Philadelphia: Beyond the Liberty Bell
Abstract
You may know about Philadelphia’s major historic attractions, but there’s so much more to see in the City of Brotherly Love.
We are pleased to invite you to Philadelphia for APA’s 2020 Annual Meeting. The APA meeting will be packed with outstanding presentations, meetings, and events for all, but we hope you will also find time to enjoy the city. Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the country and has cultural, historic, culinary, and artistic offerings as diverse as its population. Many visitors head to the mainstream attractions, and for good reason—including these:
Independence National Park, a historic area that tells the story of the birth of our nation.
Philadelphia Museum of Art, a world-class art museum.
Barnes Foundation, one of the greatest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Early Modernist art.
Below are additional sites to help you navigate the city during your free time. Because we know your time is short, we have selected locations that are relatively close to Center City, where the Pennsylvania Convention Hall is located, so that you can easily visit by foot, cab, or Lyft/Uber.
Reading Terminal Market: Philadelphia’s public market dates back to 1893. Located adjacent to the convention center, it is home to 82 independently owned businesses, is an award-winning public space, and offers a dizzying array of fresh and prepared foods. A feast for the senses, Reading Terminal is a must-visit for breakfast and lunch and an absolute for foodies.
Rodin Museum: This jewel of a museum houses the largest collection of Auguste Rodin sculpture outside of France. Designed by Paul Cret and landscape architect Jacques Greber, the museum itself is a work of art.
Pennsylvania Hospital: Founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond, “the nation’s first hospital” offers tours of the historic Pine Building, the Gallery Pavilion, the Great Court, and the surgical amphitheater, which dates back to 1804 and is the oldest of its kind in North America.
Eastern State Penitentiary: The world’s first true “penitentiary,” Eastern State was considered an innovative and progressive prison in its time. Built in 1821, it was designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of its prisoners. It housed some of the nation’s most notorious criminals including Al Capone and “Slick Willie” Sutton.
Mutter Museum: America’s premiere museum of medical history, the Mutter Museum houses a huge collection of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments exhibited in 19th century “cabinet style” displays.
The Dream Garden: This glass mosaic mural was designed by Maxfield Parrish and fabricated by Louis Comfort Tiffany. It is the only collaboration by these two masters. The mural, commissioned by Cyrus Curtis for the lobby of his publishing company, was installed in 1916 and uses hundreds of thousands of glass tesserae in more than 260 color tones.
Fairmount Water Works: The Fairmount Water Works opened its doors in 1815 as the sole water pumping station for Philadelphia. It was considered revolutionary for its time, providing safe, clean, drinking water for the growing population. Decommissioned in 1909, Fairmount Water Works is now a museum and environmental education center.
National Museum of American Jewish History: Located on Independence Mall, this museum presents educational experiences that preserve and celebrate the history of Jews in America. The core collection depicts 365 years of history through artifacts, images, film, and hands-on displays.
African American Museum in Philadelphia: This museum is the first institution built by a major U.S. city to house and interpret the life and work of African Americans. The permanent collection, “Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876,” recounts the contributions of people of African descent in Philadelphia and their impact on the nation.
Looking for an unforgettable evening? Book in advance or purchase last-minute tickets to experience the Philadelphia Orchestra or Opera Philadelphia and other great arts and entertainment.
Bringing your children? Consider a walk to Franklin Square Park, where they can romp in the playground, ride the carousel, play miniature golf, and afterward enjoy a burger.
The Franklin Institute is a science and education museum that attracts kids of all ages. Its Fels Planetarium is the second oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.
In addition, over the last two decades Philadelphia has undergone a series of restaurant renaissances that have left locals and visitors spoiled for choice. The array of options available to diners spans global cuisines, farm to table, BYO, craft cocktail culture, fusion, vegan, traditional, and modern—from white tablecloth to food truck. Start planning your visit to Philadelphia now and enjoy the meeting! For registration information, go here. ■
