Welcome to Philadelphia!

Philadelphia, a dynamic place where big city excitement meets hometown charm, awaits your arrival. Famous as the birthplace of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, this cradle of liberty offers much more than cobblestone streets and historical landmarks. Cultural, culinary, artistic and ethnic treasures abound in this city and its surrounding countryside. Philadelphia is a welcoming place, a city based on freedom of expression.

New and one-of-a-kind attractions, a wealth of art and culture, renowned performing arts companies, awe-inspiring architecture, a walkable downtown, seemingly endless shopping (with no tax on clothes) and a restaurant renaissance that has caught the world's attention all promise to create an unforgettable Philadelphia experience. And, the greatest concentration of American history anywhere in the country can be found within walking distance of the ACDA headquarters hotel at Independence National Historical Park, home of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center.

History

Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker. King Charles II of England granted him a parcel of land that included 1,280 acres between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. Penn's chief surveyor, Captain Thomas Holmes, devised a grid pattern for the city that included five public squares, all of which remain, to realize Penn's dream of a "green countrie towne." Due to its excellent location on the Atlantic Coast and accessible port facilities, Philadelphia grew rapidly in the 18th century until it was the second largest English-speaking city in the world. It was called "The Athens of the Americas" and the cultural center of the New World. Today, a statue of William Penn stands proudly at the top of City Hall.

Philadelphia's history from 1774 to 1800 is inextricably linked to that of the American Revolution and the young nation. In Independence National Historical Park, "America's most historic square mile," visitors can see two of the nation's most precious monuments to freedom - the Liberty Bell, symbol of the nation's freedom, and Independence Hall, the birthplace of the nation where a group of dissatisfied colonists adopted Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. And, of course, the Constitution of the United States was penned here in 1787.

Today, with a population of approximately 1.6 million, Philadelphia is the fifth-largest city in the United States and the second-largest on the East Coast. The city's recent renaissance in the last decade has attracted national attention. In recent years, Philadelphia has been named the "number one restaurant city," "America's friendliest city," and "the safest large city."

Dining

As the birthplace of liberty, Philadelphia is synonymous with all things American - from the brand-name cream cheese and the soft pretzel to the renowned cheesesteak. Understandably reflecting its history, the Philadelphia dining scene ranges from colonial-era restaurants that have barely changed since first opening their doors to contemporary outposts popping up with trendy décor and menus bordering on the exotic. Steakhouses abound, and the huge assortment of Italian cuisine ranges from South Philadelphia homestyle to haute elegant. Rankings of America's top restaurants consistently include Philadelphia's finest, and scores of youthful culinary entrepreneurs have gravitated to the city within the past twenty years. Compared to New York, food insiders say that Philadelphia restaurants often hit higher marks on quality and service, with tabs that happily can be up to one-third less! For a complete listing of Philadelphia restaurants, please visit www.philadelphiarestaurants.com.

For a quick lunch between conference sessions, don't miss the 10-acre buffet known as the Reading Terminal Market.  Immediately adjacent to the Marriott, this enclosed public food market includes over 80 merchants offering fresh produce, meats, fish, groceries, flowers, baked goods, crafts, Pennsylvania Dutch and other specialty foods. A traditional stop for every tourist visiting Philadelphia, you'll find something that fits every taste and appetite. The Reading market is open every day of the week (Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm; Sun, 9am-4pm). In addition, the food court of the Gallery, a shopping mall underneath the Convention Center, is directly next door to the Marriott. Attached by indoor walkway, this is accessible to conference participants without leaving the building. The Gallery food court features 20 food vendors.

Nightlife

At night, Philadelphia sizzles with activity - it's an exciting, welcoming place to sip cocktails, hear live music and/or do your own thing. In Old City,  an area covering three different neighborhoods, the streets are jam packed with restaurants, galleries, shops and attractions. You'll soon see why National Geographic Magazine has called this neighborhood "the liveliest urban neighborhood between Soho in New York and SoBe [South Beach] in Miami."

