In 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence here. Man, if walls…read morecould talk. Be sure to book your tour in advance and request the last tour as you get to explore the second floor Governor's Council chamber.

Walking into Independence Hall feels like stepping straight into the very beginning of the United…read moreStates. The walls, the chairs, the Assembly Room--it's not just a building, it's the stage where the idea of America was written into reality. Our guide brought it all to life with incredible storytelling, weaving facts with vivid moments that made you imagine the voices of Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams filling the room. Totally cool experience, both humbling and inspiring. If you want to feel history instead of just read about it, this is the place to go.

We went here with our little one last month - they had a kid's menu, which was one of the reasons…read morewhy I picked this as our dinner option for our family day out. Had a really good experience - staff were all polite and helpful, food was really good and the place itself is a good vibe. Bonus - you can get validated parking for the lot above/next to the restaurant as long as you purchase at least one entree! Good spot that we said we would plan to go to, and even try out some of the other locations.

Of course I had my usual, the Spicy Tuna salad and a glass of Sangria…read more This post snow and pre-birthday outing for my son was nice. We had the pleasure of meeting Evan. My son enjoyed the happy hour pizza and ordered the Parmesan Truffle Fries and an Old Fashion which he really enjoyed. He mentioned something about butter pecan flavor in his Old Fashion, but do I know lol. What mattered was that he enjoyed everything and Evan provided attentive service. Something was taking place because the bar area where I like to sit for occasional conversation with others and several televisions became packed. I mean there was not a seat or space available. Evan kept his composure and was the master of multi-tasking. 2 other individuals came to assist. I still don't know what was going on but the bar area had more people than I ever encountered there. Like someone standing behind waiting for me to get up packed. One of the people assisting Evan kindly provided to go containers. We then settled out and thanked Evan.

What can I say about the Liberty Bell? I've been to Philadelphia many times and each and every…read moretime, I have to stop to see it! It's a little bit like the Mona Lisa, were it's not as gigantic as you think when you get up close to it (the Mona Lisa is TINY in person!) But it's still as impressive as you think when you are ten feet from it (the closest you can get, I think). It's located in the Independence National Historic Park, and there is a lot to see there too - not just the Bell. You can see Declaration Hall where the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was drafted, the first meeting place of the Continental Congress, and even Benjamin Franklin's burial place. I'm sure you know that there is a TON of historical stuff to see in Philadelphia, but I would definitely recommend making one of those stops Independence Hall and specifically, the Liberty Bell!

This place is very cool! I've been wanting to visit since I saw National Treasure back in the day…read more I was worried though when I arrived and saw a long line outside the venue. However, I saw how quickly it was moving and took a chance. Fairly soon I was in through the doors and finding myself in a small museum that provided details and background about the Liberty Bell. My only complaint was the very start of this area was super congested and would do well to guide people through this area in a way where it's less crowded and people can actually get close to the infographics. Otherwise, the Liberty Bell, small as it is, was well appointed in a mostly glass room, roped off but easy to take pictures of and with, somehow. Definitely enjoyed visiting this piece of history! Oh, and it's FREE!

We have been at Chesterbrook Washington Sq for 5 years, and there has been a change in management…read morethat is drastically affecting the quality of care. This morning, we arrived at school to be told that we could not drop off our child because they didn't have adequate staff. This was apparently communicated via email 40 minutes into the school day, leaving families scrambling. Prior to the past few months, I would have 100% recommended this center, but things have really deteriorated. Do NOT recommend.

Chesterbrook Academy has been fantastic for our family. Our daughter has a disability, and the…read morestaff and admin have been incredibly supportive and solution-oriented--we feel like true partners. Her teachers (Hafida, Kehnedi, Julie, Takara, and Ashanti B.) have been wonderful, and recent leadership changes have been excellent. Great hours, meals included, clean space--and most importantly, our daughter is happy and thriving!

