Things to do in Philadelphia:

Grab a Cheesesteak.  Philly Magazine recommends avoiding Pat’s and Geno’s and there are some great alternative options.  Yelp! is probably a good place to start, but – for what it’s worth – my favorite is Woodrow’s, about a mile from the hotel on South Street.  For those interested, I’ll be putting in a group order for Friday evening.  For the truly brave soul, you can always try a “Philly Taco,” which is a cheesesteak wrapped in a piece of pizza.  (CAUTION: this is not for the faint of heart!)

Try Philly’s burgeoning “foodie” scene.  Travel + Leisure Magazine makes the case for Philadelphia having the best food scene on the East Coast and the city is home to plenty of James Beard nominees.  Most of these places are within walking distance or a short Uber/Cab ride from the hotel.

See where America started.  Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Carpenters’ Hall are all downtown in Old City, and the (new) Museum of the American Revolution is worth a visit (that is, according to the New York Times).

See some amazing art.  The Philadelphia Museum of Art (and Rodin Museum) is one of the largest art galleries in the world and the largest collection of Rodin’s work outside of Paris.  The nearby Barnes Foundation (also on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway) is home to an impressive collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modernist masters (including 181 paintings by Renoir, 69 by Cézanne, 59 by Matisse, 46 by Picasso).

See another museum.  Philadelphia is home to over 100 museums, so there is literally something for everyone.  Personal favorites include the Franklin Institute and the Mütter Museum (medical oddities), so if you get eliminated early on Saturday – there’s plenty to do!

Take a walk, grab a coffee, and/or go shopping!  Philadelphia is a walkable city with fantastic shopping – and clothes and shoes are tax-free in Pennsylvania.  University City to Northern Liberties (NoLibs) is just a 3 mile walk that cuts through the middle of college campuses, shopping districts, Independence Mall, and cafe lined streets!  So be encouraged to bring your family with you – Philadelphia is a safe, hip city that is still relatively affordable compared to it’s neighbors along the East Coast.