If you
can’t do Paris this spring, try Philadelphia.
These two cities could not be more different, but they have many parallels.
Culture and food lovers are equally at home in both. Some even subscribe to
W.C. Fields’ admonition “All things considered, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.”
.JPG) |
| Philadelphia Museum of Art |
Philadelphia
Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is no Louvre, but it is one of the finest museums in the
U.S., with an impressive set of collections. Currently on exhibit is “Van Gogh
Up Close,” a stunning visual treat with over 40 pieces of the brilliant
artist’s masterpieces borrowed from museums and collectors around the world.
Enter a time warp and see Paris and the south of France from the eyes of Van
Gogh, where he created his greatest works of art when he lived there from 1886
until his death in 1890. “Van Gogh Up Close” runs through May 6.
.JPG) |
| Looking towards City Hall from the Philadelphia Museum of Art |
Just like
the Champs-Élysées, which terminates at the Arc de
Triomphe, French urban planner and architect Jacques
Gréber designed the Benjamin
Franklin Parkway to end at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Perched atop 72
steps, the museum has a commanding view of the Parkway, City Hall and the
beautiful Philadelphia skyline. The museum steps were made famous by Hollywood
actor Sylvester Stallone, who played Rocky, the heavyweight boxer in the movie of
the same name. You will find a statue of the triumphant Rocky at the foot of the steps.
Philadelphia
Museum of Art
26th St. & Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia,
PA 19130
215-763-8100
Rodin
Museum
Also on
the Parisian-style Benjamin Franklin Parkway is the Rodin Museum,
which has the largest collection of the sculptor’s work outside of Paris. Its
nearly 130 sculptures includes the artist’s famous masterpiece “The Thinker.”
Since 2008, the Rodin Museum has undergone some major renovation and
conservation of the collection. As of this writing, the museum is still closed,
but the gardens are open. Before visiting, check the museum’s website for more
details and updates on the re-opening.
Rodin
Museum
22nd St.
& Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia,
PA 19130 |
| Soft Pretzel |
 |
| Philly Cheesesteak |
Food
Like
Paris, Philadelphia is renowned for some of its culinary creations – the Philly
cheese steak, Italian hoagie and soft pretzels, to name a few. Unlike Paris,
these mouthwatering foods are messy and eaten with the fingers, but they are to
die for. As you stroll through center city, from Rittenhouse Square to the
Italian section of South Philly to Old City, you will find tons of restaurants,
cafes and eateries to choose from. Explore the historic farmers market at Reading Terminal Market to see where locals mingle, eat and shop. If you’re a
serious chocolate fan, and there’s time on your schedule, consider making the
drive to the Hershey chocolate factory at Hershey, about two hours northwest of
Philadelphia.
Reading
Terminal Market
51 North
12th Street
Philadelphia,
PA 19107
251 Park
Boulevard
Hershey,
PA 17033
History
As the
first capital of a new United States, Philadelphia has a wealth of history,
albeit less than four hundred years of it. Your first stop should be
Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S.
Constitution were signed. Admission is free; however, between March 1st and December 31st, tickets
are required, and you can pick up the free tickets at the Independence Visitor Center on the day of your visit. Literally steps away from
Independence Hall is the iconic Liberty Bell, which was rung to summon people
together for important events going on at the time. The Liberty Bell does not
require a ticket to enter. These are just 2 historic must-see attractions.
There are many more. Check the various Philadelphia websites for more
information.
Independence
Visitor Center
6th and Market Streets
Philadelphia,
Pa 19106
Sources:
Independence
Visitor Center
This
article was originally published in Yahoo!Voices in April 2012
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