Educational Trip To Philadelphia For International Schools

The impressive and imposing Philadelphia City Hall, completed in 1908, is considered to be at the centre of the historic city. A statue of the founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn stands proudly on top of the tower. This is the largest municipal building in the United States and the seat of government for the city. The exterior is richly decorated with sculptures representing the seasons and continents and there are lavish interiors. It is possible to visit just the Observation Deck on the tower for panoramic views of the city or take a full guided tour of the building.

This is one of the most important and largest art museums in the US with a vast collection of Renaissance, American and Impressionist art. Located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway the impressive neo-classical museum is one of the most popular attractions in Philadelphia. The Museum houses over 200 galleries spanning 2,000 years. There is also an outdoor sculpture garden. The Museum is also famous for the role it played in the Rocky films. The vast museum steps Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) ran up are now widely known as the ‘Rocky Steps’.

This museum in its temple-like building, designed by French architect Paul Cret, houses more than 120 of Rodin’s sculptures including bronze casts of Eternal Springtime, The Gates of Hell, The Burghers of Calais, and The Thinker. This is the largest collection of Rodin’s works outside Paris. Several of the most famous works can be seen in the sculpture garden which was originally designed by the French landscape designer, Jacques Greber. The museum opened in 1929, this was the private collection of a film exhibitor Jules Mastbaum who gave the museum to the city.

Located on the 57th floor of One Liberty Observation Deck is Philadelphia’s first high-rise attraction with 360 degree views and is the tallest attraction in the city at 883 feet.  Enjoy panoramic bird’s-eye views of the city and beyond. The attraction also offers Philadelphia-focused listening stations and six multi-lingual touch screens that allow visitors to zoom in on a single point hundreds of feet below. Close by are the shops and eateries of Liberty Place.

The Union victory at The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War. It was also the war’s bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. Students can tour the battlefield and explore the significant sites of this dramatic event. There’s also a museum and visitor centre to gain background knowledge on the Civil War, and free ranger-guided programmes.

The birthplace of American Independence and democracy it was in this historic area that a group of colonists got together to plan independence from the King of England which following many bloody battles ultimately lead to the creation of the USA. Sites to visit include Independence Hall, the President’s House, The Liberty Bell Center, Carpenter’s Hall. The Independence Visitor Centre is a gateway to the Historic Park.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical significance, Independence Hall is seen as the birthplace of America. See the Assembly Room where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed. It was here in the Courtroom of Pennsylvania Supreme Court that militiamen tore down King George 111’s coat of arms in an act of defiance. The Governor’s Council Chamber later a court room was the scene of fugitive slave trials in the 1850’s.

See the Liberty Bell displayed in the Liberty Bell Centre. The former bell from the Pennsylvania statehouse (Independence Hall) came to be an extraordinary symbol of freedom through the inspirational inscription it carries. ‘Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof (Leviticus, 25:10)’ Historic documents, a video presentation and graphic images in the Liberty Bell Centre explore the facts and myths around the bell.

The National Constitution Center uses interactive multi-media exhibits to explore the history of this important and influential document, the four most powerful pages in America’s history. One of the rare original public copies of the Constitution is on display. Bronze figures of the Constitution’s signers and dissenters can be seen in Signers Hall. The multi-media live performance ‘Freedom Rising’ in the Kimmel theatre is a dramatic depiction of events bringing history to life for students.

This is considered to be one of the greatest private collections of post-impressionist and early-modern art with over 3,000 exhibits. The collection is arranged in groupings, known as ensembles, according to light, line, colour and space. Works on display include 181 Renoirs, 69 Cezannes, 59 Matisses, 46 Picassos, 16 Modiglianis and 7 Van Goghs. Other exhibits include African sculpture, Pennsylvania German decorative arts, and Native American textiles.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is the nation’s oldest art school and art museum. The collection is housed in a magnificent Historic Landmark Building built in 1876. The permanent collection includes American art by some of the nation’s most talented contemporary artists. There are also works by Charles Willson Peale, Thomas Eakins, Nancy Spero, Elizabeth Murray and Kehinde Wiley.

Tip: Check out the portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

Founded in 1963 the Institute of Contemporary Art, part of the University of Pennsylvania, showcases the work of emerging and lesser known artists. It was the first ever museum to have a show of Andy Warhol, Laurie Anderson, Agnes Martin, Robert Indiana and other influential artists. It has been described as one of the most adventurous showcases in the United States.

This bustling, colourful indoor food market is one of the oldest in the USA dating from 1892.The market has a great selection of fresh produce, cheeses, baked goods, confectionary, flowers, crafts and jewellery. The market makes a great lunch stop with a seating area and a wide variety of different takeaway foods available, including the famous Philly cheesesteak. Amish vendors can be seen selling their goods from Tuesday to Saturday.