January 21, 2007 by Stephen.

United States:

• Chicago:

Chicago Trolley

(Map& Desnations: http://www.coachusa.com/CoachUsaAssets/files/102/route_map.pdf
http://www.coachusa.com/chicagotrolley/booking.asp?action=ProductDetail&productId=1063)

Chicago Transit

Citysearch Map

aviewoncities Chicago Map

• Philadelphia:

Big Bus Company (http://www.bigbustours.com/phila/html/i/BigBusBrochure2006.pdf)

Trolley Work (http://www.phillytour.com/2006_PTW_Brochure_Final.pdf)

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January 12, 2007 by Stephen.

Click here to open it up in an new window (http://flickr.com/photos/ponchiang/395500269/map/?view=ponchiang)

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January 12, 2007 by Stephen.

DAY3

• Tomb with unknown soldier
• FRANKLIN’S COURT (Make sure you check the schedule for court and The Museum. The Museum opened at 12PM when we were there. The court opens earlier. )
• Printing Office and Bindery - Pennsylvania Gazette
• National Liberty Museum (At the other side of the Franklin’s Court.)
• Carpenter’s Hall (accross street of the Franklin Institute science museum)
• Chris Church
• Religious Society of Friends Meeting House (Quaker)
• Franklin’s Grave - Christ Church Burial Ground
• Penn’s Landing
• Love Park
• Rodin’s Museum

Lunched at Philiadaphia old city restaurant (Arch St. and 3rd St. - Between Christ Church and Quaker Meeting House
where we learned more detail about Quaker and William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.) We found a nice spot for parking. One meter for 2 cars and sometimes we split the parking) I liked the Stromboli there. (Stromboli - Food like calzone, also a name for an island in Italy)

(LOVE PARK For Miko & I) (Why the o is tilted? Because the artist of the sculptre,Robert Indiana, thinks that there is no perfect “love”)

(The Thinkers at Rodin Museum)

(me at Rodin Museum)

THERE IS MORE DETAIL TO COME !!!

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References:

• http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60795-s1/Philadelphia:Pennsylvania:Inside.html#Things to Do
• http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60795-s410/Philadelphia:Pennsylvania:Museums.And.Attractions.html
• http://www.philadelphiapass.com/attractionsFullList.asp

Visiting Philadelphia by driving a car isn’t a bad idea. We had a great time driving and finding parking on the streets. It was in January though. I saw more Philadelphia by driving than what I saw by taking the Trolley/Big Bus. When you are waiting for them, they are not there on time; When you are a little late, they were on time and they are already gone. Even in the winter, the off peak season, probably their customer is only you and they are not wililng to cordinate with you like wait for you for a couple of minutes. We were waiting in the cold weather and they were late like more than 20 minutes. We couldn’t wait any longer and had to get taxi 2 times in one day.

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January 12, 2007 by Stephen.

Miko and I went to Philadelphia, PA. That is a very nice place and people are very nice explaining lots of histories whereever we go. We were also able to sit where George Washington, Betsy Ross and Benjemin Franklin sat in the Chris Church.

She is so beautiful. I love her.

We stayed at The Latham Hotel, one of two historic hotels in Philadelphia, based on The Historic Hotels of America (http://www.historichotels.org/hotel/177/1462). It is 2 blocks from Rittenhouse Square.

ATTRACTIONS THAT WE VISITED:

DAY1 (3 HOURS)

• Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia
• Independence Visitor Center
• Liberty Bell
• Independence Hall - Free timed tickets required during peak season.
• Washington Square
• Hard Rock café
• Old City Hall at night.

DAY2

• Betsy Ross Museum
• Elfreth’s Alley
• TROLLEY WORK
• Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia - Where the city’s history inspires the future. (http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com/bookit.htm#atwater)
• Eastern State Penitentiary - National Historical Landmark noted for its architecture and notorious breakouts.
• Old City Hall
• Fairmount Park
• The National Constitution Center
• Philadelphia Museum of Art ( http://www.philamuseum.org/)
• Dinner near Rittenhouse Square and the Latham Hotel

(Miko at Betsy Ross Museum)

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