The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has held the Philadelphia Flower Show since 1829. The event attracts 250,000 attendees from across the globe. It raises $1 million for PHS programs that promote sustainability, health, and well-being.
Above: PHS Flower Show 2023. Photo by Pel Productions for the PHLCVB
With a new theme each year, the Philadelphia Flower Show invites premier floral and landscape designers from around the world to bring dazzling displays to life in Philadelphia. The event draws both floral artists and aficionados, bringing them together to marvel at the show’s breath taking arrangements.
Above: PHS Flower Show 2023. Photo by Pel Productions for the PHLCVB.
2024 Flower Show
The 2024 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will mark the event’s 195th year. It will be held March 2-10, 2024 with “United by Flowers” as its theme. Organizers say the theme is a celebration of “the colourful community that comes together to share in their love of gardening, flowers, and plants, and the impact they make on our lives all year round.”
In addition to its usual impressive floral displays, the 2024 show will also feature the world’s largest houseplant and indoor plant competition. Both expert and amateur horticulturalists are encouraged to enter their displays which will be judged by experts from around the world.
Above: PHS Flower Show 2023. Photo by Pel Productions for the PHLCVB.
As well as enjoying the flower exhibits, guests can take part in a number of events and activities to enjoy at the show. New this year is a specialty Behind the Blooms Tour which goes deeper into the realm of horticulture at the Flower Show. Led by expert-level horticulturists, and designed for master gardeners, participants learn about the Show’s diverse and sustainable plant varieties as well as garden design concepts.
Flowers After Hours is an after-hours dance party which takes place on 9th March. The evening features music and entertainment among the Flower Show floral, garden, and landscape designs. Immerse yourself in an iridescent celebration with this year’s theme, Shimmer & Shine. The event is for guests 21 years of age and older and takes place from 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm.
At Butterflies Live you can experience native and exotic butterflies surrounded by flowering plants in a serene setting that allows hundreds of butterflies to spread their wings. Younger Flower Show guests can have fun in the free Kids Cocoon activities area where they can have a go at planting a seedling, read a story, and enjoy hourly program of activities from many local horticulturally-focused partners.
Tickets to the Philadelphia Flower Show are now on sale here.
For information on things to see and do in Philadelphia go to www.discoverPHL.com
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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.
Philadelphia was named the 2023 Most Walkable City in the U.S by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards. The city was selected by a panel of travel experts and won based on reader votes.
“Philadelphia is consistently ranked amongst the nation’s most walkable cities and we are happy to see the city again receiving national recognition for its ease of access” said Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This award confirms what we already knew about Philadelphia – it is an accessible destination that is easy to navigate on foot, from river to river.”
The list of 20 competing cities was determined by a panel of travel experts, looking for walkable cities that offer many hotels, restaurants and attractions, all accessible to visitors by pedestrian-friendly streets. Philadelphia was voted number one by USA Today readers and members of the public after a 28-day voting period.
Above images courtesy of Visit Philadelphia, L to R: Independence Hall, Barnes Foundation and Old City
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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.
America’s founding city is the latest of just eight destinations in the United States to be selected by Michelin for inclusion in their distinguished collection of global guidebooks.
In June Michelin will be publishing its very first Philadelphia destination guide, highlighting the city’s top leisure travel experiences. The Michelin Green Guide includes unmissable attractions, restaurants, hotels and experiences in Philadelphia and The Countryside of Philadelphia.
Since 1900, the Michelin Guide has featured destinations around the globe and has long been recognized internationally as the most prestigious standard for restaurant and hotel recommendations.
The Philadelphia destination guide says the city “offers the perfect compromise between American excess and European spirit, not to mention all the appeal of a city packed with art, history, and a cultural effervescence few people expect.”
The editors name their standout recommendations, including biking the Schuylkill River Trail, exploring the city’s more than 4,000 public murals and marveling at the Philadelphia Orchestra. Of Philadelphia’s performing arts offerings, the guide boasts, “there’s no point in going to New York when the shows here are Broadway quality and offer all the zest and virtuosity of the typical American production.”
