Philadelphia

Established on the principles of brotherly love and the birthplace of the independence movement Philadelphia is a historical treasure trove, holding much of the heart and soul of the American ideal US Airways now flies from Birmingham International Airport to Philadelphia, giving you the chance to reach to this beautiful city directly, or connect for dozens of further destinations across the US and beyond…

If the Old World is a product of history and the New World is a product of ideology then no city in the Americas is founded on so strong a set of ideas as Philadelphia. Established in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker, the city's name is derived from the Greek for brotherly love (philos adelphos) and from the outset was imagined as an example of equality and freedom.

With its position on the banks of the Delaware River making it a natural port for trade with Europe, Philadelphia grew to become the largest city in the English settlements. Its central position within the colonies made the city a natural choice for the key gatherings that defined the birth of a nation, including the First and Second Continental Congresses and the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The city went on to serve as the first capital of the newly independent United States, before the government was moved to Washington in 1800.

Philadelphia again led the way through the 19th Century, as the construction of roads, canals and railways helped make the city the first industrialised centre on the continent. Towards the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Century Philadelphia's population grew with a stream of immigrants from Europe, initially from Ireland and Germany, followed by others from Italy and Eastern Europe, helping to shape the culture and accent of the modern settlement.

Such a pivotal role in the creation and development of the United States makes Philadelphia a fascinating place to visit and the city is packed with iconic landmarks and artefacts that helped to define and develop the new nation.

The historical heart of the city - the Independence National Historic Park is described as 'America's most historic square mile', as it contains two of the nation's most revered monuments to freedom: Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Independence Hall was the building where the founding fathers debated and adopted the Declaration of Independence, reading it aloud in Independence Square on 4th of July 1776. The Hall is open to visitors, with tours being organised through timed tickets, which can be collected free from the visitors centre, or reserved in advance for a small fee.

The cracked Liberty Bell, an icon for the concept of freedom throughout American history, is as potent a symbol of national identity as the Declaration document itself. Ordered in 1751 from (ironically) a London bell foundry, it was cast with the inscription: "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto the all the Inhabitants thereof Lev XXV X".

Despite cracking on its first test-ring and being re-cast, tradition has it that the bell was rung to announce the First Continental Congress in 1774, then again after the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775. The Bell was evacuated before British forces occupied the city during the Revolutionary War, before being restored to its home.

In the 19th Century the Bell's power as an icon for freedom was adopted by the American Anti-Slavery Society as a symbol for the struggle to release the slaves.

Originally hung in the Independence Hall, the bell is now housed in a dedicated Visitor Centre, open every day except Christmas Day, from 9.00 to 5.00, with no ticket required. The bell attracts over two million visits per year.

Aside from the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the Independence National Historic Park contains over 20 sites of interest from US history, all within walking distance. Franklin Court is dedicated to the life and achievements of one of Philadelphia's greatest citizens, Benjamin Franklin. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading scientist, engineer, political philosopher and statesman. As the State of Pennsylvania's delegate to the Continental Congress, he was a member of the Committee of Five who drafted the Declaration of Independence. The park is also home to the First and Second Banks of the United States, the Congress Hall, which served as the meeting place for the US congress between 1790 and 1800, the Edgar Allan Poe National Historical Site, plus many others.

Moving around the Old City you get a sense of the connection that Philadelphia has with its past, and what a strong connection that past had with the old colonial powers across the Atlantic. The architecture has a European feel to it, with cobbled streets and classically influenced public buildings - it's easy to see why Philly was referred to as the 'Athens of the Americas'.

Extraordinary though the Old City is, it's by no means all that Philly has to offer. As the fourth largest urban area in the US it's a vibrant modern city with plenty of contemporary appeal for the visitor.

Centre City is the beating heart of modern Philadelphia, home to the central business district and its jostling crowd of skyscrapers. Under their shadows races a city as energetic as any on the continent. The Centre is home to some of the best restaurants and shopping in the city - try Susanna Foo, famous for its Chinese cuisine, or the acclaimed Le Bec Fin, with its Louis XVI era inspired offering, both situated on Walnut St.

Centre City is also home to some of the best shopping in Philadelphia, with some 2,000 retail outlets to tempt the shopaholic. These include Macy's flagship store situated in the historic Wanamaker building, while the massive King of Prussia Mall is the largest in the USA - a sight to behold in the country that invented consumerism!

