The City Hall in Philadelphia is one of the tallest cities in the city and also in the entire state of Pennsylvania. It has been honored as being second tallest masonry building in the world. It is completely supported by granites as opposed to the other tall buildings which are supported by steel. Limestone, granite and marble are the main building blocks of the Philadelphia City Hall. The building is 167 meters tall with 9 floors and over 700 rooms.

The building has quite a decent history associated with it, as it was built between the years 1871 and 1901 for a cost of almost $24 million. It enjoyed the honor of being the tallest building in the world during those times. It is considered an historic building due to its unique structure.

The visitors can tour the building, which now operates as a government legislature building for a nominal price of $10 for adults and $8 for kids and students. The tour has a guide, who tells the visitors all about the past of the building and its main architects i.e. William Penn.

The tour takes the visitors into the different rooms of the building through the neat, clean and wide staircases. This tour ends at the top of the building from where one can see almost the entire Philly. The top also has a statue of William Penn which is crafted out of bronze.

In case one is just interested in visiting the top, which happens to be the most exciting part of the building, taking a tour of the top would suffice. This tour would cost only $5 and is open only between 12-4 pm on weekdays.

As the biggest city in the state of Pennsylvania and sixth most populated city in America, Philadelphia is home to a wealth of parks with total parkland of 10,344 acres. Among them, the largest park is the Fairmount Park, spreading over 9200 acres of land.

Fairmount Park, with 10% of the land in Philadelphia City and County, is actually the municipal park system of Philadelphia, consisting of 63 separate parks of creeks, meadows, paths, trails, gardens and more. To get to know more info about the park, click here:

Fairmount Park Overview

http://www.fairmountpark.org/AboutFairmountPark.asp

Many of the spots within the park offer seasonal displays or seasonal sights, so a visit during a different season is well worth the trip. Well, what is a must visit in the Fairmount Park in this season? Head down over to the Horticulture Center, a modern exhibition hall and greenhouse.

Built for the Bicentennial celebration in 1976, the Horticulture Center sits on the site of Philadelphia's former Horticulture Hall, an 1876 Centennial Exposition building. A trip to the center will be time well spent.

The Horticulture Center is set in Fairmount Park West, at the southeast corner of Belmont and Montgomery Drives, about 10 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia. The specific address for the Horticulture Center is North Horticultural and Montgomery Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131.

What can you see in the Horticulture Center? The Horticulture Center provides visitors with so much to see, containing various gardens, greenhouse and more. Within its walls are a visitor center and a 31,000-square-feet greenhouse where visitors can see many tropical plants and a fine collection of statures interspersed in the greenery.

Outside its walls, there is a Centennial Arboretum, dating back to 1876. The arboretum boasts majestic trees and shrubs from Asia, Europe and North America. Many were planted for the American Centennial Exposition. In the background of many types of flowers and trees, a small pond, a creek, a wetland and a large reflecting pool, arboretum would be a perfect venue for a family picnic.

Coursing throughout the Horticultural Center grounds is also a fun experience. Featuring nature trails, the grounds are dotted by a couple of picnic groves and sculptures of poets and musicians.

Japanese House and Garden is just located on the grounds of the Horticulture Center. Its original location is the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In 1957, the Japanese House was relocated to its present location. Featuring traditional Japanese style, this historic site consists of a viewing garden with koi pond and island, a tea garden and a courtyard garden. For more info about Japanese House and Garden, visit this page:

Japanese House and Garden

http://www.shofuso.com/

Don't forget to explore display gardens where you can explore more things including perennials, herbs, an accessible garden, everlastings, a demonstration garden and a vegetable garden.

In addition, Perennial Gardens, a butterfly garden and the Puryear Pavilion in the trees are sites to explore. Visitors also can enjoy a Japanese maple collection and a pinetum (collection of evergreen trees of all genus) and Gambol I and II, two silver horses prancing in place along Belmont Avenue.

Is there an admission to the Horticulture Center? Visiting Horticulture Center is free of charge, with the exception of the Japanese House and Garden. The general admission for the Japanese House is $6 for adults, $3 for seniors and $3 for children (aged 3-17). Children under 3 are admitted free. Students with College ID are also charged $3.

What are the operating hours of Horticulture Center? Operating hours are different for different attractions in Horticulture Center. The specific hours are:

- Display House: Open daily, from 9am to 3pm, barring holidays

- Horticulture Center Grounds: from 8am to 5pm from November 1 to March 31 & from 8am to 6pm from April 1 to October 31, except holidays

- Japanese House and Garden: from 11am to 5pm on weekends of April and October and from 10am to4pm from Wednesday to Friday & 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday on May through September (Please note that in April and October, the garden is only available during the weekdays for pre-booked groups of 10 or more.)