It's great that there's another branch of the library and this one seems to have more of a focus on…read morethe Chinatown neighborhood where it stands. That said, it is a very small branch with not a lot of room. I did manage to find a table in the back and moved a shelf to get at the power outlet. This is the same wifi system as at the Central Branch https://www.yelp.com/biz/free-library-of-philadelphia-philadelphia-10?hrid=HVbZ7Pj8GLjP9jv4hlOzIw. You need a library card to access their internet and since I'm not a Philadelphia resident, I don't qualify. I did manage to spend about 90 minutes here, which was long enough for one very discreet phone call and for my laptop to get to 100% before moving on. [Review 18290 overall - 587 in Pennsylvania - 1812 of 2022.]

I am lucky to have an account with the Free Library of Philadelphia, which gives me so many…read moreresources on Libby (combined with my local library system!). I called today to renew my account because it wasn't working online and my closest branch is pretty far away. They (Yehudi?) made it so easy and were very helpful. Libraries and the people who work on them are amazing!

I remember when this elegant piece of Philadelphia architecture was alive with businesses. Every…read moresingle corner offered tourists and locals an opportunity to discover something special. Just like most of the Philadelphia downtown, that story is now pure history. It was a rainy cold day and we had family from Florida in town. so when I looked at the website I was hopeful to discover a special place like I remembered. We walked into a cavernous cold emptiness and were encouraged by the guard to seek food a few blocks away. The only good news of the visit was the fact that the taco joint had some of the best tacos I've had in years! There is no food court! Only 3 food stands ... lots of cold emptiness ... look up and remember the glory days. Like most of lower Market Street area of Philadelphia the Bourse reflects the general public's disconnect from being actively engaged in the city. I once took visitors to the area to the Bourse even though I am not the shopping type of male ... now I do my best to avoid most sections of the city. Truly sad but if you are a tourist visiting the historical elements of Philadelphia, I would tell you don't bother going into the Bourse unless you're trying to escape the rain.

I remember this beautiful building when I worked at the insurance company on fifth the Walnut we…read moreused to come at least once or twice a week and I would stop in on Saturdays when I was in Center City going to all my favorite haunts. It was a beautiful place I remember when you first walked in there you could buy a shop bag. There was a buffet off to the left. great food then you walked in and there was a little perfume tourist shop, beautiful blonde lady owned. Had every kind of perfume a some . I never heard of all kind of touristy things jewelry it was a great little shop of course there were the usual food, shops, pizzas, steak sandwich, hoagies, oriental, cakes, and bakery. There was also a shop that had posters of rock, stars of musicians and beautiful cards. They were so unique and different in the back going out towards fourth Street of course you had a candy shop ice cream place on the opposite side, it was just a fun place. I went a couple years ago and was so disappointed. Everything was pricey just different. I remember going up to the second floor. There was a hairdressers there. There was a cool jewelry store called Terry ivory he had all unique different types of jewelry he would even have make things with beads. Of course they closed and open down Ocean City. I think but it wasn't the same. I don't know. I guess things changed different generations. It just lost its luster for me. Have a good day.

The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia is a quality example of what one can expect from a flagship…read moreIHG property. It's conveniently located in Old Town Philadelphia right by Independence National Park. Signer's Park is directly across the street, and the Liberty Bell is next door. It's where you want to be! I came to Philadelphia for a milestone birthday celebration, and the Kimpton's staff made it an incredible experience. Not only was my room decorated, but they were incredibly generous and made my holiday memorable. Roshid was our Concierge and he was incredibly helpful and personable, he made sure every part of our experience was special. I can't say enough about the staff at this Kimpton. Everyone was friendly and helpful! The Red Owl Tavern is the on-site restaurant and it is a good place for breakfast, especially if you are a IHG Rewards member that receives complementary breakfast benefits. Their lunch and dinner options are also nice. There's a positive energy in the place when people are talking and enjoying a meal. The building itself is a historic structure, and has very interesting architecture. However, the interior has been updated with styling that is fresh and hip, just what you would expect from a Kimpton property! The local wildlife also enjoys the building, we were excited to see a hawk uses the building as a perch as it surveys the area. Look out pigeons!

