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

Philadelphia is committed to the environment, as evidenced by Mayor Michael Nutter’s appointment of a director of sustainability in 2008. The position develops, implements and oversees the city’s environmental policies and initiatives to deliver the mayor’s promise to make Philadelphia the greenest city in America. The new position is just one of the latest efforts that shows the city’s commitment to reducing the region’s environmental impact.

In another pioneering venture for the city, the Greater Philadelphia Film Office (GPFO) will launch the second year of its initiative to encourage more eco-friendly practices during film production. The 2009 theme, Greener S.E.T.S.

• The second largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the United States, with a population of 1.4 million in Philadelphia and 3.9 million people residing in the five-county region.
• Thanks to founder William Penn, Philadelphia’s Center City follows an easy-to-navigate grid street design. The best ways to get around Center City are by foot, taxi or public transportation. The city’s lush and historic countryside is home to many areas of interest, including Valley Forge National Historical Park, Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine River Museum, the King of Prussia Mall, Chaddsford Winery and more. The farthest

Fashionistas in the midst of building their fall and winter wardrobes need look no further than Philadelphia, where a wide range of independent boutiques are wowing shoppers with urban chic apparel, street fashions and vintage finds—all available at affordable prices. In October alone, the style conscious can take in a slew of fashion events, including the first-ever Philadelphia Fashion Week, and hit the city’s hippest neighborhoods to shop for items by cutting-edge designers and young artists of color who are thriving here—despite challenging economic times. Many of these progressive thinkers operate businesses that reflect their international heritage and offer shoppers

Today, short getaways, in the form of weekend retreats and day trips, are more popular than ever. Philadelphia day spas and salons are on top of the trend, offering clients a variety of luxurious customized services designed to refresh both body and spirit, from a couple’s massage to hot-stone therapy and deep-tissue reflexology. The region is home to dozens of day spas and salons offering the latest in body treatments, relaxation therapy and beauty services. Here’s a sampling:

Spa/Salons:

• Adolf Biecker Spa/Salon, located in The Rittenhouse Hotel, offers a full menu of services and packages like “The Energizer,” an

Pet lovers are crazy about their animal companions and spend more than $40 billion a year in the U.S. on pet services and accoutrements to prove it. For those who love to spoil their pet but hate to leave him behind while traveling, the Philadelphia region proves to be the “purr-fect” getaway. Pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and retail shops welcome visitors and their animal companions in all sections of the city and its suburbs. From canine-friendly parks to Very Important Pet (VIP) hotel programs, the Philadelphia region makes it easy for visitors to bring their furry friends along for the ride.

Philadelphia’s gay culture is shimmering with a vibrant day and nightlife scene thanks to new restaurants and must-see shops, boutiques and galleries throughout the city. And while visitors are encouraged to get their history straight and their nightlife gay while visiting town, they’re also free to eat, drink and shop, shop, shop. Here’s a look at some of the newest gay-friendly spots in town:

Bars & Restaurants:

• At Bindi, a modern bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) Indian bistro, partners in business and life Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran use locally grown products and fresh drink mixes. The duo also own gourmet shop

Those interested in indulging in a few days of luxury and pampering should consider Philadelphia, where living the high life—even if it’s just an escape from today’s penny-pinching practices—is easier to obtain and more affordable than ever. A host of bargains, from prix-fixe dinners at elegant restaurants to overnight stays in five-star hotels to shopping deals at designer consignment boutiques, means visitors can save and still see the city and surrounding countryside in style. Below are just a few suggestions for a first-class visit to Philly:

High-Value Eats:

• The high-end lunches at Philadelphia’s premiere French fine-dining restaurant Le Bec-Fin

Shopping is fun. Shopping in indie and owner-operated boutiques that feature unusual wares and personalized service is even more fun, which means that shopping in Historic Philadelphia is a blast. With dozens of independently owned clothing, jewelry and home furnishings shops, the area between Front and 7^th Streets and Race and Spruce Streets is a shopper’s nirvana. Best of all, in Pennsylvania there is no sales tax on clothing and shoes, leaving room in the budget for that extra bauble. Here are just a few of the places where discerning shoppers can indulge in their favorite pastime:

