Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

• The second largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the United States, with a population of 1.4 million in Philadelphia and 3.9 million people residing in the five-county region.
• Thanks to founder William Penn, Philadelphia’s Center City follows an easy-to-navigate grid street design. The

Fashionistas in the midst of building their fall and winter wardrobes need look no further than Philadelphia, where a wide range of independent boutiques are wowing shoppers with urban chic apparel, street fashions and vintage finds—all available at affordable prices. In October alone, the style conscious can take in a

Today, short getaways, in the form of weekend retreats and day trips, are more popular than ever. Philadelphia day spas and salons are on top of the trend, offering clients a variety of luxurious customized services designed to refresh both body and spirit, from a couple’s massage to hot-stone therapy

Pet lovers are crazy about their animal companions and spend more than $40 billion a year in the U.S. on pet services and accoutrements to prove it. For those who love to spoil their pet but hate to leave him behind while traveling, the Philadelphia region proves to be the

Philadelphia’s gay culture is shimmering with a vibrant day and nightlife scene thanks to new restaurants and must-see shops, boutiques and galleries throughout the city. And while visitors are encouraged to get their history straight and their nightlife gay while visiting town, they’re also free to eat, drink and shop,

Some of the country’s most cutting-edge, indie boutiques operate within the historic neighborhoods of Philadelphia, and many of them maintain in-town exclusivity of their favorite local, national and international lines. Here’s where to go for fab frocks, must-have make-up, sky-high stilettos and luxurious lotions and potions within the city limits:

Those interested in indulging in a few days of luxury and pampering should consider Philadelphia, where living the high life—even if it’s just an escape from today’s penny-pinching practices—is easier to obtain and more affordable than ever. A host of bargains, from prix-fixe dinners at elegant restaurants to overnight stays

Shopping is fun. Shopping in indie and owner-operated boutiques that feature unusual wares and personalized service is even more fun, which means that shopping in Historic Philadelphia is a blast. With dozens of independently owned clothing, jewelry and home furnishings shops, the area between Front and 7^th Streets and

Name: Joan Shepp
Affiliation: Joan Shepp
Her Story: In 1971, the doyenne of Philadelphia vogue founded her eponymous shop with $100 and the credo: “Fashion is supposed to be fun.” In 1999, Shepp, who now works alongside daughter Ellen Shepp, moved the business from Philly’s burbs to a soaring, 22-foot-ceiling

Philly’s diverse retail scene is growing thanks to big names such as Barneys CO-OP and Juicy Couture, along with indie boutiques such as Zahra Saeed and JimmyStyle. Here’s a look at six shops where locals and visitors are finding fab fashions, hit-of-the-party gifts, fragrant flowers and hard-to-resist homeware:

Fab Fashions

Restaurants/Cafes:

• 10 Arts by Eric Ripert – In this intimate space located inside the glitzy Ritz-Carlton, Chef Eric Ripert presents American cuisine with an emphasis on organic, locally grown ingredients. 10 S. Broad Street, (215) 523-8000, ritzcarlton.com/hotels/philadelphia
• Bindi – Guests enjoy the spices and full flavors of traditional Indian

DONNA SCHORR, a young-at-heart Baby Boomer
Director of Communications

Yes, I take a train ride to the city every day, and at this age, I’m no expert on late night clubbing. But I’ve lived in or near Philly for decades (never mind how many), and I can tell you a

Culinary Delights From Around The World:

• A Full Plate Café – Co-owner Shannon Dougherty’s vegetarian influence is noticeable in the health-conscious menu, including the mac-and-cheese, utilizing multigrain pasta. Vegans, vegetarians and carnivores can all find something here. Plus, the drinks are served in mason jars. 1009 N. Bodine Street,

Restaurants/Cafes:

• Buddakan – Stephen Starr’s original temple of modern Asian cuisine offers creative takes on Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Indian fare in a striking, theatrical setting. 325 Chestnut Street, (215) 574-9440, buddakan.com
• Chifa – Chef Jose Garces blends the best of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine in his latest

Restaurants/Cafes:

• Alma de Cuba – Diners her enjoy dishes with a Cuban flair before topping the meal off with a chocolate Cuban cigar. Attentive service and knock-out décor make Alma de Cuba a highlight on Stephen Starr’s lengthy resume. 1623 Walnut Street, (215) 988-1799, almadecubarestaurant.com
• Barclay Prime – Stained

Philadelphia is committed to the environment, as evidenced by Mayor Michael Nutter’s appointment of a director of sustainability in 2008. The position develops, implements and oversees the city’s environmental policies and initiatives to deliver the mayor’s promise to make Philadelphia the greenest city in America. The new position is just

The following itinerary is available on gophila.com/holidays.

