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Evan Berger

Ms. Crowell

English 11-5

26 April 2019

Philadelphia: A Fascinating City

At one point in history, Philadelphia was the largest city in the United States along with

being the capital of the newly formed country. The city has many aspects preserved from its

historical roots, such as the deep red brick buildings from the colonial and pre-revolutionary

periods of its history which are considerably smaller than the gigantic and towering skyscrapers

made of steel and glass that make up the city’s skyline which is visible from miles away.

Philadelphia is a city that is a mix between old-fashioned colonial and a newer more modern city

and provides something for everyone.

The colonial buildings in Philadelphia give the city a feel for the olden times and have

been preserved fairly well to allow onlookers to see how people lived in the past. Many of the

buildings are constructed from reddish brown bricks which give the buildings a rough and dirty

look but also allow the buildings to have a strong and sturdy construction so that they won’t

collapse over time. The bricks are also the main construction material used in the row houses

along the Delaware River, on the east side of the city. The west side of the city is bordered by the

Schuylkill River, which twists and turns as it flows southward into the Delaware River. This also

allows for the city to be a small peninsula. The row houses are vast buildings stretching down

the streets split into multiple tiny homes for a single family to live in. Many of these buildings

show their age, as they were built between the late 1600s and 1800s. The River used to be a

pristine and clean blue and was filled with large transport ships or passenger boats, but now it is
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dirty, brown, and polluted, due to the overuse of the river. The port and shipyard are south of the

city and are typically busy on an average day, having towering cranes moving large crates or the

massive container ships off the boats because the port is one of the busiest and most hectic in the

world. The more modern parts of the city can be found elsewhere full of luxurious apartments

and gigantic, towering skyscrapers for the massive companies headquartered in the city. Many of

these newer buildings are full of more activity. Compared to the older, rundown preserved

colonial buildings which are typically off-limits, the newer, more impressive buildings are used

by many for their everyday jobs or as a fancy residence.

The city was planned out before it was built, allowing for the streets and buildings to

form easily navigable roads. It is comparable to an ordered grid and it allows the older, smaller

parts of the city to be easily distinguishable from newer, more modern parts of the city. The city

was originally planned in a rectangular shape, bordered by the two impassable rivers on each

side. With the planning of the city, there were also built in parks filled with greenery, including

tall trees which are great for providing shade. In the summer all of this provides relaxing areas

for a picnic, while in the winter the bare trees allow you to see the vast and sprawling cityscape

covered in a bright, soft, white snow. The city is full of bustling people running to and from,

along with the typically packed streets filled with loud, honking cars trying to get to other places.

The culture of Philadelphia is heavily rooted around its history along with its famous

foods, museums, and sports. There are many fascinating museums within the city allowing for

residents and visitors alike to visit places such as the Art Museum and view many art pieces

which can range from ones with bright and vibrant colors to some that are more tone-downed

and are duller. The museum is located at the top famous “Rocky Steps,” which consists of 72

stone steps, and many tourists climb the steps to mimic the challenge that Rocky overcame.
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People can also visit the Franklin Institute and Natural Science Museum and see exhibits ranging

from ancient skeletons of dinosaurs to the shocking discovery of electricity in lightning by

Benjamin Franklin. There also many important historical sites to visit including Independence

Hall where all the famous and legendary founding fathers signed the Declaration of

Independence and where the Constitution was designed and ratified. The massive bronze Liberty

Bell can also be found in the city with its massive, jagged crack. Philadelphia is also well known

for some types of foods. Philly Cheesesteaks are essential to any Philadelphia visit which are

composed of a simple hoagie roll, filled with tender juicy steak, and full of liquid cheese whiz,

along with a variety of creative toppings. It is also well known for its soft pretzels which are

salty, chewy, and incredibly delicious. Sports in Philadelphia is also an essential aspect for any

person who enjoys sports. Many people take a life or death approach to sports and would do

anything to go to a game or see their team win. The fans are relentless and willing to boo or

attack their players if they feel like the player isn’t putting in enough effort.

Overall, the city of Philadelphia has many aspects to interest almost everyone. The city

has a variety of architecture showing how the city has changed over time along with preserved

history to learn more about colonial America. It has also educational museums, delicious food,

and entertaining sports teams with passionate fans allowing for an enjoyable experience.