As a native of Philadelphia, I thought I'd share some of my favorite places to visit in the Philadelphia area.

History, museums, and other tourist traps:

1. Independence Visitor Center. Find some fun and interesting things to do in the area. One North Independence Mall West 6th and Market Streets Philadelphia, PA 19106. 1-800-537-7676 or 215-965-7676.

2. Edgar Allen Poe House. See where the author of such famous works as The Raven and The Black Cat. Admission is free. INHP, 143 S. Third Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106. Phone: (215) 597-8780
3. Betsy Ross House. The home of the woman who made the first American flag. Located at 239 Arch Street. Phone: 215.686.1252. Admission $3 adults/seniors / $2 children 12 and under/students.

4. Independence National Historical Park. This includes things like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. I feel like things like the Liberty Bell are very cliche, but it seems as though this has to be on any list of must-see sights in Philadelphia. Call 267-519-4295 for more info.
5. Rodin Museum. See a lot of really cool sculptures, including "The Thinker." Located at Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 22nd Street.
6. Philadelphia Museum of Art. A must see for anyone interested in art. Sundays are pay what you wish. 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
7. Mütter Museum. This is essentially the city's museum of medical oddities. 19 South 22nd Street. 215-563-3737.
8. The Franklin Institute. Supposedly, they're calling themselves "The Franklin" now, but I'm so used to calling them "The Franklin Institute" that I refuse to call it anything else. It's essentially a science museum, but a lot of the exhibits are very hands on and it makes sceience fun, even for those of us who aren't really science people. 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

9. Please Touch Museum. Find the inner child in you. This museum is mainly focused on interactive learning with children, and it's a wonderful place to take the kids. 210 N. 21st Street (at the corner of 21st and Race Streets). (215) 963-0667.
10. The Academy of Natural Sciences. I haven't been here in years, but I remember it being an interesting place. 19th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
11. Finally, check out CityPass. It allows you to get into some of the major tourist attractions in Philadelphia for a discounted rate.

If you get tired of history and museums and want to see some actual Philadelphians, these are some places to check out:

1. Reading Terminal Market. A huge market place featuring lots of different vendors/types of food. 51 North 12th Street.
2. Italian Market. Mmmm, Italian food. 9th Street from Wharton Street to Fitzwater Street.
3. Chinatown. The place to go for yummy Chinese food.

4. Franklin Square. For a veriety of fun stuff. 200 N. 6th Street.
5. Rittenhouse Square Park. A really awsome park located in a ritzy area of town between 18th and 20th Streets.
6. Love Park. This is a really popular place for skateboarders, and is also the home of the famous Love Statue. 16th St and JFK Blvd.
7. Wawa. Wawa is seriously the best convience store anywhere. It's better than 711, Sheetz, or anywhere else you can name.

Enjoy your stay in Philadelphia!