Philadelphia, with a population in excess of one million and the largest city in Pennsylvania, has managed to retain the charm of a small town with the sights in the Independence National Historic Park dating from the 18th century. This large city in the East of the USA is considerably less hectic and arrogant than, say, New York or Boston. The cracked Liberty Bell, as well as the congress hall and the Old City Hall are particularly worth seeing. There is also a 'Germantown', originally founded by German immigrants. Branded products can be bought at low prices in more than 100 outlet stores on the outskirts of the city. Philadelphia is also well known as a city of art and museums.
Sights include: the Please Touch Museum, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia Zoo, the oldest botanic gardens in the USA, Woodmere Art Museum, Glen Foerd Mansion built in 1850 by the river, and the former home of the author Edgar Allan Poe.
