA, Adobe Stock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Liberty Bell, Adobe Stock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Governor’s Council Chamber in Independence Hall, Wikimedia<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Just across Chestnut Street from Independence Hall, is the Liberty Bell Center<\/strong>. Admission is free<\/strong>, and visitors can view this iconic symbol of American freedom first-hand. You\u2019ll be able to enjoy other exhibits while in line to see what once was the State House bell. After visiting these two iconic pieces of American history, you\u2019ll want to continue to explore other landmarks included in the Independence National Historical Park<\/strong>, like the President\u2019s House Site<\/strong>, National Constitution Center<\/strong>, Museum of the American Revolution<\/strong>, and more. The Independence National Historical Park spans 20 city blocks and includes both free and ticketed places of interest<\/a><\/strong>, so there\u2019s a lot to cover in this area of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Activities found on Quest Travel Club<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Since this city is made up of neighborhoods, it might be helpful to know that this area can also be called the Old City<\/strong>, or Philadelphia\u2019s Historic District<\/strong>. Either way, we’re talking about a location within Center City or Philly’s downtown<\/strong>. In addition to the museums and other sites (by the way, here\u2019s a helpful website<\/a> that has a complete list of all the museums located in Philadelphia)<\/strong>, don\u2019t forget to take a breather at one of the beautiful parks, such as Franklin Square<\/strong>. Eventually renamed to honor Benjamin Franklin, this park is the best for families, as it\u2019s packed with fun activities like Philly Mini Golf, the classic Philadelphia Parx Liberty Carousel, one of the eight Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Benches, and Burger Shack, SquareBurger.<\/strong> And of course, you can\u2019t forget about the Franklin Square Fountain<\/a><\/strong>, where you can watch the fountain show that features dancing water effects set to colored lights and music from April to the end of October. Franklin Square is also known to host can\u2019t-miss events throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Carousel, Adobe Stock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Race Street Pier, Adobe Stock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Image by Bruce Emmerling<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Other popular outdoor spaces in this area include the Race Street Pier underneath the Benjamin Franklin Bridge<\/strong>, where you can take a stroll or a moment to relax beside the Delaware River. Just down the way, you\u2019ll find the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink<\/a><\/strong>, an outdoor rink where visitors can enjoy roller skating in the summer, and ice skating in the winter during Winterfest<\/strong>. Keep walking and you\u2019ll run into the waterside park, Spruce Street Harbor Park<\/strong>, a vibrant space for people to gather and enjoy local dining experiences and bars and relax in the many colorful hammocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’d also recommend visiting Fairmount Park,<\/strong> as it\u2019s filled with all sorts of trails from off-road cycling, to horseback riding, and even hiking. This park includes many must-see items to check off on your itinerary, such as feeding the koi fish or watching a tea ceremony at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center<\/a><\/strong>, jogging up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art<\/a><\/strong> to have your Rocky moment (and maybe even going inside to tour the exhibits that span 2,000 years), taking a tour of the Colonial-era mansions nearby<\/strong>, saying a \u201chello\u201d to all of the animals at the Philadelphia Zoo<\/a><\/strong>, and even visiting the 19th<\/sup>-century boathouses on Boathouse Row<\/strong> that overlook the Schuykill River<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Philadelphia art museum entrance – Pennsylvania – USA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A popular garden that you\u2019ll want to visit is Bartram\u2019s Garden<\/a><\/strong>. This historic garden is located on the Schuylkill River and is the country\u2019s oldest surviving botanic garden that\u2019s still growing to this day. The blooms you can see in the 14-acre Botanic Garden were all grown and studied by the Bartram family between 1728 and 1850. Bartram\u2019s Garden is open to the public, and while admittance is free, you can choose to go on a guided tour or attend an event on the property. Find a complete list of more than 30 gardens and arboreta within 30 miles of the city on America\u2019s Garden Capital\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philadelphia has a vibrant food scene<\/strong> and is a popular destination for foodies. A big part of any trip, visitors will want to know the basics of what to expect from the location\u2019s cuisine and keep track of any specific dishes they can\u2019t leave without trying. An obvious and iconic food you\u2019ll need to try is a cheesesteak<\/strong>, and don\u2019t forget your cash at home, since some of these longstanding institutions are cash-only.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Activities found on Quest Travel Club<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In addition to a modern dining scene<\/strong> that has chefs pushing boundaries and breaking out of the norm, you\u2019ll also find many eateries prioritizing local sourcing for a farm-to-table experience. Which, if you think about it, makes a lot of sense because of the city\u2019s location to farmland. Neighborhoods like Fishtown, East Passyunk, and Center City are often recommended for their renowned dining experiences but look to South Philly for cheesesteaks along with really good Italian food.  