Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

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 beyond, New Hope is as enchanting now to the diverse crowds that peruse its streets—from bikers to the GLBT crowd—as it was to so many eminent figures of yesterday. Here are some of the many ways to spend a day or a weekend in town:

Things To Do:

• New

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 from all over the country. Here are a few suggestions for spending time in West Chester:

Things To Do:

• Chester County Historical Society – An award-winning History Center, workshops and walking tours tell the American story from a local perspective, and the Cultural Center houses a performing arts venue

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 located shopping district. Here are some suggestions for a trip to the town:

Things To Do:

• The Media Theatre – Housed in an old vaudeville theater, The Media Theatre stages a full season of mainstream Broadway musicals, children’s programming and more. 104 E. State Street, (610) 891-0100, mediatheatre.org
• Pennsylvania

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 movie and progressive dinner through three restaurants the first Thursday of each month. A look at how to spend a day or a weekend in Ambler:

Things To Do:

• Act II Playhouse – For more than a decade, the Act II Playhouse has put on award-winning shows in its

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

LOCATION: Center City and South Philadelphia

TRANSPORTATION: On foot, by taxi or car

DURATION: Two nights and two days

When the ego-driven characters of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia aren’t arguing and scheming in Paddy’s Pub, they’re creating scenes all over the city of Philadelphia. Fall 2009 brings the fifth season of the Philadelphia-set show: What better time to explore the city where The Gang—Charlie, Sweet Dee, Dennis, Mac and Frank—have done everything from cracking the Liberty Bell to running the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps Rocky Balboa-style.

NIGHT ONE:
Humor is

There’s always a ton of fun and fabulous things to do on any given night in Philadelphia—hip bars, luxurious lounges, indie rock haunts and electric clubs. But visitors looking for more variety in the nightlife scene have plenty of choices as well, such as dance lessons, drag shows, movie showings, museum happy hours and free concerts. What’s more, many of the options are low-priced or free, and with 80 valuable hotel packages available on gophila.com/withlove, including the two-night Philly Overnight® Hotel Package that includes free hotel parking, visitors can spend a couple nights (or more) sampling the region’s many

As daylight turns to twilight, Historic Philadelphia turns hip and happening with after-hours fun for the under-21 and over-21 sets. From early evening until the wee, small hours, the area situated between Front and 7^th Streets and Race and Spruce Streets buzzes with family-friendly evening fun and sizzles with decidedly grown-up theaters, nightclubs and dance spots. Find more on the latest happenings, musical performances and theatrical offerings at gophila.com. And, for half-price tickets to arts and cultural events, visit phillyfunguide.com.

Family-friendly Activities:

• 1776: Interactive Movie Musical – The whole family can star in this hysterical, historical classic

Restaurants, Bars And Entertainment:

• Abner’s of University City – Abner’s has been a part of the Philly college experience for more than 20 years, serving up cheesesteaks, gyros, pizza and more to hungry students until the wee hours of the morning. 3813 Chestnut Street, (215) 662-0100, abnerscheesesteaks.com
• Abyssinia Restaurant & Bar – Voted the number one ethnic restaurant in the city, Abyssinia cooks up savory and authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a neighborhood packed with African dining destinations. 229 S. 45^th Street, (215) 387-2424
• Ajia Japanese Fusion – With an all-you-can-eat menu, Japanese restaurant Ajia places a strong emphasis

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

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 venture, which features a ceviche bar, lounge and gold-resin communal table. 707 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-5555, chifarestaurant.com
• Chloe – This tiny bring-your-own bottle (BYOB) spot offers New American cuisine with innovative flair in a comfortable, neighborhood setting. 232 Arch Street, (215) 629-2337, chloebyob.com
• City Tavern – Revolutionary renditions of 18

Gay and lesbian travelers eager to get their “history straight” and “nightlife gay” will find an eclectic mix of fun and fabulous happenings in Philadelphia and The Countryside® throughout the year. Dance parties, drag shows, pride parades and cultural events are among the offerings for gay travelers in 2009. Here’s a look:

Fun Seven Days A Week:

• Woody’s Bar is the quintessential gay hot spot in Philadelphia. With two sprawling floors, including a friendly downstairs bar and packed upstairs dance floor, there’s plenty of man-on-man action seven days a week. 202 S. 13^th Street, (215) 545-1893, woodysbar.com
• Every

Thanks to its “City of Brotherly Love” and “Place That Loves You Back” monikers and the iconic Love sculpture that anchors Center City’s Love Park, Philadelphia has long been identified with that most euphoric of emotions. It should come as no surprise that hundreds of singles-friendly attractions across the region attract those on the search for love.

