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For other articles and previous issues click here. May 10, 2004 Philly
Goes Nuclear Cheesesteaks, chopsticks, and … nuclear medicine? It may seem an unlikely combination, but all three will be on the menu from June 19 to 22 when the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) holds its 51st annual meeting in Philadelphia—a city that boasts a broad range of history, food, and culture. “One reason we chose Philadelphia to host this year’s SNM was its excellent location,” says Jane Day, director of meeting services at the SNM. “We hope that having the meeting there will allow a lot of people to come who normally can’t attend.” So, if you’re coming to Philadelphia for the meeting, free some time to take advantage of what the city has to offer. To give you a local’s guide to the “must-sees,” we’ve asked Philly-area radiology professionals to weigh in on their favorite things about the City of Brotherly Love and its surrounding areas. Walkin’ Around Just across the street is the historic Reading Terminal Market. A farmers’ market that opened in 1892, it features more than 80 merchants selling produce, meat, and quick meals. “Reading Terminal Market is a great place to go to get a feeling of what Philadelphia is all about,” says Gary Cohen, MD, vice chairman of radiology at Temple University. “It’s a neat little culture all its own. Even if you just stop in for a quick lunch or to look around, it’s an interesting place to see.” The market is open Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm. (Stop by for lunch because many of the market’s restaurants close after 3 pm.) Immediately east of the Convention Center is Chinatown. “It’s not as big as New York City’s Chinatown, but it’s definitely worth a visit,” says Hank F. Kung, PhD, professor and section chief for radiopharmaceuticals and chemistry in the radiology department at Penn Medical Center. “It’s close enough to the Convention Center that you can walk over for lunch. There are various restaurants that are very good and fairly inexpensive, and many shops as well.” Old City Landmarks Roughly five blocks east of Old City is Penn’s Landing, which is the eastern border of Philadelphia. Situated on the Delaware River, the waterfront walkway allows a sweeping view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and offers restaurants, ship tours, and ferry rides. “Walking along Penn’s Landing in the summer is great,” says Cohen. “There are always multiple festivals and samplings of food and culture down there. You can also take the ferry across to the New Jersey State Aquarium in Camden.” Eight blocks west of the Convention Center is the Franklin Institute Science Museum, located at 20th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. “The Franklin Institute is my favorite thing about Philadelphia,” says Kung. “It’s a general purpose museum with various interactive scientific exhibits. It’s entertaining for both children and adults.” The museum features a giant walk-through heart, a planetarium, and an IMAX theater. Operating hours are 9:30 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. Just up the road from the Franklin Institute is another famous museum. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, located at 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, showcases more than 300,000 pieces of art. “It’s one of the premium art museums in the country,” says Kung. “You could easily spend a whole day there. The scenery surrounding the museum is beautiful, too—it overlooks the Schuylkill River and it’s very nice in the summer.” Cohen says the exterior of the museum will be familiar to movie buffs as well. “This is where they filmed that famous scene in Rocky where he runs up the stairs of the art museum,” Cohen says. “People are always reenacting that scene.” You can visit the museum Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Wednesday and Friday evenings until 8:45 pm. Medical History “Our facility is outstanding, one of the best in the world,” says Alavi. “The Penn radiology department has contributed enormously to the field of nuclear medicine, and we are eager to share the facility with out-of-towners.” If you are interested in a tour of Penn’s radiology department or the university itself, e-mail Alavi at alavi@rad.upenn.edu. Cohen says another point of interest is Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s first hospital. Founded in 1751, the facility still maintains much of its original design. “They have a very cool amphitheater that overlooks an old, classic operating room. It’s the oldest existing surgical amphitheater in the country,” he says. Guided tours of the hospital, located at 800 Spruce Street, are available by calling the Auxiliary Office at 215-829-3270. Branching Out The northwest side of the city, comprised of Germantown, Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill, offers a slower-paced look at historical Philadelphia, including art museums, historical societies, and Revolution-era houses. Manayunk, located off I-76, is less than 10 miles from downtown and features two miles of upscale shopping and dining opportunities. “It’s a great place to shop, eat, or just get coffee and walk around,” says Cohen. “I happen to be there more than I’d like to admit for the shopping. And speaking of shopping,” he continues, “the King of Prussia Mall is one of the best in the country.” The mall, located 18 miles west of Philadelphia off I-76 in King of Prussia, boasts more than 350 retail stores and 40 restaurants. Just minutes beyond King of Prussia is Valley Forge National Historical Park. The site of Gen George Washington’s Continental Army encampment in the winter of 1777 through 1778, the 3,600-acre park now features a walking path, General Washington’s headquarters, a memorial chapel, and other Revolutionary War memorials. The visitors’ center hours are 9 am to 5 pm daily. Where to Dine Once you’ve sampled a cheesesteak, there are myriad other restaurants to try in the downtown area. “South Street is a good place to find any kind of food you want,” says Kung. “There are so many varieties of restaurants—you name it, they’ve got it.” With an abundance of eateries, bars, and nightclubs, South Street is brimming over with nightlife opportunities. If finer dining is what you’re after, “I highly recommend Buddakan (215-574-9440) on 4th and Chestnut Streets,” says Cohen. “It’s Asian fusion food in a chic, trendy atmosphere. By far and away, it’s the best and most fun restaurant in Philly.” Cohen warns that dinner reservations can be difficult to get, so make them in advance if possible. Alavi, a vegetarian, recommends Susanna Foo’s at 1512 Walnut Street (215-545-2666). “The food is a combination of Chinese food with a European blend, and the desserts are French,” he says. “It has a healthy taste to it.” Cohen also recommends Django (215-922-7151) at 4th and Locust Streets (“It’s a great, intimate French bistro.”) and The Continental (215-923-6069) on 2nd and Market. “At least get a martini there, if not dinner,” he says. In addition to all the sites Philadelphia has to offer, the SNM will be hosting several special and social events that are sure to keep you busy. Some of these include a welcome reception, plenary sessions, and the Saturday evening event featuring “American Bandstand.” Additional information about these events and other meeting information can be found at www.snm.org/am. — Kara McDonald is an editorial assistant for Radiology Today. |
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