10 Things: Feel the Love in Philly
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philadelphia downtown

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Come for the education and networking, stay for the history and sports fans—Philadelphia is home to this year’s Apartmentalize. Plan ahead and discover what makes “The City of Brotherly Love” the perfect host city for the industry’s largest, most important annual conference!

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1. The baseball season is underway. The Phillies start a six-game homestand Monday, June 17 against the San Diego Padres. They have a day off Thursday before starting a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. The Union of Major League Soccer host Charlotte FC at Subaru Park on Saturday night, June 22. 

2. Don’t hold back in the East Passyunk neighborhood, home to the famous Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks. Just don’t hold up the line. Oh, and they are both open 24/7. Closer to City Center is Reading Terminal Market, which has been open since 1893 and features eateries, bakeries as well as shops for meats, sweets and produce. 

3. If South Philly and City Center neighborhoods aren’t your scene, head over to Washington Square West to see Pennsylvania Hospital, the country’s first hospital, co-founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1751. Make your way to Chinatown to see the Friendship Gate given to the city as a gift from Philadelphia’s sister city, Tianjin. 

4. Philadelphia is one of America’s most historic cities, with 68 National Historical Landmarks. Take a trip back in time when you visit the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House and more. Visit the President’s House, where George Washington and John Adams lived prior to the completion of the White House. Learn about the former home, the archaeological site and slavery at the location. 

5. The Philadelphia Zoo was America’s first zoo and is home to more than 1,900 animals. It opened in 1874 after a 15-year delay from the Civil War. Also in West Philadelphia are the Penn Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art. While weather can hamper a day at the zoo, visit one of the city’s numerous museums. 

6. This includes the Museum of the American Revolution, the African American Museum in Philadelphia and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. Don’t forget to run up the steps to the Apartmentalize Thursday Night Party at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for a selfie with the Rocky statue located next to the steps made famous by actor Sylvester Stallone and his film character Robert “Rocky” Balboa. 

7. Philadelphia’s children’s museum, the Please Touch Museum, is consistently one of the top children’s museums in the nation as voted by USA TODAY/10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Permanent exhibits include a makerspace, arts studio and fairytale garden. Other family-friendly activities include Franklin Square, which has the Parx Liberty Carousel and a Philly-centric mini golf course. 

8. Looking to take it easy on the wallet? Find yourself on a self-guided art tour. This includes stops at the Robert Indiana sculptures LOVE and AMOR. Philadelphia was also named the Best City for Street Art by USA TODAY/10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2023. There are more than 4,400 murals and sculptures in its public art portfolio. 

9. Make your way to the Delaware River waterfront for excellent parks, piers and even more history. Visit the Independence Seaport Museum to view a World War II-era submarine or make a trip just across the Delaware to Adventure Aquarium in Camden, N.J. 

10. Have some extra time before or after Apartmentalize, trek just outside the city to explore what else the area has to offer. That includes Longwood Gardens, Tyler Arboretum, Valley Forge National Historical Park or Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Need an extended vacation? Board the train and visit any city along the line.