Philadelphia offers a blend of world-class culture, outdoor beauty, urban sophistication, vibrant nightlife and history. AAO President Dr. John D. Callahan is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to spend time enjoying the 2025 AAO Annual Session host city with colleagues from around the world.
“The AAO is very excited to welcome all our international members to Philadelphia next year,” says Dr. Callahan. “Through their daily efforts, international members significantly contribute to the specialty’s strength and success on the global stage by bringing beautiful, healthy smiles to their patients.
“Our relationships with colleagues outside the United States bring a rich exchange of knowledge, perspectives, and ideas, as well as friendship, and we look forward to further building these connections by meeting in person,” adds Dr. Callahan. “COVID caused a great disruption in our normal routine of seeing each other regularly. Personally, I really miss seeing everyone! I see Philadelphia as the epicenter for everyone to reconnect with friends and the entire global orthodontic community.”
Philadelphia and Beyond: Ideas for International Visitors
Dr. Callahan notes that international visitors wishing to explore more of the United States will have short travel distances from Philadelphia to other top U.S. destinations such as New York City and Washington, D.C.
“Even if you only come to Philadelphia, you will have a very full experience of U.S. sights and culture,” he says. “The city offers both glamour and fun, with unique and unusual options that often surprise and delight visitors. While you may know something about Philadelphia, we would like to tell you about a few aspects of it that you may not know.”
Enjoy Waterfront Fun in A Great River City
Parks, museums, piers and restaurants are located along Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront, where options include dining at restaurants with beautiful river views and recreational experiences like the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink. The RiverRink offers a taste of the U.S. Atlantic shore experience with a boardwalk, games, and rides including a 60-foot Ferris wheel, double-decker carousel, and 9-hole miniature golf course.
Interesting sights along the riverfront include historic ships moored at Penn’s Landing. Dining is available on the deck of a beautiful 1904 four-masted sailing vessel, the Moshulu, and after dark, the tall ship is dramatically lit. Visitors can also explore Philadelphia’s maritime heritage at the interactive Independence Seaport Museum, featuring the Delaware River’s history as well as ship tours and a working boat shop.
Penn’s Landing is also a premier outdoor concert and festival site featuring panoramic views of the Philadelphia skyline, the Delaware River and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Events and entertainment for all ages take place here throughout the year. Watch the AAO eBulletin early next year for announcements about local events taking place during the 2025 Annual Session.
Feast Your Eyes: World-Class Art Abounds in Philadephia
Visual art afficionados will find much to enjoy in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Museum of Art became known to the masses worldwide via the movie Rocky, in which the main character runs up its 72 steps.
The museum has 240,000 works of art spanning 2,000 years, starting with the ancient world and progressing through the Renaissance, the Impressionist movement and modernists. Also featured are a comprehensive collection of American art, a one-acre outdoor sculpture garden and a complete 14-century Buddhist temple.
Explore works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Modigliani and Van Gogh, alongside African sculpture, metalwork, and Native American art at the widely regarded Barnes Foundation art institute. Then, enjoy the Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens unique interpretive exhibit space featuring artist Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic art environment and public murals.
Other types of museum options range from the USA Today “Top 10” Adventure Aquarium, located across the Delaware river in Camden, New Jersey with 15,000 aquatic animals in residence, to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia Mütter Museum. The Mütter features unusual biological, anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models and antique medical equipment with permanent exhibits including the Hyrtl Skull Collection.
Explore the Contrast of New and Old in Old City Philadelphia
Next to Independence Mall, where the United States Founding Fathers began the country’s move to independence in 1776, Old City’s 18th-century streets and architecture contrast with its modern, fashionable boutiques, theatres, art galleries and nightlife. More than 100 restaurants in the Old City offer international cuisine, fine dining, American classics and modern dishes as well as the local favorite “Philly Cheesesteak” sandwich.
The Old City is one of just 50 places worldwide where visitors can experience the Museum of Illusions, where visitors walk into classical and new optical illusions integrated into the space.
As the 2025 Annual Session takes place, Philadelphia will have an increasingly festive environment as the city engages in celebrations leading up to the 250th birthday of the United States on July 4, 2026. During 2025, the city will offer TED speaker events. Work on a crowd-sourced mural for the celebration will be underway, with more activities to be announced.
Plan now to enjoy this great American city during the 2025 Annual Session, April 25-27! Watch for program information and registration opening in November.
