Philadelphia: the city of brotherly love appeals to visitors of varied tastes - If You Only Have A Day In

Cruise Travel, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Molly Arost Staub

At the opposite end of the complex, the huge National Constitution Center opened July 4, 2003. "The parts I like best," said Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (and former Philadelphia mayor), "are the interactive exhibits. You push a button and watch the actual case of someone who had undergone unlawful search. You hear a brief message from both lawyers, then vote on the out come." He said this entire exhibit takes only about six minutes, but makes an impact: "You enter as a visitor and come out us a citizen."

Other Revolutionary attractions include Independence Hall (our nation's actual birthplace), Franklin Court (the site of Benjamin Franklin's home and shop where he printed Poor Richard's Almanac), mid the Betsy Ross House (where the seamstress stitched up the first American flag under the directions of General George Washington).

For more information on the Independence National Historical Park, call 800-537-7676.

Just as the historical sights are largely contained within a two-square-mile section, the cultural venues are mostly near each other. A four-mile stretch of Broad Street is dubbed the Avenue of the Arts. Musical high notes are hit at the Academy of Music, classically designed after the Milan Opera House and for decades the home of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Ormandy. Today you can see performances of the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Philadelphia Opera Company here. The Philadelphia Orchestra, along with the Philadanco Dance Company and the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, has moved down the street in the marvelous new Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts--a gorgeous glass and brick architectural wonder that critics say boasts better acoustics for an orchestral sound.

Seven theaters are located on Broad Street--some host Broadway-type productions; others are more experimental. Angling off Broad is John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Stroll along its park like sidewalks and you'll spot a bronze sculpture of Rodin's The Thinker. It's one of the originals and will lead you to an amazing gem, the Rodin Museum, the largest collection of the artist's work outside of Paris. At the top of the parkway stands the Philadelphia Museum of Art, considered the country's third best collection. The exterior resembles the Pathenon in Athens--you'll probably recognize the steps from many movies, including Rocky. Works by some of the world's great Impressionists are here, along with full-scale regal rooms. Boys often head for the armor collections.

Those with scientific minds will be delighted at the Academy of Natural Sciences. But your youngsters may not want to leave the entrance, where they'll be amazed by the gigantosaurus. Or they may be fascinated in the simulated tropical rain forest as flocks of butterflies flutter about. The Franklin Institute Science Museum honors the city's famed statesman, who invented the lightning rod, charted the Gulf Stream, and created daylight-saving time. Kids love riding the real locomotive here, or walking through the giant heart.