Most of Center City Philadelphia is easily seen on foot and is in walking distance of the Congress venue. For instance, Independence Hall is only a 10 minute walk.
At the end of the conference, you may want to visit nearby New York City or tour our Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C.
What to do in Philadelphia
We have listed various websites that give you information about the normal things that tourists do when they visit. Most city guides assume you are the average tourist, and your needs may be different (e.g., you will be accompanied by children) or your interests may be different (e.g., you are interested in architecture). Below are some additional suggestions.
Walking, Running
Philadelphia has a compact city center. If one walks out of the congress venue and turns left onto Market, the historic colonial area is less than ten minutes away on foot. If one turns right, the high end shopping area near Rittenhouse Square is ten minutes away. Some congress participants may want to do serious walking, or running. Some may simply want to be a true, park-like area. There are several possibilities nearby.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The Parkway starts on the northwest side of City Hall. Built after WW I, it is a broad, tree lined boulevard, inspired by the Champs Elysees in Paris. At the western end is the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Several museums are along the Parkway. This mile-long stretch would provide a pleasant stroll. http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/philadelphia/parkway.htm
Schuykill Trail
This trail in the center city area is the eastern bank of the Schuykill River. From the congress venue, take the 42 or 21 bus west on Walnut Street to 24th Street (just before the bus crosses the river). Upon getting of the bus, look down and you will see the steps leading down to the trail. The trail provides a very pleasant path for a stroll, for walkers, and for runners. It is about a mile from the Walnut Street entrance to the trail to the Art Museum. It is difficult to run on this trail in the center area (as it is not wide, and one shares the trail with those walking and biking) but as soon as one reaches the Art Museum, the trail opens up and runners have a good path through Fairmount Park. http://www.schuylkillbanks.org Please note that this area has only recently been developed (from formerly derelict industrial sites lining the river). Philadelphians tend to call it by different names (Schuykill Trail, Schuykill Banks, etc.). http://www.schuylkillbanks.org/admin/controls/doc/2_20051214081824.pdf
Fairmount Park
For runners and for those with a car, Fairmount Park is highly recommended. William Penn wanted his city to be a “Green Countrie Towne” and thus mandated park areas. One very large area (over 4000 acres) is located along the banks of the Schuykill River, starting at the Art Museum and meandering in a northwesterly direction. [Note: The east bank is called Kelly Drive and the west bank is called Martin Luther King Drive.] Fairmount Park is the largest landscaped park area within a city boundary in the United States. It is used by those walking, biking, and running – and those having a picnic. It has noted sculptures (mostly of Civil War generals), historic mansions, playing fields and playgrounds, and places to visit. [Note: Cars are permitted within Fairmount Park but there is no public transportation.] http://www.ushistory.org/districts/fairmountpark/index.htm
Things to do with Children
Philadelphia has several things to do that should interest children. Walking around the historic sites in the Independence Mall area usually is fun for children (especially looking at guides in colonial period costumes). Some other possibilities:
The Please Touch Museum
This is aimed at children 1 – 7 years. This is located in a huge, impressive building, Centennial Hall, built for the 1876 World Exhibition held in Philadelphia. http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/
The Philadelphia Zoo
This caters to visitors of all ages, but of interest is the Children’s Zoo, aimed at children younger than 8. The Philadelphia Zoological Gardens, America’s first zoo, dates back to the late 1800s. Compared to a modern zoo, it does not have a great deal of space. For those with children, this is a great advantage as the children will not get tired walking around. http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/
The following are within walking distance of the congress venue:
The Franklin Institute
This is a technology museum. There are many exhibits and “hands on” items that should entertain children 8 and over. One such exhibit is a huge heart, and the children walk/climb through it, following the way blood flows through the heart. There is also an IMAX theatre. http://www2.fi.edu/
Franklin Square
When children need to do something physical, consider Franklin Square (one of Philadelphia’s four original squares). About a ten minute walk from the congress venue is a square in which the city recently installed a miniature golf course, and some amusement rides. http://historicphiladelphia.org/day/franklin-square/
Academy of Natural Sciences
Located on Logan Square, the exhibits from dinosaurs to butterflies have interested children for years. Children often find the dioramas, created in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly fascinating. http://www.ansp.org/
Architectural Walking Tours
The Preservation Alliance's guided walking tours interpret the past, present and future of the Philadelphia region as expressed through architecture, urban design and social history. Tours are led by a lively group of volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds who share their passion and knowledge of the region's built environment. We hope to schedule several walking tours during the week of the congress.
The Preservation Alliance also offers several Self Guided Tours. Two of these are within walking distance of the congress venue. Both are west of Broad Street, with Rittenhouse East being closer.
Self-Guided Walking Tours
The Preservation Alliance’s new, self-guided walking tours of three Philadelphia historic districts make it easy to visit, whenever it’s convenient for you and at your own pace.
The Rittenhouse East and Rittenhouse West tours explore the rich architecture, including many buildings by prominent 19th- and 20th-century architects, in the neighborhoods that comprise the city’s Rittenhouse-Fitler Historic District. The Girard Estate Historic District tour visits a rare, planned community of great architectural distinction in South Philadelphia.
http://preservationalliance.com/tours/index.php Scroll down to download and print an easy-to-follow pdf tour, or hit the streets with your web-enabled cellphone or handheld device and follow our interactive version as you go! Each tour includes a neighborhood history, easy-to-follow map and photographs and description of each building along the way.
Official Visitor Website for Greater Philadelphia
http://www.visitphilly.com/
Exhibits/Museums/Tours:
The Barnes Foundation
The Franklin Institute
Independence Hall
National Constitution Center
Philadelphia Museum of Art
