Pennsylvania Convention Center – Experiences

Attending an event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center allows you to experience one of the greatest cities in the country: Philadelphia. This city is a must-visit for anyone interested in our nation’s history. The plethora of destinations will keep you occupied, and history buffs will fall in love with the landmarks around every corner. In addition to seemingly endless historic sites, Philadelphia is home to eateries sure to please even the pickiest patrons, as well as world-class performances, and funky bars left and right.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center is a perfect starting point to your journey, as it is located in Philadelphia’s historic district. Visitors will be walking distance from locations that impacted the course of world history. You could easily spend an extended weekend in this boisterous city, but we’ve boiled down our itinerary to just one day. This makes it easy for even the busiest travelers to experience what Philadelphia has to offer.

Morning

Noon

Night

 

Morning

If you’re starting your day near the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the best place to get breakfast is the famous Reading Terminal Market.

This market has plenty of options, whether you want to grab a croissant and go, or have a sit-down meal. Customers rave about the following breakfast joints for serving basic dishes in such a way that makes you want to come back for more.

Because of Pennsylvania’s history of the Dutch presence and thriving Amish communities, it’s no surprise that the Dutch Eating Place is one of the most popular stands in Reading Terminal Market.

Meanwhile, Down Home Diner serves breakfast all day. No matter if you got a late start, you can still enjoy their breakfast food.

After filling up with a satisfying meal, spend however much time you’d like exploring Reading Terminal Market. There’s plenty of food for you to try. You may even choose to graze along the market and enjoy food along the way, instead of having a sit-down breakfast.

From Reading Terminal Market, you can get to Independence Hall in six minutes by car, 17 minutes walking. Since the market and Pennsylvania Convention Center are next to each other, the distance is the same leaving from either location.

Independence Hall is an incredibly important building, considering the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both written, discussed, debated, and signed here. These events built the foundation of the country we know today.

Independence Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it was selected by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization as having remarkable significance to the collective interests of humanity. Independence Hall is one of 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States.

George Washington’s well-known “rising sun” chair, made in 1779, is on display at Independence Hall. George Washington used this chair for nearly three months while the founding fathers debated and crafted the U.S. Constitution.

The artifact became symbolic after Benjamin Franklin commented on the sun illustrated on the back of the chair. At first, Franklin said he was unsure whether the sun on the chair was rising or setting. But as the creation of an independent nation began to take form, he realized that the sun was indeed rising.

The tour of Independence Hall will also take you to the attached West Wing. This room features the actual inkstand used to sign the Declaration of Independence, as well as an original draft of the Constitution.

Interested visitors must take a guided tour of Independence Hall, as admission is available by tour only. There is no charge for a tour, but if you have a larger parties can reserve tickets in advance.

Pennsylvania Convention CenterThe Liberty Bell, originally known as the State House Bell, is just a four-minute walk from Independence Hall. Their proximity is no accident; the Liberty Bell originally rang in the tower of Independence Hall, then known as the Pennsylvania State House. No one alive has ever heard it ring, due to the large, signature crack in the center.

After the Civil War, the 2,080-pound Liberty Bell was taken on a nationwide tour. It served as an important symbol for the recovering country and was on display at various fairs, exhibitions, and towns.

Now visitors from around the world can visit the Liberty Bell for free, any day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Liberty Bell Center is wheelchair accessible and guarded by security.
The lines to view it can be very crowded, so try to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Midday tends to be the most crowded time to visit the Liberty Bell.

If you’re not interested in going inside to view the bell up close, it’s visible from the outside through the center’s large windows.

There are plenty more historic sites for you to check out, and are luckily all clustered near each other and just a 12-minute walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Just a three-minute walk from the Liberty Bell is the Declaration House, where Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft Declaration of Independence. In the summer of 1776, he rented two floors of this house and wrote the first draft of this impactful document in only three weeks.

The original house was unfortunately demolished, but it was rebuilt in 1975 to become a museum. Admission is free, and guests can view exhibits and watch a short film on the creation of one of the most important documents in history. The second floor has been recreated to reflect what it may have looked like when it was occupied by Thomas Jefferson.