LOCATION: Center City, Manayunk and King of Prussia

TRANSPORTATION: Foot, taxi and car

DURATION: Two nights and two days

’Tis the season to be shopping. But a long holiday gift list can be overwhelming—even if shopping is usually your favorite sport. Turn

If your holiday gift list is long and your budget is small, fear not. Philadelphia shops offer loads of presents guaranteed to be thoroughly thoughtful and completely unique for all those difficult-to-buy-for people in your life—from your gourmet-loving girlfriend to your style-conscious co-worker. Here are 25 ideas that can satisfy

There are many reasons to visit Philadelphia any time of the year. Let’s see: It’s here where the nation was founded. It’s here where colorful neighborhoods bred distinct shops, bars and restaurants. It’s here where there’s always something worth discovering. And it’s close by. In fact, Philly’s within a 350-mile

For more than a century, Philadelphia’s suburbs have been home to some of the nation’s most elegantly appointed men and women of style. While the traditional shops and book traders still thrive along the Main Streets, they now convivially co-exist with lively and contemporary boutiques that outfit discerning shoppers of

AMBLER
Residents describe Ambler as a town where even visitors feel a sense of place. It’s a “real town” where locals and out-of-towners join together to enjoy professional theater and independent film, to admire art displayed in the storefront of a refurbished Art Deco building and to partake in a

MEDIA
Self-designated as the first fair trade town in the country, Media is also the last suburban town in the nation to run a trolley through its downtown. Residents call Media “Everybody’s Hometown” because the town’s friendliness welcomes all visitors. Brick sidewalks and tree-shaded streets encourage walking to the centrally

WEST CHESTER
Chester County’s seat of government is a tree-lined and welcoming city where a stately historic courthouse dominates the skyline; West Chester University students populate the shops, bars and noodle houses; and the popularity of the skateboarding culture (plus the presence of hometown celebrity prankster Bam Margera) draws enthusiasts

NEW HOPE
New Hope, Pennsylvania, the popular riverside artist colony recently named as one of the “Top 25 Art Destinations in the Country” by American Style Magazine, offers eclectic charm comfortably offset by casual sophistication. Peppered with bed & breakfasts, galleries, historical attractions, restaurants and nightlife along Main Street and

BYOBs Rock!
Philly eaters’ favorite four-letter word? BYOB. The letters stand for bring-your-own-bottle, and that translates into big savings when you do the liquor shopping before heading out to the restaurant. BYOBs are usually smaller, friendlier neighborhood spots—and the city’s best-kept dining secrets. Italian bistros are the most common of

Food, Glorious Food:

1. Can’t decide between the chocolate peanut butter martini, White Cosmo, Miami Sky, Red Hot Mary or the dozen-or-so other specialty drinks at Red Sky Restaurant and Lounge? Now, guests don’t have to. They can order up to four different carafes, which contain two glasses each of

Want the inside scoop on Philly’s vintage clothing shops, classic books and records, ageless Philly attractions and even a quirky Philadelphia dining spot? Then download Vintage Philadelphia, the latest podcast tour on SoundAboutPhilly.com. Lauren McCutcheon, a local resident and author of A Virgin’s Guide to Everything, gives visitors a look

LOCATION: Center City, Philadelphia

TRANSPORTATION: By chauffeured limousine for royalty; by trolley, taxi or foot for others

TIME: Two days and two nights

SUMMARY: A luxurious weekend at Philadelphia’s upscale hotels, restaurants and attractions, as inspired by Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of

While Philadelphia’s best-known visitor attractions are linked to the past, the region is a destination with an exciting present—one that offers an incredible number of reasons for travelers to return soon and often. Research shows that many visitors first come to Philadelphia for its history, then once here, discover many

Autumn’s colors beckon visitors to the roads of the Philadelphia region for relaxed days of dining, shopping and outdoor exploration. With Center City as the starting point, visitors can hop in the car and spend four days exploring each of the city’s distinct and lush countryside regions: Bucks, Chester, Delaware

Laid out into a neat grid by city planner William Penn, Philadelphia naturally lends itself to smart design. Visitors can wander from the glittering Avenue of the Arts to the workaday Italian Market and from the cozy cobblestone streets of Old City to the industrial and hip sidewalks of Northern

