Exploring Philly with Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours

All aboard the big red double-decker bus to tour the City of Brotherly Love!

Did we sit up top with the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair?

You bet! Is there any other way?

Our day of exploration was courtesy of Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours!

This hop on/hop off bus with tour guide narration was really the way to go!

Join me and I'll show you some of the highlights!

We began at the Bourse, first of 27 stops.

Who can visit Philly without seeing the Liberty Bell?

Another grand Philadelphia landmark: Independence Hall.

Loved having my nieces & nephews join us that day!

We love the Bishop family!

Christ Church

(Read my post here.)

Christ Church Burial Ground

(Read my post here.)

The Friendship Gate into Chinatown

City Hall with a statue of William Penn at the top

The Franklin Institute

Joan of Arc

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

That famous Rocky statue - who can resist a photo shoot?

The sleek and stylish Art Deco front of Suburban Station

Ben Franklin organized America's first post office!

He was our first Postmaster General and had his face on our first stamp!

Here's the Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours' website.

Presidents Day: Philadelphia's Washington Monument

In Philly, The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a recognizable building. 

Some know it as the place where Rocky Balboa famously ran up the steps. 

Many of us use it as a landmark to get our bearings around the city. 

Some may recall that directly in front of the Art Museum is a huge fountain;
what most don’t know is that the name of that fountain is the Washington Monument.
“She must be mistaken,” you’re thinking, “That’s the obelisk in Washington, D.C.”
You’d be correct, but in fact, Philadelphia, along with D.C., 
can boast of its own monument to honor our nation’s first president.

Designed by Rudolf Siemering, the majestic fountain was dedicated in 1897. 

The bronze and granite sculpture features General Washington astride his horse. 

An impression of Washington’s face was made and used to replicate his likeness.

The 44' high, 3-tiered monument depicts the man, his times, & his country.
The middle section represents Washington's place in US history:
the period leading up to the Revolutionary War, the victory, and the aftermath.
Two females allegorically represent America.
One is the rallying cry of battle, and the other, 
Liberty as she crushes the chains of oppression from Britain.

Additional sculpted plaques and emblems also depict the time period.

The base of the monument represents Washington's country.
There are four fountains, including statues of Native Americans, representing 
great rivers of the colonial US: the Delaware, Hudson, Potomac, and Mississippi.

(I was disappointed that the fountains were not filled and working at the time.)

Impressive, detailed sculptures of animals native to the US 

are on the sides of each fountain: buffalo, elk, moose, a bear and a bull.

I encourage you to stop by the Washington Monument and see it for yourself.
As is often the case, photos don't do it justice.
A great monument to a great man and US president,
located in the City of Brotherly Love.