Things to Do in Philadelphia

The 2024 UPCEA MEMS Conference is being held December 3-5, 2024 at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA. Be sure to build a little extra time into your trip so that you can go after the day's sessions and enjoy the area.

Tourist Sights

  • Liberty Bell: An iconic symbol of American independence, located in the Liberty Bell Center. It is renowned for its historic crack and its inscription promoting liberty.

  • Rocky Steps + Philadelphia Museum of Art: Famous steps leading up to one of the largest art museums in the U.S. Known from the movie "Rocky," these steps offer a fantastic view of the city.

  • Reading Terminal Market: A bustling indoor farmer's market offering a wide array of local and exotic foods, plus unique goods. It's a favorite spot for food lovers. 

  • LOVE Statue/City Hall: The LOVE Statue is a well-known sculpture by Robert Indiana, situated near City Hall, one of the nation's largest municipal buildings with elaborate architecture.

  • Christmas Village: German Style Christmas village located in LOVE Park and City Hall.  The Christmas village has lots of booths selling unique items with lots of food/beverage/alcohol options.  There is an ice skating rink as well with an indoor cabin with even more food/alcohol options.

  • Elfreth's Alley: Known as the oldest continuously inhabited street in America, this historic pathway features charming colonial houses.

  • Independence Hall/Park: The birthplace of the United States where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and adopted.

  • Philadelphia Magic Gardens: An immersive mixed media art environment that is completely covered with mosaics, created from both artistic and found objects.

  • Eastern State Penitentiary: Once the most famous prisons in the world, now a haunting, crumbling ruin that offers tours about its history.

  • Italian Market: The oldest and largest working outdoor market in the United States, featuring fresh produce, meats, and a variety of other goods with strong Italian roots.

  • Christ Church Burial Ground: A historic cemetery where Benjamin Franklin and other prominent figures are buried. It offers insights into Philadelphia's early history.

  • Pat’s and Geno’s Cheesesteaks: 2 of the most famous cheesesteak spots in Philadelphia, and they are right across the street from each other.  Order the ‘wiz, wit’ for the traditional Philly Cheesesteak with cheese wiz and fried onions. About a 10 minute car ride from the hotel. Outdoor seating only.

Museums

  • Philadelphia Museum of Art: Not only famous for the "Rocky Steps," but also home to a vast collection of art from around the world, spanning many centuries.

  • Franklin Institute: One of the oldest centers of science education and development in the U.S., known for its interactive exhibits and IMAX theater.

  • Mütter Museum: A medical museum famous for its unique and unusual collection of anatomical and pathological specimens, medical instruments, and wax models.

  • Barnes Foundation: Houses one of the finest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modern paintings, including works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso.

  • Museum of the American Revolution: Explores the dynamic story of the American Revolution through its unrivaled collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art.

  • National Constitution Center: A museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution that offers interactive exhibits, constitutional debates, and educational programs.

Food and Drink (around the Loews Philadelphia hotel)

Performances

 

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