Philadelphia 6/26/14

One of my best friends and I spent the day in Philadelphia.  There is a lot of history in Philadelphia and so many things to see and do. We started out by taking a walk on the Ben Franklin Bridge. The Bridge opened up on July 1, 1926 and is one of the world's largest suspension bridges.  It is 135 feet above the Delaware River.  I must admit it was a little scary to see all of the cars moving so fast on 95 below us.

This was the stunning view on the way back.  It looked like a painting!



After the bridge, we walked over to see Ben Franklin's resting place at Christ Church Burial Ground.

Christ Church was founded in 1695. It was the first parish of the Church of England (Anglican) in Pennsylvania and it is also the birthplace of the American Episcopal Church. 

 

Washington Square was a nice park to walk through the City. It had lots of trees and park benches, and was busy with people walking through to their destinations. The Square was originally laid out by William Penn's surveyor to have five squares to establish parks for the public.  It also once served as a mass burial ground.  A little haunting to think about.

Old St. Mary's was the second Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia, built in 1763.  It was beautiful inside!



Couldn't take a tour of Philadelphia without seeing the Independence Hall. It is the building where both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and signed.

The Liberty Bell was once in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall).

  

We walked over to the Betsy Ross House but it was already closed for the day. I really would have liked to go inside. This is where she lived and where she sewed the first American flag.

Philadelphia Magic Gardens was quite a site to see!!  I've never seen anything like it.  It is the creation of artist, Isaiah Zagar and spans half a block.  He has taken things like colorful mosaics, folk art statues, bottles, bicycle wheels, etc. and excavated tunnels and grottos in this space to create this amazing beauty!