Philadelphia, the host city for the 2012 Risk and Insurance management Society Inc. Conference & Exhibition, offers a variety of interesting things to do and see--and eat. To give visitors the local perspective on the best sights, activities and dining spots in and around town, Business Insurance polled several risk and insurance professionals from the area. Each was asked about favorite restaurants, local attractions and quick getaways to nearby destinations.

Andrew Rosen, Principal, compensation, Buck Consultants L.L.C.

Dining: Talula's Garden; The Farm and Fisherman

Attractions: National Constitution Center; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Rittenhouse Square; Philadelphia Museum of Art: “So if people are both into art and exercise, they can run up the steps.”

Getaway: New Hope, Pa., in Bucks County

Art Boyle, Director, Delaware Valley Chapter of RIMS, Vp of enterprise risk management

Radian Group Inc.

Dining: Nodding Head Brewery & Restaurant

Attractions: USS Olympia on Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, or USS New Jersey in Camden, N.J.

Getaway: Surf fishing at Avalon, N.J., and Stone Harbor, N.J.

Earl Varney, President, Delaware Valley Chapter of RIMS, Manager of corporate insurance, The Vanguard Group Inc.

Dining: White Dog Café

Attractions: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts; Peter Nero and the Philly Pops.

Getaway: University of Pennsylvania: “I'm a little bit biased, because I went to school there.”

Ed Lovelidge, Managing director, PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P.

Dining: Osteria; any restaurant by Jose Garces. As for a Philly cheese steak? “It's almost a touristy thing.”

Attractions: Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University; Avenue of the Arts.

Getaway: Lancaster County, Pa.: “You can literally drive on one road, and you're in Atlantic City.”

Kevin Junod, Executive vp and health care practice leader, Lockton Cos. L.L.C.

Dining: Reading Terminal Market. “Nothing fancy here, just plenty of places for great food—from coffee or breakfast, to local haunts for lunch, to a cookie or cannoli for dessert. Skip the chain restaurants and eat lunch here.”

Attractions: Philadelphia City Hall: “It's has both wonderful architecture and history.” Fireman's Hall Museum: “It captures the history and artifacts of the nation's oldest fire department, started by Ben Franklin 1736.”

Getaway: “I am a history buff, so I like Valley Forge National Park, the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army.”

Pamela Schultz, Director, Delaware Valley Chapter of RIMS, Assistant risk manager, Lincoln Financial Group

Dining: Buddakan

Attractions: Philadelphia Phillies baseball game

Getaway: Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Robert Cartwright Jr., Director, RIMS, Loss prevention manager, Bridgestone Retail Operations L.L.C.

Dining: Fogo de Chão; The Continental Mid-town: It's “a different kind of place.”

Attractions: Market Street; Ben Franklin Parkway; South Street; Mutter Museum: “It's not for the faint of heart.” Old City: “Everything is there—you've got all the history.”

Getaway: Longwood Gardens

Robin Betza, Mid-Atlantic regional vp, The Navigators Group Inc.

Dining: Public House for a casual lunch; Marathon Grill: “It's a step up from fast food.” Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse for gluten-free pasta: “You always get a good meal there.”

Attractions: Chestnut and Walnut streets. “Me? I like to shop.”

Getaway: Jersey Shore

Sara Potter, Director, Delaware Valley Chapter of RIMS, Corporate director of insurance and risk management, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network

Dining: Vetri Ristorante

Attractions: The Philadelphia Orchestra

Getaway: Winterthur (Del.) Museum, Garden and Library in Brandywine Valley; Chadds Ford, Pa.

Kenneth L. Ewell, President and chief operating officer, The Graham Co.

Dining: Capital Grille: “The Wagyu beef carpaccio is a must-have while you're in-town—it's seared and chilled with lemon vinaigrette and makes for a perfect early evening bite.” Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse: “The decor and ambiance are wonderful; it's built into an old bank vault. It feels like a steakhouse should feel.”

Attractions: Dream Garden: “It is hailed as one of the major artistic collaborations in early 20th-century America, and I believe its one of the greatest pieces of art in this city.”

Getaway: New Hope & Ivyland Railroad: “The 23.6-mile line to New Hope (Pa.) was completed in 1891, the No. 40 steam engine was built in 1925, and today you can still ride this steam engine through the beautiful hills and valleys of historic Bucks County.” Tyler Arboretum: “Just 20 minutes outside of Center City, you can experience 650 acres of horticultural collections, rare plants and ancient trees. And there's 20 miles of scenic hiking trails that make for a great afternoon retreat.”

Scott Montgomery, Managing director, Arch Reinsurance Co.

Dining: Devon Seafood Grill: “Good place for seafood that has been highly rated for several years.” Four Seasons Hotel: “Fantastic blue-collar cheesesteak in a wonderful white-collar setting.”

Attractions: Boathouse Row: “Just down the street from the Rocky statue...a great place to run and take in the action of local high school and college crew teams”

Getaways: Princeton, N.J.: “I like to walk around universities and colleges. There is usually great architecture to see, and any place with a ‘college town personality' tends to be enjoyable. If your timing is good, you might catch a lacrosse game.”