Centered in the heart of downtown Philadelphia stands a National Historic Landmark rising 548 feet into the air - Philadelphia City Hall. It's also the largest municipal building in the US and serves Philadelphia's government and politics for over 100 years since constructed in 1901. The municipal building has earned a great deal of respect as one of the best examples of French Second-Empire Architectural style in the United States.

Philadelphia City Hall in Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_City_Hall

The building is constructed on the area designated by William Penn as Centre Square. Now, you can find the City Hall on Penn Square, Broad Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. There're many nearby attractions in Philadelphia, including Masonic Temple, JFK Plaza, Reading Terminal Market and Liberty Place.

The City Hall is open from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays for free public tours. The building is closed on weekends and holidays. To begin your tour of City Hall's magnificent architecture, City Hall Visitor Center is a great spot to start your journey. The center is located in the heart of the city at Broad and Market streets. You can find a retail store with a variety of Philadelphia merchandise, brochures, maps and many other treasures. Three type of building tours are offered.

City Hall Interior Tours - From Monday to Friday, City Hall Interior Tours leave at 12:30 pm and last 30 minutes to 1 hour. These tours leave from the East City Hall Entrance - the City Hall Tour Information Center Room 121. Let's start a wonderful journey into the municipal building.

- The Courtyard: The first stop is the courtyard, which is a busy place as pedestrian traffic enters it through the four portals. The courtyard is utilized for various ceremonies throughout the year. The annual Christmas tree lighting is included as well. Four planter beds with low walls lie in the courtyard, featuring the right height for sitting and people watching.

- North Portal: North Portal is another spot for interior tours. It's the City Hall's largest and most ornate entrance that was designed to be the building's Ceremonial and Legislative Entrance. The North Portal has two grand stairways, which lead you to a balcony and a second floor exterior entrance to Conservation Hall.

- Mayor's Reception Room 202: City Hall's executive suite occupies from room 215, the Mayor's actual office to room 202, the Mayor's Reception Room. The room design and style is described as Grecian. Guests can appreciate woodwork and furnishings beautifully carved in mahogany. Paintings of former mayors are also posted on the wall. A beautiful fireplace is placed on the center of the wall opposite the doorway to room 204.

- State Supreme Court Room 454: Described as "a palace for Justice" and the most beautiful and elegant court room in the US, courtroom 454 is also must-stop destination for tourists to the City Hall.

There're many other parts of the building you haven't seen, like W. Portal, S Portal, E. Portal, Conservation Hall, NE Stairs, Caucus Room, Grand Stair and Law Library. For more tour info, please call 215-686-2840 or stop by the Tour Office in person.

City Hall Tower Tours - Most visitors to Philadelphia make the City Hall tower an essential part of their whole journey. The tower remains an outstanding feature in Philadelphia's skyline. A 27 ton bronze statue of William Penn tops on the tower that is the largest statue on buildings throughout the world. But the statue is not accessible to tourists. Instead, you can have a wonderful view from the observation deck that is located below the statue. Visitors can also have a panoramic view of the city on the observation deck.

Tower tours are open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays. Please note that the period from 10 am to noon is often reserved for schools. Plus tower tours are timed every 15 minutes and the elevator that brings visitors can only hold 5 people each trip. It's better to make reservations in advance.

City Hall Private Tours - Private tours of Philadelphia City Hall can be arranged with a charging fee for various types of groups, like community, corporation or school. Please contact Greta Greenberger, Director of City Hall Tours at 215-686-2840.

The City Hall Virtual Tour

http://www.ajaxelectric.com/cityhall/tour1.htm

A series of fantastic forthcoming events will be displayed at City Hall. Professional artists and fine arts lovers cannot miss them.

BuildaBridge Student Exhibition - From March 7 to April 29, 2011, BrildaBridge presents artistic gifts to inspire and encourage children, families and communities. The reception is arranged on March 31, 5-7 pm in Conservation Hall of Room 201, NE Corner. The exhibition reception is followed on fifth floor, NE Corner.

The Village of Arts and Humanities - With a mission to build community through innovative arts and youth development programs, the Village of Arts and Humanities displays exhibitions on the fifth floor at the City Hall from May 12 to July 15, 2011.

