It’s almost time to register for ATS2020 in Philadelphia, and you know about the science and the networking, but have you considered the sights? The history? The cheesesteaks? Philadelphia is a great place to spend a few days, and to bring your family. To help you achieve the full Philadelphia experience, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular attractions in the City of Brotherly Love. You can find even more information on our conference website!
As you may expect, Philadelphia is full of history. You can dive deep into the founding of the United States from the Liberty Bell to Independence Hall, which showcases original printed copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. Philadelphia was the first capital city of the United States, so visit Carpenter’s Hall, where in 1774, delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies gathered and voted for one of the first unified acts of defiance against King George III. You can also visit Old City Hall ,where the U.S. Supreme Court made its first decisions.
Philadelphia is also home to the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the first institution built by a major U.S. city to preserve, interpret, and exhibit the heritage and culture of African-Americans, as well as the National Liberty Museum, filled with interactive exhibitions and inspirational galleries focused on real-life heroes.
If you want even more science, head to the Mütter Museum, a museum of medical history, or switch science gears a bit and visit the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University where you can see towering dinosaur skeletons, dig for fossils, and wander through a tropical garden filled with live butterflies. Kids (and adults) will love the experiences at the Franklin Institute, with its touchable attractions exploring science ranging from sports to space. Younger kids will also love the Please Touch Museum, which has areas specifically designed for kids three and under.
Other popular Philadelphia spots include Eastern State Penitentiary, and two zoos. The Philadelphia Zoo features a system of see-through mesh trails that cross over pathways, connect habitats, and encourage animals to travel and explore. The Elmwood Park Zoo offers the opportunity to zip line across bison and elk exhibits.
Of course, you can’t forget the Philadelphia Museum of Art with its collections encompassing more than 240,000 works spanning 2,000 years. Not to mention that it’s the home of the Rocky Statue and famous Rocky Steps, if you’d like to sneak a workout in!
After all that excitement, you’ll be ready to eat. You might be on a mission to find the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia, but don’t stop there – Philly is also famous for the roast pork sandwich, Philly hoagie, soft pretzels, water ice, tomato pie, and Scrapple. You can find suggested restaurants on our Visit Philadelphia conference page!
If all of this seems like a lot, and you’d like more assistance in planning, you can visit the Independence Visitor Center, where you can work with the Philadelphia Visitor Bureau staff to plan a trip that hits all your must-see highlights. Don’t forget to purchase a CityPASS, which can save you up to 44 percent on prices at key sights.
See you in Philadelphia!
