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There are all sorts of different things people can do on vacation around the USA, ranging from long road trips in the spirit of wild and restless Americana, to visiting the nation’s top party hotspots, best beaches, or most majestic mountain peaks.

If historical attractions are a particular area of interest for you, however, you may be surprised by just how many powerful historical landmarks can often be found within a very short distance of one another.

The US is a young country, by all accounts, but for all that there have been a wealth of incredible tales that have unfolded throughout the landmass over the last couple of centuries.

In few places in the country will you find as many fascinating historical attractions crammed into one city, as in Philadelphia.

So, here are a few historical attractions that are really worth seeing that can serve as motivation for you to book an Apartment in Old City Philadelphia.

The Eastern State Penitentiary

It might be hard to imagine, but for a long time in the past, prisons, or “gaols” were essentially open-plan warehouses where prisoners were stashed away, and left to do whatever they wanted, as long as it didn’t irritate the guards too much.

Often, these types of prisons were run by the inmates more or less completely, and there was no particular structure in place at all.

The Eastern State Penitentiary was the first of a new breed of prisons in the world. Opened more than 180 years ago, this prison was the first true “penitentiary” – in other words, a place designed to make prisoners really sorry for their deeds, and to inspire “penitence.”

At the time of its inauguration, the penitentiary was the most expensive construction in the USA, and relied on strict disciplinary systems such as solitary confinement.

Some of the famous inmates of this penitentiary included Al Capone, and the bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton.

The Reading Terminal Market

The Reading Terminal Market is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, if you’re the kind of person who really appreciates their food.

At this indoor Food lover’s paradise, you’ll find more than 80 unique merchants, including restaurants, sitdown eateries, food stands, and more. Cuisine ranges from local Philly specials to European, Asian, and Middle Eastern meals.

So, what makes this attraction “historical?” Well, the Reading Terminal Market is the oldest continually running farmers market in the USA. And three of the merchants are direct descendants of original stand holders from when the market first opened 115 years ago.

The Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge is a haven for runners, cyclists, and people who enjoy the great outdoors in general. But it’s also a great historical site to explore.

Valley Forge was an overwinter base of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War for Independence, and it was a location where the army suffered some very harsh tests, though never saw combat. Harsh winter conditions and disease took the lives of more than 2000 soldiers during their stay.

Visit the site and see reconstructions of original buildings, George Washington’s own headquarters, and assorted monuments and tours.

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