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Nov 3 2008

10 Reasons To Visit Philadelphia Now

Historic Sites, Delicious Meals, Trendy Shops, Arts Galore

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 drive of a quarter of the U.S. population. Need to know more? Here are 10 reasons why Philly is worth a visit now:

 

  1. Affordability: When it comes to visiting Philadelphia, some of the best things to do and see are free—or close to it. The city’s many low-cost or no-cost attractions include Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, Betsy Ross House, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, National Liberty Museum and Linvilla Orchards. Those interested in dining on a budget should head straight to one of the region’s more than 200 bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) restaurants, where they can drink exactly what they want without draining the budget. And when it comes to booking a hotel stay, gophila.com is the place for packages and deals. The most popular of the site’s offerings is the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, featuring two-night hotel accommodations, free parking (a savings of around $75 at most Center City hotels), a Philly’s More Fun® teddy bear and a Philadelphia Privileges coupon book. The package is available at more than 30 hotels.
  2. Accessibility: Philadelphia is two hours from New York City, three hours from Washington D.C. and one hour from Atlantic City. Getting to the region is easy—whether it’s by car, plane, train or bus. And once here, getting around is even easier. Center City is simply navigated by foot and makes up just 25 blocks from west to east—a stretch filled with three centuries of architecture. It’s no more than an hour drive to the nearby countryside—made up of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties—where scenic views, lush gardens and quaint towns paint the landscape.
  3. History: Historic Philadelphia is home to many of the most significant historic sites in the U.S. From the original Independence Hall to the modern National Constitution Center, each place plays a pivotal role in telling the story of the nation’s humble but heroic beginnings. It was on the streets of Historic Philadelphia where George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers conversed, debated and ultimately formed a new nation. And in the nearby countryside, the story evolves even more at Valley Forge National Historical Park, Washington Crossing State Park and other not-to-be missed historic sites.
  4. Arts & Culture: Were Ben Franklin, the city’s first museum patron, to come back to 21st-century Philadelphia, he would marvel at what he started. Philly’s museums are small and massive, historic and modern, interactive and exclusive, eccentric and unexpected—and together they count millions of art works, specimens, artifacts, scientific instruments and books as part of their collections. There are grand places such as The Franklin Institute Science Museum, The Academy of Natural Sciences and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and those that are intimate, like the Rosenbach Museum & Library, the National Liberty Museum and the Wharton Esherick Museum. There are the irreverent, like The Philadelphia Insectarium, and the specialized, like the Philadelphia Athletics Museum.
  5. Restaurants: Philadelphia is a true diner’s destination, one that dozens of national food magazines have praised over the years. In fact, Saveur magazine recognized the city as “the most underrated American food town.” What makes the region such a well-recognized foodie town? That’s easy: the bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) phenomenon; outdoor cafes; the wide variety of local farm-fresh ingredients available to chefs; couples in the kitchen; and big-name and rising-star chefs and restaurateurs, including Stephen Starr, Georges Perrier, Marc Vetri, Jose Garces, Eric Ripert and more.
  6. Nightlife: Carpe Nightem! Most well known for its historic charm and iconic attractions, Philadelphia is reinventing itself as a late-night city thanks to the increasing numbers of residents, visitors, college students and businesses populating the downtown area in recent years. Philadelphia’s easily accessible Center City and its close-by neighborhoods offer a variety of pubs, lounges, clubs, concert halls and live entertainment venues to please young and older, gay and straight, couples and singles and the budget-conscious and money-is-no-object crowds seven days a week.
  7. Tax-free Shopping: Philadelphia comes by its independent spirit naturally—and so do Philadelphia’s stylish independently owned and operated shops. Bustling Old City in Historic Philadelphia is 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 sophisticated rules. Even the city’s suburbs subvert sameness with shops owned and operated by independent individuals. Inside each store, owners are steadfast fixtures, offering customers the latest looks—and an old-fashioned level of personal service. And for those who prefer mall shopping instead, Philadelphia delivers with the largest mall on the East Coast—the upscale King of Prussia Mall—and major outlet centers such as Franklin Mills and Philadelphia Premium Outlets. Best of all, clothing shopping in Pennsylvania is tax-free.
  8. Sports: Philadelphia fans have known joy—especially in 2008 with the World Series-winning Phillies—heartache, anger and exultation in their hundred-plus years of living with professional sports teams. In fact, the city’s passionate fans are a huge part of Philadelphia’s juicy sports story. Philly is one of the few cities with a professional franchise in all four major league sports, in addition to having a professional men’s indoor soccer team and a professional men’s lacrosse team. Most of Philadelphia’s pro teams play within a few miles of Center City at the Wachovia Center (basketball and hockey); the new Lincoln Financial Field (football); and the new Citizens Bank Park (baseball), making it easy for resident and visiting sports fans to catch the all of the action.
  9. Towns of the Countryside: The counties outside of Philadelphia have grown into destinations distinct from the nearby city thanks to preservation of the towns’ assets that did not compromise their important history and friendly atmosphere. The small cities that make up Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties each offer a distinct experience and together create an area packed with only-found-here restaurants, bars, shops, museums, histories sites, theaters, gardens, galleries and more.
  10. Hotels on gophila.com: Philly’s More Fun When You Sleep Over®, and the region’s many hotel options make it easy to find the right place at the right price—whether it’s a five-diamond luxury hotel, a family-friendly suite or a cozy B&B. In the city, many hotels are in restored landmark buildings. In the countryside, Revolutionary-era and Victorian town homes and cottages populate the landscape. On gophila.com, visitors can find an assortment of themed packages and hotel deals, including the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package—one of the site’s most popular offers—complete with a two-night stay, free parking and more (full details in Affordability section).

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit gophila.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

 

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Attached Media

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge National Historical Park

The National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge was constructed in 1914 to honor George Washington and his troops, who endured bitter winter months here during the American Revolution....

Credit: Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Tags: History, Museums & Attractions, Parks & Gardens

The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute, the oldest organization in the United States devoted to the study and promotion of mechanical arts and applied sciences, houses an interactive museum of science and technology. The popular Giant Heart features hands-on interactive devices used to explain various scientific concepts....

Credit: Photo courtesy of The Franklin Institute Science Museum

Tags: Family-friendly, Museums & Attractions

The Academy of Natural Sciences

The Academy of Natural Sciences

The Academy of the Natural Sciences in Philadelphia offers four floors of exhibitions and activities, at the center of which is Dinosaur Hall, home to a Giganotosaurus fossil as large as a city bus....

Credit: Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Tags: Family-friendly, Museums & Attractions

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art

From the Schuylkill River, the Philadelphia Museum of Art rises majestically at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Constructed of Minnesota Dolomite and completed in 1928, the museum covers 10 acres and houses more than 300,000 works spanning 2,000 years....

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Architecture, Arts & Culture, Icons, Museums & Attractions

National Liberty Museum

National Liberty Museum

The Flame of Liberty, a 20-foot-tall pillar of crimson glass tendrils by famed artist Dale Chihuly, is one of the many exhibitions celebrating America’s heritage of freedom at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia....

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: History, Museums & Attractions

Citizens Bank Park

Citizens Bank Park

A highlight of any Phillies game at the 43,500-seat Citizens Bank Park is the neon Liberty Bell that sits 100 feet above street level and rings when the home team hits a home run....

Credit: Photo by M. Kennedy for GPTMC

Tags: Family-friendly, Sporting Events, Summer