Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

It’s the time of year when visitors wander the cobblestone streets of Historic Philadelphia and ask the question, are they or aren’t they…haunted. Halloween offers lots of “Poe-tential” for literary encounters with spooky characters, as well as family-friendly ghosts and goblins who some think still inhabit the centuries-old neighborhood.

Halloween

Calling all military personnel. Philadelphia, the city where the U.S. Army, Navy and Marines were all founded, invites the military and their families to have some fun in America’s birthplace while taking advantage of tours and special offers available to them, now through Veterans Day. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing

The following itinerary is available on gophila.com.

LOCATION: Historic Philadelphia, Centennial District, Bucks County, Kennett Square and Camden, New Jersey

TRANSPORTATION: Foot, taxi, bus or car

DURATION: Four days and four nights

This summer, forgo the same old family vacation in favor of a fun and—dare we say—educational trip

This summer, Historic Philadelphia is home to brand-new attractions, activities and events, including the provocative new exhibition at The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia, 1776-1876. After undergoing an extensive renovation, the city’s premier African-American museum will unveil its stunning permanent display on Juneteenth

2009 is going to be a blockbuster year in Philly thanks to nine big-name events and exhibitions focusing on leaders in art, history, literature, science and beer. Two only-in-Philadelphia exhibitions—Galileo, The Medici and The Age of Astronomy at The Franklin Institute Science Museum and Cézanne and Beyond at the

Art lovers, garden enthusiasts, film connoisseurs and sports fans keep coming back year after year for festivals, sporting events, art shows, parades and cultural events in Philadelphia. Here’s what’s going on in the region in 2009:

January 2009:

• Thousands of decorative strutters kick off the New Year by marching

Now Playing:
New $88 Million Children’s Museum
Taking kids to the Please Touch Museum® is a completely different experience since the museum moved to its new home in Fairmount Park in October 2008. Located in Memorial Hall—a National Historic Landmark built in 1876 for the Centennial Exhibition—the

This is a National Constitution Center press release.

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Once every four years, the entire nation

Population:
There are 3.9 million people residing in the five-county region (7.75 million in the Philadelphia Designated Market Area), making Philadelphia the second largest city on the East Coast and the sixth largest in the U.S.

Location:
Philadelphia is a two-hour drive from New York City, two-and-a-half hours

TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest online travel community, recently named Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park one of the top three patriotic attractions in the United States. The Web site’s travelers and editors also placed the Statue of Liberty in New York (#1) and the Freedom Trail in Boston (#2) at the

This summer’s Philadelphia Quest for Freedom will feature new programs, tours and exhibitions, including Black Hands, Blue Seas at the Independence Seaport Museum and Black Founders at the Library Company of Philadelphia, exploring the story of the region’s Underground Railroad and early African American history. Now in its second year,

When it comes to celebrating America’s birthday, Philly does July 4 like nowhere else. A highlight this year will be the real-life wedding of two re-enactors who portray Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross. The couple will be married in front of Independence Hall with Mayor Michael A. Nutter officiating and

Whoever said less is more sure wasn’t thinking about Fourth of July in Philadelphia and The Countryside®. When it comes to celebrating America’s birthday, America’s birthplace knows that more is better. In addition to the many free events that are part of the Sunoco Welcome America! celebration, the region is

The best place to celebrate America’s birthday is the place where it all started 232 years ago—at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. On Friday, July 4, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., Mayor Michael A. Nutter will lead the city’s Independence Day Ceremony, a commemorative event that pays tribute to the 18^th-century

Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross are getting married, and it’s happening in Philadelphia. In reality, Ralph Archbold, the city’s nationally recognized Ben Franklin re-enactor, fell in love with Linda Wilde, who often portrays Betsy Ross, and they decided to get married. The couple will exchange vows in a public ceremony

Visitors looking for an easy and affordable way to see history this summer need look no further than the FOX 29-sponsored Historic Philadelphia Trolley Loop, which began its second year of service on Saturday, May 3. Passengers can ride for just $2 per day and get on and off at

Openings:

• Please Touch Museum and Centennial District – When it opens on October 18, 2008, the children’s museum’s new location in Fairmount Park’s Memorial Hall—a National Historic Landmark built in 1876 for the Centennial Exhibition—will boast three times more space for exhibitions and programs. Just outside the museum,

Revelers in town for Sunoco Welcome America!, Philadelphia’s annual Independence Day celebration, can enjoy two evenings of free concerts during the festival, which runs from Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, July 6. Five-time Grammy winner John Legend will take the outdoor stage at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of

This is a Betsy Ross House press release.

It’s a grand old flag and there’s no better place to celebrate it than at the birthplace of our Stars and Stripes – Philadelphia’s very own Betsy Ross House, located in the heart of America’s most historic square mile. Flag Festival 2008,

Fans of John Adams, the seven-part television series about the second U.S. president now airing on HBO, can visit Philadelphia to see where this legendary figure made history. Not only will they have a quicker journey to the city than the Massachusetts rabble-rouser did in the late 1770s, but they’ll

Although radically changed over the past 10 years, Historic Philadelphia continues to evolve and improve to meet the needs of modern day visitors. Major enhancements to the area will continue far into the next decade and beyond. From beautified outdoor spaces to new historic attractions and cultural institutions, Historic Philadelphia’s

In Historic Philadelphia, some of the country’s most significant historic sites—many of which are free or low-cost, perfect for families and educational for all—share the neighborhood with trendy shops, modern restaurants and buzzing nightclubs. Affordable hotel packages with free parking and transportation options, including 50% off Amtrak, make a good

This summer and beyond, Philadelphia will reveal untold chapters in the nation’s history and bring new emphasis to the undertold stories of African-Americans, allowing visitors to hear a far more accurate rendition of the United States’ early years than ever before. Not only will storytellers throughout Historic Philadelphia add new

Throughout the year, Historic Philadelphia is a lively destination where visitors shop, dine and delve into America’s past. But from Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, July 6, the neighborhood where our nation was founded is transformed into celebration central for Sunoco Welcome America!, the city’s annual nine-day marathon celebrating America’s

For centuries, the historic land we now call Independence Mall has been known around the world as "America’s birthplace"—a proud designation it has earned for its role in the development of the guiding principles of the nation. But like the U.S. Constitution, Independence Mall has continuously evolved with time. Here’s

The area between Front to 7th Streets and Race to Spruce Streets encompasses distinctive and dynamic neighborhoods that together make up Historic Philadelphia. Here’s a look at what distinguishes these vibrant communities:

Independence National Historical Park:

Regarded as the nation’s most historic square mile, Independence National Historical Park tells

Long regarded as the birthplace of American democracy, Historic Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park (INHP) has been the site of many of the seminal events that carried the nation through its founding as a global leader of democratic ideals. But the Park hasn’t remained static in the nearly two-and-a-half centuries

Presidential politics have been simmering in Philadelphia since George Washington’s Executive Mansion was here in the 1790s. And, in 2008, as the race among Senators John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama heats up, the city offers a unique mix of presidential happenings that are affordable, educational and fun. After

Historic Philadelphia is home to many of the most significant historic sites in the country. From the original Independence Hall to the modern National Constitution Center, each place plays a pivotal role in telling the city’s—and the nation’s—story. Here is just a sampling of the don’t-miss attractions found here:

American

Presidential Power:

• Although it was Thomas Jefferson’s words on the Declaration of Independence, the script is Timothy Matlack’s, a failed businessman who bet on horses and was an ardent supporter of the colonists’ cause. His excellent penmanship earned him the honor.

• During the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793, George

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