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

WHAT: Have cabin fever? Most residents of the snow-covered Philadelphia region do, which is exactly why Mayor Michael Nutter and civic leaders are encouraging folks to get out and Spread the Love during this long Valentine’s Day weekend—and extending through Sunday, February 21, 2010—in Philadelphia. Really, there’s no excuse not to!

• Why drive? SEPTA is offering low fares on regional rails, the subway and el and free parking at surface lots. Offers run through Sunday, February 21, but vary from weekends to weekdays depending on your mode of transportation. septa.org
• Why pay to park? Take advantage of free metered parking

gophila.com and uwishunu.com are the go-to-sites for Philadelphia locals and visitors looking to get festive in Philadelphia and The Countryside® this holiday season. Beginning November 20, the official visitor site for Greater Philadelphia, gophila.com will offer loads of holiday content, including e-postcards, top five lists, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day parade details, the scoop on New Year’s Eve fireworks and more. Philly’s insider blog uwishunu.com will provide up-to-the minute coverage of holiday happenings as they come in, including special meals, events and hotel deals.

Here’s what holiday revelers will find at gophila.com:

• Holiday e-postcards: Five With Love, Philadelphia XOXO™

Philly’s More Holiday Fun, an award-winning campaign by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) to promote the region’s seasonal experiences, kicks off its second year with even more great ways to celebrate the holidays in the region. The tourism campaign includes a specialized microsite, gophila.com/holidays (details below); a public relations push focused on local, regional and national media; an advertising campaign running online and in print in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley; and a hotel package. The campaign will run through January 10, 2009.

gophila.com/holidays:
Everything a visitor needs to plan an affordable and

Looking for a one-stop shop for holiday gifts and travel plans? On November 3, 2008, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) launched a microsite, gophila.com/holidays, featuring themed holiday itineraries, a 25-item gift guide with nothing over $25, coupons, a contest, hotel packages that include free parking and more.

25 Under $25 Gift Guide And Contest:
Philadelphia boutiques have long been popular destinations for holiday shoppers looking to find unique items for the hard-to-buy-for people on their list. The gophila.com/holidays gift guide includes 25 great gift ideas under $25 in five categories: fashion, food, home design, kids and

Philadelphia isn’t waiting until Black Friday to kick off the holiday season. Today, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) announced a $350,000 initiative called Philly’s More Holiday Fun to showcase the city’s holiday experience. The campaign shines a light on Philadelphia’s distinctively independent shops, lighting displays, seasonal events and exhibitions and hotel experiences.

Holiday Shopping Made Easy:
GPTMC has compiled a list of 50 gifts, including original clothing, accessories, decor and eco-friendly items, most of which are made or sold exclusively by Philadelphia designers, boutiques and museum gift shops. Ranging from $10 to $100, the holiday gifts appeal

Openings:

• Please Touch Museum and Centennial District – When it opens on October 18, 2008, the children’s museum’s new location in Fairmount Park’s Memorial Hall—a National Historic Landmark built in 1876 for the Centennial Exhibition—will boast three times more space for exhibitions and programs. Just outside the museum, kids and adults will also delight in riding the meticulously restored 1908 Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel. (215) 963-0667, www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
• President’s House – Within close view of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center, the President’s House Commemorative Site, to be erected in 2009, will mark the location of the nation’s