It's just about that time in the semester when the thought of escaping State College sounds refreshing. The weather and landscape around here have become bleak and boring. We could all use a little change of scenery now and then, so why not take a weekend excursion to the birthplace of our nation?

Philadelphia is known as the City of Brotherly Love, and what's not to love about it? It is close enough for a quick getaway and it is far enough to make it feel like a vacation. It has something for everyone, whether it's your first or 50th visit. There is so much to do in the city that you can't possibly fit it all into one trip, so you can pick and choose from these suggestions.

Museums: If art and culture interest you, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the place to go. It is one of the largest art museums in the county and contains exhibits and artifacts from ancient civilizations up to modern artists. A point of interest is the Salvador Dali exhibit, which is open from now until May 5. This display is the only U.S. showing of the works of the famous surrealist painter.

Also, the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Franklin Institute are must-sees for anyone interested in science and history. The Franklin Institute houses a giant replica of the human heart, which you can walk through, and the Tuttleman IMAX Theater is where you can catch an educational flick.

Historical sites: Take a stop at Independence Hall and the nearby Liberty Bell. These are two of the most famous sites in the city and people come from all over the country and the world to see where our nation was founded. Take a little peek into the past by walking through the buildings where the Constitution was ratified. No matter how many times you have been here before, it never loses its allure.

The National Constitution Center and Betsy Ross House are two other popular sites to visit. The new Constitution Center gives visitors a chance to learn the significance and history behind one of the most important documents in our country. The Betsy Ross House give you a chance to see where the symbol of America, our flag, was first stitched together during the Revolutionary War.

The Philadelphia Zoo is another famous destination and the nation's oldest zoo. It houses several interesting and exotic creatures and is the perfect place to take the whole family.

Food: On your way into the greater Philadelphia region, do not forget to stop at one of several Wawa stores. This chain of convenience stores may be the thing I miss the most when I am up at Penn State. They feature great sandwiches, like hoagies, as well as many other tempting treats for the traveler on the go. Your stay in the city will not be complete without an authentic Philly cheese steak. Pat's King of Steaks and Jim's Steaks are two of the best places to sample these delicious Philadelphia specialties.

Of course, there are other more up-scale dining options in town. Old City features several quaint little restaurants and cafés that are worth investigating.

Entertainment and Nightlife: Philadelphia offers a variety of bars and clubs for the party-loving Penn Stater. South Street is known for its diverse and somewhat wild atmosphere, if that suits you.

The Avenue of the Arts is home to many theaters and concert halls for an alternative to the party scene. For the shopaholic, Rittenhouse Square, The Shops at Liberty Place and the Gallery at Market East are popular places to drop some dollars. Philly also has some great music venues that regularly host popular acts.

Some of the shows that will be hitting Philly in the next couple of months include Interpol, Lenny Kravitz, New Found Glory and Maroon 5.