Philadelphia served, before Washington, D.C., as the original capital of the United States. Yes, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed in Philly. The Liberty Bell, with its crack as well-known as the smile on the Mona Lisa, hangs proudly in Philly. "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof" is the message it bears for all to see. Benjamin Franklin famously wrote about this magnificent metal icon.
After the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia is known for cheese steaks. There's more variety to this than you think. Because believe it or not, the city also hosts a vegan cheese steak contest. And it's home to Vedge, the vegetable restaurant many foodies consider the country's best.
Hockey fans follow the Philadelphia Flyers. And when football fans "bleed green" they are talking about their loyalty to the teal-uniformed players for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia is green in another big way too. It has sprawling parks, filled with streams and old monuments (including a statue in the Wissahickon Valley said to be a Lenape chief). Its deep woods and trails make up Fairmount Park, which by some estimates in the largest urban park system of any U.S. city. The Chestnut Hill community and much of West Philly are nestled in among forest scenery. This woody section of the city is also home to the Please Touch Museum, which kids love.
Gifts (and care packages) are always welcomed by Philly's enormous student population. The Philadelphia region has more than more than 80 colleges, universities, and vocational schools. One is the University of Pennsylvania, founded by the Quakers who established Pennsylvania. Other popular schools are Temple University and Drexel University. And Thomas Jefferson University includes several high-profile downtown hospitals and research hubs, including the Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
