The vast collections of Renaissance, American and Impressionist art make the Philadelphia Museum of Art one of the largest in the country. And its impressive collections, acclaimed exhibitions, and special programs make the museum a cultural must-see.
Every Spring I look forward to attending MSA FORWARD. The opportunity to visit a new city, shop for my store, catch up with colleagues, and make new connections. It is one of the highlights of my year and the biggest benefit of being a member of the Museum Store Association. This year, I will not be exploring a new city but instead welcoming the MSA Community to our backyard. As a lifelong resident of the City of Brotherly Love, I know that Philadelphia is the perfect city to host MSA FORWARD!
Magic Gardens, Philadelphia, PA – Image courtesy of Visit Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a city that takes pride in its arts and culture scene. With murals in every neighborhood, it sometimes feels like every step you take is a walking tour of art. If you enjoy exploring a new city and walking to some of the best attractions there, you are in luck because Philadelphia is one of, if not the, most walkable cities in the country. From the Pennsylvania Convention Center, it is a short walk to many famous Philadelphia landmarks.
And of course, museums, lots of museums! Within blocks of the Convention Center, you will find the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), Fabric Museum and Workshop, and Masonic Temple. The Pennsylvania Convention Center is also the unofficial start of the so-called “Museum Mile,” which stretches to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Along that route, you will find many of Philadelphia’s iconic museums and monuments on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. From the Robert Indiana LOVE Sculpture in Love Park to the iconic “Rocky Stairs” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
There are also newer and more offbeat attractions like the just-opened Calder Gardens or visiting Grip, Charles Dickens stuffed pet raven and the inspiration for Edward Allen Poe’s “The Raven” at the Rare Book Department of the Central Free Library. Beyond the Parkway from Eastern State Penitentiary to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, The Mütter Museum, and more, Philadelphia is a dream city for museum lovers.
Philadelphia is a city of firsts and history. A short walk or taxi ride from the Convention Center is Old City. With cobblestone streets, as you make your way to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, you will feel like you have stepped into the 18th century. Just in the shadow of the Liberty Bell, you will also find the site of The President’s House, where you can learn about the story of the enslaved people who lived and worked at the residence of Presidents Washington and John Adams.
A symbol of freedom and equality for all, the Liberty Bell remains one of Philadelphia’s most-visited attractions. The Bell, commissioned in 1752, bears the engraved quote “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” Every day, hundreds of visitors freely pass by those words, considering what liberty and freedom mean to them.
In view of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, The President’s House examines the role of slavery in a new nation through illustrated glass panels, timelines, and video reenactments. The open-air site features structural fragments of the home where Presidents Washington and Adams lived during their terms and where nine enslaved people served the first president, plus an area for silent reflection.
After passing under the 40-foot Chinese Friendship Gate, which underwent an artisan renovation in 2008, visitors to Philadelphia’s Chinatown browse eclectic shops, enjoy neighborhood festivals and events, and dine on delicious Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, and Burmese cuisine.
In the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, the Woodmere Art Museum tells the story of Philadelphia’s art and artists, including N.C. Wyeth, Benjamin West, Violet Oakley, Edna Andrade, and Daniel Garber, as well as new and emerging contemporary artists. The 19th-century stone Victorian mansion sits on six acres of sprawling manicured lawns that include a treasure trove of sculptures fashioned by Philadelphia-area artists.
Great eats are also aplenty. Just steps from the Convention Center, you will find Reading Terminal Market. A food hall with everything from cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches to ice cream, cannolis, and everything in between. Some of my favorites are the Georgian cheeseboats at Saami Somi and donuts from Beiler’s Bakery. The Convention Center is also in the heart of Chinatown and about a block from 13thstreet where you will find some of the best restaurants in Center City. The nachos at El Vez and the French onion soup at Darling Jack’s Tavern are classics. Beyond Center City, you will find vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own character. Take in views of the city’s skyline at Bok Bar or a Phillies game in South Philly. Check out the food and bar scene in Northern Liberties. Or make your way out to Chestnut Hill for the great shops and Woodmere Art Museum. If you are extending your stay in Philadelphia beyond the conference, you will also find it is a manageable train ride for a day trip to New York City or Washington D.C. Feeling lucky? Atlantic City is a short train ride away, along with the greater Delaware and Brandywine Valleys that are home to everything from Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square to Fonthill Castle in Doylestown.
I hope you are as excited to visit Philadelphia as I am to welcome you!
Andrea Pollock is a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has worked at a variety of museums in the city over the past 15 years. She is currently the Public Engagement Manager at Independence Seaport Museum, where she has been since October 2021. In her role, she oversees the Museum Store as well as visitor services. Additionally, she serves as the Vice-President of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Museum Store Association and has been a member of MSA since 2015.
All Philadelphia images courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.