To help ease the worst effect of the credit crunch, the city has no sales tax (similar to VAT) on clothes and shoes, making that essential purchase even harder to resist.

If the twin temptations of good food and dangerously good shopping are proving too much, you can seek refuge with higher-minded diversions in one of the city's many art collections. Philadelphia boasts the largest assembly of impressionist works in the world and claims more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other.

The Rodin Museum has the largest collection of the artist's sculptures outside France, while The Barnes Foundations holds the greatest private portfolio of impressionist and post-impressionist work anywhere. While the Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the foremost in the US, its exterior is also a big attraction for movie fans as an iconic location featured in the movie 'Rocky'.

Travel beyond the city centre for a less polished version of Philly and to get to know what is arguably the true character of the contemporary city. South Philly is famous for its Italian heritage and home to traditional Italian American neighbourhoods and an ample supply of restaurants. For the strong of stomach and hearty of appetite, try one of Philly's proudest creations - the 'cheese steak', an impressive sandwich of shaved beef and cheese, served with fried onions. The best cheese steak can be found in and around 9th and Passyunk Avenue. Which 'joint' serves the best is a subject of hot debate among the locals - ask any South Philadelphian and you're sure to find a strong opinion!

As a favourite tourist destination, especially with US citizens keen to see some of the key artefacts from their nation's foundation, Philadelphia has its own visitors' discount scheme. The Philadelphia Pass entitles free entry to over 40 of the most popular visitor attractions, often providing priority 'fast track' entry to beat the queues. Aside from entry to the museums and galleries, the Pass entitles holders access to sightseeing tours, such as the Big Bus tour (on a London Transport double decker) and the AudioWalk tour of historic Philadelphia.

While not cheap, the pass can deliver real savings if you intend to get out and see as much of the city as possible during your visit. See www.philadelphiapass.com for more information.

A great way to get around some of the key sites is the 'Phlash', a seasonal service run on distinctive purple trolley cars. Just $2 each time you board (or $5 for the whole day), the Phlash runs every 12 mins on a constant loop between Penn's Landing on the Delaware River and the Museum of Art, taking in stops at 20 locations of interest along the way.

As well as the attractions that the city itself has to offer, Philadelphia is also a great new staging point for travellers from BIA to explore North America. US Airways offers no fewer than 108 onward destinations, including connections to Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami, San Francisco and Tampa.

Aside from the spider-web of onward connections throughout North America with US Airways and other carriers, Philadelphia's position on the eastern seaboard of the US places it within easy reach of other major destinations. It's only 45 minutes by train or a couple of hours by car to the US capital of Washington DC, while New York City is three hours away on the road, or just an hour by rail.

Attractive though the great cities of the US eastern seaboard are, the land in which they lie is arguably an even greater draw. From white picket fence lined rural idyll, to vast (by European standards) swathes almost untouched original forest, to soaring mountains, there's every bit as much to see and do outside the cities as there is in them. The Appalachian Mountains, which run for some 1,500 miles from north of the Canadian border all the way down to the southern states crosses the western half of Pennsylvania. One of the most popular recreational areas within the range is the Pocono Mountains district in northeast of the state. Attracting visitors from New York, Philadelphia and the beyond the region. The name is drawn from indigenous American language roots, meaning 'stream between two mountains', as the mighty Delaware River flows through the region on its way to Philadelphia.

The area's history as a retreat from city life began at the start of the 20th Century, when Philadelphia Quakers established the resorts of Buck Hill Falls and Pocono Manor. Today, the region is offers extensive opportunities for all kinds of outdoor pursuits, from canoeing on the many lakes and sections of river, to white-water rafting, to following a section of the enormous Appalachian Trail - a 2,000 mile hiking route that runs the length of the mountain chain.

Like the rest of the States, visitors are actively encouraged to get out and enjoy the wild space - but do remember that they are wild - black bears are common. Alternatively, if your approach to the great outdoors is great to look at, but not great to get lost in, the Poconos also have a variety of luxurious hotels and spas from which you can admire the views in relaxing comfort.

So whether you're attracted by revolutionary history, high art, beautiful landscape or just the opportunity to travel onwards throughout America, Philadelphia is a great new addition to Birmingham International Airport's repertoire of destinations.