Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

As the first decade of the new millennium winds to a close, some of Philadelphia’s most venerated cultural and historical institutions are gearing up to spend the coming decade newly energized and outfitted for a tech-savvy, sophisticated new generation of visitors. Throughout Historic Philadelphia, Center City and Philadelphia’s countryside, tourist attractions are launching revolutionized technological experiences, adding thousands of square feet to their display areas, moving their collections both around the block and miles away and showcasing blockbuster art exhibitions. Collectively, they continue to tell the story of the citizens of Philadelphia, America and the world who seek to create

From his iconic life-sized portraits to compelling Jamaican landscapes, native son Barkley L. Hendricks’ works come to Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) for an exclusive fall engagement. Birth of the Cool is Hendricks’ first career retrospective, and from October 17 to January 3, art aficionados can visit the artist’s alma mater and browse nearly 60 interpretations of contemporary black identity. Plus, Philly’s wide range of exhibitions, performances and galleries offer fresh ideas to make it a long weekend. Visitors can book their stay at gophila.com, where they can also plan every detail of their trip. Here’s

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 2010*:

January:

• Thousands of decorative strutters kick off the New Year by marching up Broad Street in the festive day-long Mummers Parade that ends with the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. January 1, 2010. phillymummers.com

February:

• The Pennsylvania Convention Center is the site of the Philadelphia International Flower Show, the oldest and largest indoor show of its kind. The annual

A major art exhibition, a Puerto Rican parade and grassroots community events are all in the works for Philadelphia’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, taking place from September 15 to October 15, 2009. Those wishing to experience the culture and charisma of the city’s large Latino community will find plenty of fun events and activities to choose from throughout the month.

As part of the new With Love, Philadelphia XOXO™ tourism marketing campaign—a series of 60+ love letters addressed to travelers and penned by the city itself with a bit of Philly “atty-tude”—visitors who book one of the 80 featured packages

As summer’s high temperatures subside and leaves turn red, orange and yellow, Philadelphia and The Countryside® welcomes autumn with special exhibitions, Halloween haunts and all-ages annual events. Princess Diana, Jim Henson, Henri Matisse, George Washington Carver and Barkley L. Hendricks lead the lineup, which also includes Body Worlds 2 at The Franklin Institute Science Museum, tattoos galore at the Independence Seaport Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls, fall festivals and much more.

Fall Into A Philadelphia Hotel:
As part of the new With Love, Philadelphia XOXO™ campaign, fall-loving visitors who book one of the 80 featured packages

After exploring the Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy exhibition, appearing only in Philadelphia, only in 2009 (April 4 through September 7, 2009 at The Franklin Institute Science Museum), visitors are encouraged to spend a night or two and enjoy other exhibitions and events in the region. Here’s a look at what’s going on while Galileo’s in town:

Fun Art And Culture:

• The popular three-day West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival—now in its sixth year—features all types of jazz alongside visual artists, craft vendors and more. This year’s lineup features WAR, Jeffrey Osbourne, Average

When it comes to visiting Philadelphia, some of the best things to see and do are free—or close to it. For families and budget travelers eager to explore the region, that’s great news. Check out the city’s many low-cost or no-cost attractions, including historic Independence Hall, free student recitals at the Curtis Institute of Music, the hi-tech production line of Herr’s Potato Chip Factory and the always-colorful Mummers Museum.

Historical Sites:

• Snuggled behind the east wing of Independence Hall is Philosophical Hall, a brick building erected in the late 1780s that was the nation’s first museum, national library and

This summer’s Philadelphia Quest for Freedom will feature new programs, tours and exhibitions—including the brand-new permanent exhibition at The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia, 1776-1876—to give visitors a more exciting and in-depth view of African-American history in Philadelphia and in the United States’ early years than ever before.

Now in its third year, Philadelphia Quest for Freedom, part of a statewide initiative that brings the history of the Underground Railroad to the public’s attention, features several exhibitions that explore the breadth of the African-American experience in Philadelphia:

• Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia,

Travelers heading to Philadelphia this spring or summer will have a chance to immerse themselves in the region’s rich African-American history and culture thanks to an assortment of special events and exhibitions taking place in the city and beyond. During the course of both seasons, they can check out The African American Museum in Philadelphia’s brand-new permanent exhibition to learn about the experiences of African-Americans living in 18^th-century Philadelphia; groove to the sounds of The Roots, Public Enemy and other all-star groups at the second annual Roots Picnic; and examine their thoughts about skin color at RACE: Are