Singles visiting the region this winter can take advantage of the popular Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, which comes with an extra incentive this season thanks to the new Love campaign. As always, the two-night offer, available at more than 30 hotels throughout the

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

Looking to enjoy a sophisticated evening on the town that’s away from the fast pace of big city life? Searching for refined haute cuisine amidst the serenity of the countryside? In the mood to sample new wines while gazing at the stars? Philadelphia’s nearby suburbs boast a welcome combination of artsy entertainment venues, chic lounges, fine dining restaurants and casual pubs. Here’s a look at four very different Philadelphia counties with all sorts of options for play after dark:

ITINERARY ONE: BUCKS COUNTY

For A Delicious Dinner: In Doylestown, enjoy a first class meal at Honey Restaurant, a warm bistro

For those who want a night on the town that includes pulsating music and packed clubs, Philadelphia can deliver. But the city can also satisfy those who prefer bowling and billiards to high heels and hip-hop. A slew of local comedy clubs, bowling alleys, theaters, ice skating rinks and sporting venues offer a fun night out for families, friends and couples of all ages. The following are just a few suggestions:

Bowl:

• Far from a typical bowling alley, the Center City outpost of the L.A.-based chain Lucky Strike Lanes features upscale eats, a VIP lounge and 24 lanes for

With dozens of venues cultivating and showcasing live music throughout Philadelphia, it’s no wonder that Rolling Stone magazine’s 2007 Hot List calls the city a "hot scene" for music. It’s a city that has produced such artists as Chubby Checker, Hall & Oates and Patti LaBelle, and more recently, The Roots, Circa Survive, The Dead Milkmen, Will Smith, Eve and Pink. Here’s a look at where these musicians are getting their start or showing the world that they’ve made it:

All That Jazz:

• Hosting live jazz performances six nights a week, Chris’s Jazz Café offers drink specials, discounts (and

On any night of the week, there are countless things to do after dark in Philadelphia. From an upscale happy hour at a renowned museum to movies with a side of beer to cabarets with a little of everything, nights in Philly fit any mood. Here is a sample of regular prime time happenings:

Culture, Pop And Otherwise:

• Movie Mondays – For a dose of beer and pop culture, movie buffs head to the Trocadero, an old burlesque theater that hosts live music the rest of the week. The paltry $3 concession minimum sure beats normal ticket prices, and

On the heels of a successful first year, uwishunu®, a two-year marketing initiative promoting Philly primarily through new media and Web 2.0 tools, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) is responding to the uwishunu.com audience’s interest in original content with the debut of three new Web video series. In addition, a new video category on the blog will make it easier for viewers to watch their favorite uwishunu shows online.

The blog’s first Web TV series IllaDates paved the way for IllaNights, following local comedian Anton Shuford on his escapades from one Philadelphia nightspot to the next.

In addition to her career as a groundbreaking surrealist painter, Frida Kahlo was a dedicated cook and food enthusiast. So with the first major Kahlo exhibition in 15 years making its only East Coast venue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from February 20 to May 18, 2008, it is only fitting that visitors continue the celebration of Kahlo’s life and the culture that inspired her with a visit to one of the region’s many Mexican restaurants. South-of-the-border specialties can be found across the city’s neighborhoods and the outlying countryside, running the gamut from delicate huitlacoche custard and hominy and

Pass the Popcorn
Got a movie jones? You can catch something on the big screen every night in Philadelphia, not just in the local cineplexes, but also in dark corners of restaurants and bars, grand old auditoriums and luxury theaters. Scores of hipsters stream in for a dose of beer and pop culture on Monday movie night at The Trocadero. The paltry $3 admission at this old burlesque theater that hosts live music the rest of the week not only gets you in the door, but also includes a drink or snack. If you’d rather be on the other