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A Rocky start running into the historic heart of Philadelphia





The city skyline from the 33rd floor of the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia.
The city skyline from the 33rd floor of the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia.

IT was while racing my son up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps made famous by Rocky star Sylvester Stallone that I had a flashback to our very recent arrival in the history-steeped American city.

Approaching Philly on a Greyhound bus, I lost count of the number of giant roadside billboards advertising personal injury lawyers. My favourite proclaimed the services of ‘Philadelphia’s Brightest (and Baldest) Lawyers’. In a concrete jungle of competitors, that one stood out.

In a city renowned for some pretty famous legislation, I wondered what Benjamin Franklin and co would have made of it? In 1776, the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in Independence Hall here and, just 11 years later, it’s where the framework for the U.S. Constitution was hammered out. The city was, for a period, the nation’s capital and there’s a sense of that everywhere you go.

America loves an underdog story and so I channelled the Rocky Balboa training montage sequence in my head after challenging my son to a race up those famous steps. As I saw him stumble just ahead of me on those Rocky Steps, I wondered whether the bald lawyers would cash in if he fell and hurt himself? And, more importantly, could I gain competitive advantage from his slip? Watch the next video to find out…

The 72-step run was a cheesy but fun and essential item on the Philly bucket list, alongside - of course - a snapshot next to the Rocky statue at the bottom. We were far from alone in succumbing to the cheesy homage and the film connection has inspired a regular Rocky Run, which I would love to return for. A gaggle of schoolchildren followed in our footsteps, squeals of laughter as they raced to the top. Could the Highlands benefit even more from connections with famous movies?

After our own race, posing with the Rocky statue near the base of the famous steps in Philadelphia.
After our own race, posing with the Rocky statue near the base of the famous steps in Philadelphia.

A brilliant overview of the city is offered from the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, an architectural landmark, and one of the city’s first skyscrapers, right in the centre. We opted to walk to it straight off the Greyhound. Hoofing it under the warm Pennsylvanian sun gave us an instant orientation lesson as we passed through Chinatown, my wife tempted by some delicious dumplings which tasted all the better after our journey.

The Governor suite in the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia.
The Governor suite in the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia.

From our hotel room windows we enjoyed a jaw-dropping view out across the city and were able to pick out some of the landmarks we planned visiting. I’d highly recommend staying here for this bird’s-eye perspective and its incredibly convenient location, which made our plan of walking everywhere a logistic no-brainer. Those 30,000-plus step days also justified treating ourselves to a dinner at the excellent in-house Bank & Bourbon restaurant.

Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau is a good starting point to bone up on this World Heritage City - one that will be a FIFA World Cup host in 2026.

A traditional Philadelphia cheesesteak consists of thinly sliced steak, melted cheese and onions. This one at Reading Terminal Market was magnificent - and tasted way better than it looks! Picture: Hector Mackenzie
A traditional Philadelphia cheesesteak consists of thinly sliced steak, melted cheese and onions. This one at Reading Terminal Market was magnificent - and tasted way better than it looks! Picture: Hector Mackenzie

The 133-year-old Reading Terminal Market, another local landmark, was just steps away from the hotel. A trusted source for fresh produce, seafood, meats and cheese housing around 75 local businesses, it’s foodie heaven. I picked up the best cup of coffee I found during our wee United States jaunt there and also got my first taste of the Philly cheesesteak, beyond doubt the city’s most famous food. I remembered a Philly native now based on the Black Isle telling me about these years ago and let’s just say they did not disappoint.

The State House bell became a herald of liberty in the 19th century. "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof," the bell's inscription, provided a rallying cry for abolitionists wishing to end slavery.Picture: Hector Mackenzie
The State House bell became a herald of liberty in the 19th century. "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof," the bell's inscription, provided a rallying cry for abolitionists wishing to end slavery.Picture: Hector Mackenzie

While it doesn’t make a sound, the Liberty Bell’s message rings loud and clear: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” This inscription is one reason it became a symbol to abolitionists, suffragists and other freedom-seekers throughout history.

