Thanks to its important position at the heart of the American story, and the fact that is was one of the first capitals of the nation, Philadelphia is a city that has plenty of fascinating sights to see. The large historic area of the city has many of the most evocative and vital buildings in the whole country, including places where the first congress sat, and where the original declaration of independence was written.

Perhaps the most famous attraction in the heart of Philadelphia is the iconic Liberty Bell. This bell, which was first rung in 1776 to celebrate the dawning of the country as it was born is housed in a special pavilion where visitors can get up close and see it for themselves.

Many people say that all Americans should visit Philadelphia at least once in order to pay their respects to the bell, and once you have been to see the museums and libraries that document the importance of the struggle that created the American nation, the place within the world becomes more understood.

The place of Philadelphia in another story, that of Rocky is a major reason for many visitors to come to the city in order to see the sights from the movie, and every morning it is common to see people jogging up the instantly recognizable stairs outside the city library to recreate the scene from the film. The statue of Sylvester Stallone in the guise of Rocky was added to the scene recently and this is now one of the most photographed sights in the city.

Close to this there is a large central park, which is an excellent place to relax on a hot day, and you can find plenty of peaceful spots to lie back and enjoy the weather during summer, while in the winter months there are regular events and attractions such as ice skating in the park, which are great fun, and fabulous for families.

One of the best things about Central Philadelphia is its excellent shopping. All the big stores such as Saks have large branches in the city, and it is a great place to visit on a Christmas shopping trip, as you will find lots of great bargains as well as being able to enjoy a really festive atmosphere.