Philadelphia - Part 2

After starting the bus tour of Philly, we got off on our first stop which was the Eastern State Penitentiary.  This place was downright creepy.  I'm talking walk around every corner slowly because you just know someone is watching you and about to jump out and scare you, creepy.  A very cool place to visit and learn about the interesting history behind the jail system.  Here are some creepy pictures so you can get the feel for it!

Looking down one of the hallways

One of the actual cells

Al Capone's Cell

After a quick break back at the hotel to freshen up, we went out the the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street) and down to the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts where there was a light show titled "Paris to Philly".  I'm so mad we aren't going to be there the last weekend in April because they are actually closing down this main area of the city and turning the streets into streets that you would see in Paris.  It looks so cool!

Here are two great pictures of the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street)

The next morning we were up bright and early with our first stop being Christ Church.  This was the church that many signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution attended.  Because church pews were purchased in those days (most commoners stood) this church has detailed records of who sat where and it is neat to imagine yourself back in time sitting in Sunday service with all of those men of that time period around you.  A very cool place.

One of my favorite places that we got to explore was Elfreth's Alley.  This is a street that has been preserved and really gives you a look back in time to what Philly would have looked like when it was the Capitol of our country.  

After a few more stops at places like Ben Franklin's Grave, The Betsy Ross house, and back to the market for Ice Cream, we checked out of our hotel and went to the Franklin Institute.  This was a big let-down.  Would only suggest it if you have small kids that you are trying to entertain.  Much like the Aquarium, but we actually had a lot of fun there because there was so much to see and do!

It was a crazy and fast tour of the city, but so much fun!  We loved every minute of it (at least I did, maybe not the moody teenage girls that we had with us).