Philadelphia is the birthplace of The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and you can experience the special place it holds in history at numerous sites around town. Visit Independence Hall, where those important documents were crafted, and the Betsy Ross House, where the seamstress is said to have sewed the first American Flag. You can also explore the city’s rich past at places like Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the nation, and Congress Hall, the original meeting place of congress before Washington, D.C. Philadelphia was also the first city to build a museum dedicated to the life and work of African Americans, The African American Museum in Philadelphia, while The Colored Girls Museum in Germantown displays artwork and tells the history of Black women and girls.

Towering skyscrapers along the Delaware River waterfront dominate downtown Philadelphia’s skyline. The city’s ultra-modern city center hosts the Avenue of the Arts, with numerous performing arts institutions, galleries, and a Walk of Fame canonizing musicians who’ve contributed to the city’s reputation as a music destination. You’ll find a thriving nightlife scene in Philadelphia rife with trendy bars and clubs adjacent to cultural sites like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its iconic grand staircase — where there’s a statue of a boxer from a famous movie filmed here.

Between visiting museums and historical sites — and enjoying some of the city’s many green spaces — opportunities for culinary delights abound. Award-winning restaurants, beer gardens, and late-night corner shops selling the city’s famous cheesesteak sandwiches rub shoulders throughout the modern and historically celebrated city.

Philadelphia is a city that experiences four distinct seasons, with wide-ranging temperatures and weather conditions accompanying each of them. Pink cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, and warm temperatures make this the perfect time to head outside to the local parks or to take a walking tour of Philadelphia’s many historical landmarks. The pleasant weather runs well into the fall, when amber and sepia tones dominate the cityscape. Winters tend to be fairly quiet, with chilly temperatures that hover just above freezing, along with the occasional snowfall.

Get your vacation rental in Philadelphia in the summer for events such as the folk music festival which brings together internationally renowned and regional acts for a weekend of festivities and live music in August, or the city’s famed Fourth of July celebration, which sees crowds gathered on the banks of the Delaware River for a fireworks display over the water.

Bartram’s Garden

Founded in 1728, Bartram’s Garden is the oldest botanical garden in North America. It is so old, in fact, that it was started by the personal botanist of King George III, from whom America won its independence. This 50-acre public garden in southwest Philadelphia has riverfront walking paths, a medicinal plant display, and the oldest living Ginkgo Tree on the continent. Plaques and educational centers throughout the grounds provide botanical and ecological lessons on the native flora found in the gardens.

Independence Hall

In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed in the Georgian-style Independence Hall, cementing the United States as an autonomous nation. It was also here in this hall that the first drafting of the U.S. Constitution took place. Tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site with its red brick façade and ornate clock adornments for a firsthand look at the iconic Liberty Bell and a visit to the Assembly Room, the very site that saw the birth of America.

Reading Terminal Market

Set underground beneath an old railway station, the Reading Terminal Market hosts a brilliant display of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and artisanal goods for purchase from over 80 vendors. The industrial and neon aesthetic makes for a lively and unique stop to stock up on food for your Philadelphia vacation home or to enjoy a meal from one of the dozen restaurants and open-air eateries located here.