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Nov 11 2008

Holiday Shopping Philly Style

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 your to-do list into a fun two-day retail marathon exploring Philadelphia’s independent boutiques, upscale malls and trendy fashion districts. With the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, you can save big bucks on parking fees, and with no tax on clothing, you’ll pocket enough cash to spring for a little extra something for yourself.

NIGHT ONE:
I’ll Take It
5:00 p.m. – Pull into your hotel and start thinking about how you are going to spend the $75 you just saved on free parking with the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package. First stop on your retail romp is Old City, where you’ll find dozens of indie boutiques, specialty shops and galleries. For the oenophiles on your list, Pinot stocks every accessory and gadget a wine aficionado could want. Pick up a solar-powered backpack and phone/iPOD/laptop recharger at the Big Green Earth Store, which stocks hip, eco-friendly gifts made from recycled products. For affordable ladies and men’s accessories, make your next stop j. karma boutique or Fivi, then dash across the street to see what threads costume-designer-turned-boutique-owner Sevilla Smith has on the racks. And pick up edgy wristwatches, T-shirts or designer denim for your favorite guy at Deep Sleep. Most of the shops are open until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, but some keep ringing up sales until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.

Global Gastronomy
8:00 p.m.
– By now you’ll be famished, and since Old City is restaurant central, all you have to do is decide on a cuisine—American favorites at Triumph Brewing Company, continental cuisine at Fork, sushi at Zento, Spanish tapas at Amada or Korean barbecue at Meju—and savor the flavors and aromas that waft across your table.

10:00 p.m. – Celebrate your shopping success with a Buzz Aldrin, Dean Martini or Orchid Martini, just three of The Continental’s many signature cocktails. For a quiet spot where you can plot the next day’s shopping strategy, perch yourself at the bar at Positano Coast, sip on a glass of Prosecco and enjoy the wrap-around views of Old City.

DAY ONE:
A Brunch-able Feast
9:00 a.m.
– Serious shopping requires stamina, and stamina requires a good breakfast. Start your day with savory crepes, salads and fresh-squeezed juice at Creperie Beau Monde, a French-style bistro in the city’s hip South Street district, or hearty omelets and buttermilk pancakes at Sabrina’s Café in the legendary Italian Market.

Malls, Meals and Main Street
10:00 a.m.
– Now the fun begins. Rev up the car because your next stop is the jaw-droppingly large King of Prussia Mall. In addition to Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom’s, there are more than 400 shops with a dizzying array of up-to-the-minute merchandise. Beef up your favorite music-lover’s sound system with accessories from Bose, outfit your favorite metrosexual with designs from Hugo Boss, inspire your favorite youngster’s creativity with a kit from the Lego Store or treat your favorite glamazon to an Hermes scarf or Louis Vuitton handbag.

1:00 p.m. – If you and your credit cards need a change of scenery, stop by Main Street in Manayunk on your way back into the city. The former mill town neighborhood has evolved into one of the city’s trendiest shopping areas. But before you hit the stores, hit one of the cafés or restaurants for lunch. Grab a quick salad and wrap at The Couch Tomato Café, or cozy up to a bowl of homemade soup, seared tuna or grilled shrimp burrito at Derek’s Restaurant, a Manayunk mainstay.

Now that you’re recharged, you can start charging again. All that glitters really is gold at Gary Mann Design, specializing in custom jewelry, estate pieces and mezuzahs that are works of art. Give the get-up-and-go types on your list a stylish new look with top-quality running wear, yoga attire, gym bags and other gear at SportsWorks. You’ll be the toast of any holiday dinner when you show up bearing gifts from Nicole Miller for her or Senor, a men’s clothier with style to spare, for him. And since there is still a little wiggle room on your credit card, treat yourself with a pair of cozy pajamas or lacy lingerie at Touchables, The Bra Store or pop into Style of Man for a custom haircut that’ll make you look like a whole new man.

NIGHT TWO:
Dinner Is Served
6:00 p.m.
– All that shopping really does take it out of you, but the chefs in University City have culinary tricks up their sleeves that will get you back in the holiday spirit. Named one of the best new restaurants by Esquire Magazine, Rae restaurant in the dazzling Cira Centre mixes modern American cuisine with sleek modern styling—and a wine list that tops out at more than 200 selections.

If you’re more in the mood for bold and spicy, Distrito is your place. With 60 kinds of tequila for margaritas, more than 600 decorative masks, a dining booth made out of an old Volkswagen Beetle and an innovative chef who puts an unexpected spin on Mexican cuisine, it’s a party waiting to happen.

On Stage Tonight
9:00 p.m.
– Finish your night at World Cafe Live. The concert venue, named for the national NPR radio show that originates here, books all the names that are on your iPOD. The sound system is killer, and it’s a great place to pick up last-minute gifts for the music-lovers on your list.

For a more traditional performing arts experience, head to the Avenue of the Arts, otherwise known as Broad Street. Follow Elle’s Harvard adventures in Legally Blonde (December 2-7), or be dazzled with the Pennsylvania Ballet’s stunning new sets and costumes for their performances of Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (December 12-31). They are both at the Academy of Music, which is so elaborate you’ll have a hard time keeping your eyes on the stage.

Call It a Night With a Nightcap
11:00 p.m.
– Before turning in for the night, kick back and relax over a glass of wine and plate of artisanal cheeses at Tria.

DAY TWO:
Bubbly Brunch
10:00 a.m.
– Before you set out to finish your shopping, make time for brunch first. There’s a Parisian vibe going on over at Rouge on Rittenhouse Square. The glam nightspot is also a glam brunch spot where you can start your day with a farm-fresh omelet or signature Rouge burger.