Notable Philadelphia residents offer their personal insight on what makes the city special, featuring Mural Arts founder and executive director Jane Golden and Philadelphia Orchestra music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
The guide editors also list their “top picks” for dining, including classic cheesesteak spots like Campo’s and Ishkabibble’s and new favourites like South Philly Barbacoa and Her Place. Of Philadelphia’s food scene, the guide says, “the city offers many mouth-watering reasons for foodies to make a beeline for Philly.”
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), the official tourism promotion agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, was approached by Michelin to partner on the creation of a destination guide. The PHLCVB collaborated with Chester County Tourism and Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board to extend the guide’s coverage to feature The Countryside of Philadelphia, including Nemours, Winterthur, Longwood Gardens and more. The guide will be available in both French and English language editions.
“Philadelphia truly is a global city and recognition of our excellent hotels, restaurants and attractions from Michelin with a dedicated destination guide is the result of our collective work elevating the region on the international stage,” said Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the PHLCVB. “We are confident the Michelin Green Guide will help inspire even more travellers to experience our city.”
Philippe Orain, editor-in-chief of the Michelin Green Guide said, “Philadelphia is a condensed version of today’s America: a historic city turned towards the future. It will entice you thanks to its old neighbourhoods rich with incredible restaurants, its museums of unbelievable culture and its glittering skyscrapers. It is worth the travel and becomes an essential gateway for a trip to the East Coast. ”
Orain will be in Philadelphia to launch the English-language version of the Green Guide on Thursday, May 18, when he will announce the star reward recipients. The French language version launches this month, with the English book available for UK and North American travellers from June.
Determined by Michelin criteria, the Green Guide awards stars to aspects of the tourism experience such as the destination itself, the neighbourhoods, and museums/attractions. Restaurants are given hearts which identify the editor’s favourites. The star grades, one, two or three, reflect a specific review, either worth a visit, worth a detour or worth a special journey, respectively.
Philadelphia is easily accessible with daily direct flights from London Heathrow with British Airways and American Airlines and daily direct flights from Dublin with Aer Lingus and American Airlines.
ENDS-
For Further Press Information, please contact:
Anna Watt
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.
About Michelin
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to sustainably enhancing its clients’ mobility; designing and distributing the most suitable tires, services, and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps, and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries, has 132,200 employees and operates 67 tire production facilities which together produced around 167 million tires in 2022. (https://www.michelin.com/)
If you are looking for a healthy and active city break, look no further than Philadelphia, a very outdoorsy city boasting a huge urban park system and extensive walking, running, and cycling trails.
Many of Philadelphia’s attractions and much of the city’s magnificent collection of outdoor public art can be reached by foot so you can keep to your daily step target whilst enjoying all there is to see and do throughout the city.
If the weather isn’t playing ball, head inside to break into a sweat at one of the many hotel and public gyms. When hunger strikes, your health regime is not at risk, with many choices of healthy food options to be found.
Outdoors exploration
Philadelphia boasts one of the largest city-owned urban park systems in the world. Taking up over 2,000 acres, Fairmount Park incorporates more than 60 individual parks, as well as more than 200 historic buildings, an impressive collection of public art and the country’s first zoo and more, all within its borders.
Above: Fairmount Park Boxer’s Trail. Photo courtesy of Fairmount Park Conservancy
An extensive system of trails winds throughout the city, making it easy to get around without the need for transportation.
For more information on Philadelphia’s outdoor spaces click here.
Running
Philadelphia is built for runners, with a huge number of running trails throughout the city which you can explore alone at your own speed. Alternatively, you can join a group run, these are organised by one of Philadelphia’s many running clubs and take place most weekdays and weekends. Most are free to join and no advance reservation is required.
Philadelphia Marathon is one of the top 10 marathons in the U.S. and includes a full marathon, half marathon, 8K and kids fun run. This year’s events take place between 17th and 19th November.
