Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

• 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

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

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,

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

LOCATION: Center City, Penn’s Landing and the Brandywine Valley

TRANSPORTATION: Foot, taxi and car

DURATION: Two days and two nights

Crisp starry skies…cozy firelight dinners…colorful twinkling lights. The holidays are here, and all around Philadelphia, romance is in the air. Time for

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

If your holiday gift list is long and your budget is small, fear not. Philadelphia shops offer loads of presents guaranteed to be thoroughly thoughtful and completely unique for all those difficult-to-buy-for people in your life—from your gourmet-loving girlfriend to your style-conscious co-worker. Here are 25 ideas that can satisfy

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

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

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

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

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

BYOBs Rock!
Philly eaters’ favorite four-letter word? BYOB. The letters stand for bring-your-own-bottle, and that translates into big savings when you do the liquor shopping before heading out to the restaurant. BYOBs are usually smaller, friendlier neighborhood spots—and the city’s best-kept dining secrets. Italian bistros are the most common of

Food, Glorious Food:

1. Can’t decide between the chocolate peanut butter martini, White Cosmo, Miami Sky, Red Hot Mary or the dozen-or-so other specialty drinks at Red Sky Restaurant and Lounge? Now, guests don’t have to. They can order up to four different carafes, which contain two glasses each of

Want the inside scoop on Philly’s vintage clothing shops, classic books and records, ageless Philly attractions and even a quirky Philadelphia dining spot? Then download Vintage Philadelphia, the latest podcast tour on SoundAboutPhilly.com. Lauren McCutcheon, a local resident and author of A Virgin’s Guide to Everything, gives visitors a look

LOCATION: Center City, Philadelphia

TRANSPORTATION: By chauffeured limousine for royalty; by trolley, taxi or foot for others

TIME: Two days and two nights

SUMMARY: A luxurious weekend at Philadelphia’s upscale hotels, restaurants and attractions, as inspired by Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of

While Philadelphia’s best-known visitor attractions are linked to the past, the region is a destination with an exciting present—one that offers an incredible number of reasons for travelers to return soon and often. Research shows that many visitors first come to Philadelphia for its history, then once here, discover many

Autumn’s colors beckon visitors to the roads of the Philadelphia region for relaxed days of dining, shopping and outdoor exploration. With Center City as the starting point, visitors can hop in the car and spend four days exploring each of the city’s distinct and lush countryside regions: Bucks, Chester, Delaware

 For every person on the holiday gift list who just so happens to have everything, Philadelphia offers loads of presents guaranteed to be thoroughly thoughtful and completely unique. Here are 50 ideas perfect for the hard-to-buy-for brother, boyfriend, wife, grandmom, boss or best friend. They’re all reasonably priced between $10

This holiday season, Philadelphia’s making it easy for shoppers to stay within budget thanks to an online gift guide featuring 50 thoroughly thoughtful and completely unique presents priced between $10 and $100. Beginning November 21, the gift guide, along with a customized Google Map featuring all 50 shops (sortable by

Those looking to give truly unique gifts this holiday season will find plenty of inspiration in Philadelphia, where vintage finds are easy to come by. Across the city, fashion-conscious and environmentally aware shop owners offer the coolest in reconstructed, reformed and recycled merchandise and ensure that their client’s purchases stand

Every city has its hidden gems, but without a local guide, it can be tough to find them. Philly is no exception — in fact, this city is full of surprises you won’t find in the official guidebooks, like the vintage stores in Northern Liberties or the authentic Polish eateries

Real shoppers know museums are more than repositories of cultural exhibitions: museums, they know, make for excellent retail, and Philadelphia’s museums are no exception. With its amazingly dense array of distinguished, distinctive cultural centers, the Philadelphia area offers, by extension, seriously great shopping. In Philly, holiday shoppers can find Latin

The nation’s tallest “green” building—located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Center City business district—is now welcoming its first commercial tenants and unofficially ushering in the next active phase of sustainable living, working and playing in Philadelphia. The 57-story Comcast Center, also the tallest building between New York and Chicago, is

Some of the city’s best chefs are bringing their culinary talents to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, for A Taste of Philadelphia, an opportunity to feast on fine cuisine at fast food prices. The event, a joint production of Sunoco Welcome America! and the

Girlfriends visiting Philadelphia can pack a lot into a few days. They can visit classic landmarks such as the Liberty Bell Center and also take in the region’s best restaurants, shops, nightclubs, museums and African American heritage sites, including the Marian Anderson House. To download the itinerary, gal pals