PENNSYLVANIA:
THE KEYSTONE STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
Across the America many couples are having
wonderful wedding after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a
honeymoon to rest and recuperate. Vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect
with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Couples that take
vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Couples vacations
and travel can be a most rewarding experience. When you want to plan a vacation
contact me!
Philadelphia was once dubbed the, "Athens of the
Americas," as it was the undisputed cultural center of the New World.
Today, it remains one of America's most historical cities; quite significant in
a country officially only 230 years old. Philadelphia is where the American War
of Independence began and ended, with the creation and signing of the
Constitution. But Philly is so much more than just a beacon of American
liberty.
Philadelphia
also has a vibrant arts scene, diverse population, renowned orchestra, plus
world-class museums and some fantastic restaurants. It is said Philadelphia is
the only place in America where you could feed your brain and your belly at the
same time and you only have to taste a Philly Cheesesteak once to understand
that statement. Cheesesteaks and pretzels aside, you'll be amazed at the
comprehensive choice of food available in the city, from fine dining to ethnic
cuisine. This eclectic mix is visible in over 100 multi-ethnic neighborhoods,
encompassing everything from the bustling Italian market to African-American
festivals and the traditional Amish community, who sell produce and foodstuffs
in Reading Terminal Market, a purveyor of fresh farm food since 1892.
This
diversity has also helped produce some legendary musicians. In fact, few would
argue that Philly's musical heritage could rival that of New York. Since
colonial times, it has been a melting pot of many forms of music from classical
to contemporary. Philadelphia was also the home of Dick Clark's famous American
Bandstand TV show, which showcased some of America's leading singers and
musicians in the 1960's, such as Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell, themselves
natives of Philly's south side. ‘Me and Mrs Jones', ‘Love Train' and the Three
Degrees' ‘When Will I See You Again' were all products of TSOP (The Sound of
Philadelphia), which followed Motown into the 1970s as the shining light of
soul music.
Sightseers
have plenty to feast their eyes on, not least Independence Hall, where the
Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Meanwhile, the 2012 opening of
the Barnes Foundation means that, together with the Philadelphia Museum of Art
and the refurbished Rodin Museum, Philadelphia is home to one of the world's
finest art collections, including the largest collection of Renoirs outside
Paris and more Cézanne's than all the Parisian museums put together.
However, no trip to the
city would be complete without a visit to the Rocky statue, at the base of the
Museum of Art steps, which featured ironically in the Rocky movies. This landmark attracts more
visitors than all of Philly's museums and art galleries. Meanwhile, take time
to wander around the Old City District where former foundries, factories and
warehouses have been turned into boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, with
historic tours also available.
For
those looking to explore further afield, Philadelphia is the gateway into
Pennsylvania Dutch Country to the west, the ski resorts of the Pocono Mountains
to the north, and the Delaware Peninsula and Atlantic Seaboard beaches to the
south east.
It's
easy to see why Philly rates so highly when compared with New York just an hour
or two to the north. Even the American comedian, writer and actor WC Fields
wanted to have on his gravestone "Here lies WC Fields but I'd rather be
living in Philadelphia."
Things to do in Philadelphia
Activities
Golfing
Greater
Philadelphia's first public golf complex, Cobb's Creek Golf Club, opened in
1916 and is home to two 18-hole courses -The Olde Course and The Karakung
Course. The Olde Course is the crown jewel amongst Philadelphia's courses,
having been nationally ranked as the sixth best municipal course in the USA.
Website: www.golfphilly.org
Horse riding
Chamounix
Equestrian Centre offers a stable of 36 horses and an opportunity to go
horseback riding amongst 1,400 acres (566 hectares) of prime Philly
countryside. The centre provides riding lessons with skilled qualified
instructors on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from April through to
November, with lessons available through the winter depending on the weather.
The lessons cater for beginners, intermediates and advanced riders and there
are 'discovery days' for children wanting to learn more about horses and
riding.
Tel: (215) 877 4419.
Website: www.worktoride.net
Website: www.worktoride.net
Cycling
If you're
looking to really get out and exercise, Fairmount Park has miles of trails for
jogging, biking, and walking including the famous 13km (8 miles) loop that
starts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, continues up Kelly Drive crossing the
Falls Bridge and then hugs the river along Martin Luther King Junior Drive. If
you're a runner you can explore even further on Kelly. Drive towards the
connecting wilderness trails along Wissahickon Creek.
REFERENCE
SITES:
I love everything about Philadelphia, and its food is like
the city itself: real-deal, hearty, and without pretension. We've always had an
underdog vibe as a city, but that just makes us try harder, and I love our
scrappiness and scruffiness.
Lisa Scottoline
Travel
to create marvelous memories for you and your family or friends!
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