Philadelphia is a city of "Firsts."
The FIRST American Convention was the Constitutional Convention. You see?! We’re in good company to have our conference here!
The University of Pennsylvania is the FIRST American university, assuming that status in 1779, I year before Harvard.
The FIRST firefighting company was established by Ben Franklin in 1776.
The FIRST motion picture show in the world premiered in Philadelphia.
The FIRST American hospital was the Pennsylvania Hospital established in 1751 and the site of the nation’s FIRST medical school at University of Pennsylvania.
The FIRST Ferris Wheel, the FIRST slinky toy, the FIRST ice-cream soda and the FIRST banana split were all invented by Pennsylvanians. (We know how to have fun too!)
SUNDAY TOUR
Plans are being made to make it easy for you to see the Historic Area. We will be firming things up shortly, but so far it is expected that the ’76 CARRIAGE COMPANY will send their trolleys to pick us up in groups at the door of the hotel. They will take everyone to Independence Hall where one of the Hosts will be waiting with tickets for you to enter the Hall. (Sad – you used to be able to just walk right in prior to 9/11) From there, you can visit the Liberty Bell in its brand-new home. Or walk a couple of blocks through Independence National Park to visit the equally new and stunning National Constitution Center. Your ticket will allow you to get on and off the trolley all day wherever your interest is peaked along its standard route. The route includes South Street with its funky boutiques and Jim’s Cheesesteaks (one of the best in the City), Penn’s landing where festivals take place all summer, Betsy Ross’ house, Elfreth’s Alley (the oldest continuing residential street in the country), Franklin Parkway with all of its museums, etc. There is something for everyone and it’s all within easy reach. A regular stop for the Trolley is a block from the hotel.
The NAOSMM Reception on Monday night will be a red, white and blue affair. We are asking that everyone come dressed in red, white and blue. Join the fun!
FRIDAY TOUR
It’s off to the Big Apple on Friday, August 6th. Bring your best walking shoes! We recommend the closed protect-your-feet variety. The most important thing to know about going to NY as you make your plans and reservations: Do not plan to fly out of Philadelphia on Friday night unless it is a very late flight. No matter how carefully we plan and no matter what time we think we’ll be back in Philadelphia, we’re at the mercy of the traffic out of the city and on the New Jersey Turnpike. We can’t guarantee that we’d get you back in time for your flight. It will be a fun day of “hitting the high spots”. More about that later.
Plan a Family Vacation to Coincide with This Year’s Conference
Come early or stay late so that you can have plenty of time to soak up the history that will surround you, visit the many museums both in Philadelphia and in the surrounding area, or take the children to one of the many amusement/water parks. There is the world-class Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Museum of Natural History, The Franklin Institute (science museum) and the Please Touch Museum all within walking distance of the hotel. Visit The Zoo, cross the river on the River Bus to visit the NJ State Aquarium in Camden (njaquarium.org) or visit Independence Seaport Museum at Penn’s Landing.
Within an Hour’s Drive from Center City
You can “take a walk on the boardwalk” (or any other of the streets on the Monopoly board!), visit the spectacular peace and beauty of Longwood Gardens, splash away the day with the kids at Sesame Place (sesameplace.com), stroll through the shops at Peddlar’s Village, spend the day (or 2 or 3!) in Pennsylvania Dutch/Amish country or see where Washington crossed the Delaware River. The list goes on and on.