Reading Terminal Market is one of the countries biggest and oldest public markets. There are over eighty vendors offering a wide assortment of authentic cuisines, and many small shops selling baked goods, sandwiches, and chocolate, as well as ingredients and kitchen appliances. The colorful florescent signs, various smells that drift through the air, and hustle and bustle of people inside this market are only a part of what makes it so enjoyable. If crowds are really not your thing, this place may be a little stressful for you to navigate through, but the delicious foods and simply the atmosphere of this market makes up for it.

After falling in love with Philadelphia when my family visited during the summer to tour colleges with my older sister, my mom and I returned over my fall break back in October to get another chance to explore this city. There are so many things to do and places to see in this beautiful city. The first adventure my mom and I embarked on was touring Eastern State Penitentiary.

Operating from 1829-1971, it was the world's first penitentiary and is one of the most famous prisons, having housed several of America's most infamous criminals such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton.  It is amazing to be able to walk the halls of this historic prison and enter the cells that some of the most notorious crooks lived in. The self-guided audio tours including interviews with former guards and prisoners that the museum offers free of charge are very informative and educational but also provide the listener with insight as to what is was like for those who worked and lived here.