This historic site has limited visiting hours, so be sure to check before your visit.

A seven-minute walk from the Declaration House, or 12 minutes from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, is Christ Church Burial Ground. This modest plot of land is famous for being the burial place of Benjamin Franklin, his wife, and many signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Benjamin Franklin’s tombstone is usually covered in pennies, which is a reference to his advice “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Make sure to bring a few pennies with you when visiting this historic site.

The headstones are mostly worn down to the point of illegibility, but a Christ Church parishioner created a guide to preserve this information. In 1864, Edward Clark recorded every inscription on the burial ground’s headstones.

After paying your respects to some of the founding fathers, take an easy, four-minute walk down the street to see the Betsy Ross House. If you’re coming from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, this walk is still a short 15 minutes.

The Betsy Ross House has been a public museum since 1898, after Betsy’s grandson, William Canby, declared that she indeed was the one who sewed the first American flag. After making this proclamation, descendants of Betsy Ross signed sworn affidavits that they heard the story from Betsy herself.

Here’s how the story goes: in 1776, George Washington along with a few comrades arrived to Betsy’s successful upholstery shop to ask about sewing a new flag for them. Washington knew of Betsy’s work after she created bedding for the future president and multiple flags for the Continental Army.

The plan for the original flag featured stars with six points, but Betsy demonstrated how easy it was to create stars with just five. This is how the design of the stars remains to this day.

The Betsy Ross house includes features like audio tours, multiple specialty exhibits, and a Betsy Ross reenactor. The outside courtyard contains Betsy Ross’s burial site along with a gift shop.

Accessibility is difficult due to the 300-year-old layout of the house, but the museum offers multiple options to allow guests to still enjoy the history of Betsy Ross and the flag.

At this point, if you’re interested in learning more about the history of Philadelphia and the Revolutionary War, there are multiple museums in the area. Options include the Ben Franklin Museum, Museum of the American Revolution, National Museum of American Jewish History, African American Museum in Philadelphia, National Constitution Center.

 

Noon

A six-minute walk from the Betsy Ross House will bring you to JJ Bootleggers for lunch. This popular establishment has an easygoing, welcoming atmosphere.

JJ Bootleggers is a fun, moonshine-themed bar that pays homage to the underground world of liquor during the Prohibition. The term “bootleggers” refers to smugglers that would conceal liquor bottles in their boots. The drink is called moonshine since bootleggers distributed these drinks in the moonlight.

We recommend chowing down on Buffalo chicken egg rolls and some surf and turf kabobs to start. Then order the award-winning JJ’s Mac and Cheese. You can even add crab cakes on top if you want to kick it up a notch.

Among their drinks, the moonshine cocktails really shine. Indulge in the Melonshine Mixer, Country Punch, or Moonshine Mule.

No matter what brings you to JJ Bootleggers, you’re in a welcoming atmosphere.

Next it’s time to head west back towards the Pennsylvania Convention Center via a 1.4-mile journey to Philadelphia City Hall.Pennsylvania Convention Center

City Hall holds the title of the largest municipal building in the United States, even larger than the U.S. Capitol. This elaborate building has served as the center of Philadelphia’s government for over a century.

Construction began in 1871 and took thirty years and 88 million bricks to complete. City Hall was officially ready for use in 1901. The ornate design of the building, inspired by the Louvre and the Palais des Tuileries in Paris, was a huge point of contention for many years. At the time of City Hall’s construction, Philadelphia was a mostly Quaker population, which values modesty and simplicity. This resulted in many proposals to demolish City Hall, the most recent of which was in 1950.

It’s fortunate that the demolition plans never went through, as this exceptional building is a popular destination for those who want to admire the detailed architecture. Tours of the City Hall Interior take place Monday through Friday at 12:30 p.m., starting at the Tour Information Center. The tours are about one and a half to two hours.

