There’s never enough time for the City of Brotherly love as we found, but come with us now for a Philly-packed whistle-stop tour.
Me, I blame the Greyhound bus driver from Washington DC, and did, which could have cost me ever getting there.
And because of him I only had five hours, or four and a half because you’ll have to wait in line to see their cracking bell.
Of course the thing to do is base yourself in Philly in the first place.
And we were road testing and passing Kimptons in New York and their Philadelphian cousins would treat you just as well.
Ring the bells
So make Billy Penn’s city your home and explore too his state Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Gettysburg, Amish Country et al.
If you’re a history buff then you’ll know already Philadelphia’s place in the American story.
As it’s there that the Declaration of Independence was signed.
But not in the detail obviously as the patriots at Independence Hall.
All of which you can find out for yourself on a guided tour of Independence Hall with the National Park Service.
With tickets able to be reserved in advance for $1 each.
If you know your history
Explore too the historic district by foot on a walking tour of the Old City with The Constitutional Walking Tour.
The 75-minute tour explores Independence National Historical Park.
Visitors can also explore historic sites with WeVenture’s Philadelphia History Highlights and Revolution Tour.
While Philadelphia has played a pivotal role in Black history which you can track on The Black Journey Tour.
Which offers four themed walking tours that explore different periods of history.
Knockout Rocky tour
Of course, for many the real heavyweight figure in Philly is Rocky Baboa.
Who first smashed his way into our consciousness 50 years ago.
The Philadelphia Visitor Centre’s Rocky Bus Tour running until the end of this month features the Rocky Philadelphia 2025 Summer Tour Series
Where you’ll be able to get your photo with the Rocky statue and jump around at the top of the steps.
Philly, of course, has rightly always been popular with film crews.
And you can explore sites featured in television shows.
Like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Cold Case, Trading Places and Sixth Sence on Viator’s Philadelphia Movie and Television Sites Walking tour.
The Philadelphia Story
Of course, you should give yourself your own time and space to find your own people in the Philadelphia story.
Like the Scots diaspora from the Highland Clearances who the Philadelphians commemorate with a beautiful statue.
All of which you can revel in with a Philly-packed whistle-stop tour.
And, of course, as we all know, flying to the States out of Ireland allows you to avoid pre-clearance.
And Aer Lingus have flights to the City of Brotherly Love from €183.84.
