Philadelphia, PA

I took this trip with another one of my friends and we made one very fundimental mistake: we went in January. I don't recommend that. Talk about cold. Ouch. Now, our main purpose for going was to see a show, so the weather wasn't really our first concern. But I would choose a more outdoor-friendly time of year to visit this awesome city.

We had one day to explore the city (and see our show), so we tried to pack in as much as we could. We started the morning by heading to the famous Eastern State Penitentiary. This was the first Penitentiary designed to reform prisoners with confinement and solitude. Famous criminals Al Capone and Willie Sutton were housed here, and you can look inside Capone's elaborately decorated cell. On a guided tour you'll learn about the prison's basic operation, means of reformation, and the several escape attempts made throughout its working history. And for those with ghosties on the brain, yes, this is a famous haunted location featured on Ghost Hunters. No, I did not see anything floating around or hear anything banging on walls. Why? It was too cold for any ghost with commen sense to be out and about.

Next we visited Love Park, which houses the famous statue spelling out the word LOVE. I shall give you fair warning that this statue is much smaller than most pictures will have you believe. So small in fact, that we drove around the block several times looking for it and not even seeing it, though it was in plain site. Love Park is in the middle of several busy streets and is not easy to park near. You're better off parking a few blocks away and walking. Also, no fountain in the middle of the winter. Still, it's famous and recognizable, stop and see it!

You can't go to Philly without enjoying some of America's greatest moments in history. A luckily they're all clumped together. There's no fee to get a look at the Liberty Bell. And the hall it lives in is full of other exhibits and videos.

Directly across the street you can enter and take a tour of Independence Hall. A ticket is needed to enter, but the ticket is free. A guide will take you through each room open to the public and will certainly teach you something you didn't know. A highly recommended tour!

I also recommend saving some time to wander through China town. The shops are interesting, the restaurants are authentic, and it's like visiting another country without leaving Philly.

And to leave you with my final warning...parking in Philly is VERY difficult. The parking garages are sometimes underground, and the ramp to go down is in the middle of the street. No joke. Make sure you read the signs for side of the road parking, sometimes you have to pay sometimes you don't. If you can avoid driving while exploring the city, do it! But don't let this little fact sway you from visiting, because no matter how many times you had to drive around the block, everything  you see and do will be worth it!