Art in the City Hall

http://www.phila.gov/artincityhall

Philadelphia City Hall serves as the house of government for the city of Philadelphia. The construction itself is the second tallest masonry building in the world, only after Mole Antonelliana in Turin. It is also the 16th tallest building in Pennsylvania.

The building has almost 700 rooms organized around a central courtyard, which can be reached via the large archways on each of the four sides. This also makes the hall the largest municipal building in the United States and one of the largest in the world. If you are planning on a visit to Philadelphia, do catch a glimpse at such a marvel.

Where to get access to the Philadelphia City Hall? Set in Broad Street & Market Street, the City Hall is built on the area designated by William Penn as Centre Square. The main address is 1 Penn Square, Philadelphia, 19107.

Today, many visitors prefer self-driving tours. Indeed, having your own transportation gives you freedom to set your own pace for your traveling. If you choose to drive, it is necessary to secure the directions to the hall. Here, we provide a complete guide on driving directions to the City Hall which makes your trip a breeze.

1) From Philadelphia International Airport

If you are coming from Philadelphia International Airport, travel east. Take the ramp to I-95 north. Remain left at the fork. Follow signs to Philadelphia / I-95 North and merge onto I-95 north. Then take exit 17 to merge onto PA-611 N/S Broad Street towards Pattison Avenue. Make a slight right at S Penn Square. And you will find the City Hall at the square.

2) From I-95 S

For visitors departing from I-95 S, you are suggested to go west on I-95 S. Take exit 22 towards I-676 W / US-30. Merge onto Vine Street Expy. Continue on Vine Street Expy until you arrive at I-676 N. Take the exit towards Pa 611 / Broad Street. Merge onto N 15th Street. Make a left at Vine Street and turn right at N 12th Street. Turn right at Market Street, which will lead you to the City Hall.

3) From I-95 N

Driving from I-95 N, head northeast on I-95 N towards Exit 85. Take exit 17 to merge onto PA-611 N/S Broad Street towards Pattison Avenue. Make a slight right at S Penn Square. The City Hall will appear in your line of sight.

4) From I-476 S

If coming from I-476 S, drive southeast on I-476 S. Take exit 16 to merge onto I-76 E towards Philadelphia. Take exit 344 on the left for I-676 E towards Central Phila. Merge onto I-676 S. Afterward, take the exit towards Broad Street / Central Phila. Make a right at N 15th Street. Take the first left onto Race Street and turn right at N 12th Street. Then turn right at Market Street. You will find the hall soon.

5) From I-76 E

For visitors coming from I-76 E, head east on I-76 E. Take exit 326 to merge onto I-76 E towards US-202 / I-476 / Philadelphia / Valley Forge. Then take exit 344 on the left for I-676 E towards Central Phila, until you merge onto I-676 S. Take the exit towards Broad Street / Central Phila. Turn right at N 15th Street and take the first left onto Race Street. Make a right at N 12th Street and turn right at Market Street.

6) From I-495 N

If coming from I-495 N, drive northeast on I-495 N towards Exit 3. Merge onto I-95N. Then take exit 17 to merge onto PA-611 N/S Broad Street towards Pattison Avenue. Make a slight right at S Penn Square.

Although you can drive to the Philadelphia City Hall, alternative modes of transportation are available, which gives you more choices. Amtrak is just an option, which can take you to the location. It has a station near the hall, called Philadelphia 30th Street Station. For more info about Amtrak, visit this page:

Amtrak

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage

You also can take advantage of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which operates two routes that can help you access the City Hall. Take Broad Street Line and get off at City Hall Station, which is located at Broad Street & Market Street. Or, catch Market-Frankford Line and get off at 15th Street Station, which is located at 15th Street & Market Street. To learn more about SPTA, click here:

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

http://www.septa.org/index.html

Getting married in the City of Brotherly Love could be an easier and quicker process. Couples just need to first apply for a license, which makes their wedding legal. To obtain a marriage license, both parties need to go to the Philadelphia Marriage License Bureau. Once this is approved, the happy couple can join their lives together in holy matrimony.

Where is Philadelphia Marriage License Bureau located? Philadelphia Marriage License Bureau is at Room 415 of City Hall, Broad & Market Streets. The office is open from 8:30am to 4:15pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 8:30am to 7pm on Wednesday, with the exception of holidays. The contact No. for the bureau is (215) 686-2233.

How to apply for a marriage license at Marriage License Bureau of City Hall? To apply for a marriage license, applicants need to arrive at least one-half hour prior to closing time to allow for process. Both you and your spouse must appear together in Room 413.

Applicants don't have to be a resident of Philadelphia. However, if one of you cannot speak or understand English, a translator who holds current, valid photo ID is needed.

