Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

From the early colonial era to the nation's founding, from the era of industrialization and immigration to contemporary civil rights, Philadelphia possesses a rich historical record that still rings loudly of its colonial influence. As the home of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, it is impossible to walk the streets and not feel pride in such an illustrious history – one that saw the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the writing of a Constitution 11 years later. Today, it is the second largest city on the East Coast and ranks fifth in the nation with a metropolitan population of 5.8 million, forming a large urbanized area of nearly 100 square miles. While famous for its Center City, Philadelphia's neighborhoods – including Germantown, Chestnut Hill, the Main Line, Mt. Airy, and the surrounding counties of Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester – constitute one of America's most thriving areas.