Philly has a unique vibe that feels entirely different from anything else in Pennsylvania: but what does that mean for those who want to visit?  What’s the city really like?

These are the top things that make Philadelphia stand out and why so many love this city!

Fantastic World-Famous Food

Everyone has heard of the Philadelphia cheesesteak.  First made by Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor and the namesake of PAt’s King of Steaks in 1930, it’s come a long way in the last 90 years.  Now a world-famous food, people love to come up with their own twists, and there are lots of arguments about what is and what isn’t a cheesesteak.

At its base, a cheesesteak simply needs sliced steak, cheese, and bread.  From here, people branch off and do things like replace it with cheez whiz, use a hoagie roll, or even add pickles and jalapenos, depending on personal taste: your first bite of an original Philly cheesesteak from the city will leave you looking for Philadelphia apartments for rent so you can eat more!

The Largest Outdoor Market

Reading Terminal Market is not only the largest outdoor market, but it’s also one of the oldest in the United States.  First opened in 1893, it’s a fantastic space to shop, meet locals, and socialize.  You can try new foods, buy wares from artists, and feel like you’re part of a community here that you simply can’t in many other areas.

This is also a great way to open a stall and sell your wares if you’re curious about opening a business but aren’t sure if it’ll succeed.

Real East Coast Vibes

Philadelphia is as east coast as you could get in Pennsylvania!  Offering a large assortment of fresh seafood and awesome river views, you can enjoy feeling like you’re not too far from the Atlantic ocean while you’re here.  A lot of Pennsylvania tends to feel almost midwestern, especially once you make it over to Pittsburgh, so it’s worth visiting so that you can feel the real difference between the two areas.

Large Variance of Cultures and Dialects

Philadelphia is also known as the city of neighborhoods because of its long history of immigration.  Welcoming new people into the city, Philadelphia now has very marked areas where people have moved to start a fresh life with people who they could connect with.  Although the city is slowly homogenizing in some areas, it’s still a fantastic place to get to know new cultures and try new foods and experiences you couldn’t find elsewhere.

Long and Interesting History

Philadelphia has been settled since the 1600s but has had indigenous people who have called this area home for thousands of years before that.  The modern city is known for being the birthplace of the United States, where the founding fathers first met, debated, and formed the country the city resides in today.

Although it has a long and wild history, once being the largest city in the country, it’s almost forgotten about until people arrive. Take the time to get to know Philadelphia’s history while you’re in town!

There’s No Place Quite Like Philly

Philadelphia is always going to stun and entrance visitors. This city surprises everyone who visits it, and you’ll fall in love with its strange charm as well the moment you make it to town!