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Here's the inspiration Natural Products Expo East attendees need to get outside the trade show walls this autumn and explore what Philadelphia has to offer.

August 3, 2021

3 Min Read
philadelphia skyline
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With a mix of modern culture and iconic history, Philadelphia was the only U.S. city picked by National Geographic’s global travel experts for the 25 most exciting destinations for 2020 and one of only three U.S. destinations—and one of only eight destinations around the globe—to make Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 “Best Destinations in the World” Gold List. There’s really something special about this city. 

Below are just four reasons Natural Products Expo East trade show exhibitors and attendees are poised to have a serious blast in Philadelphia.

1. Quintessential pieces of history.

The first World Heritage City in the U.S., Philadelphia has 67 National Historical Landmarks in what is called the nation’s “most historic square mile.” Tour Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution were debated and adopted. See the Liberty Bell, the symbol of American independence that was once located in the steeple of Independence Hall. Stroll Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in America—one of Philadelphia’s most Instagram-worthy spots. 

2. An unparalleled art scene.

With more public art than any other American city, Philadelphia’s spirit can be found around every corner. Known as the “Mural Capital of the World,” Philadelphia contains more than 4,000 murals, sculptures and mosaics integrated into the landscape, making the city the world’s largest outdoor art gallery. Head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and climb the 72 "Rocky Steps" and then enter one of the largest art museums in the nation, with new spaces to explore and a collection that spans 2,000 years. The world’s finest private collections of early French-Modern and Post-Impressionist paintings in the world can be found at the Barnes Foundation, including the world's largest collection of Renoirs.

Related:Natural Products Expo East: Everything you need to know

3. Award-winning, chef-driven cuisine.

Philadelphia’s food scene continues to receive high honors, with Thai restaurant Kalaya having been named Esquire’s best new restaurant last year. Local chef Omar Tate and his pop-up, Honeysuckle, received the publication’s chef of the year and pop-up of the year honors, respectively, and Tate was also listed on Time Magazine’s Time100 Next List. Condé Nast Traveler has included Laser Wolf—an Israeli grill from the team behind the acclaimed Zahav—on its 2021 hot list, naming the eatery as one of the best new restaurants in the world. 

Additionally, our beloved Reading Terminal Market—one of the largest and oldest public markets in the U.S.—was just voted the best public market in the nation in 2021 by USA Today. Adjacent to the convention center, with more than 80 merchants, including 26 restaurants under one roof, the market is a must-see for foodies looking to sample a taste of Philadelphia, including its renowned cheesesteaks!

4. The city is walkable and boasts miles of outdoor space.

In Philadelphia, everything is just around the corner. Consistently voted one of the country’s most walkable cities, you can easily walk from neighborhood to neighborhood, river to river, in Philadelphia—from the historic Italian Market in South Philadelphia to the nation’s most historic square mile in Old City and the vibrant Delaware River waterfront, to the Friendship Gate, the entrance to Philadelphia’s Chinatown in the Convention Center District, to the Schuylkill River Trail (which was named one of the top riverwalks in the nation by USA Today). The trail winds its way through Philadelphia’s downtown and into Fairmount Park, one of the largest city-owned urban park systems in the world, home to seemingly endless trails and outdoor opportunities.

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