Philadelphia

Go here: Philadelphia is known for its charming neighborhoods, its cheesy steak sandwiches, its breweries and food markets, and of course, its links to the birth of our nation. Ben Franklin lived there; so did Betsy Ross. It's where the Founding Fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence and debated the Constitution. If that all seems too much in the past, contemporary parts of the city are just as appealing. The lobby of the new Comcast Center, the city's tallest building, features a 2,000-square-foot high-definition screen with flashing images and nature scenes. Rittenhouse Row is home to exclusive shops and boutiques offering the latest in fashion, jewelry and furnishings. Even though the city isn't all powdered wigs and wooden teeth, it's still the historic landmarks that draw the crowds to this City of Brotherly Love.

March 6, 2009