For applicants, a current, valid photo ID is required. This includes your driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, resident alien card, consulate card, a Social Security card or other form of ID issued by an official entity which reflects the applicant's Social Security number (such as pay stub, W-2 form, access card, etc.). No applications will be taken without proper photo ID.

The marriage license will be issued on the third day after your application, valid for only 60 days from the issue date that indicates on the license. If you couples don't marry within this span of time, you have to go through the application process again, including paying the fees. To find a local Philadelphia Wedding Officiant, visit this page:

Find a Local Philadelphia Wedding Officiant

http://www.localofficiants.com/pennsylvania/wedding_officiants/philadelphia_pa.php

Is there any charge for applying for a marriage license at the bureau? Yes, of course. The bureau will charge you $80 for a marriage license. You can pay by cash or money order. Checks and credit cards are not accepted. Additional fees at Marriage License Bureau include $90 for Quaker / Self-Uniting License and $10 for Lost License.

Please note that licenses can be used in any county in Pennsylvania, however, a Pennsylvania marriage license cannot be used in any other state. For more info about Philadelphia marriage licenses, check this page:

Philadelphia Marriage Licenses

http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/marriagelicense.aspx

Note: For applications aged 16 & 17, their parent or guardian must be present at the marriage license bureau during the application process. If an applicant is 15 or younger, he / she needs parental consent and the approval of a Judge of the Orphans Court. In addition, their parent or guardian needs to submit a photo ID. If he / she lives outside this jurisdiction, there will be an additional fee of $10 for the necessary consent form.

If any applicant was previously married but had a divorce, a certified copy of the final divorce decree is required at the time of application. A widowed applicant needs to present a certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse. If these documents are not in English, they must be translated and certified that the translation is accurate.

For applicants who have resumed their maiden name, related documents are required during the application process. Foreign documents also need to be translated into English.

It was not very long ago when it was the tallest building in Pennsylvania until the construction of One Liberty Place in the year 1987 which surpassed the height of this mighty building. There is an observatory deck right at the top, from where the entire city can be viewed. There is an impressive statue of William Penn at the top which was designed by Alexander Milne Calder. At the East City Central Hall Entrance tickets and information brochures are available for guided tours of the City Hall. The tourists can enjoy the interiors of the City Hall as well as have the spectacular view of the city from the observatory deck.

City Hall

Penn Square

Broad and Market Streets, Philadelphia

PA-19107.

How to find a hotel near City Hall Philadelphia

Finding a hotel near City Hall Philadelphia is easy. Just don't fall for the false promises of the travel agents. Pick a hotel yourself with the help of the internet. You will get many options; select the one that fulfils all your criterions. Before making any Philadelphia hotel reservations, speak to the front desk of the hotel to clear all confusion and doubts. You can also check these hotels for a lovely stay at Philadelphia:-Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Downtown: [0.1 mile away from the City Hall].

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phldc-courtyard-philadelphia-downtown/-Philadelphia Center City Inn by Marriott: [0.1 mile].

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phlri-residence-inn-philadelphia-center-city/-The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia: [0.1 mile].

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Philadelphia/Default.htm-Hampton Philadelphia Inn Convention Center: [0.3 mile].

http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=PHLCVHX-Loews Hotel Philadelphia: [0.2 mile].

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/Philadelphia-Hotel/Overview.aspx-Oakwood Philadelphia: [0.3 mile].

http://www.oakwood.com/-Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia City Center: [0.3 mile].

http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=PHLGIGI-Park Hyatt Philadelphia: [0.3 mile].

http://parkphiladelphia.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

It's an over 100 year building that provides a perfect example of the French second Empire Architectural style, and has uncertain future. It indeed has been a building centered with public concerns ranging from heated campaigns to demolish it to lack of finances needed for its maintenance.

This was the world's largest masonry habitable building form 1901-1908. The statue faces the north making it have a shadow most of the time. The observation deck located at the base of the statue offer visitors an impressive picture of the city.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_City_Hall

Some facts visitors should know

http://www.ajaxelectric.com/cityhall/Mainframeset.html

- Visitors are not allowed inside the statue.

- The statue watch was used by the Philadelphia to set watches in 1906.

- The sculptor wanted the statue to face southwards so as to make its face lit by sun most part of the day; however, the architect set it facing the north.

For visitors in Hotels in center city Philadelphia, they can visit the hall at any time in the day or at night.

Hotels located next to the City Hall:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phlri-residence-inn-philadelphia-center-city