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 lot about great things to see and do that don’t cost a fortune. Here are some of my sentimental favorites:

Rittenhouse Square
When I miss my dad, I visit his memorial bench in one of the most loved green spots in the city, Rittenhouse Square. Here is the heart and

Summer 2009 in Philadelphia is gearing up to be festive, affordable and full of family-friendly fun. New exhibitions and attractions indoors and out let visitors explore the stars, walk along the treetops, frolic in cooling waters and come face-to-face with historic figures. Free activities, including mural tours, historic storytelling and a multi-day celebration of America’s birthday are delightful ways to stretch a budget. And with dozens of packages available at hotels throughout the region and on gophila.com, including the affordable two-night Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, visitors can enjoy maximum fun with minimum funds.

Here’s a look at what’s happening in

Historical Sites And Attractions:

• Wannabe sailors can spend the night in the nation’s most decorated battleship, the Battleship New Jersey, and take tours of the officers’ and crew’s mess halls, communications center and high-tech command center. 62 Battleship Place, Camden, (856) 877-6262, battleshipnewjersey.org
• The nation’s most famous seamstress, credited with the creation of the first American flag, stitched her way into history in the small workroom on display at the Betsy Ross House. Throughout the summer, Betsy strolls the courtyard to meet and greet visitors. 239 Arch Street, (215) 686-1252, betsyrosshouse.org
• Penny-pinchers and spendthrifts alike cash in on the

Philadelphia celebrates African-American history 365 days a year, but things really heat up in February when the region’s museums, arts and cultural organizations and historic sites recognize Black History Month. One of the highlights of the city’s 2009 celebration is sure to be America I AM: The African American Imprint, Tavis Smiley’s new show at the National Constitution Center that celebrates nearly 500 years of African and African-American contributions to the U.S.

Those celebrating Black History Month in the region this winter can take advantage of the long three-day weekend (February 14-16) and the popular Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, which

Spanish-speaking visitors to Philadelphia can feel truly welcomed at many of the region’s tourist attractions, thanks to a wealth of bilingual docents, translated audio guides and multi-lingual written materials. In 2007, approximately six percent of Philadelphia’s domestic visitors were of Hispanic origin. Because of this influx, the region’s historical and cultural highlights are busy making accommodations so that their Spanish-speaking guests don’t have to miss out on anything.

Historical Interpretation:

• Independence Visitor Center (IVC) – The best place to launch a visit to Philadelphia is at the IVC, where multilingual concierge staff can assist with all of a visitor’s

Now Playing:
Survival Of The Fittest
The bicentennial of the birth of Charles Darwin prompted Philadelphia to name April 2008 through May 2009 the Year of Evolution. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology leads the pack in honoring the scientist’s birthday with its innovative exhibition Surviving: The Body of Evidence, on view through May 3, 2009. Visitors discover how the process of evolution impacts their daily lives. 3260 South Street, (215) 898-4000, museum.upenn.edu

Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial
January marks the 200^th year since the birth of literary master Edgar Allan Poe, and Philadelphia is celebrating

A full wallet is one of the countless reasons to Love Philadelphia. Some of the best things to see and do here are free—or close to it—which is great news for families and budget travelers eager to explore the region. Check out the city’s many low-cost or no-cost attractions, including historic Independence Hall; free student recitals at the Curtis Institute of Music; the hi-tech production line of Herr’s Potato Chip Factory; and the always-colorful Mummers Museum.

The budget-conscious visiting the region this winter can take advantage of the popular Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, which comes with an extra incentive this

Travelers heading to Philadelphia this winter or spring will have a chance to immerse themselves in the region’s rich African-American history and culture thanks to an assortment of special events and exhibitions taking place in the city and beyond. During the course of both seasons, they can celebrate nearly 500 years of achievements by Africans and African-Americans at the National Constitution Center, see the intricate patterns of handmade quilts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and celebrate black writers at Art Sanctuary’s 25^th Annual Black Writing Festival. Then, as spring thaws, the best distinctly Philadelphia festivals take to the

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 Philadelphia Museum of Art—and the world debut of Tavis Smiley’s America I AM: The African American Imprint at the National Constitution Center lead the pack of nine notable names visiting the region in the coming year. Here’s a look at the exhibitions and events making 2009 a year of

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

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 up Broad Street in the festive day-long Mummers Parade that ends with the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. January 1, 2009. phillymummers.com
• Making its world debut in Philadelphia, America I AM: The African American Imprint celebrates African-American contributions across 400 years of American history at the National