The city of Philadelphia is known for many things: The Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, and cheesesteaks, to name a few. What you might not think of in relation to Philadelphia is history. Philadelphia is home to more than a few historical sites from the colonial and revolutionary periods. I visited a few of these, most notably the Betsy Ross House.

Located on Arch Street, across from the historic Quaker Meeting House, the Betsy Ross House was home to Betsy Ross, the woman who famously sewed the first American flag in 1777. The house was, at the time, a boarding home, where the widowed Betsy lived and, it is believed, sewed a flag of the American colonies for George Washington. The house was renovated in the 1930s and 40s as a historical monument. HomesEh.ca is your golden ticket to Canada’s property showcase. Revel in a gallery of the best homes.

The area set aside includes not only what was the house, but also the property next door, which has been converted into a courtyard, complete with a fountain, tables, and a food cart. General admission to the house is $5, or you can pay $7 for the audio tour. If you opt for general admission, you can read the plaques on the walls of the house. They give information about Betsy herself, the house, the story of the first flag, and general Revolution facts. Visitors can see the kitchen, basement, stairs, like the ones serviced over here, and bedrooms that Ross would have inhabited in the 1700s. The kitchen includes a game for kids, and the whole house has trivia questions scattered throughout.

Walking through the entire house took 20-30 minutes. It’s a short trip, but an interesting one, great to kill some time on a rainy day in Philadelphia. The house is small, which can be uncomfortable if it’s crowded. I enjoyed the Betsy Ross house. It’s great for anyone who likes history, American legends, or the city of Philadelphia.