Pennsylvania

One of the "must see" places on our Philadelphia list was the Reading Terminal Market. The history of Philadelphia markets go back to around 1680, when they were located close to the Delaware River. The Reading Market of today was erected in the 1890's, and remains a popular dining spot. It Smells So Good Our first visit was at breakfast time one morning. We expected huge crowds (We had heard rumors), but found the place fairly vacant upon entering. The entrance we used deposited near a stall selling baked goods. The fresh baking was a heavenly smell, and certainly added to our hunger. [...]

When visiting large cities, we always enjoy the opportunity to see the landscape from high above.  Sky Philadelphia was located just a block from our hotel, and offered views of the city from 51 stories. This was an attraction we just couldn't pass up. Sky Philadelphia Background After a very quick elevator we were led out to a open air patio, which offered us great views. It was early evening, so we this gave us enough light to look around. Sky Philadelphia is located in a building that used to be called Top of the Tower. These days it is used for a [...]

An especially adventurous day in Philadelphia required us to start with an abundantly sustaining breakfast. A visit to Le Pain Quotidien was just the thing we needed. The company is Belgian, and the name means "Our Daily Bread" (easier to spell), which is fitting for a bakery/restaurant combo. A Walk-able Itinerary The walk from our hotel, The Logan Philadelphia, was only a few short blocks. Our Daily Bread is located just off the main route of the art district. From the outside it had the appearance of any inner city restaurant, but we would soon experience it's unique appeal. The bistro-style tables outside hinted that this place [...]

The Delaware River area in Philadelphia is a great place for a stroll. Just south of the Ben Franklin Bridge, we found Spruce Harbor Park. It is advertised as a pop-up park, which has been around for about four years. It certainly highlights the potential for other urban waterfront areas. Duck, Duck, Goose Located at Penn's Landing, this seasonal park is a great place to wile away some time in a relaxed atmosphere. Paddle-boats allow visitors to survey the area from the water. Kayaks and canoes are also available for rent, and a large area is sectioned off from the main river channel [...]

Philadelphia has so many firsts that there seems to be one on every block. Shane Confectionery has the distinction of being the oldest continuously run candy maker in America. It was by chance that we ended up finding this unique shop.  A Sweet Old Store As we strolled down Market Street, on our way to the Delaware River, we happened upon the curved glass windows. This is not a normal shape for windows, so it grabs your attention. A sign hangs above the sidewalk touting the existence of Shane Confectionery since 1911. We would discover that the business actually started in 1863, and was [...]

There were a lot of firsts for us during our visit to Philadelphia. A chance to tour the USS New Jersey was certainly a big first. Besides being our first travel opportunity in the Garden State, it was also our first steps on a battleship. To say it is an impressive ship would be an enormous understatement.   First Impressions Our first sighting of the USS New Jersey was during our taxi ride across the Ben Franklin Bridge, which spans the Delaware River. The sheer size is hard to fathom from a distance, but as we approached it became apparent. Nearly three football [...]