Visitors also have the option to soar above the city skyline and take the City Hall Tower Tour. The open-air observation tower brings guests up towards the statue of William Penn that sits atop the building. This allows for a panoramic view of Philadelphia. You may be able to see the Pennsylvania Convention Center from 548 feet in the air.

The Tower Tour takes place every 15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Visitors can also add the tower experience onto their City Hall Interior Tour.

Right across the street from City Hall, and just a two-minute walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, is the lavish, cathedral-like Masonic Temple. This often-overlooked hidden gem is truly a sight to behold.

Completed in 1873, the construction of the Masonic Temple took five years and cost an unheard of $1.6 million. While the construction of this striking building took five years, the decorating of the interior took four times as long.

This investment sure paid off, as the interior of the Masonic Temple is magnificent. European palaces and medieval castles served as inspiration for the exterior of the building. Inside, guests explore the lavish rooms with cathedral-like glass ceilings. They soak in the sight of grand staircases, countless sculptures and paintings, and ornate details from top to bottom.

In addition to the aesthetics, the Masonic Temple contains important historic pieces from some of their most famous members. The collection includes George Washington’s Masonic Apron, letters written by the future president, and a sash worn by Benjamin Franklin.

Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday at varying times. Be sure to check their website to decide what time works best for you.

 

Night

Once you’re ready for a delicious meal, Butcher and Singer is just a nine-minute walk from the Masonic Temple, and a 10-minute walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This upscale eatery is located in a beautiful building, just like the Masonic Temple nearby.

The high ceilings are held up by beautiful wood and marble pillars, with a grand chandelier hanging above. This chic steakhouse intends to transport customers into 1940s Hollywood by featuring the most sophisticated parts of the Golden Era.

In addition to their exceptional selection of steak, Butcher and Singer serves up other seafood delicacies. These include lobster, halibut, salmon, oysters, veal, and chicken options.

However, if a vintage, upscale steakhouse is not your preferred dinner destination, check out El Vez. This exuberant Mexican restaurant is a seven-minute stroll from both the Masonic Temple and Pennsylvania Convention Center.

El Vez puts its own eclectic spin on classic Mexican dishes by incorporating unexpected flavors and ingredients. For example, their five different types of guacamole include a flavors with goat cheese and pistachio. Main dishes include surf and turf salad, cauliflower tacos, and short rib enchiladas. The vivacious atmosphere invites you to celebrate a lively evening with an ice-cold margarita.

Pennsylvania Convention CenterAfter a delicious dinner, enjoy some evening entertainment. Philadelphia has no shortage of theaters, many of which are conveniently clustered together on the “Avenue of the Arts.” This convenient setup provides plenty of opportunities to catch an entertaining evening show. One of the main venues is the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, located just seven minutes from El Vez, four minutes from Butcher and Singer, and 13 minutes from the Pennsylvania Convention Center

The Kimmel Center is a cultural hub that’s been a part of the Avenue of the Arts since 1996. This incredible venue is the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, which many consider to be one of the best in the world.

In addition to hosting the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Kimmel Center operates multiple major venues that regularly host world-class performances. These venues include: Verizon Hall with 2,500 seats, Perelman Theater with 650 seats, Merriam Theater with a capacity of 1,870, and the 2,688-square-foot SEI Innovation Studio.

Music fans will love the countless musical performances held in the Kimmel Center, including orchestras, operas, and violin performances. In addition, the venue puts on kids-oriented shows, film screenings, ballets, and Broadway performances.

After a world-class show at The Kimmel Center, take a three-minute walk to Writer’s Block Rehab to end your night. This tiny, quirky cocktail bar has a literary theme made clear not only by its name. Writer’s Block Rehab features Scrabble-like wallpaper, menus and receipts presented inside old hardcover books, and drinks named after literary figures. The second floor of the bar, or “the library,” features bookshelf wallpaper and illuminated globes serving as the chandelier.

Another tidbit that makes Writer’s Block Rehab unique is the fact that they have vodka and prosecco on tap. Try a glass and taste the difference!