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It's been an intriguing evolution for The City of Brotherly Love since it saw the signings of the United States' two most hallowed documents in the 18th century - the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Between the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the new National Constitution Center, Philadelphia still embraces its place in U.S. history, and it also has looked to achieve a new cultural sophistication despite its gruff exterior. A wide array museums and art galleries, a renowned symphony, picturesque parks and a revitalized waterfront area continue to prove that the nation's fifth-largest city has a lot more to offer than Rocky and cheesesteaks.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) is a top-notch public transportation system, with buses and subways that run throughout the city and commuter trains that head out into the suburbs. One-way local fares are $2, and an unlimited day pass is available for $5.50.

Philadelphia International Airport is less than 10 miles southwest of downtown and has SEPTA service into Philly for $5.50. Taxis charge a $10 minimum fare and a $25 flat rate to central Philadelphia.

Join the Eagles' Infamous Fans at the Linc
While fans of the Raiders and Browns are known for being rowdy and loud, Eagles fans are notably vicious. Booing Santa Claus at Christmas and Donovan McNabb at the draft, cheering Michael Irvin's broken neck, brawling in the stands, throwing snowballs at players - all have been in their oeuvre over the years. Gorgeous Lincoln Financial Field, however, is a terrific venue to see a game, and it does have four jail cells in case things get out of hand.

Tour "The Vault" at a Phillies Game
Right next door to the Linc, baseball's Phillies play in bandbox-sized Citizen's Bank Park. The red brick stadium offers views of downtown Philadelphia, plus Memory Lane - a history of baseball in Philly - beyond the center-field wall, All-Star Walk - commemorating every Phillies All-Star since 1933 - and perhaps most importantly of all, Geno's legendary cheesesteaks.

Head to the Ice on Broad Street
The Flyers don't have the same reputation for brutality as their 1970s predecessors - the two-time Stanley Cup-champion Broad Street Bullies - but they continue to be one of the NHL's top draws. The Wachovia Center, also home to the NBA's 76ers, features the first in-arena microbrewery in the country as well as a cigar club.

Get in the Bleachers for the Penn Relays
Run annually at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field since 1895, the Penn Relays are the largest and oldest track and field event in the world. What began as a one-on-one racing rivalry with Princeton has grown to a five-day "carnival" featuring world-class amateur athletes competing in nearly 350 different events.

Take Sides in the "Big 5" Rivalry at the Oldest Gym in College Hoops
Opened on the University of Pennsylvania campus in 1927 and at the time one of the largest arenas in the world, the Palestra is a living icon of college basketball. It was the site of the first NCAA championship in 1939 and has hosted more games than any other venue in the country. The Palestra still hosts games in the annual round robin between Philadelphia's Big 5 - Penn, Temple, Villanova, St. Joseph's and La Salle - a rivalry between the Philly-area universities dating to the 1950s.

Make a Splash at the Country's Largest Regatta
The Schuylkill River is a parade of regattas near Boathouse Row from March through June and even into the summer, including the largest in the United States. Run annually in May, the Dad Vail Regatta dates to 1934 and now brings more than 3,000 rowers to the Philadelphia area for a weekend of competition.

Lace Up for a Historic Run
The Philadelphia Distance Run, a half-marathon that takes runners by some of the city's most significant sites, is among the elite events of its kind in the U.S. The course passes Independence Hall en route to scenic Fairmount Park and Schuylkill River, but the highlight for movie buffs is the start/finish at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which features a set of footprints at the top of the steps commemorating where a jubilant Sylvester Stallone completed his famous run in "Rocky."

Independence Hall/Liberty Bell
Independence National Historic Park, Philadelphia, PA, 215-965-2305
Independence Hall, constructed between 1732 and 1756, was home to the Second Continental Congress (except the winter of 1777-78, when Philadelphia was occupied by the British). It is the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the designed of the American flag was agree upon, and where George Washington was commissioned as commander of the Continental Army. The building has been restored, as far as possible, to its Revolutionary War-era appearance. The Liberty Bell, several blocks away, was first rung July 8, 1776, to announce the public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The park is located in downtown Philadelphia (Center City District). There is ample parking or take a cab or public transportation.
http://www.nps.gov/inde/pphtml/facilities.html

Franklin Institute of Science Museum
222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-448-1200
Go for the science and technology exhibits. The walk-through heart is undoubtedly the most popular. Don't miss the Train Factory, where visitors get to "pilot" a 350-ton locomotive and the interactive Ben Franklin - He's Electric! exhibit. The museum is located one mile northwest of downtown Philadelphia. There is ample parking or hail a cab or take public transportation.
http://www.fi.edu/

Barnes Foundation
300 N. Latch's Ln., Merion, PA 19066, 610-667-0290
This private mansion is home to more than 1,000 masterpieces - including Mogdigliani's Cypress Trees and Houses, Monet's Girl in a Garden with a Dog, Cezanne's Orange and a Bottle and Rousseau's Landscape with Tree Trunks. Each wall is filled with some of the most admired artworks of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Note: Reservations are required. Make them a month in advance. The museum is located seven miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia. There is ample parking or take a taxi.
http://www.barnesfoundation.org/

Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th St. and Ben Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, PA 19130, 215-763-8100
The nation's third-largest art museum is one of its finest. It is particularly strong in 19th and 20th century European art. Here you will find such masterpieces as Cezanne's Bathers series and Duchamp's Nude Descending a Staircase, as well as Rubens's Prometheus Bound. The museum is located two miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia. There is ample parking or take a cab or public transportation.
http://www.philamuseum.org/

U.S. Mint
151 Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-408-0114
The nation's first mint is one of two (Denver) to offer public tours. You can see money being made (a somewhat different process than money earned). View the nation's original coining press, which dates to 1792. The mint is located in downtown Philadelphia. There is ample parking or take a cab or public transportation.
http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/mint_facilities/index.cfm?action=PA_facilities

1983 Philadelphia 76ers (defeated Los Angeles Lakers, 4 games to 0).
1980 Philadelphia Phillies (defeated Kansas City Royals, 4 games to 2).
1975 Philadelphia Flyers (defeated Buffalo Sabres, 4 games to 2).
1974 Philadelphia Flyers (defeated Boston Bruins, 4 games to 2).
1967 Philadelphia 76ers (defeated San Francisco Warriors, 4 games to 2).
1960 Philadelphia Eagles (defeated Green Bay Packers, 17-13).
1956 Philadelphia Warriors (defeated Ft. Wayne Pistons, 4 games to 1).
1949 Philadelphia Eagles (defeated Los Angeles Rams, 14-0).
1948 Philadelphia Eagles (defeated Chicago Cardinals, 7-0).
1947 Philadelphia Warriors (defeated Chicago Stags, 4 games to 1).
1930 Philadelphia Athletics (defeated St. Louis Cardinals, 4 games to 2)
1929 Philadelphia Athletics (defeated Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 1)
1913 Philadelphia Athletics (defeated New York Giants, 4 games to 1)
1911 Philadelphia Athletics (defeated New York Giants, 4 games to 2)
1910 Philadelphia Athletics (defeated Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 1)