Above: Philadelphia Marathon
For more information in running in Philadelphia click here.
Running tours
Visitors can enjoy an informative tour of the city whilst at the same time doing cardiovascular exercise.
SeePhillyRun’s tours pair fitness with history, as tour groups follow the guide on all-levels running trails throughout the city, stopping along the way to learn more about historical sites, cultural institutions, and public art. No running tour would be complete without an obligatory run up the “Rocky Steps” – the 72 steps leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art made famous by fictional character Rocky Balboa during his training in the movie “Rocky.”
Above: Running Tour. Photo courtesy of SeePhillyRun
Cycling
Indego is Philadelphia’s affordable and convenient bike share program. Offering more than 130 stations throughout the city with both classic and electric bikes available.
Above: Philadelphia bike share. Photo courtesy of Indego
At Fairmount Park you can cycle on or off-road for miles. Don’t miss Belmont Plateau in West Fairmount Park where you can take in amazing views of the Philadelphia skyline.
The Schuylkill River Trail is a paved scenic trail ideal for cycling. It stretches along the river for 25 miles from South Philadelphia to Manayunk and winds past Boathouse Row along Kelly Drive into the Countryside of Philadelphia.
Click here for some suggested Philadelphia bike itineraries.
Skating
Lace up your skates, stretch out your legs, and enjoy some fresh air at one of Philadelphia’s popular outdoor skating rinks. Skate beside Philadelphia City Hall at the Rothman Orthopaedics Rink in Dilworth Park, at the heart of the city. Starting in the spring, usually in April and continuing into the summer through July, the rink offers daily roller-skating sessions. Then, during the winter months – typically from November through February – the rink transforms into an ice-skating rink where visitors are encouraged to embrace the cooler temperatures and warm up with a skating session.
Above: Roller skating at City Hall
For another rink option, head to Independence Blue Cross RiverRink along the Delaware River Waterfront, a 12,000-square-foot riverside rink which offers ice skating during its annual months-long Winterfest and roller skating during its annual months-long Summerfest.
Hotels with gyms
Many hotels in Philadelphia have gyms so guests can start or end their day with a workout:
A stay at this historic city centre hotel gives you access to the massive 93,000-square-foot Sporting Club at the Bellevue fitness facility which even includes an NBA-sized basketball court.
The Rittenhouse Spa & Club, where you’ll find a heated indoor pool, fitness facility which features top scale equipment including RealRyder and Peloton indoor cycling bikes, an outdoor fitness deck, indoor pool plus sauna and steam rooms.
The hotel encourages guests to be active as much as possible, with a 24/7 fitness centre equipped with state-of-the-art cardio equipment and yoga mats provided in each room. Guests also have free use of the hotel’s custom-designed bikes and for kids there are Micro Kickboard scooters available.
Healthy food
A Philadelphia cheesesteak makes for a great treat on your cheat day, but lighter, healthier options are available at plenty of restaurants.
• Vegan and Vegetarian
Vedge, which has been ranked as one of Thrillist’s 33 Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in America, offers elegant dining with an internationally-inspired, vegan, seasonal menu which features dishes made with fresh, locally-sourced vegetables,
Primary Plant Based, a casual vegan restaurant in the Fishtown neighborhood offers very reasonably priced, seasonal dishes made with local ingredients from a globally-inspired menu.
Charlie Was A Sinner is a cocktail bar that specializes in drinks made with fresh fruit juice and organic alcohol. Healthy vegetarian small plates are available, including charred shishito peppers or avocado toast topped with radishes and red onions.
• Sushi
Hiroki is a fine dining restaurant offering unique sushi options focusing on tradition and technique.
At Morimoto you can enjoy creative and delightful twists on Japanese staples, like tofu created fresh at your table, and seafood tobanyaki cooked and served in its own hot plate and red miso broth.
For a luxurious sushi dining experience, consider Omakase by Yanaga. This relatively newer restaurant in Philadelphia offers an exclusive, luxurious 25-course dining and sake pairing experience.
Above: Omakase by Yanaga, photo by J.Ryan for PHLCVB
Farm to Table
The pioneer of farm to table cuisine in Philadelphia, Fork serves seasonally focused contemporary American cuisine.
Talula’s Garden offers a healthy and delicious inventive spin on farm-to-table classics.
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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.
The world premiere of Disney100: The Exhibition, which celebrates Disney 100 Years of Wonder, launches a World Tour at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute on February 18, 2023.
Created for the 100-year celebration of The Walt Disney Company, the exhibition will immerse guests in the beloved stories that have been dazzling guests since 1923, when Walt Disney set his company on a path that would revolutionize the entertainment industry.
President and CEO of The Franklin Institute Larry Dubinski commented, “The Franklin Institute is thrilled to host Disney100: The Exhibition, the first major event to mark the global celebration of Disney’s 100 years, allowing fans throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond the very first opportunity to see these crown jewels come to life in beautifully crafted galleries reflecting the creative empire synonymous with imaginative storytelling, innovation, discovery, and wonder.”
Over the past 100 years, Disney has brought its iconic stories and characters to life in new and innovative ways, becoming part of the global culture and creating generations of memories for billions. Disney100: The Exhibition invites guests to step into their favourite stories using innovation and immersive technology throughout ten galleries in the 15,000-square-foot exhibit.
The Walt Disney Archives opens its vault of treasures, showcasing hundreds of extraordinary objects, including many of Disney’s “Crown Jewels” – more than 250 rarely seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia. Disney has curated special behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creation of the most popular characters, films, shows, and attractions – from Disneyland to Walt Disney World® Resort and beyond.
The ten magnificent and imaginatively themed galleries, with moving stories, unique interactive installations, and exciting background information, will take visitors on a journey through 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, celebrating the classics from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Strange World, as well as the latest members of the Disney family – Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic.
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.
About The Franklin Institute
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in science and technology learning and a dynamic centre of activity. As Pennsylvania’s most visited museum, it is dedicated to creating a passion for learning about science by offering access to hands-on science education. For more information, visit www.fi.edu.
About the Walt Disney Archives
For more than 50 years, the Walt Disney Archives has carefully safeguarded the most treasured items from The Walt Disney Company’s history, including original scripts, movie props and costumes, Walt Disney’s correspondence and script notes, theme park artifacts, merchandise, millions of archival photographs, and many of Walt’s personal effects. Founded by Disney Legend Dave Smith in 1970, the Walt Disney Archives is a vital resource for every part of Disney, as well as an important research centre for Disney scholars, researchers, and writers. The Archives also shares its countless pieces with Disney fans everywhere through its exhibitions and close association with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.
The setting for Halloween Nights is unparalleled. Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a lost world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. This gothic structure, with soaring 30-foot-high fortress walls, is intimidating enough during the day. At night, the cellblocks fall into darkness and the penitentiary takes on a different energy.
Photo courtesy of Eastern State Penitentiary
Halloween Nights brings visitors into the penitentiary’s cellblocks, exercise yards, workshops, outdoor courtyards, and hidden nooks. Nearly every inch of the penitentiary complex is activated for the event, which features five haunted houses, live entertainment, and themed bars, as well as night-time historic tours and museum experiences.
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary returns for its 2022 season on Friday, 23rd September. The annual event, which runs select nights until 12th November, will feature three new attractions- two haunted houses and an immersive, themed bar. ‘Nightmares’, will bring visitors face-to-face with the creatures that lurk in the shadowy corners of their most unsettling dreams . ‘Big Top Terror’ winds through the grounds of a twisted carnival with menacing characters at every turn. Continuing their carnival-themed adventure, visitors can stop for a drink and light fare at the ‘Bizarre Bar’ where fire dancers, knife throwers, and other acts will be on hand to entertain.