While Old City brims with trendy shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, South Street is an east-west street in the Center City neighborhood known for its more bohemian atmosphere and its urban mix of stores, clubs, and eateries. It is one of Philadelphia's largest tourist attractions and remains a popular hangout and commercial area for college students and young adults with its assortment of retailers catering to hip hop fashion, punk fashion and urban culture.

Northern Liberties has recently become known as an alternative night spot for the young and outgoing crowds of modern Philadelphia. Situated north of Spring Garden Street to just south of Girard Avenue, the district is home to many eclectic bars and restaurants. Northern Liberties is also one of Philadelphia's best artist magnets, hosting great jazz musicians at places like Ortlieb's Jazz Haus, and featuring trend-setting art galleries. Northern Liberties isn't as well-known as other nightspots like South Street, but its down-to-earth appeal has grown to the point that it provides a perfect substitute to South Street's sometimes touristy feel.

Whether you're dancing and dining in Old City, heading to a hip hangout in South Philadelphia or catching a live jazz show in Northern Liberties, you're bound to have a great time in Philadelphia after dark!

Shopping

From South Street to Rittenhouse Row and Jewelers' Row, Philadelphia is a bona fide shopper's paradise. The city offers incredible shopping complexes and one-of-a-kind specialty stores. As an added incentive to loosen your purse strings, clothing and shoes are tax-free. Any shopper's first stop should be Macy's, the former historic Wanamaker's Department Store. Directly across Market Street from the Marriott, you can browse the traditional Macy's merchandise while listening to organ recitals played on the Wanamaker Organ, the largest operational pipe organ in the world. Forty-five minute organ recitals occur Wednesday-Saturday at 12:00pm, Thursday and Saturday at 5:30pm, and Wednesday and Friday at 7:00pm. Visitors are welcome to tour the console area (second floor) and meet the staff following each daily concert.

If shopping is your passion, also be sure to stop in at the The Shops at Liberty Place, the Gallery at Market East , and the shops at the Bellevue, all within easy walking distance of the Marriott hotels.

Getting Around

SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) operates an extensive network of trolleys, buses, and subways. This public transportation system is often crowded (especially at rush hour) but always safe.

East-west subway stops of the Market-Frankford line (blue signs) can be found at 30th Street within a half-block of the Amtrak station, directly across the street from the Marriott hotels on Market Street, at Independence Mall, and at Northern Liberties. The Broad Street line (orange signs) runs north-south with the nearest stop for ACDA participants located one block from the hotels under City Hall. This line provides easy access south to the Kimmel Center and South Street, and north to Temple University.

Fares for any SEPTA bus, trolley, or subway route are $2 cash or $1.30 for tokens purchased before you ride. Transfers are 60¢, and exact change is required. Seniors pay only during rush hours, and passengers with disabilities pay half-fare during off-peak hours. Certain "Night Owl" buses and trolleys run 24 hours a day. A $5.50 day pass is good for all buses, subways, trolleys, and one one-way ride on regional rail (including to or from the airport).

Shuttle service from the airport to the Marriott Downtown Philadelphia and Marriott Courtyard is available through Tropiano Shuttle Service. Operating every hour on the half hour, the cost is $10.00 for a one-way ticket.

Speaking Philadelphian (from Frommer's Guide to Philadelphia)

1. Philly: Use only if you're originally FROM Philadelphia. Otherwise, use the entire name.
2. Broad Street: The North-South boulevard that bisects Center City. This is really 14th Street and is also is called the "Avenue of the Arts." However, never call Broad Street anything but Broad Street!
3. Second Street: Call it "Two Street," especially in South Philly.
4. Schuylkill: Pronounce this "Skoo-kill." This is the name of the river that flows by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and is also the name of I-76, the interstate expressway running east-west through the city.
5. Passyunk: Pronounce this "Pass-yunk." This one-way avenue runs diagonally south to north from Broad to South Street, through South Philadelphia.
6. Sansom Street: Pronounce this "San-som," not "Samp-son."
7. Cheesesteak: This is one word - not "cheese steak." And, definitely NOT "Philly cheese steak."
   
   
   
   

Last revised June 26, 2010

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