Founded in 1682 and the sixth biggest city by population in the USA, Philadelphia is bursting with sightseeing, cultural and culinary experiences. Philadelphia is located in the state of Pennsylvania, in the Mid-Atlantic region close to the East Coast. Whether photographing the amazing street art or exploring quirky highlights such as the former prison or the home of Edgar Allan Poe, there is a lot of unique charm to the ‘City of Brotherly Love’.
Philadelphia International Airport is just 20 minutes’ taxi ride from the centre of the city and you there are direct flights from Dublin or Cork. The currency is the US dollar and the local language is English. The time is five hours behind Ireland and the UK (GMT-5). Philadelphia flight and hotel packages are an ideal way to make the most of this fascinating town.
The weather is quite stable in the city, meaning Philadelphia city breaks can really be enjoyed throughout the year. From around March to May, you will experience mild temperatures in the teens to mid-20s°C, and this is a great time to beat the bigger crowds of the summer. That said, strolling around the artistically-decorated streets in the warm weather is very enjoyable and you will find Philly far less crowded than New York, Los Angeles and other bigger cities.
There is always a lot going on in town and even in winter Philadelphia package holidays are a great time to catch events like the Center City District Restaurant Week and Dilworth Park Wintergarden. Philadelphia city breaks are great throughout the year and family fun at Summerfest or scary events at the penitentiary around Halloween may just bring you back for a second trip.
You can browse the artisanal food, flowers and other gifts at the Reading Terminal Market on Philadelphia weekend breaks or take a tour by foot, bus or Segway around Society Hill and the Historic District. Enjoy a local snack such as cheesesteaks or pretzels or step into another culture as you stroll around Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. Philadelphia is famous for the enormous range of street art, including eye-popping graffiti, murals and paintings.
America is famous for its wonderfully diverse range of foods and Philadelphia city breaks are a delight for lovers of indulgent cuisine. The cheesesteak is perhaps the most iconic of the city’s dishes and consists of a large sandwich with melted cheese on strips of steak. This is also home to the soft pretzel, great for a quick pick-me-up when shopping or looking at art, as well as Stromboli, a meaty and cheesy turnover pastry.
A range of top-quality organic and handcrafted foods are available at Reading Terminal Market and the Italian Market. Philadelphia weekends spent treating yourself to many satisfying delicacies are one of the great pleasures of visiting the city.
After booking your Philadelphia flight and hotel package you may well already be looking forward to getting some serious shopping done. There are a number of excellent, unique gifts you can pick up here. If you or someone you know collects coins, you can pick up interesting specimens in the city where the first US Mint was founded. The New Year’s parade, known locally as ‘Mummers’, has a specially designed umbrella as one of its icons, which is another symbol of the city.
At the markets, you will find artisanal chocolates and can also look out for local craft beers such as those brewed by the Yards and Dock Street companies. Snow globes and fridge magnets featuring the Philadelphia skyline and Liberty Bell are other popular souvenirs of package holidays Philadelphia. Fashion District Philadelphia, the retail complex at Liberty Place and the hundreds of shops at Philadelphia Mills are among the best shopping centres for clothes, technology and much more.