Just a few steps away, the new Parc Brasserie is so reminiscent of Paris that the only thing missing is the Seine. As you sip on a Kir Royale, decide from among fluffy pancakes, oeufs however you like them, fruits de mer and other traditional French specialties.

Ready, Set, Retail
11:00 a.m.
– Now you’re ready for Rittenhouse Row. Stock up on stocking stuffers at Kiehl’s, MAC or Bluemercury cosmetics emporiums. If you’ve seen it in the style magazines, you’ll see it at Joan Shepp boutique with rack after rack of to-die-for designer clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. Knit Wit’s carefully edited selections from top American and European designers make it hard to choose, but it’s a safe bet you’ll find something you simply must add to your wardrobe, especially a dress for holiday get-togethers. If you still have names on your gift list, slip into Petulia’s Folly and choose from their sleek home furnishings, stylish women’s clothing, statement-making jewelry and trendy accessories. With holiday entertainment on your schedule, a trip to Details is in order so you can pick up invitations and thank-you notes crafted from handmade and imported paper. Then head to Kitchenette, a whimsical shop packed with unusual hostess gifts and everything you’ll need to be a hostess-with-the-mostest.

One Last Stop
2:00 p.m.
– Now that you’ve completed your gift list, reward yourself with a trip to Naked Chocolate Café. Here you’ll find chocolate in every form—candy, cakes, hot cocoa, cookies and a sipping chocolate that is so rich and thick, your spoon actually stands up straight.

ADDRESS BOOK

Pinot
227 Market Street
(215) 627-9463, pinotboutique.com

Big Green Earth Store
239 Market Street
(267) 909-8661, biggreenearthstore.com

j. karma boutique
62 N. 3rd Street
(215) 627-9625, jkarmaboutique.com

Fivi
138 N. 3rd Street
(215) 965-8685

Sevilla Smith
128 N. 3rd Street
(215) 629-5683

Deep Sleep
54 N. 3rd Street
(215) 351-9124, shopdeepsleep.com

Triumph Brewing Company
117 Chestnut Street
(215) 625-0855, triumphbrewing.com

Fork
306 Market Street
(215) 625-9425, forkrestaurant.com

Zento
138 Chestnut Street
(215) 925-9998, zentocontemporary.com

Amada
217 Chestnut Street
(215) 625-2450, amadarestaurant.com

Meju
213 Chestnut Street
(215) 238-9403, mejukorean.com

The Continental
138 Market Street
(215) 923-6069, continentalmartinibar.com

Positano Coast
212 Walnut Street
(215) 238-0499, lambertis.com

Creperie Beau Monde
624 S. 6th Street
(215) 592-0656, creperie-beaumonde.com

Sabrina’s Café
910 Christian Street
(215) 574-1599, sabrinascafe.com

Italian Market
9th Street between Fitzwater & Wharton Streets

King of Prussia Mall
Route 202 & Mall Boulevard
(610) 265-5727, kingofprussiamall.com

Neiman Marcus
170 N. Gulph Road
(610) 354-0500, neimanmarcus.com

Nordstrom
160 N. Gulph Road
(610) 265-6111, nordstrom.com

Bose
160 N. Gulph Road
(610) 962-0888, bose.com

Hugo Boss
160 N. Gulph Road
(610) 992-1177, hugoboss.com

Lego Store
160 N. Gulph Road
(610) 337-3203, lego.com

Hermes of Paris
160 N. Gulph Road
(610) 992-9730, hermes.com

Louis Vuitton
160 N. Gulph Road
(610) 992-0392, louisvuitton.com

The Couch Tomato Café
102 Rector Street
(215) 483-2233, thecouchtomato.com

Derek’s Restaurant
4411 Main Street
(215) 483-9400, dereksrestaurant.com

Gary Mann Design
4349 Main Street
(215) 482-7051, garymannjewelry.com

SportsWorks
4320 Main Street
(215) 487-0220

Nicole Miller
4249 Main Street
(215) 930-0307, nicolemillerphiladelphia.com

Senor
4390 Main Street
(215) 487-3667, senorcustom.com

Touchables, The Bra Store
4309 Main Street
(215) 487-7988

Style of Man
4448 Main Street
(215) 487-2820

Rae
2929 Arch Street
(215) 922-3839, raerestaurant.com

Distrito
3945 Chestnut Street
(215) 222-1657, distritorestaurant.com

World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut Street
(215) 222-1400, worldcafelive.com

Academy of Music
240 S. Broad Street
(215) 893-1935, academyofmusic.org

Tria
123 S. 18th Street
(215) 972-TRIA, triacafe.com

Rouge
205 S. 18th Street
(215) 732-6622

Parc Brasserie
227 S. 18th Street
(215) 545-2262, parc-restaurant.com

Kiehl’s
1737 Walnut Street
(215) 636-9936, kiehls.com

MAC
1427 Walnut Street
(215) 568-2282, maccosmetics.com

Bluemercury
1707 Walnut Street
(215) 569-3100, bluemercury.com

Joan Shepp
1616 Walnut Street
(215) 735-2666, joanshepp.com

Knit Wit
1718 Walnut Street
(215) 564-4760, knitwitonline.com

Petulia’s Folly
1710 Sansom Street
(215) 569-1344, petuliasfolly.com

Details
103 S. 18th Street
(215) 977-9559, detailsphiladelphia.com

Kitchenette
1120 Walnut Street
(215) 829-4949

Naked Chocolate Café
1317 Walnut Street
(215) 735-7310, nakedchocolatecafe.com

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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King of Prussia Mall

King of Prussia Mall

The Court at King of Prussia, located about 45 minutes from Center City Philadelphia, is part of one of the nation’s largest indoor shopping malls....

Credit: Photo courtesy of the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau

Tags: Shopping