Top 10 Things to Do Near the Pennsylvania Convention Center

Open since 1893, Reading Terminal Market brims with an entire city block of food options of all sorts, with styles and cuisines for every meal of the day. Dive into a wealth of already-prepared eats from famous vendors like DiNic’s (the acclaimed roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe), Beiler’s (the awesome Amish-styled doughnuts), Bassetts (the creamiest of ice cream) and many more. Classic Philly eats (cheesesteaks, hoagies) abound as well — so come prepared for a full culinary tour.

Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture sits in Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Plaza, better known as LOVE Park. The recently renovated public space makes an ideal backdrop for a romantic photo or memorable selfie — as does the matching AMOR sculpture, located just a few blocks away in Sister Cities Park.

There’s plenty to do at Philadelphia’s City Hall, located just a few steps away from the convention center. Take the popular City Hall Tower tour to get amazing (and highly Instagrammable!) 360-degree views of Philadelphia, or spring for the two-hour Interior Tour for a more comprehensive look at one of the city’s most iconic buildings. Dilworth Park — located on the west side of the building — features year-round programming like fitness classes and movie screenings in the warm months, and a cozy cabin and ice skating during the winter.

A jewel nestled in the heart of Center City, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) boasts a vast collection of American art and treasures by local and national luminaries such as Charles Willson Peale (founder of the academy), Thomas Eakins (who taught here) and Violet Oakley. Browse exhibitions filled with many of the greats and get a peek at work from up-and-comers enrolled in the academy. PAFA’s Historic Landmark Building, designed by Philadelphia-born architect Frank Furness and George Hewitt, is considered one of the finest surviving examples of Gothic architecture in the country.

A quarter-mile section of Callowhill’s The Rail Park — the city’s expansive planned overhead greenway — welcomes visitors with trees, plants and places to relax and take in the views. The design of the park maintains an industrial feel with steel platforms, benches and guardrails. A simple, meandering pathway leads visitors through rustic plantings and over four large wooden platforms, culminating with a group of huge swings (yup, swing away!). Pro tip: Look for the stunning metalwork representation of the Reading Railroad’s history.

With a collection of art, photographs and memorabilia, The African American Museum in Philadelphia offers visitors a chance to explore a rich cultural experience from the kingdoms of Africa through to the present. The museum takes a fresh, bold look at the roles of African Americans in the founding of the nation through its core exhibit, Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia, 1776-1876. Visiting exhibitions and frequent programs reveal the history, stories and cultures of Black people.

Beyond the colorful, 40-foot Friendship Gate at 10th and Arch streets lives Philly’s Chinatown, an always-bustling neighborhood filled with activity, food and events. Within its boundaries, residents and visitors can find steaming platters of hand-stretched noodles, unique flavors of bubble tea, delicious dumplings and more from restaurants that represent Hong Kong, Cantonese, Fujianese, Northern Sichuan and Taiwanese cultures, along with a sprinkling of Korean, Thai, Malaysian, Burmese and Vietnamese establishments. Grab a meal while wandering through!

Not only is Midtown Village’s 13th Street brimming with restaurant options, but it’s also lined with boutiques of all sorts that make the area perfect for a shop-till-you-drop — or shop-till-you-need-to-return-to-the-Convention-Center — opportunity. Browse apparel and accessory shops, then peek into an array of independent stores with custom stationary, handmade crafts and other wares.

Occupying three Center City blocks, Fashion District Philadelphia has transformed the old Gallery mall into a destination for retail, offering 800,000 square feet of flagship, full-price, off-price and branded outlet shopping. Stores include the Guess Factory Store, American Eagle Sunglass Hut, Eddie Bauer and Century 21. Guests at Fashion District Philadelphia can also enjoy an edible candy museum (Candytopia), grab a glass of wine made on premises while enjoying live music (City Winery) or wander through a 24,000 square-foot gallery space featuring a series of stunning immersive exhibitions (Wonderspaces). There’s even an impressive new AMC Theatre, which has reclining seats, food and drink delivery to guests and eight screens.

Philadelphia’s music scene is booming, with concert venues in nearly every neighborhood — and there are two within walking distance of the convention center that offer their own stellar experiences. Both local and national acts play in a moodily-lit basement space at Underground Arts. Also, inside Fashion District Philadelphia, City Winery boasts more than 400 wines from around the world and doubles as a restaurant and concert venue. Bilal, Emmylou Harris and The Mountain Goats have all performed at the venue.

It doesn’t make a sound, but the bell’s message rings loud and clear: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” This inscription on the cracked but mighty bell — which is just a 13-minute walk from 12th and Arch streets — is one reason it became a symbol to abolitionists, suffragists and other freedom-seekers around the world. The center offers an interpretation of the evolution of American freedoms. Other historic attractions along the walk from 12th and Arch streets to The Liberty Bell Center include Franklin Square, the National Constitution Center, the Independence Visitor Center and The President’s House.