 For every person on the holiday gift list who just so happens to have everything, Philadelphia offers loads of presents guaranteed to be thoroughly thoughtful and completely unique. Here are 50 ideas perfect for the hard-to-buy-for brother, boyfriend, wife, grandmom, boss or best friend. They’re all reasonably priced between $10

This holiday season, Philadelphia’s making it easy for shoppers to stay within budget thanks to an online gift guide featuring 50 thoroughly thoughtful and completely unique presents priced between $10 and $100. Beginning November 21, the gift guide, along with a customized Google Map featuring all 50 shops (sortable by

Couples seeking to sweeten up their sweeties with chocolate this Valentine’s Day have many delectable choices in Philadelphia and The Countryside. For starters, every weekend in February, Chaddsford Winery is inviting couples to sample sweet wines paired with chocolate from nearby Eclat Chocolate. And, when it comes to wine,

Those looking to give truly unique gifts this holiday season will find plenty of inspiration in Philadelphia, where vintage finds are easy to come by. Across the city, fashion-conscious and environmentally aware shop owners offer the coolest in reconstructed, reformed and recycled merchandise and ensure that their client’s purchases stand

From queer gear to trendy housewares and mid-century furniture, Philadelphia’s nine-block “Gayborhood” offers a diverse shopping experience for visitors. Located within the city’s hip Midtown Village neighborhood, the gay-owned and gay-friendly boutiques and stores share the streets with lively restaurants, bars and clubs. But, best of all, clothing shopping in

Every city has its hidden gems, but without a local guide, it can be tough to find them. Philly is no exception — in fact, this city is full of surprises you won’t find in the official guidebooks, like the vintage stores in Northern Liberties or the authentic Polish eateries

Real shoppers know museums are more than repositories of cultural exhibitions: museums, they know, make for excellent retail, and Philadelphia’s museums are no exception. With its amazingly dense array of distinguished, distinctive cultural centers, the Philadelphia area offers, by extension, seriously great shopping. In Philly, holiday shoppers can find Latin

Philadelphia’s melting pot of merchants offers a tempting array of authentic and African-inspired clothing, accessories, home décor, music and other items, making it easy for visitors to immerse themselves in the city’s African experience. And, with no sales tax on clothing in Pennsylvania, indulging in an African shopping spree here

Nearly 300,000 students are dusting off their laptops as they return to classes at the Philadelphia region's 80-plus colleges and universities this month. Just because notebooks and "office hours" have replaced bathing suits and beach weekends, that doesn't mean the fun has to end. Philadelphia has plenty to offer the

Philadelphia’s independence doesn’t stop at its famous cracked bell. Today, the city’s entrepreneurs run boutiques that reflect their personal styles, design clothing and accessories for internationally renowned stores and craft furniture that fills the homes of the region—and the country. Philadelphia boasts tip-top design schools, a burgeoning gallery scene, a

The nation’s tallest “green” building—located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Center City business district—is now welcoming its first commercial tenants and unofficially ushering in the next active phase of sustainable living, working and playing in Philadelphia. The 57-story Comcast Center, also the tallest building between New York and Chicago, is

Long known for its history, more recently known for its overall hipness, the Philadelphia region is an undiscovered treasure trove for bargain-priced vintage garments and accessories. Even famed fashion designer Tory Burch agrees: “Philadelphia is great for vintage shopping. My favorite store is Retrospect. I can always find something unique,

Girlfriends visiting Philadelphia can pack a lot into a few days. They can visit classic landmarks such as the Liberty Bell Center and also take in the region’s best restaurants, shops, nightclubs, museums and African American heritage sites, including the Marian Anderson House. To download the itinerary, gal pals

Philadelphia comes by its independent spirit naturally—and so do Philadelphia’s stylish independently owned and operated shops. Bustling Old City in Historic Philadelphia has become renowned for its chic boutiques and mod galleries. In industrial and hip Northern Liberties, it’s shelter shops and craft galleries. And in upscale Rittenhouse, refined and

It’s the first time in 15 years that a major exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s art has toured the U.S., and from February 20 through May 18, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the only East Coast museum where art lovers can view her groundbreaking paintings. Those who would like to

If you’re in town covering the presidential primaries and you’re looking for a diversion, Philly has plenty of them to help pass the time. Consider this your condensed guide to some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping districts, attractions, nightspots, events and more. For more suggestions, visit gophila.com. And when