Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Romance abounds in February, and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) is making it possible for couples to celebrate their love in style thanks to the month-long 29 Nights of Dates promotion. A component of GPTMC’s popular With Love, Philadelphia XOXO® campaign, which is heavily focused on couples this winter, the facebook.com/visitphilly sweepstakes features nearly 70 prizes, including a Vespa—all valued at more than $13,000.

From February 1-29 (yes, it’s a leap year), fans of facebook.com/visitphilly will have a chance to win one of 29 fun, romantic and inspired Philly dates. Fans are encouraged to check facebook.com/visitphilly each day to see what prize is up for grabs on that day. Participants are permitted one contest entry per day. Prizes do not need to be redeemed on the day the winner is announced. Fox 29 is GPTMC’s media partner for the 29 Nights of Dates promotion and the official station of love this winter.

Here’s a look at 29 dates for 29 nights:

Ice, Ice Baby:

1. Skate, Sip, Sleep: Start your date by gliding hand-in-hand across the ice at the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time for lunch or dinner at the Moshulu, where you can enjoy breathtaking views, delicious fare and crave-worthy cocktails aboard this fully restored four-masted sailing ship. Then, head back to your hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing and enjoy complimentary champagne and chocolate as part of your Amour Package, which also includes breakfast for two and a late checkout.
2. Passion To Spare: Your night of passion begins at Chickie’s & Pete’s, recently named #1 sports bar on the East Coast by ESPN, where you’ll feast on colossal crab legs, mouth-watering mussels and just-can’t-get-enough World Famous Crabfries, topped with Old Bay seasoning and accompanied by a secret-recipe white cheese dipping sauce. After dinner, board the Taxi Crab to the Wells Fargo Center to watch the Philadelphia Flyers take on their next opponent with passion, energy and determination. Then, snuggle up for the night at Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown, and enjoy champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and breakfast for two.

Arts & Cultured:

3. Who’s The Boss?: You and your sweetie will go gaga over From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen, a rockin’ exhibition at the National Constitution Center featuring the guitar from the Born to Run cover, the iconic Born in the U.S.A. outfit, Clarence Clemons’ Jungleland saxophone, Springsteen’s 1960 Corvette, family photographs, handwritten lyrics and more, February 17-September 3. Once you’ve had your fill of the exhibit, make your way a few blocks south to Chifa, where you’ll enjoy Chef Jose Garces’ blend of Asian and Latin cuisines.
4. Art & About: It’s easy to fall for the vast collections of Renaissance, American and Impressionist art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and blockbuster exhibits—Van Gogh Up Close, on view February 1-May 6—make it even more of a draw. Know what else will make you swoon? Stephen Starr’s Il Pittore, nestled on a small Rittenhouse Square side street and serving up modern Northern Italian cuisine.
5. Headed North: A romantic setting since it was founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ historic Victorian Gothic building, designed by Frank Furness, is ornamental and elegant, yet perfectly sized for a casual, hand-held stroll. Head next door to the Samuel M. V. Hamilton Building to check out the Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit exhibit, January 28-April 15. After ogling this gifted artist’s works, continue your walk on North Broad straight to Route 6, Stephen Starr’s 20^th Philadelphia eatery, this one focused on coastal cuisine, with an extensive raw bar, lobster rolls and daily fish selections. After dinner, it’s off to unwind at Le Meridien Philadelphia, a striking 10-story Georgian revival-style building with a chic bar and brasserie.
6. For The Love Of Science: There are plenty of opportunities for romance at The Franklin Institute. Sneak away to the Fels Planetarium, where you can whisper sweet nothings to your loved one under the stars; take a walk through The Giant Heart, a long-time favorite and the perfect place to declare your feelings; or share your love of prehistoric creatures as you peruse Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs, on view through April 15. Next up: Square 1682, featuring New American cuisine with more than 40 small plates and an artisanal cocktail menu.
7. A Two-State Date: Your date begins in New Jersey at the Adventure Aquarium, home to hippos, seals, fish and a Shark Realm that will leave you holding your partner tight. Next, head over the river and into the great state of Pennsylvania for dinner at Old City’s Han Dynasty, serving endorphin-spiking dishes like dry-pot fish, tofu with ground pork, rabbit and peanuts in chili oil. With your stomachs full, slip off for a heavenly night’s sleep in the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel’s celebrated Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed.