And as with Independence Hall, it’s impossible not to feel the hand of history on your shoulder as you wander this area and think of those who blazed a trail that would forever change the course of this nation.

The city's connections to Benjamin Franklin are proudly proclaimed. He was one of America's most influential Founding Fathers and a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence.Picture: Hector Mackenzie
The city's connections to Benjamin Franklin are proudly proclaimed. He was one of America's most influential Founding Fathers and a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence.Picture: Hector Mackenzie

Guided tours of the UNESCO World Heritage Site are available.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, modelled after the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, is dubbed Philadelphia’s most artistic mile.

Important cultural institutions housed here include the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and, of course, the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The city rewards a good long wander on foot, revealing all manner of interesting nooks and crannies, amongst them the Delaware River waterfront, now a buzzy hub.

Philadelphia played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, serving as the capital where the Continental Congress met, the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Continental Army was formed. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Philadelphia played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, serving as the capital where the Continental Congress met, the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Continental Army was formed. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Philadelphia has been dubbed 'the mural capital of the world'. It started with the creation of an anti-graffiti network and has developed into a major visitor attraction.Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Philadelphia has been dubbed 'the mural capital of the world'. It started with the creation of an anti-graffiti network and has developed into a major visitor attraction.Picture: Hector Mackenzie
A head-turning fire engine in Philadelphia. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
A head-turning fire engine in Philadelphia. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
I wasn't tempted but at $10 a pop, I could see how some might be. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
I wasn't tempted but at $10 a pop, I could see how some might be. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Philadelphia Eddie's tattoo place. "Crazy Philadelphia Eddie" (Eddie Funk) was a legendary tattoo artist who started tattooing in 1952 in Coney Island, New York, before moving to Philly. His name is still remembered by tattoo aficionados. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Philadelphia Eddie's tattoo place. "Crazy Philadelphia Eddie" (Eddie Funk) was a legendary tattoo artist who started tattooing in 1952 in Coney Island, New York, before moving to Philly. His name is still remembered by tattoo aficionados. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
The city's rich history is reflected in its public art. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
The city's rich history is reflected in its public art. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Korean War Memorial Park is a moving reminder of the price of war.Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Korean War Memorial Park is a moving reminder of the price of war.Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Anna Jarvis came up with the idea for Mother's Day but was later horrified by its commercialisation. She's just one of many fascinating characters associated with Philadelphia's remarkable story. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Anna Jarvis came up with the idea for Mother's Day but was later horrified by its commercialisation. She's just one of many fascinating characters associated with Philadelphia's remarkable story. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Philadelphia is called 'the city of Brotherly Love'. William Penn, a Quaker, founded Philadelphia with the goal of creating a haven for religious freedom and tolerance. He believed in the principles of "brotherly love" and sought to establish a society where people would treat each other with respect and kindness, regardless of their beliefs or background. Picture: Hector Mackenzie
Philadelphia is called 'the city of Brotherly Love'. William Penn, a Quaker, founded Philadelphia with the goal of creating a haven for religious freedom and tolerance. He believed in the principles of "brotherly love" and sought to establish a society where people would treat each other with respect and kindness, regardless of their beliefs or background. Picture: Hector Mackenzie

Remember to keep looking up every so often and you’ll see bold murals which are part of a trail that actually started in response to graffiti. Now the self-proclaimed mural capital of the world’, Philadelphia has turned a challenge into an opportunity which has been seized boldly.

It made me think of Invergordon’s own mural trail, another great idea which, like many others, started with the seed of an idea, a vision and great determination to make it happen come what may. As a first time visitor to the city, that was part of the overall Philadelphia vibe. It’s a city which takes great pride in its storied past yet is clearly not content to rest on its laurels as it looks to the future. The City of Brotherly Love welcomed us with open arms and left us with many reasons to want to return again some day.

Fact file

Loews Hotel, 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia, 19107. www.loewshotels.com/philadelphia-hotel

Discover Philadelphia

Philadelphia CityPASS

The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, which has its own website, is also a great place to mine more information.

Before you go…

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