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By: Alex Balloon, Executive Director of the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation, and Virginia Mauk, Conference Coordinator at the Pennsylvania Downtown Center
The Pennsylvania Downtown Center is excited to host Main Streeters to Philadelphia for the 2025 Main Street Now Conference. We welcome you to Philadelphia, a city where the echoes of history harmonize with the vibrant pulse of modern life. It's a place where cobblestone (and even some wooden block) streets meet cutting-edge cuisine, and where our revolutionary spirit blends with the excitement of artistic innovation.
This curated list of places to visit aims to give you an authentic immersion into Philly beyond the Liberty Bell and Independence National Historic Park. We want you to discover the distinctive identity of our city: its rich historical tapestry, its diverse and welcoming neighborhoods and suburban communities, and its thriving cultural scene. More than just a destination, Philadelphia is an experience—one we hope you'll carry with you long after you've departed. If you have time in your schedule, consider filling it with historical places, great food, shopping, an evening drink, and a few selfies to show that you were in Philadelphia. So, dive in, explore, and let the unique vibe of Philly captivate you!
Get your morning started with a good cup of joe. Stop by Good Karma, Old City Coffee, Elixr, or Drip Vietnamese Café. Reading Street Terminal offers an abundance of choices for any hungry conference goer, and further afield, you’ll find a wide selection of excellent eateries. For you carnivores, we recommend Ember & Ash, Butcher & Singer, or Malbec Argentine Steakhouse. If you’re looking for something gluten free, check out Front Street Café, Prohibition Tap Room, and Fox & Son. Vegans and vegetarians can enjoy a bite at Triangle Tavern, Goldie, and Nourish. If you are looking for something a little more international, check out Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House, Suraya, or Puyero.
Following dinner, gather with your team or new friends for a drink at Enswell, McGilligan’s Olde Ale House, or Love City Brewing. For something special, head to the Skyhigh at the Four Seasons Hotel for a great view of the city while enjoying a beverage.
Philadelphia is full of fascinating places, and many are close to the conference venue. History buffs will surely have to check out the Liberty Bell, but we also recommend Carpenters’ Hall, Franklin Court and Benjamin Franklin Museum, Christ Church, and Rittenhouse Square Park. For art lovers, “only in Philadelphia” experiences include the Barnes Foundation museum, Philadelphia Magic Gardens, and the Mutter Museum. If you are into cool buildings with great architecture, check out the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the PSFS Building, Second Bank of the United States, and the 30th Street Station.
If checking out historical sites and shopping doesn’t get all your steps in, take a run or hop on an Indego Bike and enjoy the Schuylkill River Trail or the Delaware River Trail from the Ben Franklin Bridge to Penn Treaty Park.
While exploring, you can pick up a gift or two for those back home. Popular boutiques include Retrospect Vintage, Toile, and Retro Rewind. For book lovers, stop by Harriett’s Bookshop (either in the exhibition hall or their permanent location), Headhouse Books, A Novel Idea, Uncle Bobbies, and Hakim’s Bookstore. These boutiques and bookshops all offer something different, so get out there and shop local!
Finally, no conference trip or visit to a new city would be complete without a selfie to post on social media! The first selfie opportunity will be on your way to and from the Opening Plenary at Marian Anderson Hall. You can snap an iconic Philadelphia selfie with the view of city hall topped by William Penn. Or you can run to the top of The Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to take photo with your arms raised in the air, just like in the movie. Two other popular selfie spots include the Race Street Pier, and the Love Statue located at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
From exploring the city to gathering and learning with your peers, we can’t wait to see you in Philadelphia for the 2025 Main Street Now Conference. So, pack your bags, book any last-minute conference experiences, and get ready for an amazing week!
Images:
Enjoy Beverages & Bites: Enjoy new flavors and satisfying bites at Good Karma © Good Karma Cafe (left) and Find 75+ family-owned businesses at the Reading Terminal Market © PG Photography.
Explore Historic Places & Unique Spaces: See Philly from a different perspective on the Schuylkill River Trail © f11photo/iStock (left) and explore the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts © B. Krist for Visit Philadelphia.
Shop Local & Snap Selfies: Find great reads at Harriett's Bookshop © R. Rabena for Visit Philadelphia (left) and pose with the Rocky Statue © J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia.