Category Archives: Philadelphia

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.

Folding the Prism © 2019 Mural Arts Philadelphia Photo by Steve Weinik

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: anna@gregevansconsultancy.com

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.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia is a top choice for those wanting the perks of staying in a city but with plenty of outdoors experiences. Within its huge urban park system (one of the largest in the United States) you can explore over 100 parks, squares, and recreation sites totalling over 10,000 acres. Enjoy its expansive public art offering, run, walk, or cycle throughout the city or just relax and take in the scenes at one of the many open-air bars, restaurants, and cafés.

Philadelphia is known as America’s Garden Capital, with 37 public gardens, arboreta, and historic landscapes all located within 30 miles of city, the region has more gardens in close proximity than anywhere else on the continent. The America’s Garden Capital Passport is a new guide providing information and tips for the best experiences at each garden.

Longwood Gardens, Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

As well as an abundance of nature, in Philadelphia you can enjoy many different types of art in the open-air including sculpture, architecture, mosaics, and murals. Thousands of pieces have been made possible by The Association for Public Art (aPA), founded in 1872, it works to preserve and commission original works as well as help artists and community groups work together to create new pieces for individual neighbourhoods. The Association also helps visitors learn about Philadelphia’s exceptional collection of public art through interactive maps and self-guided tours as well as publications, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and lectures.

LOVE Park Love Statue, Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

Philadelphia Magic Gardens. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

Boasting over 4,000 murals, Philadelphia is the Mural Capital of the World and has become the largest outdoor art gallery. Mural Arts Philadelphia started as an anti-graffiti program in 1984 and is now part of a larger campaign by the city to repurpose public spaces, create positive dialogue in communities, and restore existing murals. About 50-100 new pieces are commissioned each year. Mural Arts helps residents and visitors discover the collections by organising various tours which can be taken on foot, by car, train, Segway, or virtually. Read more about Mural Arts’ tour program here.

Untitled Amy Sherald mural, Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

Those wanting to keep active during their visit to Philadelphia can explore the city’s outdoor spaces by bike or on foot. There are many hike and bike trails threading throughout the Philadelphia region. The Schuylkill River Trail cuts through the city and includes the Manayunk Towpath, Kelly Drive, Boathouse Row, and the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, where you can walk or ride over the Schuylkill River while taking in skyline views. For a lengthier adventure, take the trail 25 miles to Valley Forge National Historical Park, site of the notorious Revolutionary War campaign.

The Trolley Trail, just off MLK Drive, is a 4.5-mile loop trail near Bala Cynwyd which follows a former trolley route, winding through tunnels and other structures such as the Stone Arch Bridge. Or you can head into the woods at Wissahickon Valley Park and explore its 50 miles of trails. Look out for the hidden landmarks which include a covered bridge originally built in 1737, artist Jody Pinto’s Fingerspan pedestrian bridge and the 1883 Toleration statue of William Penn.

Trolly Trail. Photo by Albert Yee

You can also combine fitness with sightseeing with SeePhillyRun tours where you take in running trails throughout the city, stopping along the way to learn more about historical sites, cultural institutions and public art.

Washington Square, Photo courtesy of SeePhillyRun

For a more sedate outdoor experience, you can enjoy Philadelphia’s exciting and diverse gastronomic offerings, with many restaurants offering al fresco dining. There is also an abundance of seasonal pop-up parks and beer gardens offering various open-air dining and entertainment options. Click here to read more about Philadelphia’s pop-up parks and beer gardens.

For more ways to enjoy the outdoors in Philadelphia Click here.

For current travel resources, 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: anna@gregevansconsultancy.com

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.

SUSTAINABLE PHILADELPHIA SHINES

There are a number of ways visitors to Philadelphia can enjoy a more sustainable experience, whilst still enjoying the very best that the City of Brotherly Love has to offer. As the post-pandemic world moves to an ever more eco-conscious one, many still want to travel but look to reducing their impact on the environment as much as they can once they are at their chosen destination.

Philadelphia has a number of direct services from the UK and Ireland. American Airlines has two daily flights from London Heathrow and one daily flight from Dublin, British Airways offers one daily flight from London Heathrow and Air Lingus presently has a flight that runs from Dublin six times a week.

Explore on two feet

Philadelphia boasts one of the most walkable downtowns in the United States so there really is no need to rely on either taxis or public transport to explore.

WeVenture offers walking tours guided by local residents that focus on different themes, including history, art, and food sustainability. Other tours invite you to explore reimagined spaces, Philadelphia’s Countryside, or Rocky movie locations to see where the iconic film was made.

Local tour company SeePhillyRun offers sightseeing tours for those looking to keep active. Tours include Philadelphia Highlights where you can run all of Philadelphia’s main attractions whilst tapping into themes like liberty, inclusion, reinvention, pop culture and many American Firsts. On the Rocky Run you run through Old City, the Italian Market, South Philly, and up the Art Museum Steps while hearing unique Philly stories about Rocky and what it means to be an underdog.

SeePhillyRun Art Museum Run. Photo Courtesy of SeePhillyRun

Explore on two wheels

Philadelphia’s affordable and convenient bike share program, Indego, offers more than 170 stations throughout the city with both classic and electric bikes available allowing you to pedal through neighbourhoods or along the Schuylkill River Trail.

Photo courtesy of Indego

Click here for an interactive online map which highlights various bike lanes and trails throughout the city. There are also some custom Philadelphia bike itineraries as well as a guide to biking in the city.

The great outdoors

There are countless opportunities to enjoy the fresh air in Philadelphia, home to seemingly endless trails, riverfronts, parks and outdoor opportunities that are waiting to be explored, in fact the city boasts 10,000 acres of parks, squares, and recreation sites, making its urban park system one of the world’s largest.

Fairmount Park, at over 2,000 acres, is one of the country’s largest parks, consisting of 63 individual parks as well as more than 200 historic buildings, an impressive collection of public art, the country’s first zoo and more, all within its borders.

Shofuso Fairmount Park. Photo by Kyle Huff PHLCVB

The Delaware River Waterfront is a vibrant area to explore year-round. Opening on 6th May, Spruce Street Harbor Park has colourful hammocks, floating gardens, beautiful trees adorned in technicoloured lights, local craft beers, and delicious food from some of Philadelphia’s most popular restaurants. Cherry Street Pier is a mixed-use public space converted from a historic pier, which hosts pop-up markets, art installations and a garden complete with tasty food and drink.

Cherry Street Pier. Photo courtesy of Kate Kelly

To read more about ways to explore Philadelphia’s outdoor spaces click here.

Eco friendly accommodation

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is the city’s only hotel certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. Hotel Sofitel Philadelphia is working with Planet 21 in order to form a commitment to the planet, in order to help with environmental efforts, the hotel has implemented actions in regard to health, nature, carbon, innovation, and local purchases. Other options are the Radisson Plaza-Warwick and Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel which have both been awarded from the Green Key Eco-Rating Program.

Plant-based eating

There is an abundance of plant-based eateries throughout the city. HipCityVeg offers fast food inspired vegan menu items made with organic non-GMO soy ingredients sourced locally, Bar Bombon serves vegan Puerto Rican flavours, at The Tasty you find vegan versions of breakfast staples and you can try a vegan version of Philadelphia’s iconic cheesesteak at Blackbird Pizzeria or Campo’s Philly Cheesesteaks. For a more elevated dining experience Vedge has been ranked as one of Thrillist’s 33 Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in America.

Kimpton Palomar. Photo by E.Cunnicelli for PHLCVB

Eco Eats

Farm-to-table menus where restaurants source responsibly from local farms and producers to create unique regional meals are not hard to come by in Philadelphia. One of the first restaurants in the city to adopt this methodology is White Dog Café, which uses environmentally sustainable, organic and local foods sourced from farms within 50 miles. Talula’s Garden, Fork and High Street Philly also prioritise local ingredients whilst Elwood also uses classic cooking techniques to showcase the culinary history of the Philadelphia region. At Urban Farmer Steakhouse they build personal relationships with local farmers, ranchers, fisheries, and foragers, considering everything from the diets and treatment of animals to land use, in addition they have a zero-waste mission, where they use the whole animal – from steak cuts and sausages to bone broth and stocks.

Duck 2 Ways at Fork. Photo courtesy of Neal Santos

Sustainable sips

Many of Philadelphia’s craft breweries offer work with eco production methods. Triple Bottom Brewing Company is Pennsylvania’s first Certified B Corporation brewery, meaning it meets the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Philadelphia’s original craft brewery, Yards Brewing Company, has been in operation since 1994 and is also the first brewery in Pennsylvania to be 100% wind-powered, it now also features solar panels placed on the roof of their 70,000-square-foot brewery and taproom.

Photo courtesy of Triple Bottom Brewing

To read more about Philadelphia’s top sustainable experiences click 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: anna@gregevansconsultancy.com

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.

TOP EXPERIENCES IN PHILADELPHIA FOR 2022

Philadelphia offers visitors an almost endless choice of things to see and do, and with a host of exciting new openings in the pipeline for this year as well as some fantastic events, there is now even more reason to come and explore the City of Brotherly Love.

EXHIBITIONS

Harry Potter: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute

Celebrate the iconic moments and characters of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World in this ground-breaking exhibition at The Franklin Institute. The exhibition will bring magic to life using best-in-class immersive design and technology, as visitors engage with innovative and magical environments. Guests will also get an up-close look at props and costumes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. The world premiere for Harry Potter: The Exhibition is on 18th February, with the magical exhibition on view through to September 2022.

Don’t Miss– Harry Potter would feel right at home at The Couldron Magical Pub, the fantasy-themed bar set to open on 20th May at 1305 Locust St. Here you can experience a potion making immersive class where you step into the imagined worlds of your childhood through molecular mixology, science and technology.

Above- Harry Potter: The Exhibition. Photo courtesy of The Franklin Institute

Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War at the Museum of the American Revolution.

Those interested in American history will be fascinated with this exhibition which immerses visitors in the dramatic and research-based works of Don Troiani, a nationally renowned historical artist who brings the compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events of the American Revolution to life. The works, which will be on public display together for the first time, will be paired with artifacts that either inspired or are featured in Troiani’s paintings, including weapons, textiles, and more, presenting viewers with a one-of-a-kind snapshot of key moments from the war. Open now, until 5th September 2022.

Don’t Miss – Philadelphia, known for where American democracy was founded, is a playground for history buffs, boasting 67 National Historical Landmarks in what’s called the nation’s “most historic square mile.” Click here for Philadelphia’s Historic District Itinerary.

Above: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB

Deconstructing Bowie: Freedom in Eccentricity at the National Liberty Museum

Another British export is celebrated in Philadelphia, with a special exhibition acknowledging the legacy of the influential, genre-defying musician, David Bowie. Various artworks created by multiple generations of artists who were inspired by the cultural icon are on display and are available for purchase. Open now until 15th April 2022.

Don’t Miss – All music fans will love live music in Philadelphia. The city is famous for homegrown talent like Hall & Oates, Teddy Pendergrass, The Roots, Will Smith, Schoolly D, and many others. In 1985, Philadelphia and London hosted the dual-venue benefit concert, Live Aid, to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic. Since, Philadelphia has fostered innovations in classical music, opera, R&B and hip-hop, jazz, dancehall, and other genres. Though Philadelphia’s musical history and heritage pre-dates the city itself, music is alive and well and very much the heartbeat of the city today. Click here to read more.

Above: Deconstructing Bowie: Freedom in Eccentricity. Photo by J. Ryan for PHLCVB.

Light: Installations by Bruce Munro at Longwood Gardens

Artist Bruce Munro returns to Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia’s beautiful countryside to present an entirely new, breath-taking exhibition, Light: Installations by Bruce Munro. Eight installations will span Longwood’s 1,000 acres, including the garden’s picturesque indoor spaces and outdoor vistas. Visitors can explore the Field of Light, featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs adorning the landscape in the middle of the lakes and throughout the gardens. Light is on display June 30 – October 30, 2022. Tickets will be available from 7th March, 2022.

Don’t Miss – Outdoor art is in abundance in Philadelphia. Three local programs – the Association for Public Art, Percent for Art and Mural Arts Philadelphia – are national leaders in creating, growing, maintaining, and promoting publicly-accessible art. Visitors can stroll through Philadelphia to see sculpture, architecture, mosaics and murals as well as unofficial street art. Click here to read more.

The Stories We Wear at The Penn Museum

The Penn Museum is showcasing 2,500 years of style from civilizations from around the globe via a 3,700-square-foot exhibition. The Stories We Wear is a collection of approximately 250 objects including attire, jewellery, uniforms, regalia, and tattoos. The exhibition is organized into five different themes, highlighting how people dressed for ceremonies, performances, battles, work and play, and to rule, with artifacts including a 19th century opera robe from China, a samurai sword dating back to 1603, and contemporary objects such as a full Philadelphia Eagles uniform. Running until 12th June 2022.

Don’t Miss– Expand your wardrobe at Fashion District Philadelphia, the largest cohesive retail project in downtown Philadelphia spanning three city blocks. Take advantage of tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes – bargains are plentiful. Click here to read more.

Sean Scully: The Shape of Ideas at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

This spring, the work of Sean Scully, deemed one of the leading abstract artists of our time, will be on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The exhibition will highlight the artist’s unique contributions to contemporary art through his signature stripes and bold experimentation with scale and composition. This exhibition has been expanded to include additional paintings throughout several galleries, totalling more than 100 of Scully’s works, dating from the early 1970s to the present. On view from 11th April to 31st July 2022.

Don’t Miss – Philadelphia has more public art than any other city in the U.S. Click here for some suggestions of other iconic art to view whilst here.

EVENTS

Philadelphia Flower Show

For the second year in a row, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Philadelphia Flower Show – the nation’s largest and the world’s longest-running horticultural event – will transform Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park (FDR Park) in South Philadelphia from 11th- 19th June 2022. The theme for the show is In Full Bloom, showcasing the healing power of nature and plants.

Philadelphia Flower Show, photo by K.Huff for PHLCVB

Philly Beer Week

Celebrate all things beer at Philly Beer Week, the largest celebration of beer in the United States. The week is a perfect opportunity to sip suds with your buds in the City of Brotherly Love, where brewers have been crafting beer for more than 300 years. The 10-day festival includes beer tastings and pairings, competitions, and of course, plenty of happy hours at bars and restaurants throughout the city. Philly Beer Week is set for 3rd to 12th June, 2022.

Above: Philly Beer Week courtesy of Philly Loves Beer

Wawa Welcome America Festival

Celebrate July 4th in the city where it all began. Philadelphia honours America’s independence like no other city in the nation with the Wawa Welcome America festival- 16 days of free multicultural and multigenerational family-friendly special activities and events including free concerts, free museum days, community events, free outdoor movie screenings, block parties and plenty of fireworks (Philadelphia’s Fourth of July fireworks have been ranked most spectacular in America by MSN). This is the biggest free festival in the United States, running from 19th June to 4th July.

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, please contact:

Anna Watt
anna@gregevansconsultancy.com
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.

IT’S ALL ABOUT ROMANCE IN THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE

If you are looking for a romantic destination to whisk your loved one away to in 2022, look no further than Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love offers plenty of options for romantic love with luxurious hotels, picturesque gardens, intimate restaurants and so much more.

Snap and Smooch

A visit to Philadelphia is not complete without a stop at the famous LOVE Park, located in the heart of the city. Formally known as John F. Kennedy Plaza, the park is now affectionately referred to as LOVE Park thanks to Robert Indiana’s LOVE statue, where couples flock to get an iconic selfie. The quintessential public art piece has been there since 1976 and is one of the most photographed spots in the city.

Like its LOVE Park counterpart, the AMOR statue is another great backdrop to a photo of you and your love. Located in Sister Cities Park, the six-foot-tall sculpture translates to “love” in both Spanish and Latin.

Romantic Art

Philadelphia is known as the Mural Capital of the World, with these large scale works of public art displayed on walls throughout the city.

One of the city’s most popular mural projects is Steve Powers’ A Love Letter For You. Composed of a series of 50 rooftop murals, these works can be collectively perceived either as messages from a lover to their partner, or as odes to the city itself. The series of pieces can be explored via a two-hour Love Letter Train Tour by nation’s largest public art program, Mural Arts Philadelphia. They also offer a special Valentine’s Day tours of the Love Letter murals in early February each year.

Romantic Strolls

With 37 public gardens, arboreta, and historic landscapes all located within 30 miles of Philadelphia, the region has more gardens in close proximity than anywhere else in the United States.

Couples can walk hand-in-hand through more than 1,000 acres of beauty at Longwood Gardens in nearby Kennett Square, plus there are tropical gardens and waterfalls to explore in the four acres of glass-enclosed conservatories. In Northwest Philadelphia, Morris Arboretum is a 92-acre garden that offers an ever-changing landscape of colourful gardens, champion trees, winding paths and water features. 30 minutes west of downtown you will find Chanticleer, which is known as pleasure garden, a 35-acre contemporary and imaginative botanical garden within a historic setting.

Something different

Fairmont Park’s Whispering Benches allow couples a unique way to whisper sweet nothings to each other. Seated on benches at opposite sides of the Smith Memorial Arch, when they whisper into the monument, the bench carries the voice to their partner on the other side.

The Clay Studio offer a fun date experience with an evening of pottery-making by candlelight, complete with food and champagne. Once finished guests can explore the rotating exhibitions of ceramic works in the Studio’s galleries and browse the gift shop to find an assortment of handmade items including mugs, artwork, gifts and more.

The Food of Love

Philadelphia’s The Love restaurant is named to entice lovers. Just steps away from beautiful Rittenhouse Square, this bilevel sanctuary features an exciting drinks menu inspired by personal travels to vineyards, breweries and cideries in the region, and the creative cuisine is equally as enticing.

Harp & Crown offers a fun date night experience, with an upscale American restaurant by critically acclaimed chef and restaurateur Michael Schulson, offering a varied menu and exciting cocktails, plus an intimate bowling alley in the basement.

For something a little different, Double Knot is a Japanese speakeasy, also by Michael Schulson. The secret izakaya in the basement of a coffee shop offers sushi & robatayaki meats.

Romantic Stays

The luxurious Rittenhouse Hotel – a prestigious hotel located in the city centre, boasts a spa, indoor heated pool and sun terrace. For dining, Lacroix at The Rittenhouse is an award-winning restaurant that serves progressive international cuisine.

Located in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, the Notary Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has decor inspired by the 1920s. Offering a compelling blend of historic architecture and modern luxury with bedrooms that are warm and welcoming including luxurious beds and marble bathrooms.

Soaring high above the city skyline, the Four Seasons Philadelphia at Comcast Centre offers luxury accommodations with uninhibited views of the city. For romantic pampering couples can have the Night Spa experience where they get to enjoy a couple’s massage on the city’s most coveted pool deck accompanied by champagne and a bouquet of roses, and then a dip in a private infinity-edge pool whilst soaking in the views.

Perfect for those that like a modern self-catering option, Lokal Hotel Old City is an “invisible service” boutique hotel, offering bright and airy rustic style apartments complete with kitchens and living areas, flat-screen TVs and iPads. There is even a grocery delivery service available so you don’t need to shop for provisions.

For more information on romantic Philadelphia click 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, please contact:
Anna Watt
anna@gregevansconsultancy.com
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

FAMILY FUN IN PHILADELPHIA

Families looking forward to returning to the US following the November 8 border reopening could consider Philadelphia as a top option. The city has a multitude of attractions and events to offer each member of the family, no matter their age or interest. However long you have to explore the city, you will wish you had more time as the options are seemingly endless.

Attractions

The region offers plenty of family-friendly theme parks, zoos and aquariums to fill you days and thrill any age.

The city is home to America’s first zoo- Philadelphia Zoo which has nearly 1,300 animals, and boasts a first-in-the-world animal travel system, Zoo360, which enables primates and big cats to move above and across the main visitor pathway.

Above- Philadelphia Zoo

Sesame Place is the only theme park in the world dedicated to the beloved children’s TV show. Wowing crowds with kid-friendly roller coasters, water rides and amusements, it is located a short drive north of the city.

Also a short drive from downtown Philadelphia, Crayola Experience is well worth the hour drive from Centre City. The crayon-inspired experience has multiple levels of arts and craft fun, including areas where you can melt crayons into sculptures, create spin art designs and make and name your own crayons.

Above- Crayola Experience

Museums and Galleries

For children who love to press every button, flick every switch, and pull every lever, Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum is a must visit. Located in Fairmount Park West, the vast space is home to more than 12 permanent and temporary hands-on exhibits to help children discover the power of learning through play.

Above- Please Touch Museum

Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is the first natural sciences institution in the Americas. Dinosaur fans will find it hard to leave Dinosaur Hall which has more than 30 species represented, about half of which are full skeletal mounts. You can also view dinosaur eggs, footprints, sculptures, palaeontologist tools, a life-size model showing the internal anatomy of a Stegosaurus, and a green-screen video studio where they can project their own images into a world full of dinosaurs.

At the museum’s Permian Monsters exhibit, which runs until January 17th 2022, visitors can explore what the world looked like before the dinosaurs and step back 290 million years to when bizarre-looking creatures dominated life on land and sea.

The Franklin Institute is one of America’s most celebrated museums and is known for its all-ages, hands-on exploration of key science concepts, including a giant walk-through heart, planetarium, immersive brain exhibit and more.

In early 2022 the Harry Potter Exhibition will have its world premier at the Franklin Institute. This ground-breaking exhibition will celebrate the iconic moments, characters, settings, and beasts as seen in the films and stories of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World using best-in-class immersive design and technology.

Outdoors

With one of the largest city-owned urban park systems in the world there is plenty of space for your littles ones to run around and let off steam. Families can stay active on land or water, with and walking and cycling trails throughout the city.

The city has as much to explore outdoors as it does in its numerous museums and galleries. Philadelphia has in fact been called the world’s largest outdoor art gallery, most famous for its however the city’s is similarly rich, with genres including textile art, stickers, mosaics, tiles and wheatpasting.

To explore the famous Philadelphia murals join Mural Arts Philadelphia for a walking, trolley, or train tour of the nation’s largest public art program to learn more about the engine behind a citywide movement that has resulted in over 4,000 colourful murals in neighbourhoods throughout the city.

Above- Mural Arts Tour

Morris Arboretum is a 92-acre arboretum that is bursting with year-round greenery and plenty of kid-approved activities, including a 50-foot-high canopy walk and the Garden Railway. You can download activity cards

Dining

The fantastic dining experiences in Philadelphia are well renown and visitors of all age are sure to leave with satisfied and full bellies.

For families that can’t agree on what to eat, Reading Terminal Market is the place to head to. One of America’s largest and oldest public markets, housed since 1893 in a National Historic Landmark building, the Market offers a huge choice of dishes to choose from including Asian, Middle Eastern, Pennsylvania Dutch and Philadelphia classics, you are sure to find something to pleases even the fussiest of eaters. Feast on an incredible selection of locally grown & exotic produce, locally sourced meats and poultry, plus the finest seafood, cheeses, baked goods, chocolates, ice cream and other crave-worthy confections.

Above- Reading Terminal Market

Craft Hall opened as a new experiential dining destination. Created as a maker’s space, the open concept highlights how the dishes are made, providing a unique experience and better understanding of the craftsmanship that goes into creating them. Located near the Delaware river in Northern Liberties, Craft Hall offers food and activities that the whole family can enjoy and was voted the “Best Bar for Parents” by Philadelphia Magazine, there is a pirate themed play area for the kids to enjoy whilst the adults sample the craft beer brewed on site.

For more information on family friendly dining in Philadelphia click here.

Festive Philadelphia
Philadelphia over the festive period is not to be missed and there are a host of fantastic Christmassy things to do that will please all the family.

Dilworth Park within the city centre gets a dramatic seasonal transformation with the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Ice Rink, the Deck the Hall Light Show, Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market and Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Cabin.

Above- Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market

LumiNature returns to the Philadelphia Zoo, featuring dozens of illuminating, animal-themed displays and Franklin Square will host a festive mini golf course, charming carousel, and the popular Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show, which features over 100,000 lights throughout the park that are accompanied by Christmas music.

Above- LumiNature at Philadelphia Zoo

Philadelphia Christmas Village is a Philadelphia holiday tradition which takes place in LOVE Park and the northern part of City Hall. The pop-up market will feature over 110 local artisans and makers selling hand-crafted goods out of traditional German wooden shopping stalls. Popular kids’ attractions within the Village include the Ferris Wheel and Kids Train and a two-tier holiday carousel plus there are daily live performances and themed weekend activities.

A Philadelphia tradition since 1956, the Macy’s Christmas Light Show in the historic Wanamaker Building features whimsical holiday scenes made of over 100,000 LED lights, including a 34,500-LED tree, that dance along to classic tunes from the Wanamaker Organ (the largest playable instrument in the world).

For information on these and more family friendly festive fun click here.

The Philadelphia Convention and Visitor Bureau has produced a series of suggested itineraries for short stays in the city. Click here for a three-day family itinerary.

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

ENDS

For Further Press Information, please contact:

Anna Watt
anna@gregevansconsultancy.com
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.

    ENJOY A WONDROUS WINTER ESCAPE TO PHILADELPHIA

    Philadelphia, the first World Heritage City in the U.S and the City of Brotherly Love, is home to American history, chef-driven cuisine, abundant outdoor space, and an unparalleled arts and culture scene. It is a fantastic destination for a fun filled winter break offering a multitude of things to see and do throughout the festive season and into 2022.

    Philadelphia boasts a number of pop-up Christmas markets including one of the largest in the United States, several Ferris wheels, carousels and ice rinks, multiple must-see holiday light displays, and dozens of other festive experiences. Combine this with the fact you can take advantage of tax-free shopping as well as cheaper accommodation and flights than to other major US cities, means it is a great choice all round.

    Yuletide highlights include the Christmas Village In Philadelphia which returns to LOVE Park and City Hall until 24th December. Featuring over 110 local artisans and makers selling hand-crafted goods out of traditional German wooden shopping stalls, colourful fairground rides, a food court and beer garden.

    Just a few steps from the Christmas Village you will find a host of other festive treats at Dilworth Park which has been transformed into a winter wonderland. These include a Cabin, beautifully decorated with elements reminiscent of a rustic ski chalet where you can enjoy cocktails around a firepit, Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn, where you can enjoy a stroll through the gorgeous reindeer topiaries and seasonal plantings and the city’s much loved Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink.

    A Philadelphia tradition since 1956, the Macy’s Christmas Light Show in the historic Wanamaker Building features colourful holiday scenes made of over 100,000 LED lights, including a 34,500-LED tree. The light show is voiced by legendary actor Julie Andrews and features the “The Nutcracker” and “Frosty the Snowman” backed by the sounds of the world-famous Wanamaker Organ (the largest playable instrument in the world). For 2021, the holiday show will be performed once a day at 10:30 a.m. from 1st to 24th December, and at 11:30 a.m. from 26th to 31st December.

    For top festive suggestions in and around the city click here.

    The Philadelphia Convention and Visitor Bureau has recently launched its new 2021 Holiday/ Winter Official Visitor Guide, with hints and tips on what to see and do in the city between now and March 2022. Highlighting festive activities plus essential events, attractions, restaurants and shops in each neighbourhood, as well as exciting new experiences throughout the city as well as suggestions on where to go for the ultimate Instagram photo.

    Top exhibits include the world premiere of Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which comes to the Franklin Institute from 18th February and the critically acclaimed retrospective of iconic American Artist Jasper Johns: Mind/ Mirror at the Philadelphia Museum of Art which is running until 13th February.

    Foodies will enjoy exploring some of Philadelphia’s new restaurant options which include LMNO, a Baja-Mexican venture from acclaimed restaurateur Stephen Starr, which is also part book store, part music venue and part art gallery. Traditional Low country Southern cuisine is now being served at Rex In The Royal which is inside the historic Royal Theatre, once a central piece of Black culture in Philadelphia in the early 20th century.

    The guide can be viewed and is available for download here.

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

    ENDS

    For Further Press Information, please contact:
    Anna Watt
    anna@gregevansconsultancy.com
    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.

    PHILADELPHIA LOOKS TO WELCOME BACK UK & IRISH VISITORS WITH EXCITING NEW EXPERIENCES

    The city of Philadelphia has numerous reasons to entice UK and Irish visitors back once the border opens up in November. With a full diary of exciting events throughout the next year, some fantastic new openings to explore as well as the long-time old favourites to re-visit, Philadelphia is an East Coast favourite that doesn’t fail to impress.

    Getting there

    Philadelphia’s central location on the East Coast — just 90 minutes from New York City and just over two hours to Washington, D.C. — is the perfect starting point to any American adventure. It is easily accessed from the UK with a seven-hour direct flight from London Heathrow operated by British Airways (four times a week) and American Airlines (daily) and boasts some of the shortest customs and immigrations processing times in the United States.

    Once visitors arrive at Philadelphia International Airport, the city is easily accessed, it’s a 25-minute ride by train or a 20-minute ride in a taxi to the city centre.

    Click here to read more about transportation around Philadelphia.

    Staying

    With over 14,400 hotel rooms in the city centre, Philadelphia has an extensive offering of accommodation types to cover all budgets, with most major hotel brands plus an impressive range of independent and boutique properties located throughout the centre and beyond.

    There have been a number of exciting new hotel openings during 2021, these include the eco-conscious Element Philadelphia, luxurious W Philadelphia, the historic Guild House Hotel and the entertainment and gambling mecca of Live! Casino & Hotel.

    For information on Philadelphia’s new hotels click here.

    Exploring

    Philadelphia is considered one of the most walkable large cities in the United States, is incredibly bike friendly, and is home one of the largest city-owned urban park systems in the world. Visitors can surround themselves in the great outdoors all year round, whether it’s exploring the city’s historic sites and urban parks on foot, hiking or biking around Philadelphia’s 270 miles of scenic trails or marvelling at the mosaics and murals whilst wandering through the city’s open-air art gallery. Click here to read more about discovering Philadelphia’s outdoor spaces.

    The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau has recently launched a series of itineraries to aid planning your trip to the city, focusing on popular themes including By The Book, which explores the city’s rich history, Art Lovers, which looks into the city’s rich art and cultural offering, and Unexpected, which takes you off the beaten park to see some unique and often bizarre hidden gems. Click here to read more.

    New Arts and Cultural Experiences

    Philadelphia’s art and cultural offering is a strong pull for international visitors, exhibitions to look forward to next year include:

    The world premiere of Harry Potter: The Exhibition global tour will be taking place at The Franklin Institute in early 2022. This ground-breaking exhibition will celebrate the iconic moments, characters, settings, and beasts as seen in the films and stories of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World using best-in-class immersive design and technology. Click here for further information.

    In early 2023, look for The Franklin Institute to host yet another world premiere, the Walt Disney Company’s 100-year anniversary exhibition.

    Now on view, Jasper Johns: Mind/Mirror at Philadelphia Museum of Art marks first major museum retrospective of the iconic artist on the East Coast in a quarter of a century. The unprecedented collaboration is on view concurrently in Philadelphia and at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York until 13 February 2022. Tickets to the exhibition are free with admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. For further details on the exhibition click here.

    The newly opened Neon Museum of Philadelphia displays over 120 neon signs and artworks and is dedicated to preserving historic signage as an important element of community heritage in Philadelphia and America. The Museum also promotes neon art and appreciation of the 20th century American roadside. Click here to find out more.

    Dining

    Philadelphia has a booming food scene, from high end restaurants with award-winning chefs to food hall favourites, there’s something to excite every palate.

    Above: Ancient Spirits and Grille

    The city’s celebrated restaurant scene has welcomed several top accolades this year including Israeli grill Laser Wolf, named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Best New Restaurant in the World, plus a number of new dining and drinking experiences that have opened up. Highlights include:

    Ancient Spirits and Grille in Rittenhouse Square is the world’s first Ayurvedic herb restaurant and lounge bar serving European cuisine rooted in Ayurvedic principles. Patrons answer a short series of questions via a mobile app that helps their server personalize food and drink recommendations tailored to their physical makeup and metabolism.

    At La Chinesca on Spring Garden Street, Chinese-American and Northern Baja cuisine meet inside a former pumping station, making something unique for Philadelphia.

    No trip to Philadelphia is complete without a trip to the world-famous Reading Terminal Market, one of America’s largest and oldest public markets, offering an incredible selection of locally grown and exotic produce as well as a huge choice of eateries. New additions this year include the Filipino restaurant Tambayan, and Ma Lessie’s Chicken & Waffles serving southern style soul food. In 2021, Reading Terminal Market was voted the best public market in the United States by USA Today 10Best.

    For more information on eating and drinking in Philadelphia click here and to read more about new restaurants in Philadelphia click here.

    Exciting Annual Events

    Many fantastic events draw visitors from across the world into Philadelphia each year, whether you are into culture, nature or love to party, you are sure to be kept entertained.

    Above: Philadelphia Flower Show

    The holiday season is a wonderful time to be in Philadelphia with a host of events taking place throughout the city, including open air ice rinks, pop up markets and spectacular light shows. On New Year’s Day the annual Mummers Parade takes place along Broad Street, one of the oldest folk parades in the United States.

    The Philadelphia Flower Show is the largest and longest-running horticultural event in the United States (since 1829), the event features breath-taking displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers. It will take place outdoors at FDR Park for only the second time in its nearly 200-year history, from 11-19 June 2022, with the theme of “In Full Bloom,” focusing on the recuperative powers of the garden.

    Philadelphia PrideDay is one of the largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ pride in the nation, attracting more than 25,000 people each year to the city’s Gayborhood community for a march along Market Street. The event is usually held each June during National Gay Pride Month.

    The Philadelphia Marathon, in November, is one of the top 10 marathons in the U.S as well as being one of the fastest courses in the country. It includes a full marathon, half marathon, 8K and kids’ fun run and is a great way to see America’s Historic Mile and sites throughout Fairmont Park.

    For further information on Philadelphia’s annual events click here.

    For more information on Philadelphia, visit the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website, www.discoverPHL.com

    -ENDS-

    For Further Press Information, please contact:

    Anna Watt – Philadelphia UK Office
    Tel:                07815 898995
    Email:            anna@gregevansconsultancy.com

    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.

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