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Independence National Historical Park
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Independence Hall © National Park Service |
On July 8, 1776, the Liberty Bell rang out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning citizens to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Today the Hall stands proudly, revered as the birthplace of the American nation, in Independence National Historical Park, an eight-block historic neighbourhood in the very centre of old Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell itself is on display here, in a pavilion in Market Street between 5th and 6th Street. Independence Hall on Chestnut Street was originally built as the Pennsylvania State House in 1732, but became famous after first the Declaration of Independence and later the Constitution of the United States was ratified here. The rest of the 45-acre Independence Park is packed with historically significant buildings and museums, interpreting the events and lives of the movers and shakers involved in Philadelphia’s years as capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800, including George Washington and John Adams. About 20 buildings are open to the public daily, with times varying according to season. Advance tickets are required for Independence Hall, obtainable from the adjacent Visitor’s Centre or bookable in advance through the National Parks Service.
Address: Independence Visitor Center located at 6th and Market Streets; Telephone: (215) 597 8974, or (215) 965 7676 (Independence Visitor Center); E-mail: frank_eidmann@nps.gov; Website: www.nps.gov/inde; Opening time: Independence Hall and Liberty Bell Center: daily 9am to 5pm. Independence Visitor Center: daily 8.30am to 5pm; Admission: Admission to all sites is free
Franklin Institute Science Museum
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The Giant Heart, Franklin Institute Science Museum |
Philadelphia's most visited museum, the Franklin Institute on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, opened in 1934 and fast became recognised for its innovative and imaginative exhibits that demonstrate the influence of science in our lives. The museum complex is divided into four sections. Firstly the Franklin National Memorial is dedicated to Benjamin Franklin, featuring a huge statue of its namesake and a collection of memorabilia associated with the great man. The second section features a collection of hands-on and interactive science and technology exhibits, ranging from a walk-through model of a heart to a lightning gallery. This section also includes the Discovery Theatre where scientific shows are given each afternoon, and a puzzle section. The basement area is the location of the Fels Planetarium. The third section consists of the Mandell Futures Center, a relatively new addition to the museum's offerings, which features eight futuristic permanent interactive exhibits covering space, earth, computers, chemistry and health. There is also an Imax theatre arena here showing a variety of films. Lastly the museum offers the CoreStates Science Park, located on the lawn between the main museum buildings. This is a garden full of high-tech play structures like a stand-on organ, maze and a high-wire bicycle. The museum also features several restaurants and a snack bar.
Address: 222 North 20th Street; Telephone: (215) 448 1200; Website: www.fi.edu; Opening time: Daily 9.30am and 5pm. IMAX Theater is open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays; Admission: $13.75 (adults), $11 (children). IMAX: $9; Combination ticket: $18.75 (adults), $16 (children)
Philadelphia Museum of Art
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Philadelphia Museum © Pennsylvania Tourism |
Philadelphia’s elegant art museum, established in the 1870s, houses a permanent collection of more than 400,000 works in 200 galleries, recognised as being one of the finest art assemblages in America. Exhibits include not only magnificent paintings, but also sculptures, period furniture and historic rooms. The beautiful building that houses this collection is built in the style of a Greco-Roman temple and stands on a hilltop off Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The two-storey building is designed with L-shaped wings leading off a central court, and exhibits are arranged in period groupings. The museum also has a cafeteria and a formal restaurant, and regularly hosts visiting exhibitions.
Address: Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 26th Street; Telephone: (215) 763 8100, or (215) 684 7500; Website: www.philamuseum.org; Transport: SEPTA buses 7, 32, 38, 43 or 48 ; Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (until 8.45pm on Fridays, offering music, talks, film shows and social gatherings); Admission: $10 (adults), $7 (children 13-18). On Sundays entry is by donation
Barnes Foundation
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Orange and A Bottle, Cézanne © Barnes Foundation |
The Barnes Foundation, housed in the French provincial mansion of Albert Barnes, holds one of the finest collections of French modern and post-impressionist paintings in the entire world. Dr Albert Barnes was a wealthy Philadelphia born and bred pharmaceutical entrepreneur who established the foundation in 1922. This artistic experience without equal offers the chance to view an awesome number of masterpieces by artists such as Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir and Picasso. There are also objects like furniture, ceramics and jewellery from around the world in this rare collection of artistic treasures.
Address: North Latch’s Lane, Merion, Philadelphia; Telephone: (610) 667 0290; E-mail: reserve@barnesfoundation.org; Website: www.barnesfoundation.org; Opening time: Gallery opening hours are restricted to Saturday and Sunday between 9.30am to 5pm. In July and August the gallery also opens on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Advance bookings are required for all visits, and are accepted by telephone or email on weekdays only between 9.30am and 4.45pm. Guided tours and audio guides are available
Franklin Court
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Market Street Houses © National Park Service |
Part of the Independence National Historical Park, the area between 3rd and 4th Streets is where the home of America's most remarkable historic figure, Benjamin Franklin, once stood. The house no longer exists, but the remaining courtyard has been covered with a 54-foot high steel skeleton 'ghost structure' and provides a novel and fascinating tribute and insight into the life of Franklin, a printer, diplomat, inventor, publisher, author, statesman, postmaster, founder of the University of Pennsylvania and more! On the site visitors can see an underground museum filled with paintings, objects and inventions associated with Franklin, and use a bank of telephones listening to testimonies from famous personalities about the achievements of the great man. There is also a US Postal Service Museum and active post office on the site and in a nearby house an architectural exhibit explaining Franklin's fire-resisting building techniques can be viewed. Another building in Market Street houses an 18th-century printing office and bindery where demonstrations are given, and alongside is the restored office of the newspaper published by Franklin's grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache.
Address: 316-322 Market Street; Telephone: (215) 965 2305, or (215) 965 7676 (Independence Visitor Center); Website: www.nps.gov/inde; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm. Underground Museum: Wednesday to Sunday 12pm to 5pm; Postal Museum: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm; Printing Office: Wednesday to Friday 10am to 3pm (until 5pm on weekends); Admission: Free
Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia's state-of-the-art Zoo, opened in 1874, was the first in the United States and today takes first place as one of the world's most renowned zoological gardens with its wonderful animal exhibits, award-winning education and conservation programmes, recreational opportunities and scientific accomplishments. More than one million visitors a year are drawn to this leading city attraction. Among the special features offered are more than 1,600 rare and exotic animals and 42 acres of picturesque Victorian gardens. Highlights are the Peco Primate Reserve, an interactive exhibit featuring 10 species of primates; the Rare Animal Conservation Center giving close up views of some of the world's most endangered animals; the Reptile and Amphibian House, which has an interactive adventure path showcasing 87 species including the King Cobra; an African animal section; the chance to ascend in a helium balloon; children's petting zoo and daily live animal shows.
Address: 34th Street and Girard Avenue, Fairmount Park; Telephone: (215) 243 1100; Website: www.phillyzoo.org; Transport: SEPTA bus 15 to 34th Street and Girard Avenue; Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 5pm (February to November), 9.30am to 4pm (December to January); Admission: $16.95 (adults), $13.95 (children 2-11). $10.95 for all from 1 November to 18 March
(source: Wordtravels, website http://www.wordtravels.com/)
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