Photo courtesy of Eastern State Penitentiary
Halloween Nights will also bring back the popular option to “opt in” for a more intense experience for the first time since 2019. If they choose, visitors can pick up a glow necklace at the entrance to any haunted house. Anyone wearing a glow necklace may be grabbed, sent into hidden passageways, and even temporarily separated from their group.
Night-time History and Museum Experiences
Within the festival is an area for the historic site’s flagship history and museum experiences. Visitors can take a break from the scares in the Fair Chance Beer Garden, operated in partnership with Triple Bottom Brewing Company. This area includes Eastern State’s award-winning Prisons Today exhibit which covers the the root causes of mass incarceration, and a history highlights audio tour narrated by actor Steve Buscemi that illustrates patterns of incarceration with a dramatic 16-foot-tall bar graph on the prison’s baseball diamond. A guided flashlight tour takes visitors into Eastern State Penitentiary’s historic Cellblock 3, the Hospital Block.
For more information on spooky fun in Philadelphia click here.
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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.
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.
The Barnes Foundation houses the world’s largest private collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces, featuring pieces by world renown artists including Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Monet, Manet and Degas. These well-known artists’ works are complemented by Native American pottery, Pennsylvania German decorative furniture and various ceramics and metalwork, as well as sculpture and art from Mexico, China, Africa, early Greece and Rome.
Above- Barnes Foundation, Photo courtesy of the Barnes Foundation
Coming to the Barnes Foundation later this year is Modigliani Up Close, showing from October 16, 2022 to January 29, 2023, the exhibition takes a close look at how Modigliani created his works, which are portraits and nudes often characterised by a surreal elongation of faces and necks.
Towards the eastern end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts which was founded in 1805 by Charles Wilson Peale. It is the first and oldest art museum and art school in the United States. The museum houses a renowned collection of American paintings from the 1760s to the present although it is best known internationally for its collections of 19th- and 20th century paintings, sculptures and works on paper.
Above: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB
Moore College of Art and Design was founded in 1848 as the first and only women’s visual arts college in the United States. The Galleries at Moore introduce the work of significant regional, national and international artists through exhibitions and educational programs.
Public Art
There are thousands of pieces of incredible public art to admire throughout the city, which is considered the largest outdoor art gallery in the world. Read more about key pieces of Philadelphia’s public art here. You can discover these and more on a group of self-guided tour, by foot, bike, Segway or bus.
Above: Mural Segway Tour. Photo courtesy of WeVenture
Above: LOVE Park. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB
The huge amount of public art is thanks to a number of organisations. The Association for Public Art was founded in Philadelphia in 1872 and is the country’s first private entity dedicated to public art. Its mission is to commission, preserve, interpret and promote public art in the city. The Association has created six self-guided tours which are free to download here.
Above: Electric Streets Mural. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB
The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority’s Percent for Art Program, which was established in 1959, resulted in the city becoming the first in the nation to require most property developers to dedicate a percentage (about one percent) of the project’s construction budget to commission a new piece of art. The program has resulted in more than 650 works that can be found throughout the city and include sculptures on public streets, paintings that brighten underground subway stations and unusual light displays.
Over 4,000 murals can be found throughout the City of Philadelphia, making it the “Mural Capital of the World.” Mural Arts Philadelphia started as an anti-graffiti program in 1984 and has grown to be an international leader having activated some of Philadelphia’s most unassuming locations repurposing public spaces. They run a number of different public tours, read more here.
As well as sculpture and murals, more unusual public art found in Philadelphia includes mosaic, the most prominent local artist in this medium being Isaiah Zagar who has been creating public mosaics since the 1960’s, his largest work being Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens which spans three city lots, the equivalent to half a block.
Above: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Photo by M. Zugale for PHLCVB
Other public art forms to look out for include Toynbee Tiles which are sidewalk plaques with oft-cryptic messages, first noticed in Philadelphia in the 1980s and yarn or textile art, also known as Yarn bombing or graffiti knitting (amongst other things).
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
