Philadelphia Culture: Art, Food, & Music
Details
##### APT 2026 Fall Training Program
In 2026 the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) is offering a mixture of lectures and tours for new and experienced guides from Thursday-Sunday November 5-8. The title of this year's training is "Philadelphia Culture: Art, Food, & Music." What information on these topics will help tour guides to do their jobs better? What is really unique to Philly in these areas that we can share with visitors? What has been Philadelphia's impact in these areas nationally and even globally?
Members of the public who are not tour guides but are interested in the topics presented are welcome to attend. They can join at the non-member price or can consider joining the Association.
SCHEDULE OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM
NOTE: Read through the schedule completely; some options repeat on Saturday and Sunday. Pricing information follows the schedule. Full descriptions available here.
Thursday, November 5
-- 9 - 10 am: Presentation: "Philly as a Foodie City"
By: Jacki Mowery, Philadelphia Visitors Center Corporation (PVCC)
At: TBD
-- 10:30-11:30 am: Inside the Market: Running a Food Experience at Reading Terminal (Tour & Presentation)
By: Matt Schillizzi, City Food Tours
At: Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street.
-- 1-2:30 pm: Mural Mile Walking Tour
By: APT members who are guides with Mural Arts TBD
Start: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), 128 N. Broad St.
End: near 12th and Walnut (midtown village)
-- 3:30-5 pm: Confectioner's Row in Old City: Colonial Times and Today (Presentation)
By: Eric Berley - co-proprietor of Franklin Fountain, Shane Confectionery, and the Cacao Pod
At: Christ Church Neighborhood House
Friday, November 6
-- 9-11 am: "All That Philly Jazz" Walking Tour
By: APT member Faye Anderson, All That Philly Jazz
Start: Bellevue Hotel, 200 S. Broad St.
End: 801 S. 15th St. (former site of Attucks Hotel)
-- OR --
-- 9-11 am: "Exploring the Philly Jazz Legacy" Walking Tour
By: APT certified guide Jack McCarthy
Start: On Market Street, between 11th and 12 Streets.
End: Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736-738 S. Broad Street.
11:30 am - 12 pm: Tour of Tindley Temple
By: Tindley Temple docent(s)
At: Tindley Tea Cafe, 762 S. Broad St.
12:15-3:15 pm: Lunch & Learn: Philadelphia's Musical Impact Nationally and Globally
** Classical Music in Philadelphia
** Philly Rock & Pop
** Philly Jazz
** Philly Gospel & Soul
By: APT certified guide Jack McCarthy
At: Tindley Tea Cafe, 762 S. Broad St.
3:45-5 pm: Guided Tour of Magic Gardens
By: PMG docents
At: Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street
Saturday, November 7
-- 9-11 am: "Art in Old City" Walking Tour
By: Carla Stine - artist, illustrator, and designer as well as APT certified tour guide with WeVenture and Elfreth's Alley.
Start: Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Streets
End: Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Streets
-- OR --
-- 9-11 am: "Early Philadelphia Music" Walking Tour
By: Jack McCarthy, music historian and archivist as well as APT certified tour guide.
Start: Washington Square, 6th and Walnut Streets, at the fountain in the center.
End: 6th and Chestnut Streets
-- OR --
-- 9-11 am: Historic District Tour with Guiding Basics
By: Judy Smith, APT certified tour guide with American Heritage
Start: Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Streets
End: Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Streets
-- 11:30 am - 12:30 pm: The Dining Evolution in U.S. (Presentation)
By: Steve Nepa, adjunct professor of history at Temple and Rowan Universities and frequent contributor to the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia
At: Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St.
-- 1-2 pm: Lunch & Learn: Tour Guide Best Practices Panel & Discussion
By: APT guide panel TBD
At: Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St., second floor in the Great Hall
-- 2:30-4:30 pm: Beyond Names and Dates: How to Use Storytelling to Create Memorable Visitor Experiences and Tours
At: Philly's Gourmet Steaks, 114 Market St., upstairs
Sunday, November 8
-- 9-10 am: FREE - Interpreting Portraiture
By: NPS staff
At: Second Bank of the United States, 420 Chestnut St. (Since we’re being admitted before hours, the doors will close at 9 am. We cannot accommodate late arrivals.)
-- 10:30 am - 12:30 pm: "Art in Old City" Walking Tour
By: Carla Stine - artist, illustrator, and designer as well as APT certified tour guide with WeVenture and Elfreth's Alley.
Start: Signers Garden, 434-498 Chestnut Street (5th and Chestnut), across from Hotel Monaco
End: Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Streets
-- OR --
-- 10:30 am - 12:30 pm:: "Early Philadelphia Music" Walking Tour
By: Jack McCarthy, music historian and archivist as well as APT certified tour guide.
Start: Washington Square, 6th and Walnut Streets, at the fountain in the center.
End: 6th and Chestnut Streets
-- OR --
-- 10:30 am - 12:30 pm: Historic District Tour with Guiding Basics
By: Maria Gorshin, APT tour guide with Tours by Gorshin and WeVenture
Start: Signers Garden, 434-498 Chestnut Street (5th and Chestnut), across from Hotel Monaco
End: Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd Street
-- 1-2 pm: Lunch & Learn: A Fast, Fun Look at Philly’s Awesome Public Art
By: Jim Murphy, APT Director at Large and author of Real Philly History, Real Fast
At: TBD
-- 3-5 pm: Collaborative Avenue of the Arts Tour by APT members
By: APT guides TBD
Start: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street
End: The Rock School for Dance, 1101 S. Broad St., Broad and Washington
PRICING FOR THE TRAINING PROGRAM
-- Complete package of possible 16 events: $115 member/ $165 non-member
-- Individual day passes for Thursday, Friday, and/or Saturday (4 sessions per day): $40 member/ $60 non-member. The daily price is the same whether 1 event is attended or all 4.
-- Individual day pass for Sunday (2 of the 4 sessions this day are FREE for everyone, member or non-member): $20 member/ $30 non-member. The daily price is the same whether 1 or both events are attended.
-- FREE events: Tour Guides Best Practices Panel & Discussion on Saturday; Interpreting Portraiture at the Second Bank and Collaborative Tour of Avenue of the Arts on Sunday. SPACE IS LIMITED, SO YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FREE.
PAYMENT CAN BE MADE THROUGH THIS FORM. You answer some questions that help our planning, choose the sessions you will attend, and make payment all on one form. YOU MUST LET US KNOW WHICH EVENTS YOU WILL BE ATTENDING. Spaces are limited for several sessions - please update us if your plans change so we can accommodate others.
JOINING APT
If you are not a member and would like to become one, check out our 2027 Membership Drive with early bird pricing through December 31.