NEW JERSEY WELCOMES NEW FLIGHTS AS WELL AS NEW AND RETURNING VISITORS

British Airways have recently announced the addition of a new flight to and from Newark Liberty International Airport which will launch in June and making it three daily routes from London Heathrow, as well as United Airlines’ two daily flights from Dublin to Newark and Aer Lingus’ daily flight from Dublin to Newark.

Located in northern eastern United States New Jersey is bounded by New York to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, and Delaware and Pennsylvania to the west. The state boasts countless things to entice and entertain visitors, here are just some of the reasons you should visit New Jersey in 2022.

1) The Great Outdoors

There are over 130 miles of New Jersey beaches to enjoy, and over 50 seaside resort towns including Asbury Park, Atlantic City and Cape May. The spectacularly soft shoreline stretches from the top of Sandy Hook to the tip of Cape May Point, and there is a beach for everyone- families enjoy Long Beach Island and Point Pleasant, surfers and boogie boarders ride the surf at Manasquan. For a more low-key beach outing, Avalon, Ocean Grove, Spring Lake or Cape May are where to head. A more hipster vibe can be enjoyed at Asbury Park which features one of the best beaches in the state.

Above- Manasquan, photo courtesy of The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism

There are many natural wonders in New Jersey. Pinelands (or Pine Barrens) cover over one million acres of farms, forests and wetlands near Hammonton, occupying 22% of New Jersey’s land area and it is the largest body of open space on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard between Richmond and Boston. It is home to blueberries, renowned cranberry bogs and dozens of rare plant and animal species including the ubiquitous Jersey Devil.

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is where you can find Great Falls of the Passaic River, one of the highest waterfalls in the country. This 77ft high 260ft wide waterfall was at the forefront of the American Industrial Revolution and was the venue for harnessing its hydro power to drive machinery.

Above- Patterson Great Falls. Photo courtesy of The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism

A host of outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round in the state of New Jersey, top tips include hiking along the New Jersey portion of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which stretches more than 2,180 miles from Georgia to Maine. Book a rafting tour and float downriver at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Paddle your way through Great Egg Harbour River, a 129-mile river system that flows through Pinelands National Reserve or canoe or kayak the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River, the largest free-flowing river on the eastern side of the country.

2) Food

New Jersey is a delight for foodies. Famous for iconic foods such as hoagies, Italian Hot Dogs, Rippers, Port Roll, Tomato Pie and Salt Water Taffie, however it also has a burgeoning food scene which you can explore through trendsetting eateries, artisanal coffee shops or gourmet food stores. Read more about current local food trends here.

You can now take in the culinary roots of late celebrity chef, bestselling author and TV personality Anthony Bourdain, who spent most of his childhood growing up in the state. An itinerary launched by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism spotlights 10 New Jersey restaurants featured on Bourdain’s Emmy Award-winning TV series ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’, including Fort Lee institution Hiram’s Roadstand- Bourdain’s “happy place”, Tony’s Baltimore Grill in Atlantic City and Donkey’s Place in Camden which serves cheesesteak he claimed “should be a national landmark”.

Above- Tony’s Baltimore Grill in Atlantic City. Photo Credit: Meet AC

3) Attractions

With world-class attractions located throughout the state no visitor can claim to have nothing to do in New Jersey. Just a few of these include:

Liberty State Park is one of the state’s most dramatic parks, with the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as a spectacular backdrop. Here visitors can walk, run or ride Liberty Walk, a two-mile promenade, visit the Liberty Landing Marina, the NJ Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial and state-of-the-art Liberty Science Centre. You can also take a ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Above- Liberty State Park. Photo courtesy of The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism

Theme Park fans should head to American Dream, located in East Rutherford, which is the Western Hemisphere’s largest theme park, home to thrilling rides and experiences, including DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park and the new Observation Wheel, with unveiled views of New York City’s skyline from 235 feet in the air. In Jackson Township Six Flags Great Adventure’s newest addition is Jersey Devil which is the world’s tallest single-rail coaster.

Grounds for Sculpture was created to make contemporary sculpture more accessible. This sprawling garden provides a casual setting for visitors to stroll through its 42 manicured acres to enjoy over 400 contemporary works of art.

4) Fascinating history

New Jersey has a long and distinguished history that dates back far before the American Revolution, in which the state played a pivotal role. You can discover New Jersey’s rich history and heritage through many of its historical attractions. Study artifacts in museums such as New Jersey’s State Museum and Newark Museum or see ‘live history’ in recreated villages such as Historic Cold Springs Village, Allaire Village and Batsto Village where historically clothed interpreters give demonstrations and answer questions. Alternatively follow the trail that American and French soldiers took from 1781-1782 during the Revolutionary War whilst exploring the 680-mile Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail.

Above- Battle of Monmouth re-enactment. Photo courtesy of The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism

https://visitnj.org/American-RevolutionNew Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism have created three- and four-day American Revolution Trip Itineraries, which show you how you can experience for yourself the historic sites, memorials and monuments that find their home in charming towns, cosy villages and vibrant cities throughout the state.

5) Music

New Jersey has a rich music history, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Frank Sinatra all hail from here.

Visit the Bruce Springsteen Live! Exhibit at the Grammy Museum Experience at the Prudential Centre, the exhibit explores the evolution of Springsteen through the decades and grants exclusive backstage access to Springsteen legendary performances.

Catch a gig in Asbury Park, the music mecca of New Jersey. The Stone Pony is a club that has been central to the town’s music scene since 1974 and launched the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi.

SOPAC, in South Orange, is unlike most venues in the US. A non-profit multidisciplinary arts centre which hosts a variety of performances in an intimate live performance space, from dance and theatre, to family and music concerts. Its superb acoustics and small size create a unique and intimate connection between artists and audiences.

As well as at indoor venues, you can catch live performances at the many music festivals that take places throughout the year. Exit Zero Jazz Festival has become known as one of the most respected and creative jazz festivals in the country. It takes place in Cape May twice a year, every Spring and Fall, the next one takes place from May 13th to 15th. From June 16th -19th in Wildwood, country music lovers can see Eric Church, Cole Swindell and Jason Aldean at the second annual Barefoot Country Music Fest, the state’s largest country music festival. Sea.Hear.Now is a music, art and ocean sustainability festival featuring a professional surfing competition. The line-up for this year’s event, which takes place on September 17th and 18th is yet to be announced but last year Pearl Jam, The Avett Brothers and Billy Idol performed among others, so expect more big names this year.

Above- See.Hear.Now. Image by Kevin Doherty for See.Hear.Now

6) Shopping

The shopping options in New Jersey are plentiful, from upscale boutiques to bargain-friendly outlets, flea markets and discount malls, the variety of shopping in New Jersey is plentiful and with no retail tax on clothing or shoes, there’s extra need to pack light and come home heavy.

Designer items at a fraction of the original cost can be found at the many outlet malls dotted throughout the state, popular ones include The Mills at Jersey Gardens, The Mall at Short Hills and Jackson Premium Outlets which shoppers often visit by bus tours from New York in order to bag a bargain. American Dream is a 3-million-square-foot mall and one of the largest in North America.

A more “Main Street” vibe can be found in retail districts such as Historic Smithville and Village Green offering one-of-a-kind shops and attractions or for more exclusive retail therapy Princeton University town’s Palmer Square offers a stunning collection of brand-name shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques in a refined outdoor setting.

For more reasons to visit 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

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.
PR Contact:
Greg Evans Consultancy
Anna Watt, PR Director anna@gregevansconsultancy.com 07815 898995

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.

EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS IN ATLANTIC CITY

The resort city of Atlantic City, located on New Jersey’s Atlantic coast, is famous for its boardwalk, wide sandy beaches, world-class entertainment options, concerts, shows and events plus its rich choice in hotels. This year brings a number of exciting developments to the city, giving Brits even more reason to visit this vibrant and exciting city.

Spanning over 20 beachfront acres on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Ocean Casino Resort has announced $75M property reinvestment in 2022, which will bring 12 floors of new hotel rooms and suites, adding 360 guest rooms and nearly 100 suites, plus the growth of several of its non-gaming amenities, including culinary and entertainment experiences. This will build on its existing 1,399 guest rooms and suites; 135,000 square feet of gaming entertainment; 1,720 slot machines; 108 gaming tables; 160,000 square feet of meeting and convention space; 90,000 square feet of unique outdoor space; 4 upscale dining restaurants; 11 casual dining options; a 40,000 square foot spa; 6 signature day and nightlife experiences; and a 4,500-seat concert venue.

Above: Ocean Casino Resort

Caesars Entertainment and Nobu Hospitality have announced the expansion of their partnership with a new project coming to Atlantic City. Nobu Hotel Atlantic City is projected to open in the summer of 2022 within Caesars Atlantic City and will further position the city as a leading travel destination on the East Coast. Nobu Hotel Atlantic City, including a Nobu restaurant, is part of Caesars’ $400 million investment into the destination by 2023. This investment features enhancements to Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort, and Tropicana Atlantic City and includes high-end remodelled room towers and suites; freshly appointed interior design elements; enhancements to the casinos’ gaming floors; and many more exciting additions within the next three years.

Above: Nobu Atlantic City

Resorts Casino Hotel is renovating its rooftop pool, adding a retractable roof to enable it to be used year-round, the pool will be open in May 2022. Resorts also is investing $5 million into new table games and slot machines, remodelling its high-limit slots area, and creating a new VIP Asian-themed room.

Above: Resorts Casino Hotel

Showboat Hotel Atlantic City officially broke ground on their newest concept, Island Waterpark an $100M indoor water park which is set to open in 2023. The 103,000-square-foot park is intended to increase the offerings for families visiting Atlantic City and will feature water slides, pools, a lazy river, food and beverage outlets, retails space, lounge areas, and a party room.

For further information on what Atlantic City has to offer visitors go to www.touratlanticcity.com

ENDS

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

EXPLORE NEW JERSEY ON SCREEN

The US state of New Jersey has attracted film crews for decades with its diverse landscapes providing the perfect backdrop for any film genre, from vibrant cities to serene suburbs, wide sand beaches to dense forests, farm land, rambling rivers, mountains, historic buildings, botanical gardens and everything in between. Add to the fact that its location is served conveniently by air and road, the state offers film and television production tax credit and it boasts state of the art studio space and it’s the ideal choice of location, something recently highlighted in Variety Magazine.

There is a long list of great movies and TV shows filmed in New Jersey and fans can experience the locations their favourite show or films were set in when they visit. Here we take a look at just a few of the blockbusters filmed in the Garden State:

Steven Spielberg’s highly anticipated new movie West Side Story was released in UK cinemas last week (10th December). An adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Many of the filming locations were in the state of New Jersey, including Paterson, Newark and other parts of Essex County NJ.

New Jersey is well known as being the setting for the popular TV series The Sopranos, which follows Tony Soprano, an Italian-American mafia head who struggles to manage his family and criminal life. The series started in 1999 and ran until 2007. Fans flock to the show’s locations including the Soprano’s mansion, Asbury Park boardwalk, which appeared in Tony’s dreams and flashbacks and even the Bada Bing strip club, these any many other recognisable locations can be visited independently or on an organised tour. Read more here.

The Many Saints of Newark, The Sopranos prequel was released in September this year, follows a young Anthony Soprano growing up in 1960’s Newark, one of the most tumultuous eras in the city’s history. The movie was shot in Newark itself, as well as other Jersey towns such as Bloomfield, Jersey City, and Paterson, however several spots in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Yonkers stood in for 1960s Jersey.

In the 2019 movie The Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, New York and New Jersey locations are knitted together to create fictional Gotham City. Newark’s Market Street plays a prominent role in the opening scene and Loew’s Jersey Theatre in Jersey City’s Journal Square and William J. Brennan Courthouse on Newark Avenue can also be spotted in the film.

Bruised, is the highly-anticipated female-led movie starring and directed by Hollywood legend Halle Berry tells the story of a failed MMA fighter who has one last shot at redemption when the young son she left behind comes back into her life. Filmed entirely in New Jersey, namely in Atlantic City and Newark, the movie launched on Netflix on 24th November this year.

Nominated for two Oscars, 2008 movie The Wrestler stars Mickey Rourke as a retired wrestler and was filmed throughout New Jersey in locations including Asbury Park, Elizabeth, Rahway, Garfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Linden, Roselle Park and Dover.

80’s comedy classic Big, starring Tom Hanks has many locations in New Jersey. The carnival that houses the mystical Zoltar was in New Jersey’s historic film town, Fort Lee. The school, drugstore and the houses of Josh and Billy are all located in Cliffside Park.

The 2002 emotional and Oscar-winning drama A Beautiful Mind based on the life of the American mathematician John Nash, staring Russel Crowe, Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly, was filmed at Princeton University and Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison. Scenes were also filmed in Jersey City, Belleville, Newark and East Orange.

For more information or 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.

PR Contact:
Greg Evans Consultancy
Anna Watt, PR Director anna@gregevansconsultancy.com 07815 898995

 

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.

    EXPLORE THE FOODY HIGHLIGHTS OF ANTHONY BOURDAIN’S HOME STATE OF NEW JERSEY

    newjersey

    New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism has launched a new sample itinerary taking in the culinary roots of late celebrity chef, bestselling author and TV personality Anthony Bourdain, who spent most of his childhood growing up in the state.

    The trail spotlights 10 New Jersey restaurants featured on Bourdain’s Emmy Award-winning TV series ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’, including Fort Lee institution Hiram’s Roadstand- Bourdain’s “happy place” and Donkey’s Place in Camden which serves cheesesteak he claimed “should be a national landmark”.

    The trip Itinerary is a tribute to Bourdain’s childhood growing up in Leonia, New Jersey, and summers spent at the Jersey Shore. It features every trail stop as well as destination highlights and must-do activities along the way. It can be downloaded at https://visitnj.org/anthony-bourdain.

    New Jersey is known as the Garden State, named by Abraham Browning in 1876, who said the “Garden State is an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and open at both ends, with Pennsylvanians grabbing from one end and New Yorkers from the other.”

    With 130 miles of coastline, the state is a seafood lover’s dream, but it is also among the leaders in many forms of agricultural production. For example, New Jersey ranks 5th in the US for blueberry production, 3rd in cranberry production, 3rd in spinach, 3rd in bell peppers, 4th in peach production. With such an array of great foods, dining out in New Jersey can be a delicious, multi-culinary experience.

    For more information or 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.

    PR Contact:

    Greg Evans Consultancy

    Anna Watt, PR Director anna@gregevansconsultancy.com 07815 898995

    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.

    New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism Appoints The Greg Evans Consultancy

    Renown US specialist representation firm the Greg Evans Consultancy, also trading as GEC TR, has been appointed by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism to be its first ever UK based agency, charged with building awareness of the Garden state within both the trade and media, increase product offering and as a result encourage bookings for once the border opens in November.

    New Jersey, the ‘Garden State’, provides not only a gateway to the United States’ East Coast, but a wide variety of year-round experiences. Visitors can enjoy outdoor adventures, a huge variety of culinary offerings, educational opportunities, and a strong arts and cultural scene. With numerous state and national parks, 130 miles of beaches, skiing, tax-free shopping, historic sites, museums and more, New Jersey blends together its rich history and exciting present and offers picturesque escape opportunities for all ages.

    Director Greg Evans commented, “We are excited to be working with such a diverse and fascinating destination such as New Jersey. We are very much looking forward to reconnecting with our trade and media colleagues following the challenges that the pandemic has bought about, and help to encourage travel to the United States from November.”

    According to Jeff Vasser, executive director of the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism, “The UK and Ireland are extremely important markets for New Jersey and we’ve found visitors and the travel trade alike appreciate the depth and breadth of diverse offerings we provide here. We look forward to leveraging the strong experience and relationships offered by Greg Evans Consultancy to benefit our state.”

    For more information or to start planning a New Jersey holiday, visit www.visitnj.org

    ENDS

    PR Contact:

    GEC TR

    Anna Watt, PR Director anna@gregevansconsultancy.com 07815 898995