As a Philadelphia-area native and resident, I can give you plenty of tips on how to spend the day in Philadelphia.
If you're a history buff, and since Philadelphia is the birthplace of our nation, you might want to go down to Independence Hall and see the Liberty Bell. And right across the street is the National Constitution Center. You can also go over to see Betsy Ross' house and Elfreth's Alley; the oldest residential street in the nation. Valley Forge is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Philadelphia, where you learn about the terrible winter that George Washington his his troops spent there. And speaking of George Washington, if you're ever in Philadelphia around Christmas time, you can go up to Washington's Crossing to see the re-enactment of George Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Day.
Science and nature lovers can check out the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and the Philadelphia Zoo.
For shopping, you can check out the Gallery I and II shopping complexes, plus the various stores along Chestnut and Market Streets, and the Shops at Liberty Place. Perhaps after your visit to Valley Forge, you can go shopping over at the King of Prussia Court and Plaza.
And let's not forget Philadelphia after dark. For theater lovers, there's the historic Walnut Street Theater (where the debate between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter took place in 1976), the Wilma Theater, the Merriam Theater, the Forrest Theater, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
At the Pennsylvania Convention Center, you can go to the Auto show which is held in January and the Flower Show that is held in March.
Sports fans will thrill to the action of the Phillies at Citizens' Bank Park, the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field (the Temple Football team also plays there home games there as well), the 76'ers and the Flyers at the Wachovia Center, Temple college basketball at the Liacouris Center, Penn college basketball at the Palestra, St. Joseph's college basketball at the St. Joe's Fieldhouse, and LaSalle college basketball at the Tom Gola Arena. In the spring, there's the Penn Relays and the Dad Vail Regatta.
Restaurants in Philadelphia run the gamut from Le Bec Fin, the Palm, Old Original Bookbinders, and Susanna Foo to the food courts in the Gallery and Liberty Place.
If you also want some sun, sand, sea, and action, take a ride down to Atlantic City, which is only about an hour and a half from Philadelphia.
Besides driving, you can also get around Philadelphia by using SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority). Go to SEPTA's website, www.septa.org for information about bus and train routes, fares, and other informatin for getting around Philadelphia.
Just like any other American city, Philadelphia has had its share of problems; crime, homelessness, etc. If you come here to visit, just take the necessary precautions and just simply be careful.
Whatever you, I'm pretty sure that you will enjoy your stay in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia.