Category Archives: News

Philadelphia is the 2023 Best City for Street Art

The city of Philadelphia has enjoyed yet another accolade having been named the 2023 Best City for Street Art by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

This designation recognizes that Philadelphia is home to thousands of vibrant outdoor murals, sculptures, statues, and public art pieces that are easily accessible for visitors and residents alike.

Philadelphia is widely recognised as the ”Mural Capital of the World” due to its vibrant and awe-inspiring public art scene. From towering masterpieces that adorn entire buildings to hidden gems tucked away in neighbourhood streets, Philadelphia’s mural art has become an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric, captivating residents and visitors alike.

USA Today cited the work of Mural Arts Philadelphia for helping to cement Philadelphia’s global reputation for street art. Since its inception in 1984, Mural Arts Philadelphia has overseen the creation of 4,400 works of public art, working tirelessly to bring together artists, communities and organisations to create stunning murals that transform public spaces and inspire dialogue.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the city’s street art on foot, by train, by trolley, bicycle or Segway, either guided by volunteers from Mural Arts Philadelphia or with the aid of a free smartphone app.

Philadelphia’s street art also won international praise in Michelin’s new Philadelphia destination guide, released earlier in 2023. “Few North American cities have shown such consideration to art and urban planning,” the Michelin Green Guide states. “Philly is practically an open-air museum. Everywhere you look are statues, porticos, Greek Revival or neoclassical pediments, museums.”

For more information on Philadelphia’s street art visit Discover Philadelphia.

ENDS-

For Further Press Information, please contact:

Anna Watt

[email protected]

07815 898995

About Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), www.discoverPHL.com, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Centre. The PHLCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organisation has divisions dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office appoints Greg Evans Consultancy as its new PR representation agency in the UK & Ireland

London, 18 July – The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, the official tourism office of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has officially appointed destination specialists The Greg Evans Consultancy, also trading as GEC, as its new PR representation agency in the UK & Ireland.

As part of the partnership, Greg Evans Consultancy will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic PR campaigns, fostering media relations, and raising awareness of Pennsylvania’s tourism offerings through targeted outreach to UK and Irish media outlets and influencers.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Pennsylvania Tourism Office to showcase the exceptional offerings this beautiful state has to offer,” said Greg Evans, Founder and Director of Greg Evans Consultancy. “Pennsylvania is a treasure trove of cultural, historical, and natural wonders, and we are excited to collaborate with the media to bring these stories to life and inspire visitors to explore all that the state has to offer.”

“We are delighted to partner with Greg Evans Consultancy to enhance our outreach efforts in the UK and Ireland,” said Michael Chapaloney, Pennsylvania Tourism Office Executive Director. “Their proven expertise and extensive network will be invaluable in promoting Pennsylvania as an exceptional destination for UK and Irish travellers.”

Pennsylvania offers a blend of history, natural beauty, cultural landmarks, family-friendly activities and diverse culinary offerings, making it an appealing destination for visitors. Key attractions include:

• Historic Philadelphia: the birthplace of the United States, is known for its rich history food and world-class museums.

• Amish Country: Lancaster County is famous for its Amish communities.

• Hershey: Known as “The Sweetest Place on Earth,” visitors can enjoy Hersheypark and explore attractions like Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey Gardens, and The Hershey Story Museum.

• Pittsburgh, a vibrant city offering a mix of history, culture, and outdoor activities. Explore the Andy Warhol Museum, Moonshot Space Museum, and Phipps Botanical Garden.

• Gettysburg: History buffs can visit this renowned Civil War battlefield where the Battle of Gettysburg took place in 1863.

• Pocono Mountains offer scenic beauty, hiking trails, waterfalls, and opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities.

• Presque Isle State Park offers sandy beaches, boating, fishing, birdwatching, and hiking trails on the shores Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes.

• York County: the “Snack Food Capitol of the World.”

• Lehigh Valley: attractions include the Crayola Experience, the National Museum of Industrial History and Martin Guitar.

• Butler: go back in time in Harmony, a town formed by Europeans looking for religious freedom.

• PA Fun Facts: The state boasts 124 free state parks, 19 National Parks, 400+ craft breweries, 300+ wineries, and bounty of botanical gardens. Plus it offers Tax-free shopping for clothing and shoes.

To learn more about Visit Pennsylvania and explore the state’s attractions, visit www.visitPA.com.

ENDS

About Greg Evans Consultancy
Greg Evans Consultancy is a leading marketing and consulting firm specializing in the travel and tourism industry. With a proven track record of success, the consultancy offers innovative strategies, digital solutions, and branding expertise to destinations worldwide. Their mission is to help clients elevate their brand presence, drive visitor engagement, and achieve long-term growth in the highly competitive travel industry.

Philadelphia Names Most Walkable City by USA Today

Philadelphia was named the 2023 Most Walkable City in the U.S by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards. The city was selected by a panel of travel experts and won based on reader votes.

“Philadelphia is consistently ranked amongst the nation’s most walkable cities and we are happy to see the city again receiving national recognition for its ease of access” said Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This award confirms what we already knew about Philadelphia – it is an accessible destination that is easy to navigate on foot, from river to river.”

The list of 20 competing cities was determined by a panel of travel experts, looking for walkable cities that offer many hotels, restaurants and attractions, all accessible to visitors by pedestrian-friendly streets. Philadelphia was voted number one by USA Today readers and members of the public after a 28-day voting period.

Above images courtesy of Visit Philadelphia, L to R: Independence Hall, Barnes Foundation and Old City

ENDS-

For Further Press Information, please contact:

Anna Watt

[email protected]

07815 898995

About Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Michelin Launches First Ever Philadelphia Guide

America’s founding city is the latest of just eight destinations in the United States to be selected by Michelin for inclusion in their distinguished collection of global guidebooks.

In June Michelin will be publishing its very first Philadelphia destination guide, highlighting the city’s top leisure travel experiences. The Michelin Green Guide includes unmissable attractions, restaurants, hotels and experiences in Philadelphia and The Countryside of Philadelphia.

Since 1900, the Michelin Guide has featured destinations around the globe and has long been recognized internationally as the most prestigious standard for restaurant and hotel recommendations.

The Philadelphia destination guide says the city “offers the perfect compromise between American excess and European spirit, not to mention all the appeal of a city packed with art, history, and a cultural effervescence few people expect.”

The editors name their standout recommendations, including biking the Schuylkill River Trail, exploring the city’s more than 4,000 public murals and marveling at the Philadelphia Orchestra. Of Philadelphia’s performing arts offerings, the guide boasts, “there’s no point in going to New York when the shows here are Broadway quality and offer all the zest and virtuosity of the typical American production.”

Notable Philadelphia residents offer their personal insight on what makes the city special, featuring Mural Arts founder and executive director Jane Golden and Philadelphia Orchestra music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

The guide editors also list their “top picks” for dining, including classic cheesesteak spots like Campo’s and Ishkabibble’s and new favourites like South Philly Barbacoa and Her Place. Of Philadelphia’s food scene, the guide says, “the city offers many mouth-watering reasons for foodies to make a beeline for Philly.”

The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), the official tourism promotion agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, was approached by Michelin to partner on the creation of a destination guide. The PHLCVB collaborated with Chester County Tourism and Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board to extend the guide’s coverage to feature The Countryside of Philadelphia, including Nemours, Winterthur, Longwood Gardens and more. The guide will be available in both French and English language editions.

“Philadelphia truly is a global city and recognition of our excellent hotels, restaurants and attractions from Michelin with a dedicated destination guide is the result of our collective work elevating the region on the international stage,” said Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the PHLCVB. “We are confident the Michelin Green Guide will help inspire even more travellers to experience our city.”

Philippe Orain, editor-in-chief of the Michelin Green Guide said, “Philadelphia is a condensed version of today’s America: a historic city turned towards the future. It will entice you thanks to its old neighbourhoods rich with incredible restaurants, its museums of unbelievable culture and its glittering skyscrapers. It is worth the travel and becomes an essential gateway for a trip to the East Coast. ”

Orain will be in Philadelphia to launch the English-language version of the Green Guide on Thursday, May 18, when he will announce the star reward recipients. The French language version launches this month, with the English book available for UK and North American travellers from June.

Determined by Michelin criteria, the Green Guide awards stars to aspects of the tourism experience such as the destination itself, the neighbourhoods, and museums/attractions. Restaurants are given hearts which identify the editor’s favourites. The star grades, one, two or three, reflect a specific review, either worth a visit, worth a detour or worth a special journey, respectively.

Philadelphia is easily accessible with daily direct flights from London Heathrow with British Airways and American Airlines and daily direct flights from Dublin with Aer Lingus and American Airlines.

ENDS-

For Further Press Information, please contact:

Anna Watt

[email protected]

07815 898995

About Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

About Michelin

Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to sustainably enhancing its clients’ mobility; designing and distributing the most suitable tires, services, and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps, and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries, has 132,200 employees and operates 67 tire production facilities which together produced around 167 million tires in 2022. (https://www.michelin.com/)

Healthy Philadelphia

If you are looking for a healthy and active city break, look no further than Philadelphia, a very outdoorsy city boasting a huge urban park system and extensive walking, running, and cycling trails.
Many of Philadelphia’s attractions and much of the city’s magnificent collection of outdoor public art can be reached by foot so you can keep to your daily step target whilst enjoying all there is to see and do throughout the city.
If the weather isn’t playing ball, head inside to break into a sweat at one of the many hotel and public gyms. When hunger strikes, your health regime is not at risk, with many choices of healthy food options to be found.

Outdoors exploration
Philadelphia boasts one of the largest city-owned urban park systems in the world. Taking up over 2,000 acres, Fairmount Park incorporates more than 60 individual parks, as well as more than 200 historic buildings, an impressive collection of public art and the country’s first zoo and more, all within its borders.

Above: Fairmount Park Boxer’s Trail. Photo courtesy of Fairmount Park Conservancy

An extensive system of trails winds throughout the city, making it easy to get around without the need for transportation.

For more information on Philadelphia’s outdoor spaces click here.

Running

Philadelphia is built for runners, with a huge number of running trails throughout the city which you can explore alone at your own speed. Alternatively, you can join a group run, these are organised by one of Philadelphia’s many running clubs and take place most weekdays and weekends. Most are free to join and no advance reservation is required.

Philadelphia Marathon is one of the top 10 marathons in the U.S. and includes a full marathon, half marathon, 8K and kids fun run. This year’s events take place between 17th and 19th November.

Above: Philadelphia Marathon

For more information in running in Philadelphia click here.

Running tours
Visitors can enjoy an informative tour of the city whilst at the same time doing cardiovascular exercise.

SeePhillyRun’s tours pair fitness with history, as tour groups follow the guide on all-levels running trails throughout the city, stopping along the way to learn more about historical sites, cultural institutions, and public art. No running tour would be complete without an obligatory run up the “Rocky Steps” – the 72 steps leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art made famous by fictional character Rocky Balboa during his training in the movie “Rocky.”

Above: Running Tour. Photo courtesy of SeePhillyRun

Cycling

Indego is Philadelphia’s affordable and convenient bike share program. Offering more than 130 stations throughout the city with both classic and electric bikes available.

Above: Philadelphia bike share. Photo courtesy of Indego

At Fairmount Park you can cycle on or off-road for miles. Don’t miss Belmont Plateau in West Fairmount Park where you can take in amazing views of the Philadelphia skyline.

The Schuylkill River Trail is a paved scenic trail ideal for cycling. It stretches along the river for 25 miles from South Philadelphia to Manayunk and winds past Boathouse Row along Kelly Drive into the Countryside of Philadelphia.

Click here for some suggested Philadelphia bike itineraries.

Skating
Lace up your skates, stretch out your legs, and enjoy some fresh air at one of Philadelphia’s popular outdoor skating rinks. Skate beside Philadelphia City Hall at the Rothman Orthopaedics Rink in Dilworth Park, at the heart of the city. Starting in the spring, usually in April and continuing into the summer through July, the rink offers daily roller-skating sessions. Then, during the winter months – typically from November through February – the rink transforms into an ice-skating rink where visitors are encouraged to embrace the cooler temperatures and warm up with a skating session.

Above: Roller skating at City Hall

For another rink option, head to Independence Blue Cross RiverRink along the Delaware River Waterfront, a 12,000-square-foot riverside rink which offers ice skating during its annual months-long Winterfest and roller skating during its annual months-long Summerfest.

Hotels with gyms

Many hotels in Philadelphia have gyms so guests can start or end their day with a workout:

• The Bellevue Hotel

A stay at this historic city centre hotel gives you access to the massive 93,000-square-foot Sporting Club at the Bellevue fitness facility which even includes an NBA-sized basketball court.

• The Rittenhouse

The Rittenhouse Spa & Club, where you’ll find a heated indoor pool, fitness facility which features top scale equipment including RealRyder and Peloton indoor cycling bikes, an outdoor fitness deck, indoor pool plus sauna and steam rooms.

• Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

Hotel guests can enjoy panoramic sky-high views of Philadelphia whilst swimming in the city’s premier Infinity Edge Pool.

Above: Pool at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Four Seasons

• Kimpton Hotel Palomar

The hotel encourages guests to be active as much as possible, with a 24/7 fitness centre equipped with state-of-the-art cardio equipment and yoga mats provided in each room. Guests also have free use of the hotel’s custom-designed bikes and for kids there are Micro Kickboard scooters available.

Healthy food
A Philadelphia cheesesteak makes for a great treat on your cheat day, but lighter, healthier options are available at plenty of restaurants.

• Vegan and Vegetarian

Vedge, which has been ranked as one of Thrillist’s 33 Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in America, offers elegant dining with an internationally-inspired, vegan, seasonal menu which features dishes made with fresh, locally-sourced vegetables,

Primary Plant Based, a casual vegan restaurant in the Fishtown neighborhood offers very reasonably priced, seasonal dishes made with local ingredients from a globally-inspired menu.

Charlie Was A Sinner is a cocktail bar that specializes in drinks made with fresh fruit juice and organic alcohol. Healthy vegetarian small plates are available, including charred shishito peppers or avocado toast topped with radishes and red onions.

• Sushi

Hiroki is a fine dining restaurant offering unique sushi options focusing on tradition and technique.

At Morimoto you can enjoy creative and delightful twists on Japanese staples, like tofu created fresh at your table, and seafood tobanyaki cooked and served in its own hot plate and red miso broth.

For a luxurious sushi dining experience, consider Omakase by Yanaga. This relatively newer restaurant in Philadelphia offers an exclusive, luxurious 25-course dining and sake pairing experience.

Above: Omakase by Yanaga, photo by J.Ryan for PHLCVB

Farm to Table

The pioneer of farm to table cuisine in Philadelphia, Fork serves seasonally focused contemporary American cuisine.

Talula’s Garden offers a healthy and delicious inventive spin on farm-to-table classics.

-ENDS-

For Further Press Information and high-resolution images, please contact:
Anna Watt – Philadelphia UK Office
Tel: 07815 898995
Email: [email protected]

About Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), www.discoverPHL.com, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Centre. The PHLCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has divisions dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.

Unexpected Philadelphia

You may know Philadelphia for its iconic sites such as the Rocky Steps, Liberty Bell, LOVE sculpture, and Reading Terminal Market, but did you know you can also see a piece of Einstein’s brain, marvel at 19th century robotics Maillardet’s Automaton and take a stroll down the oldest residential street in America? These and many more curiosities and unexpected gems are ready to be explored in the City of Brotherly Love.

Mutter Museum

Philadelphia’s Mutter Museum is one of the most unique and interesting museums in the country, featuring collections of fascinating scientific discoveries about the human body , along with antique medical equipment, anatomical and pathological specimens and much more. Visitors to the Mutter Museum are able to view the conjoined liver of Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker, slides of Albert Einstein’s brain, and the mystery surrounding the famous “Soap Lady.”

The Museum’s Historical Medical Library is now open to the public for the first time in its 200-plus year history. Weekend visitors to the museum can now head upstairs to view rare artwork and books in a historic library which was previously only accessible to researchers with appointments.

www.muttermuseum.org/

Above: Mutter Museum, Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

Wagner Free Institute of Science

This natural history museum is a rare example of a Victorian era scientific society, with a museum, research centre, library, and educational facilities. The Wagner Free Institute of Science boasts more than 100,000 specimens including fossils, shells, minerals, mounted animal skeletons and skins displayed in original wood and glass cabinets.

www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org

Above: Wagner Free Institute of Science. Photo by Rob Cardillo

The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute’s innovative exhibits, films, and hands-on experiences demonstrate how fun and interesting science can be. One of the most famous and popular museums in Philadelphia, it houses some fascinating gems including a theremin, a prototype synthesizer which is controlled by movements of the player’s hands without any actual physical contact with the machine. Another fascinating museum curiosity is Maillardet’s Automaton, an early mechanic ‘robot’, that mimicked human behaviour. Built by 18th-century Swiss clockmaker Henri Maillardet, Maillardet’s Automaton was programmed to write out three poems and draw four sketches via mechanical means.

www.fi.edu

Above: Maillardet’s Automaton at The Franklin Institute, photo courtesy of The Franklin Institute

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

Racing fans will be in seventh heaven at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum which houses the world’s greatest collections of racing sports cars. The museum’s collection consists of approximately 75 racing sports cars and has been assembled over more than 50 years by Frederick A. Simeone, a retired neurosurgeon and native of Philadelphia.

www.simeonemuseum.org

Above: Simeone Foundation Museum. Photo courtesy of Simeone Museum

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

A mesmerizing mosaic labyrinth created by artist Isaiah Zagar covers an indoor and outdoor space equivalent to half a city block. Zagar has devoted himself to beautifying the South Street neighbourhood since the late 1960s. In 1991 he started decorating the walls of vacant lots near his studios with mosaic. When the owner of the lots wanted to remove his work and sell the land, the local community rushed to support Zagar. The artist’s creation quickly became incorporated as a non-profit organization, was saved and opened in 2008 to the general public.

www.phillymagicgardens.org

Above: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Photo by M.Zugale for PHLCVB

Laurel Hill Cemetery

A 78-acre National Historic Landmark and America’s second oldest cemetery, Laurel Hill was the first architecturally designed cemetery in the country and is laid out on a series of winding paths above the Schuylkill River.

There are some wonderfully aesthetic tombstones and mausoleums to explore, including the William Warner tomb which shows the soul coming out of the tomb in a puff of smoke.

Above: Lauren Hill Cemetery. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

Fairmount Park

Fairmount Park is one of the country’s largest park system in the U.S, with more than 2,000 acres of parkland featuring miles of trails, biking and hiking paths, an orchard, greenhouses, multiple playgrounds, the country’s oldest zoo, and the city’s iconic Boathouse Row.

www.myphillypark.org

Above: Fairmount Park. Photo courtesy of Fairmount Park Conservancy.

Elfreth’s Alley

This 32-house alley is America’s oldest residential street, going back over 300 years. The quaint cobblestone alley is lined with traditional red brick homes with old-fashioned flower boxes and shutters, beautifully preserved by the Elfreth’s Alley Association which was founded in 1934.

Visitors can tour 126 Elfreth’s Alley, which is now the Elfreth’s Alley Museum, here you can learn about dressmakers, shoemakers, and other artisans who lived in the house, as well as about the larger history of the Alley.

www.elfrethsalley.org

Above: Elfreth’s Alley. Photo by K Huff for PHLCVB

The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau has come up with a suggested itinerary taking in the very best of Unexpected Philadelphia. Click here to read more.

-ENDS-

For Further Press Information and high-resolution images, please contact:
Anna Watt – Philadelphia UK Office
Tel: 07815 898995
Email: [email protected]

About Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), www.discoverPHL.com, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Centre. The PHLCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has divisions dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.

CHRISTMAS IN NEW JERSEY 2022

New Jersey comes alive with the Christmas spirit during the holiday season, with events, tours and displays taking place across the state from early November until the New Year.

With multiple daily direct flights from London Heathrow, Edinburgh and Dublin into Newark, a great choice of accommodation to suit all budgets and some great bargains to be found if you want to do a little tax-free Christmas shopping, now is a great time to take a trip to the Garden State.

Light Displays

Dasher’s Newark Drive-Through Christmas Light Show

This spectacular Christmas drive-through celebration features the syncing of over one million lights choreographed to holiday music played through your car radio on 97.5 FM. Running at Newark Moonlight Cinema from 25th November 25th until 31st December. Read more here.

Orchard of Lights – Drive-Through

From 23rd November until 1st January 2023 Demarest Farms in Hillsdale will be running their annual festival drive-through, with 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays. In addition, there is a fire pit to sit around and enjoy hot cocoa and treats from the farm market, make your own S’mores, take pictures with Santa and listen to the singing Reindeer. Read more here.

Newark Winter Village

From 01st December until 15th January 2023 the Newark Winter Village offers curbside food, ice skating a marketplace. Enjoy food and hot beverages from local businesses inside a cozy heated pod or igloo. Read more click here.

Skylands Stadium’s Light Show and Christmas Village

Sussex County’s Skyland Stadium transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland from 23rd November to 31st December, showcasing a mile-long drive-through Christmas light display and a Christmas Village full of fun-filled activities, delicious treats and memory-making photo opportunities. Read more here.

Above: Skylands Stadium’s Light Show and Christmas Village (photo courtesy of Sussex County Chamber of Commerce)

Christmas Markets

The German Christmas Market of New Jersey

Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a German Christmas Market at Sussex County Fairground. The largest Christmas market in New Jersey, where you can visit over 100 vendors located in the authentic wooden huts, enjoy Christmas entertainment, food, Christmas lights and displays, Santa visits, wagon rides and a fairground. Taking place on 2nd to 4th of December. Read more here.

Christmas Train & Trolley Rides

Cape May’s Trolley Rides

The charming Victorian town of Cape May is the perfect destination for immersing yourself in the Christmas Spirit. A number of festival trolley tours are put on over the festive season, these include Santa’s Trolley Ride where Mrs. Claus takes to the wheel as she shares Christmas stories and songs and The Holiday Lights Trolley Ride which tours the historic streets of Cape May teaching guests about the history of many of the Christmas traditions of today.

Phillipsburg’s Polar Express Christmas Train

This one hour, 45-minute vintage train excursion along the Delaware River is inspired by the hit movie and the award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg. A hugely popular family Christmas event that includes storytelling, Christmas sing-alongs, performances and a meeting with Santa himself. For more information click here.

Parades

Christmas Parade, Ocean City

Ocean City’s 2022 Christmas Parade will take place on Friday, 2nds December 2nd, going down Asbury Avenue beginning at 6th street and ending at 12th street. This wonderful family friendly parade includes floats, musical acts, dance and cheers teams. Click here for more information.

Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade

The popular Jaycee Christmas Parade takes place on 2nd December, starting at 6pm, the parade is followed by a Tree Lighting Ceremony & Parade Awards. Click here to read more.

Walking Tours

Cape May Candlelit House Tours

This tour has been a beloved annual tradition in America’s only National Historic Landmark City since 1974. Celebrating the best of Cape May at Christmas, the tour travels through Cape May’s gaslit streets, giving guests the chance to hear musicians and carollers, and visit more than a dozen homes, inns, B&Bs, churches and hotels and see both Victorian and more modern interiors beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. Click here to read more.

Christmas Shows

Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Atlantic City

A specially themed holiday show, Holidaze sees various Christmas ornaments magicked to life as the seasoned troupe of acrobats and singers perform a Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus. The show takes place at the Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort on 11th December. More information here.

Above: Atlantic City’s Cirque Dreams Holidaze (image courtesy of Visit AC)

Christmas Shopping

A shopper’s paradise, New Jersey is home to more malls per square mile than any other U.S. state. With the exchange rate not being in our favour at the moment, bargain shopping is all the more important so it is great to know that there are a number of discount outlets throughout New Jersey so you can make your pound stretch a little further.

The Mills at Jersey Gardens is New Jersey’s largest outlet mall with more than 200 stores located just five minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport is makes a great stop off on your way home. Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, Tinton Falls has 120 outlet stores and Tanger Outlets in Atlantic City has more than 90 brand name outlets offering 20 to 40 percent below retail prices. For more information on Christmas shopping in New Jersey click here.

Above: Jersey Shore Premium Outlets (Photo courtesy of Monmouth County Tourism)

To start planning a New Jersey holiday, visit www.visitnj.org

Follow the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for more events and news throughout the state.

ENDS

About New Jersey
New Jersey provides a wide variety of experiences to visitors all year long. Travellers can enjoy outdoor adventures, renowned culinary offerings, educational opportunities, and a strong arts and cultural scene. With numerous state and national parks, beaches, skiing, tax-free shopping, historic sites, museums and more, New Jersey blends together its rich history and exciting present. Home to the nation’s first beach resorts and the birthplace of major inventions, New Jersey offers picturesque escape opportunities for all ages. For more information, explore VisitNJ.org.

UK PR Contact:
Greg Evans Consultancy
Anna Watt, PR Director, [email protected], 07815 898995

NEW JERSEY’S MUSICAL HERITAGE

New Jersey’s musical heritage reaches back 145 years and encompasses many elements including technology, live music venues as well as artists themselves who have made the Garden State their home.

In 1877 Thomas Edison’s phonograph was invented making New Jersey the first place in the world that musicians could come together to record music. Housed in his laboratory in West Orange, this early invention put the state firmly on the musical history map. You can visit and take a self-guided tour of Thomas A. Edison’s Laboratory Complex at the Thomas A. Edison National Historical Park and visit the Thomas Edison Centre at Menlo Park.

Above: Thomas Edison’s Laboratory (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

Fast forward 64 years and in 1941 musician and inventor Les Paul, who spent much of his life in New Jersey, created the solid body guitar – the Gibson Les Paul. He also introduced many recording industry innovations and effects including multitrack recording and the reverb and is considered to be one of the foremost influences on the sound of contemporary music.

The list of influential musicians from New Jersey is long and includes Frank Sinatra, Dion Warwick, Gloria Gaynor, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, The Four Seasons and The Fugees plus many more.

Venues that have hosted these great artists and many others are dotted around the state. The Stone Pony in Asbury Park is one of the most iconic New Jersey music venues, it was the launch pad for Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi and has hosted many rock legends since it opened in the 1970s.

Above: The Stone Pony (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

The Wellmont Theater opened in Montclair in 1922 and has a wonderful historic charm. The venue brings a variety of acts through its doors, from rock legends to indie bands, tribute acts and classical presentations.

Ocean City Music Pier in Cape May was originally constructed in 1928 and is a much-loved historical building overlooking the beach, boardwalk and Atlantic Ocean. This 900-person capacity venue still hosts a wider range of artists to this day and boasts fantastic acoustics as well as a striking location.

The Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, is the largest venue in the state and has a capacity of about 82,000. Home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, the venue also hosts big scale music concerts.

Newark’s Prudential Centre is an 18,000-seat arena and entertainment complex that is home to the NHL New Jersey Devils but also hosts large scale music events. Upcoming concerts include Barry Manilow, Seventeen, Post Malone, Iron Maiden and Mary J Blige.

New Jersey Performing Arts Centre, NJPAC, opened in 1997 and has a capacity of almost 3,500. A prominent cultural institution for the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey, as well as hosting world-Class Performances, the venue also holds a number of free events and festivals.

Above: NJPAC (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

Atlantic City is known as the entertainment capital of New Jersey and big acts have been performing there in casinos, clubs and bars since the 1930’s, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra were regularly belting out their hits in the early days of Atlantic City’s music venues. Back to modern day and Alicia Keys, ZZ Top, Mary J Blige, Diona, Chris Issak, Phish, Alice Cooper and Billy Ocean are just some of the artists set to play gigs there over the next few months. Venues here include Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort, the Event Centre at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Hard Rock Live Etess Arena.

Above: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall (Credit: Meet AC)

Live music events and festivals take place throughout the state. Click here to see a comprehensive list of concerts taking place in New Jersey. Music festivals taking place in New Jersey this summer include:

The TidalWave Music Festival comes to Atlantic City from August 12-14, featuring country stars from around the United States.

Sea.Hear.Now celebrates its third year at Asbury Park and take place from Sept. 17-18, performers include Pearl Jam, The Avett Brothers and Billy Idol, among others.

XPoNential Festival will take place at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden from September 16-18 and features a line-up of promising up-and-coming artists.

Although this year’s event has already taken place, dates are already set for 2023’s Barefoot Country Music Festival, this is a hugely popular event on the US Northeast coast and will take place from June 15-18 on the beach in Wildwood.

To start planning a New Jersey holiday, visit www.visitnj.org

Follow the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for more events and news throughout the state.

ENDS

PR Contact:
Greg Evans Consultancy
Anna Watt, PR Director, [email protected] 07815 898995

NEW JERSEY SURPRISES WITH ITS NUMEROUS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

New Jersey may be one of the most densely populated states in the United States, but it also boasts plenty of wide-open spaces to explore and outdoor adventures to be had.

Known as the “Garden State”, New Jersey is famous for rolling farmland, green pastures, blooming orchards and of course an incredible sandy coastline. However, it also boasts lakes, forests, waterfalls and mountains, all just waiting to be enjoyed.

On And In The Water

Along the state’s 130 miles of Atlantic coastline there are over 60 designated beaches, all with a wide diversity of offerings and experiences.

Water-based activities include surfing, sailing, diving and fishing. Above the water wildlife spotting opportunities are in abundance or for a more sedate experience just grab a towel, claim your spot for the day and relax.

Although beach passes need to be purchased for some of the beaches here, many are free to use, these include the beaches of The Wildwoods, Atlantic City, Highlands and Bay Front to name just a few.

There are also an incredible 4,100 fresh waterways throughout New Jersey, The Delaware River Region for example is a boater’s dream, here you can canoe or kayak or even take a Tubing trip down the river.

Above: Long Branch Beach (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

Gardens

Not surprisingly the “Garden State” is a feast for any anthophile and is filled with gorgeous botanical retreats. The New Jersey Botanical Gardens for example includes 96 acres of gardens surrounded by 1000 acres of woodlands and Deep Cut Gardens spans 54 acres with gardens and greenhouses displaying cultivated and native plants. Click here to read more.

Above: Deep Cut Gardens (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

National Parks

Explore nature, history and outdoor adventure within New Jersey’s four National Parks. Morristown National Historical Park was the site of General George Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment during the Revolutionary War. As well as discovering the history, visitors can use the 27 miles of hiking trails or enjoy the bird watching opportunities.

Above: The Wick Hose at Morristown National Historical Park (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, is a large diverse urban park with 27,000 acres offering green spaces, beaches, wildlife and outdoor recreation alongside historic structures and cultural landscapes.

Above: Liberty State Park, Gateway Region. (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area encompasses breath-taking scenery along the Delaware River, which winds through the Appalachian Mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn here for canoeing, hiking, camping, swimming, biking and much more.

Above: Appalachian Trail (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park consists of The Great Falls of the Passaic River (one of the largest waterfalls in the United States) plus the surrounding area. Visitors can hike around the park whilst learning about its importance within the history of the American industrial revolution.

Above: Great Falls (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

Pinelands

New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve consists of 1.1 million acres covering 22% of the state’s total land area. The reserve contains forests, rivers, streams, lakes, historic sites, campgrounds and wildlife making it an adventurists playground.

Above: Wells Mills Park, Pinelands (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

Farms

Some of the best produce in the United States come from New Jersey including cranberries, blueberries, lavender and hot peppers. It’s possible to visit many of the farms, orchards and vineyards around the state and you can even stay over at some of them. Click here to read more.

Above: Montague Farm. (Credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

Camping

Choose to camp or glamp in New Jersey to get an all-round outdoors experience. There are many different camping opportunities throughout the state. At Turkey Swamp Park campers get access to boating and fishing on a 17-acre lake, eight miles of wooded trails, athletic field rentals plus a choice of four playgrounds for the kids. Ponderosa Campground in Cape May is great for families, it’s close to Avalon Beach and has amenities including free laundry facilities, two playgrounds, bike rentals, free Wi-Fi, a large saltwater pool and two basketball courts. At Great Divide Campground in Newton they offer yurts and cabin trailers for those who prefer more of a glamping experience. For more information on New Jersey’s campgrounds click here.

Above: camping at Delaware Water Cap. (credit: The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism)

To find out more about exploring the great outdoors in New Jersey click here.

To start planning a New Jersey holiday, visit www.visitnj.org

Follow the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for more events and news throughout the state.

ENDS

PR Contact:
Greg Evans Consultancy
Anna Watt, PR Director [email protected] 07815 898995

PHILADELPHIA: AN ART LOVER’S PARADISE

Philadelphia is a well-known arts hub, boasting more public art than any other American city, and home to a vast number of art museums and galleries. It is a city which is sure to satisfy any aesthete and with a number of high-profile exhibitions coming to Philadelphia over the next few months, now is the time to plan your next visit.

Art in Museums

The majestic Benjamin Franklin Parkway which was modelled after the Champs-Élysées in Paris, is dubbed Philadelphia’s “Museum Mile”. Here you will find most of the city’s premier cultural institutions including the Philadelphia Museum of Art which last year unveiled 90,000 square feet of new and reimagined public and exhibition space as part of the Frank Gehry-led Core Project. Included in the project are a reimagined West Entrance and Lenfest Hall, a new multilevel Forum space and 20,000 square feet of new gallery space, including new early American art and modern and contemporary galleries — marking the largest installation of new exhibition space since the building opened in 1928.

Above: Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

Matisse in the 1930s will be showing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from October20, 2022 to January 29, 2023. A visit to Philadelphia in 1930 inspired Matisse to develop a new creative approach and outlook. This will be the first exhibit to ever be dedicated to that pivotal decade in his art, showing more than 100 of Matisse’s works, including renowned and rarely seen paintings and sculptures, drawings, prints, and illustrated books.

Henri Matisse “Large Reclining Nude” 1935. 26 1/8 × 36 3/4 inches (66.4 × 93.3 cm). Oil on canvas, Baltimore Museum of Art: The Cone Collection, formed by Dr. Claribel Cone and Miss Etta Cone of Baltimore, Maryland, 1950.258. © 2022 Succession H. Matisse/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

The Barnes Foundation houses the world’s largest private collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces, featuring pieces by world renown artists including Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Monet, Manet and Degas. These well-known artists’ works are complemented by Native American pottery, Pennsylvania German decorative furniture and various ceramics and metalwork, as well as sculpture and art from Mexico, China, Africa, early Greece and Rome.

Above- Barnes Foundation, Photo courtesy of the Barnes Foundation

Coming to the Barnes Foundation later this year is Modigliani Up Close, showing from October 16, 2022 to January 29, 2023, the exhibition takes a close look at how Modigliani created his works, which are portraits and nudes often characterised by a surreal elongation of faces and necks.

Towards the eastern end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts which was founded in 1805 by Charles Wilson Peale. It is the first and oldest art museum and art school in the United States. The museum houses a renowned collection of American paintings from the 1760s to the present although it is best known internationally for its collections of 19th- and 20th century paintings, sculptures and works on paper.

Above: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

Moore College of Art and Design was founded in 1848 as the first and only women’s visual arts college in the United States. The Galleries at Moore introduce the work of significant regional, national and international artists through exhibitions and educational programs.

Public Art

There are thousands of pieces of incredible public art to admire throughout the city, which is considered the largest outdoor art gallery in the world. Read more about key pieces of Philadelphia’s public art here. You can discover these and more on a group of self-guided tour, by foot, bike, Segway or bus.

Above: Mural Segway Tour. Photo courtesy of WeVenture

Above: LOVE Park. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

The huge amount of public art is thanks to a number of organisations. The Association for Public Art was founded in Philadelphia in 1872 and is the country’s first private entity dedicated to public art. Its mission is to commission, preserve, interpret and promote public art in the city. The Association has created six self-guided tours which are free to download here.

Above: Electric Streets Mural. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority’s Percent for Art Program, which was established in 1959, resulted in the city becoming the first in the nation to require most property developers to dedicate a percentage (about one percent) of the project’s construction budget to commission a new piece of art. The program has resulted in more than 650 works that can be found throughout the city and include sculptures on public streets, paintings that brighten underground subway stations and unusual light displays.

Over 4,000 murals can be found throughout the City of Philadelphia, making it the “Mural Capital of the World.” Mural Arts Philadelphia started as an anti-graffiti program in 1984 and has grown to be an international leader having activated some of Philadelphia’s most unassuming locations repurposing public spaces. They run a number of different public tours, read more here.

As well as sculpture and murals, more unusual public art found in Philadelphia includes mosaic, the most prominent local artist in this medium being Isaiah Zagar who has been creating public mosaics since the 1960’s, his largest work being Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens which spans three city lots, the equivalent to half a block.

Above: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Photo by M. Zugale for PHLCVB

Other public art forms to look out for include Toynbee Tiles which are sidewalk plaques with oft-cryptic messages, first noticed in Philadelphia in the 1980s and yarn or textile art, also known as Yarn bombing or graffiti knitting (amongst other things).

Read more about Philadelphia’s street art here.

For current travel resources to Philadelphia, including details about the city’s COVID-19 vaccine rate and guidelines, plus tips on travelling to and exploring the city click here.

-ENDS-

For Further Press Information and high-resolution images, please contact:
Anna Watt – Philadelphia UK Office
Tel: 07815 898995
Email: [email protected]

Philadelphia is the 2023 Best City for Street Art

Latest News