Drive across the Ben Franklyn Bridge, take the first exit to the right and make your way towards the water. There will be a huge parking lot with a big gate. The gate is always open. I believe the lot belongs to a University, but I don't remember.

There you can see the beautiful skyline and the bridge:

Otherwise I would say the best thing about Philadelphia is its relative proximity to New York ;-) 

Andre

Travel Photos

Aside from the museums and the Liberty Bell I have always wanted to do the tour of Besty Ross' home. I am hoping to maybe do this next year.

Well, I am guessing you already have Liberty Bell and the Independence National Historic Park on your list. If you have the time, you should take a break at the City Tavern, which is part of the Park. Also, in the evenings they have a light show in the Park. I am not sure if it's a year-round thing, though.

Also very nice are City Hall, which has an observation tower, and the Masonic Temple, which is right next to City Hall.

Then there is also the Eastern State Penitentiary, if that is something you're interested in, and of course, the Philadelphia Zoo, the oldest one in America.

Also, very nice is Fairmount Park. There are old Victorian Boathouses along Schuylkill River. They are outlined with lights, which are turned on at night, looks really neat.

If you are interested in a unique dining experience, check out the Moshulu Restaurant and Bar. It's an old four-masted barque that once traveled the seas and is now docked in Penn's Landing. You might have to make reservations.

Hope this gives you some ideas. In the end, it really depends on how much time you'll have and what you find interesting.

The Philadelphia Art Museum is good, and you can do a Rocky imitation on the steps.  Long ago Iworked on a contract in Philadelphia, back in my fit days when I jogged (and burdened myself with the arthritis I have now in my knees).  I was stay at the Sheraton. I don't know if it is still there, but every morning I got up and did my run, including a going up the steps and jumping up and down a couple of times.  This was back before the long series of Rocky movies, and people still realized what a good movie it was.

If you want to get out of the city, go to Delaware, which is loaded with interesting things to do and see, from visiting the old DuPont estate to the Mushroom Museum.

Wow! Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I may have to extend my stay for a couple of weeks to fit everything in.

I went to Philadelphia with my parents ages ago when I was a kid, but you know how kids are--they're thinking about getting back to the hotel in time to watch HBO while some of the greatest documents in American history sit right in front of them. At least, that's how I was as a kid. Now that I appreciate the historical significance of Philadelphia, I want to go back and do it right!