Culture in Philadelphia

Vacationing in Philadelphia? Tired of Cheese Steaks? Wishing you had sprung for the trip to Frankfort or Shanghai? It is true that Philadelphia is rich in American history, but this doesn't make foreign cultures non-existent. The advantage to many larger cities is that they are home to many ethnicities, and have a wide variety of cultural and cross-cultural experiences. Philadelphia is no exception, and offers many opportunities to move past American culture and experience something more international.

Try visiting Germantown. This two mile section of Philadelphia is one of the cities oldest settlements, originally settled by followers of William Penn seeking religious tolerance. The town's history makes it rich in both German and American culture. Tourists will appreciate the quiet, tree-lined streets, and the apartments that have been restored to emulate traditional German architecture. There are several museums and restored houses to tour as well, including the Maxwell Mansion, a Mennonite Meeting house, and an old school. Germantown also contains the birthplace of Louis May Alcott, as well as several historic churches and graveyards. Seeing this area of the city is especially good for those traveling on a budget, as many of the sites are free of charge.

Randomly craving an egg roll? It might be time for a visit to China town! That's right...although Philadelphia is best known for its historical venues it is also home to its very own Chinatown. Originating from a Chinese laundry establishment, and a single Chinese restaurant, Philadelphia's Chinatown now spans a several mile radius, and is home to nearly a thousand people. Although it is smaller than its counterparts in New York and San Francisco, Philadelphia's Chinatown offers a variety of markets, shopping and food that is rich with Asian culture.

The first thing that visitors are likely to notice is the friendship gate located in the heart of the neighborhood. The gate is fashioned after traditional Chinese archways, and this particular is one of the most ornately decorated archway in America. There is also a mural that was painted to commemorate Chinatown's 125th anniversary. Beyond this, however, Chinatown offers a variety of activities to make guests feel like they have stepped into a part of the orient. There are numerous restaurants featuring Northern and Southern Chinese food (there is a difference!), Vietnamese dishes and Thai cuisine. There are also a number of smaller Asian bakeries that offer Chinese snacks and traditional Chinese cakes and delicacies. Chinatown also offers shopping, and is a good place to pick up some souvenirs. There are numerous toy shops, a market and several Chinese grocery stores for anyone wanting to try their hand at making their own Chinese cuisine. Night owls are particularly likely to enjoy Chinatown, as this part of the city has restaurants that are open late, as well as an array of shows and parties that take place after much of the city has gone to sleep.

Philadelphia also offers an array of French, Mexican, and even some Middle Eastern and Greek restaurants. The best way to find these is simply to search online, as many restaurants have websites giving specific locations, and information about reservations.

Whatever travelers may find, don't be afraid to try new things. Just because you are vacationing in America doesn't mean you have to be limited to American cuisine and culture. Look past the standard attractions and experience new cultures. Wonton anyone?