The good: The best attribute is the location if you are visiting the city to spend time at the…read moretourist sites related to early American history. The bed and pillows were reasonably comfortable. The storage for clothes was adequate. The noise level was generally good and the sound insulation from the street was adequate. The Red Owl food was mostly good and the staff are nearly all very friendly and helpful. The exercise room was adequate for a decent workout, though it is mostly dumbbells and a few treadmills, a couple of exercise bikes, and a couple of elliptical machines. Two yoga mats. The not good: The music that is played in the lobby and entrance is way too loud. The coffee served in the lobby each morning was terrible. Should have a coffee maker in the room. The bathroom lighting was insufficient. The oatmeal served on the breakfast menu desperately needs to be changed so that the apple crumble is gone and substituted with fresh fruit - the apple tastes of chemicals. The valet service is staffed by bored and uninterested young adults.

We took the Grim Philly daytime tour, called Revolution and Founding Fathers. Our tour guide was…read moreJOSH. It was a two hour walking and learning history tour in downtown historic Philadelphia near Independence Hall. It was like going to a theater show. The guide presented history with energy, enthusiasm and excitement. It felt like he was describing his close friends when he was talking. The tour was very informative and a lot of fun. Experiencing the tour in historic Philadelphia with Josh brought the experience into 4D, like watching an exciting, enthralling movie. Josh asked us questions and engaged the audience throughout the tour. A+++.

Tour was great!! Part history, part ghost story, funny and thoroughly entertaining all the way…read morethrough. I think a lot of it had to do with our tour guide, Ted. He was fantastic, always made sure everyone was having a great time, and was very knowledgeable about all things Philly historical. Highly recommended!

Excellent program! We originally chose PCA due to Chinese immersion, location, reasonable pricing…read moreand no wait list at the time. It was just opening when we signed up my son and felt good about the overall mission. It's been a wonderful experience - very caring teachers and administrators - Dale is super responsive and cares about every detail. Very thorough updates and I'm always updated on weekly educational themes and goals. So grateful for this school!

Unique philosophy offering Mandarin immersion and a Montessori curriculum - the only one of its…read morekind in the Philadelphia area. We signed up our son from the moment they opened, and after a year and a half he went from speaking zero Mandarin to fully conversational - and we only speak English at home. Intimate environment is a plus for those seeking personalized attention. They did everything they could to open safely during the pandemic, and took all necessary precautions so they could remain open. We recommend PCA 100%!

First came here through 52 First Philly event and instantly loved it. It's a small, quaint museum…read moretucked right next to Washington Square Park, which already sets the vibe. During the First Flight event it was a bit busy, but still felt intimate and special. There's a members-only reading/library area that feels very old-world and scholarly, and a general exhibition space with rotating displays, historic prints, books, and artifacts tied to architecture, design, and Philadelphia history. It's quiet, thoughtful, and the kind of place where you naturally slow down and look closely at things. I went back again yesterday for a very specific and slightly heartbreaking reason. I realized I grabbed the wrong collectible pencil before. Mine said "52 Weeks" instead of "First Flight," which meant my collection was incomplete and yes, I was genuinely sad about it. I stopped in just to ask if they maybe had an extra one somewhere. Renee was INCREDIBLE. Truly the nicest human. She took the time to look and actually found one for me. It absolutely made my day. I honestly wanted to write this review just to thank her because that level of kindness and care really sticks with you. Also, on my second visit I realized how much I missed the first time around. The building itself is beautiful, classic architecture, warm and elegant without being intimidating. It's the kind of place that rewards repeat visits because you notice something new each time. A hidden gem, wonderful staff, and a really special Philly institution. I'll definitely be back. I'll admit the non member area is small. But it was very informational. I think it would be perfect for civic engineers.

I like going there. The general atmosphere is very unique and welcoming. I would encourage them to…read moreban the use of laptops in the library, it is a place to read, not to do the work.