Tour Time:

8. Get Cheesy: For romance that steps back in time, you can relax to the sounds of the clip-clop echoing through the cobblestone streets of Society Hill during a 76 Carriage Company horse-drawn carriage ride. Then, it’s time for Tria, an eclectic wine bar and cheese lounge offering boutique beers, a global wine list and a menu of tapas-style plates that are perfect for sharing.
9. That’s Amore: Rekindle your love in Philadelphia’s famed Italian Market. During a two-hour Urban Adventures tour, you’ll meet store owners, learn the history of the buzzing market and get your share of tasty samples. Once you’ve completed your Italian Market stroll, pop into Di Bruno Bros. to stock up on pasta, meats, cheeses and other gourmet goodies for a future romantic dinner at home. Tonight, there’s no need to mess up your kitchen though. Instead, enjoy supper at Supper, dishing out upscale, modern American cuisine in a rustic, urban farmhouse setting.
10. The Writing’s On the Wall: Nothing says love like a ride on the El train—at least since the Mural Arts Program and artist Stephen Powers teamed up to create Love Letter, a series of 50 rooftop murals that read like love notes from a boy to a girl. You’ll meet at Love Park, hop on the El with your tour guide and follow the messages from 45th to 63rd Streets. When the tour finishes, treat yourself to lunch at Table 31, a restaurant off the Comcast Center’s lobby that blends steakhouse cuisine with Italian regional dishes. While there, you can also sneak a peek at the lobby’s massive LED screen, depicting realistic nature imagery, urban landscapes and more. End your busy day at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown, where you’ll be treated to breakfast the next day.
11. Up, Up & Away: There may be no prettier way to take in the natural sites of Southeastern Pennsylvania than by coasting over them in a hot air balloon. Enjoy your choice of a sunrise or sunset tour by The United States Hot Air Balloon Team and the post-flight champagne toast that comes along with it. Continue your scenic day with a drive on Bucks County’s River Road, and leave time for dinner at the 18^th-century Black Bass Hotel, complete with expansive picture windows that overlook the water. End your lovely day at The Bridgeton House on the Delaware, a beautiful inn that also overlooks the Bucks County stretch of the Delaware River. Here you’ll a three-course breakfast and afternoon tea.
12. A Foodie Frenzy: Adoring foodies savor the moments during City Food Tours’ stomach-filling excursions around town. On your Decadent Gourmet tour, you’ll stop at five gourmet shops to indulge in sumptuous cheeses, Middle Eastern delights, decadent chocolate and luscious gelato. Once you’ve consumed your share of Philly foods, rest your tired feet—and stomachs—at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, home to the famously comfortable Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed.

Gardens, Glorious Gardens:

13. Aloha: The closest thing to a trip to Hawaii is a visit to the Philadelphia International Flower Show, which will transport you and your honey to paradise with its tropical colors and welcoming atmosphere, March 4-11. For lunch, make your way across the street to the Reading Terminal Market for a taste of Philly’s favorite delicacies, gourmet eats—or a little of both. Then, it’s time to enjoy a two-night stay at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, a modern hotel in a historic building that boasts Cartier clocks, a bank vault door and polished granite.
14. Green Acres: Head to Morris Arboretum in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia for a stroll through the lavish 92-acre Victorian garden, and be sure to steal some quiet moments in romantic settings such as the Springhouse and the Mercury Loggia Grotto. Now that you’ve admired the massive plant collection at the arboretum, wander over to Germantown Avenue to pick up a terrarium for your very own plant display at Earth, a zen shop selling garden supplies, home goods, bath necessities and jewelry. Then, take a much-needed lunch or dinner break at Cake, a bakery turned full-service restaurant located in Robertson’s Flowers’ picturesque conservatory.
15. Do You Believe in Magic?: Wander in awe through Isaiah Zagar’s Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens—an amazing maze of recycled glass and ceramic that makes up one of the city’s most eye-catching displays of public art—and learn about the artist’s techniques, inspirations and materials. After your guided tour, make your way up South Street for dinner at Ms. Tootsie’s Restaurant Bar Lounge, serving soul food classics, including sweet potato cheesecake and Sock-It-To-Me lemon butter pound cake.

Dinner & A Show:

16. Music To Your Ears: Dine in style at Sbraga, the buzzed-about American restaurant by Top Chef winner Kevin Sbraga, and allow the lauded chef to call the shots as you indulge in the four-course prix-fixe menu. Hit the right note after dinner with a performance by the acclaimed Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
17. Date Drama: Act I takes place at the Arden Theatre Company, producing smaller-scale works such as Clybourne Park (January 26-March 25), Cyrano (March 8-April 15) or Tulipomania: The Musical (May 24-July 1). The Arden’s Date Night package also includes a $25 giftcard for Marmont Steakhouse, the perfect spot for a couple of post-show cocktails. Head uptown for your final act of the evening at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City, and indulge in the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies you’ll receive upon arrival—and, of course, breakfast in the morning.
18. All That Jazz: Cozy up to a table a Zavino, and feast on gourmet pizzas, classic Italian dishes and a diverse wine selection. Now that you’ve set the mood, it’s off to Chris’ Jazz Cafe, named one of Downbeat Magazine’s “100 Best Places in the World to Hear Jazz,” to groove to the sounds of a local of national jazz act.
19. Laugh It Up: Find comfort at Pub & Kitchen, a gastropub favorite with wooden pew-like booths, spruce plank tabletops and a rotating menu that includes UK-inspired fare like fish and chips and award-winning burgers. After dinner, move onto Helium Comedy Club to laugh it up with big-time and on-the-rise jokesters. Once you’ve had your fill of the funnies, call it a night at the recently renovated Latham Hotel.
20. A Date-Night Classic: Dinner followed by a movie or a movie followed by dinner? You’re calling the shots tonight, and you can’t go wrong either way. Romance and delicious Italian cuisine await at Positano Coast, an upscale but casual trattoria serving all of the flavors of Italy’s Amalfi Coast with authentic and innovative flair. At the indie-movie haven Ritz Theaters, you can look forward to perfect-sized popcorn (if you still have room) and plenty of hand-holding time.

Dinner & Drinks:

21. Fancy-Pants Plans: Dress the part for your deliciously upscale dinner at Lacroix. In addition to French-influenced fusion cuisine, you’ll enjoy a picturesque view of Rittenhouse Square outside the glass windows of this fine-dining spot. Then, plan on an expertly mixed cocktail at speakeasy hotspot Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.
22. Savor & Sleep: Your night to remember starts with a New American meal at foodie favorite Fork and ends at the Sofitel Philadelphia Hotel, a luxury hotel in the city’s posh Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. What to do when you get there? Enjoy a restful night’s sleep in the oversized beds, relaxation time in the stunning marble baths or delectable drinks in the French-inspired restaurant and lounge.

For The Love Of Learning:

23. Simply Sizzling: Take your hot, hot, hot relationship into the kitchen at Cook, Rittenhouse Square’s multipurpose school, event space and store that features classes by lauded local chefs, including David Katz of Mémé, Peter Woolsey of Bistrot La Minette and Erin O’Shea of Percy Street Barbecue. Now that you’ve learned to heat things up—as if you needed a lesson—enjoy a nightcap just down the street at Twenty Manning Grill, a sleekly modern neighborhood favorite.
24. It Takes Two To Tango: Want to put a little spring in your relationship’s step? You can do exactly that at Society Hill Dance Academy. No experience or reservation is necessary to join a 45-minute group introduction to dances like the salsa, cha-cha, foxtrot, rumba and tango. At the nearby The Twisted Tail, reward yourself for your hard (but fun) work with a creative Southern-inspired meal from chef Michael Stevenson. Among the munchables are a sweet Vidalia onion tart with smoked goat cheese, Kettle Chip-crusted crab cakes and “dueling” pork, beef and fish ribs.

Just Can’t Get Enough:

25. Pure Pampering: During this to-die-for date, you’ll valet park at the swanky Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, check into a Executive Suite Room with a view, nibble on fine chocolates, relax during a couple’s massage, then head off to R2L for a dinner that serves up stunning city views alongside inspired American dishes by Chef Daniel Stern. Longing for more? Add in breakfast in bed and a late checkout for a date that’s perfection.
26. God Bless America: Show your love for the good old U.S.A.—and your significant other—at JG Domestic, Iron Chef Jose Garces’ take on American farm-to-table cuisine, housed in the fresh and green dining room of the Cira Centre. After your mouthwatering meal, head deeper into University City and end your night at the boutique-y Hilton Inn at Penn, where breakfast for two is on the house .
27. Under The Sea: There’s nothing fishy about a date night at Fish, now in its fresh new Gayborhood digs. Take your pick from the fresh fish selections listed on the blackboard menu before heading to the Art Deco Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, offering a daily complimentary wine tasting at 5:00 p.m. and breakfast in the morning.
28. High Hopes: Your romantic overnight in the artsy enclave of New Hope, Pennsylvania begins with a ride on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, offering a narrated jaunt through scenic Bucks County on antique coaches. Next, hop off the train and into your automobile for a dream escape to Peddler’s Village, where merchants and eateries are offering specials for the town’s 50^th anniversary. The Colonial-style shopping and dining spot’s Earl’s Experience Package includes an overnight stay at the Golden Plough Inn, a bottle of wine from Chaddsford Winery, along with dinner for two at Earl’s Restaurant and breakfast at a Peddler’s Village restaurant.
29. Red Hot, Hot, Hot: Don your adorable With Love-branded helmets and zip around the city in your red-hot Vespa. See the sites, savor the cuisine, enjoy the energy and hold on to one another tight as you whip through the city’s trendiest zip codes on one cool ride.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

Contact(s):

• Rachel Ferguson, (215) 599-2291
• Caroline Bean, (215) 599-7433