ATOB2 asked: What is there to see and do in Philadelphia

By Katharine MacColl

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Philadelphia might have been where the Rocky movies were set, but what else has it got going for it

About 200 years ago political visionaries created and debated the US's Declaration of Independence�in Philadelphia and it's one of liveliest cities in the States.

Philadelphia's city hall

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Where is it exactly

It's in the state of Pennsyvlannia, about two hours away from New York City.

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What's it famous for

Apart from its importance in the history of the USA, it has a great food reputation. Its cheesesteaks and legendary Philly hoagies won the lion's share of Conde Nast Traveler's Best of Nation restaurant recommendations recently and it's also been voted as the friendliest city in the States.

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How easy is it to get around

Like most major cities in the US, it's laid out in a grid and divided into four quadrants each with their own park and many attractions are within easy walking distance of one another. Most visitors to the city are attracted to and stay in the historic Old City and Center City which are laid out around public squares: Pennsylvannia, Franklin, Washinton, Rittenhouse and Lugon, with City Hall in the middle.

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When's the best time to go

It can be very humid in the summer, but also very cold in winter. Spring's a popular choice, but there's no place on earth like Philadelphia on Independence Day, the 4th of July.

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Any other major events in its calendar

If you're sporty, the Penn Relays in April is an event which has been around since the 1700s, making it one of the world's oldest amateur athletics carnivals.

Also the Jambalyan Jam in May is a three-day long celebration of Creole and Cajun food with New Orleans music.

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What shouldn't you miss

Check out Congress Hall where the US Congress met between 1790 and 1800 while Philadelphia was the nation's capital, where the Bill of Rights and first 10 amendments were added and where George Washington was inaugurated for his second term of office. In the Old City, Elfreth's Alley is believed to be the US's oldest residential street , and the US Mint in the Center City is the world's largest.