Trendy Threads

Philly’s diverse retail scene is growing thanks to big names such as Barneys CO-OP and Juicy Couture, along with indie boutiques such as Zahra Saeed and JimmyStyle. Here’s a look at six shops where locals and visitors are finding fab fashions, hit-of-the-party gifts, fragrant flowers and hard-to-resist homeware:

Fab Fashions:

• Barneys CO-OP – Style-savvy Philadelphians are rejoicing at the arrival of this beloved source of Vena Cava dresses, Rag & Bone button-downs and denim galore (Seven For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Earnest Sewn, J Brand, Rogan, Current/Elliott and PRPS, among many others). In April 2009, noted Manhattan-based fashion

Name: Joan Shepp
Affiliation: Joan Shepp
Her Story: In 1971, the doyenne of Philadelphia vogue founded her eponymous shop with $100 and the credo: “Fashion is supposed to be fun.” In 1999, Shepp, who now works alongside daughter Ellen Shepp, moved the business from Philly’s burbs to a soaring, 22-foot-ceiling industrial-gallery-salon a block from Rittenhouse Square. Today, Joan Shepp the store proffers the conceptual fashion fruits of exclusive relationships with major international designers (Balenciaga, Yohji Yamamoto, Rick Owens, Ann Demeulemeester), “it” looks from Christian Louboutin, Marni, D&G and an ever-changing collection of prêt-a-porter garments, shoes and accessories from la mode’s

Some of the country’s most cutting-edge, indie boutiques operate within the historic neighborhoods of Philadelphia, and many of them maintain in-town exclusivity of their favorite local, national and international lines. Here’s where to go for fab frocks, must-have make-up, sky-high stilettos and luxurious lotions and potions within the city limits:

Hipster Labels:

• Vagabond – After nearly a decade, this Old City pioneer still scores top-level labels exclusively. It’s the only place in town that offers the shop owners’ own lines—knits by Stella pop and avant garde pieces by City of Brotherly Love—along with Scout, Ashley Watson, Slow and Steady

Restaurants/Cafes:

• 10 Arts by Eric Ripert – In this intimate space located inside the glitzy Ritz-Carlton, Chef Eric Ripert presents American cuisine with an emphasis on organic, locally grown ingredients. 10 S. Broad Street, (215) 523-8000, ritzcarlton.com/hotels/philadelphia
• Bindi – Guests enjoy the spices and full flavors of traditional Indian fare at this dimly lit bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot. Be sure to bring along your own rum or vodka to create Indian-inspired cocktails. 105 S. 13^th Street, (215) 922-6061, bindibyob.com
• Bliss – Chef Fabrizzio Pace puts diners in touch with their inner gourmand thanks to his menu of creative contemporary

Restaurants/Cafes:

• Alma de Cuba – Diners her enjoy dishes with a Cuban flair before topping the meal off with a chocolate Cuban cigar. Attentive service and knock-out décor make Alma de Cuba a highlight on Stephen Starr’s lengthy resume. 1623 Walnut Street, (215) 988-1799, almadecubarestaurant.com
• Barclay Prime – Stained wood finishing and a well-dressed crowd create an upscale atmosphere at this hotspot. And the finest filets and delicious drink concoctions help Barclay live up to the buzz. 237 S. 18^th Street, (215) 732-7560, barclayprime.com
• Butcher and Singer – This new Stephen Starr restaurant creates a niche all its

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

Culinary Delights From Around The World:

• A Full Plate Café – Co-owner Shannon Dougherty’s vegetarian influence is noticeable in the health-conscious menu, including the mac-and-cheese, utilizing multigrain pasta. Vegans, vegetarians and carnivores can all find something here. Plus, the drinks are served in mason jars. 1009 N. Bodine Street, (215) 627-4068, afullplate.com
• Bar Ferdinand – The bull’s in charge all over again at this Spanish-inspired tapas venue situated along Liberties Walk. Diners snack on small plates, sip vino and take in the scenery either indoors or out. 1030 N. 2^nd Street, (215) 923-1313, barferdinand.com
• Café Estelle – Brunch