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The Latest Travel News from the WorldEscape Community

Philadelphia becomes the first World Heritage City in the US

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The Organization of World Heritage Cities has voted to make Philadelphia a World Heritage City. This will be the 267th such city in the world, but it is the only one in the US.

The city was granted the honor in celebration of the work it has done to preserve the community’s cultural and historical assets. This makes it an immensely interesting and exciting city to visit, so if you’re considering booking one of the many vacation rentals in Philadelphia, here are some of the sights you should see.

Independence National Historical Park

This historic square mile takes in a number of attractions and landmarks that show how American democracy developed. This includes the Liberty Bell Center, the President’s House, Franklin Court and Independence Hall. At the Liberty Bell Center, visitors can view the bell that was used by the Pennsylvania Assembly and then adopted as a symbol by many of those fighting for civil rights and against injustice.

National Constitution Center

This is the only museum in the world that looks at the US Constitution. Visitors can see artifacts and exhibits, view the Bill of Rights, watch the Freedom Rising production, and wander amongst bronze life-sized statues of the Founding Fathers.

The Franklin Institute

The institute is one of the US’s oldest science museums. It shows how science relates to a number of disciplines, including space and sports. There are hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and observatory, an IMAX Theater, and the Giant Heart, which visitors can walk through.

Other sights of interest include the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, and The Barnes Foundation.

Public Transportation in Philadelphia

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Like many major cities on the East Coast, Philadelphia is very pedestrian-friendly, meaning that a car is not necessary for travel. While looking for places to stay during your trip, proximity to public transportation can be crucial. You will be able to find a number of public transportation hubs with affordable options close to apartments and vacation rentals. The Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, operates the city’s public bus and commuter rail systems and is the fifth largest mass transit operator in the United States.

The well-known Broad Street subway line unites the South Philadelphia Sports Complex and Center City’s museums and performing arts centers, while the Market-Frankford Line has regular stops in University City, the Historic District, and City Hall. Additionally, the Regional Rail expands beyond the city limits, with one line connecting passengers from Philadelphia International Airport to Center City in half an hour or less.

For a more unique and historical traveling experience, consider using the trolley for public transportation throughout west Philadelphia or for taking a specialized tour for sightseeing. Some privately owned buses, such as the Philly PHLASH, are specifically designed for the tourist experience. Affordable daily passes are available that will take you to famous landmarks such as the Philadelphia Zoo, Penn’s Landing, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Philadelphia also has sixty bike rental stations situated throughout the city, allowing you to pick up a new bike at one station and drop it off at another. Biking is an especially convenient way to travel during the warmer months of the year.

Finally, feel free to travel on foot. Walking times between well-known historical sites in Center City average between ten and twenty minutes. Consider finding short-term rentals within Center City so that you can take advantage of walking in this beautiful, historic metropolis.

A rubber duck you wouldn’t want in the bath

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Visitors to Philadelphia this month might be surprised by what they see on the Delaware River: the largest rubber duck in the world will be anchored off shore to help celebrate the Tall Ships Philadelphia Camden 2015 festival.

The event will take place from June 25 through June 28, and there’s never been a better time to book one of the fantastic short-term rentals available in the city. The huge rubber duck is 61 feet tall and weighs 11 tons. It is part of an awareness campaign launched by the organizers to draw attention to the conservation of our natural resources, including waterways. They wanted a fun and quirky way to highlight the need to maintain these environments for real ducks and other wildlife.

Beautiful vessels

Alongside the enormous duck, visitors will also be able to admire the various tall ships that will be displayed for the event. The festival will see the arrival on the Delaware River of 12 of the most famous ships in the world. Some of these historic and unique ships include the Portuguese Tall Ship Sagres and Hermione, which is a French frigate.

These vessels can be viewed from the riverside, and a few of them will also be opened up to the public. You can also have the opportunity to sail on one of these classic vessels with sailing pass, which will be priced at $85. General admission to the festival costs $7. Other activities taking place include historic reenactments, dance, music, and the sale of local food and craft beer.

Visit the true American flags

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Did Memorial Day stir up your patriotic spirit? If so, there are plenty of places to visit that focus on the country’s heritage. In the U.S., the American flag flies proudly over many locations and buildings. However, there are a few special flags that are worth viewing if you want to understand more about the history of the Star Spangled Banner.

Washington, D.C.

If you’ve booked one of the apartment rentals available in Washington, D.C., there are two attractions you should visit that will help you see the American flag in a new light.

The National Museum of American History is home to the original 200-year old Star Spangled Banner. This was the flag that was used in the 1812 war, and visitors to the museum can view the preserved flag for free.

Another good choice is the Washington Monument. This is a landmark worth seeing on its own, but the 50 American flags that circle the structure make for a moving sight. They are on display every day throughout the year. There are limited tickets available for free on the day you want to visit, or you can book in advance to guarantee your entry for a small charge.

Philadelphia

Visitors to this Pennsylvania city should head to Betsy Ross’ home. Modern history credits Betsy with the design of the American flag, although this is still disputed by Robin Young’s descendants. Visitors can take a tour of the house and see the flag raised daily at 10:00am.

Philadelphia sees boost in vacation figures

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The 2015 Visit Philadelphia Annual Report shows that the city had a record year in 2014 in terms of people visiting the area on vacation. The news comes as the city prepares for a number of important events in 2015 that could further increase its status as a vacation destination.

The figures from the city’s tourism organization, Visit Philadelphia, show that 39.7 million people visited last year, bringing $10.4 billion into the local economy. Eighty-eight percent of those visitors came from the leisure market, which is now having a far greater impact than the business sector. Since 1997, the number of those staying overnight in the city has risen by 90 percent.

A city of many opportunities

Philadelphia is definitely worth exploring, and 2015 will see a host of fantastic events talking place across the city. This makes it the perfect time to plan your stay. There are a number of short-term rentals that can serve as a great base in the city from which to experience everything that the region has to offer.

Later this year, you’ll be able to experience the great Philly welcome when Pope Francis makes his first papal visit to the U.S. as part of the World Meeting of Families in September. There will also be the excitement of the Army-Navy Football game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 12.

This is on top of all the fantastic tourist attractions on offer, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Penn Museum, Adventure Aquarium, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum.