To learn what Philadelphia has to offer, your first stops on the internet should be DiscoverPhl and Visitphilly. There you will find almost everything you need to know about visiting the city, no matter whether you are already familiar with Philly, or whether this is your first time in the City of Brotherly Love. Here are some of the highlights for JPS attendees:

Old City: The conference hotel is located in the Old City neighborhood of the larger downtown area of Philly known as “Center City”.  Old City has a vibrant arts scene, an array of independent stores, a selection of excellent eating options, and is located just next to many of the most historic sites in Philadelphia. 

History: Philadelphia has 67 National Historical Landmarks, including America’s most historic square mile: The Independence National Historic Park, just a short walk from the conference hotel. Related attractions include Independence Hall (“the birthplace of America” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the National Constitution Center, the Museum of the American Revolution, and Carpenter’s Hall.

Museums: Philly has a wonderful selection of museums to suit all tastes. The heavy hitters are the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation, both on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. But there is much more for art lovers, including the Rodin Museum and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.  Beyond art, the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences have great exhibits, as does the Mütter Museum.

Food: Outside of the range of great restaurants, Philly is full of food options. Everyone goes to Reading Terminal Market, but you could check out Di Bruno Bros in the Italian Market in South Philly, a fixture since 1939. As you explore the city, try a cheesesteak or a pork sandwich, or if that is not your thing, sample one of the excellent vegan restaurants that have sprung up around the city. Or if you just want a true Philly experience, stop at a Wawa for a hoagie or a Philly pretzel!

Open Spaces: The sprawling Fairmount Park features miles of designated trails, dozens of sculptures, two performing arts centers, the Philadelphia Zoo, Shofuso Japanese House and Gardens, historic mansions, the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse. In Center City, Dilworth Park next to City Hall is joined by an array of squares: Franklin Square (with Philly-themed mini golf!), Logan Square, Rittenhouse Square, and Washington Square (see this page for more details).  Feel like going for a run?  The Schuylkill River Trail is a great place to start. 

Getting Around: The city has an outstanding public transportation network, including trains to and from the Philadelphia airport (PHL), two subway lines and innumerable bus routes. The SEPTA Key Card makes it simple to get from A to B. You may not even need to use public transit though: Center City Philadelphia is compact and walkable – and very bikeable with the Indego bike-share program, if you are so inclined. 

The Vibe: The presence of Penn, Temple, Drexel and a plethora of other universities make Philly one big college town, with plenty of happy hours, a wide range of great eating options, and a thriving LGBTQ+ scene.  Combine all that with excellent museums and open spaces and you have a great place to visit while you are in town for the JPS meeting.