In town
What to do with your free hours
Philadelphia rewards walking. These are the places we'd send a colleague flying in for two days — not the list a search engine gives you. Tap any spot to open it in Google Maps.
Your hotel
The Bellevue, with a few perks
The conference hotel sits at 200 S Broad Street in the heart of Center City — and the stay comes with more than a room key.
Included with your stay
Free access to The Sporting Club
The Sporting Club at The Bellevue is the nicest gym in the city — and it's free because you're staying at the hotel. It also includes coworking space, so you can get a workout or a few emails in before registration.
Dinner
Some popular dining spots
If you find yourself with an open evening, here are some standout options — all worth the time.
Rittenhouse
Vernick Food & Drink
A neighborhood restaurant that happens to be one of the best in the country. Sit at the bar if the dining room is full.
Maps ↗Rittenhouse
Friday Saturday Sunday
Small, dark, exceptional. A tasting-menu evening if you want the city's high-water mark.
Maps ↗Rittenhouse Square
Parc
French bistro on the square. Not a surprise, always a good time.
Maps ↗15th & Walnut
Butcher & Singer
The classic Center City steakhouse, five minutes' walk from the Bellevue. Dark wood, old-school, reliable.
Maps ↗Lunch + quick
Eat like you live here
Cheap, fast, and genuinely local — worth building an hour around.
Center City East
Reading Terminal Market
A century-old market hall. Tommy DiNic's roast pork is the order; go before noon.
Maps ↗Washington Square West
Middle Child
A tiny luncheonette doing the best sandwiches downtown.
Maps ↗South Philadelphia
John's Roast Pork
The sandwich locals argue for. Cash-friendly, lunch only, worth the ride.
Maps ↗Bella Vista
Angelo's Pizzeria
The one people line up for — cheesesteaks and Sicilian slices. Worth the trip, and order ahead if you can.
Maps ↗Coffee
Near the Bellevue
All a short walk from 200 S Broad Street — grab a cup before the morning start at the Barnes.
Midtown Village
Elixr Coffee
Serious espresso, quiet enough to take a call before the day starts.
Maps ↗Rittenhouse
La Colombe
The hometown roaster — the Rittenhouse cafe is an easy walk from the hotel.
Maps ↗Rittenhouse
K'Far Café
Israeli cafe with excellent coffee and pastries worth going hungry for.
Maps ↗18th & Market
Vernick Coffee Bar
From the Vernick team — quick, serious espresso on the walk toward the Parkway.
Maps ↗Cocktails
Cocktail options in the city
Works Tuesday after the reception or Wednesday night after the program — pick the night you have free.
Chinatown
Hop Sing Laundromat
No sign, no phones, strict door. Extraordinary cocktails if you play along.
Maps ↗Rittenhouse
The Ranstead Room
Speakeasy behind an unmarked door on a side alley. Dark and excellent.
Maps ↗Rittenhouse
Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.
A Prohibition-era front for some of the best cocktails in the city. Worth the short walk.
Maps ↗Rittenhouse
Library Bar
Book-lined and quiet in The Rittenhouse hotel, the low-key option close to everything.
Maps ↗Rittenhouse
Andra Hem
Swedish-inspired cocktail bar with a warm, cozy room and a serious drink list.
Maps ↗Rittenhouse
a.bar
Wine, snacks, and a room that works when half your group wants dinner and half doesn't.
Maps ↗Outside
Move a little
Both start within a few blocks of the venue.