In fact, the Italian Market in South Philadelphia attracts visitors on its own, as it is one of the oldest and largest open-air markets in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philadelphia is also known for its craft beer scene<\/strong>, so you\u2019ll have plenty of breweries and taprooms to choose from. The city\u2019s cocktail bars are also popular, however, due to the state\u2019s liquor laws that have driven some restaurants to skip having a liquor license entirely<\/strong>. Look ahead at the restaurant you\u2019ll be dining in, and see if they have a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle)<\/strong> option. The restaurant might have a corkage fee<\/strong>, but you\u2019ll still save enough money on the bill that you\u2019ll definitely want to order dessert!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Franklin Institute, a science museum and the center of science education and research in Philadelphia – Pennsylvania, United States<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We\u2019ve included some activities and places to see that are great additions to any type of traveler\u2019s itinerary, but we\u2019d also like to highlight some additional family-friendly options<\/strong>. In addition to the Philadelphia Zoo, you\u2019ll also want to stop by the Adventure Aquarium<\/a><\/strong> in Camden. Not only is this a great indoor activity, but this aquarium also features exciting shows and exhibits, a touch tank, and marine life favorites like sharks and sea turtles.<\/strong> For kiddos who love learning, make sure to head to the Please Touch Museum. Normally, museums frown on touching their exhibits, but this one encourages it! The Franklin Institute Science Museum also includes some interactive displays<\/strong> that kids will love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Summer in Philly is a lot of fun, and June to August is considered to be the peak season.<\/strong> A great place to spend a bit of your summer vacation, families especially love how much there is to do, how bright and sunny it is, and of course, the many opportunities for students to still learn when class isn\u2019t in session.<\/strong> That being said, peak season means it\u2019s the busiest. We\u2019re not trying to discourage you whatsoever, just know that if you\u2019re wanting to find more discounts and fewer crowds, you should opt for dates in the shoulder season.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fairmount Park in Spring, Adobe Stock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Speaking of, the shoulder seasons for Philly are spring and fall.<\/strong> Spring offers more discounts and mostly beautiful weather, and makes a good substitute for a summer visit, especially if you\u2019re looking forward to exploring the parks and gardens in search of blooms.<\/strong> The temperature can range anywhere from the mid-50s to the mid-70s, so check ahead and pack accordingly. You\u2019ll also find that the city starts becoming lively again, with lots of outdoor events and festivals on the calendar.<\/strong> Fall is the other shoulder season, and while you\u2019ll still be able to enjoy beautiful weather, visitors would rather see fall foliage than flowers blooming\u2014and that\u2019s completely fine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winter brings a chill to the air, but visitors always enjoy the significantly fewer crowds, great deals on accommodations, and the city\u2019s holiday spirit. While average temperatures stick to the mid-30s between December and February, there are still plenty of indoor activities to enjoy with your group.<\/strong> This is a great time for those mostly interested in exploring Philly\u2019s historic sites and museums<\/strong>, as well as a perfect time for foodies to plan their trip!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Philadelphia’s Boathouse Row in Winter, Adobe Stock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Check out Visit Philly\u2019s website<\/a> to find a list of all of the upcoming events to help plan your trip.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As previously mentioned, Philadelphia is made up of many distinct neighborhoods. If you don\u2019t know anything about the differences between the neighborhoods, you may be missing out on the best location for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some neighborhoods that are more popular than others for visitors. We\u2019ll quickly go over a few that are mostly located within Center City, Philadelphia\u2019s downtown:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old City<\/strong> is popular with visitors who want to focus mainly on the city\u2019s history. You\u2019ll be surrounded by important sites and landmarks that changed the course of history in this historic neighborhood complete with cobblestone streets. You\u2019ll be close to Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and other attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rittenhouse Square<\/strong> is another popular area for visitors, and the neighborhood around the park is mostly just called Rittenhouse<\/strong>. Here you\u2019ll find some of the most luxurious accommodations, world-class dining, and fantastic boutiques and stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those looking for a vibrant scene with plenty of restaurants and nightlife, look for accommodations within University City, Northern Liberties, and Manayunk<\/strong>. Foodies will want to look into staying in Fishtown, South Philly, or East Passyunk<\/strong>. All of these neighborhoods have their own charm, and that’s what makes Philadelphia as a whole so special! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few random options we\u2019ve found using Palmera Vacation Club\u2019s Six Ways to Travel:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The above selections are from Quest Travel Club. Discounts and rates are subject to change.<\/em><\/p>\n\r\n\t\t