Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Starting March 21, DC-ers can use the low-cost Megabus to travel to nearby Philadelphia—and there are plenty of reasons to make a trip this spring. Once they arrive at 30^th Street Station or Historic Philadelphia, the city’s two Megabus stops, visitors can choose from a ton of big-name events and exhibitions, such as Picasso and the Avant-Garde in Paris at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds 2 & The Brain at The Franklin Institute and the National Constitution Center’s Ancient Rome & America.

For even more savings, DC visitors who book one of the 70

Philadelphia, aptly dubbed the City of Brotherly Love, caters to lovers looking to re-energize their relationships at cultural sites, romantic eateries, outdoor attractions and other swoon-worthy spots. And thanks to the With Love, Philadelphia XOXO™ campaign, couples who book one of 70 hotel packages—including some romantically themed offers—featured on visitphilly.com/withlove receive a special gift at check-in. The giveaway includes Philly Fill-Ins word games, a five-pack of With Love postcards, a With Love pin and the Official Philly Brag Book, filled with 200 reasons to love the Philadelphia region, along with maps and coupons. The packages are bookable online at visitphilly.com/withlove

Through April 13, residents of Beantown can take advantage of Southwest Airlines’ introductory rate of $59 (one-way fare) to Philadelphia for flights booked for June 27 through August 13, 2010. And since new, only-in-Philly and must-see events pack the region’s calendar this summer, the timing is perfect. Cleopatra makes her world debut at The Franklin Institute, while the National Constitution Center focuses on Ancient Rome & America. Late Renoir at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a brand new soccer team and stadium, an animal-themed LEGO exhibit at the Philadelphia Zoo, a spectacular Fourth of July celebration and more give trip

Philadelphians have long known that their city is easy to get around, chock full of farmers markets, kind to bikers and teeming with great take-out options, and now Real Simple magazine is making sure the world knows as well, ranking the city 12^th in its survey of “21 Top Time-Saving Cities” in the country. The article appears in the April issue of the publication on newsstands March 15, 2010.

Philadelphia rated particularly high in the “Green Time-Savers” category with author Adam Bluestein writing, “ Very walkable and notably uncongested, Philly is also the largest East Coast city to offer

This is a Center City District press release.

The PHLASH trolley loop is coming back for another season. Starting May 1, the friendly purple trolleys will be stopping at 27 points from Penn’s Landing to the Centennial District in Fairmount Park, making it easy for visitors and residents to see all of Center City’s top attractions and hotels.

The fare is only $2 dollars each time you board. Individual all-day passes are $5 and all-day family passes for two adults and two children 6-17 years old are $10. Children under five ride free and seniors ride free at all times.

The Calendar of Events is organized as follows:

March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 2010
October 2010
November 2010
December 2010
January 2011
March 2011
Ongoing Activities

MARCH 2010

Through March 7, 2010
THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY. The Walnut Street Theatre presents this story of American college men in the 1960s who come together to build character, strengthen bonds and create a better future for their fraternity, but do they have what it takes to make things right? (215) 574-3550, walnutstreettheatre.org

Through March 7, 2010
PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW. Themed “Passport to the World,”

The heart of Philadelphia’s “Gayborhood” may be found at 13^th and Locust Streets, but plenty of gay-friendly nightclubs, restaurants, bars and special events throughout the region cater to gay and lesbian crowds looking for fun and entertainment. From weekly parties to annual gay pride events, visitors are sure to find something lively happening in Philly. Here’s a look at what’s to come in 2010:

Seven Days A Week:

• Arguably the most popular gay nightclub in Philadelphia, Woody’s keeps the crowds coming with its sprawling dance floor and friendly downstairs bars, which stay busy seven days a week from

When the warm weather finds its way to Philadelphia, so do 10 gay-friendly events celebrating pride, beauty, sports, theater and more. Long-running festivals such as Equality Forum and Pride Day mingle on the calendar with newer additions like Mr. Gay Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival to appeal to diverse interests in the gay and lesbian community. Here’s a look at what’s fab in Philly from April through August 2010:

April:

1. Only the hottest man wins during Mr. Gay Philadelphia when celebrity judges size up the competition at Voyeur Nightclub. April 17, 2010. 1221 Saint James

Philadelphia is a foodie’s kind of town, and gay-friendly guests can be sure that they’ll eat well and eat comfortably while in town thanks to dozens of restaurants offering a world of choices at a variety of price points. What’s more, in Midtown Village, the “Gayborhood,” Rittenhouse Square and beyond, new eateries offer the three “c’s:” creative menus, cocktails and cheer. Here’s a look at some of the city’s newest gay-friendly spots—many of which are gay-owned:

In The “Gayborhood”/Midtown Village:

• Italian maestro Marc Vetri of Vetri and Osteria fame has gone back to his Washington Square roots and opened

Philadelphia and The Countryside® continues to build its reputation as a not-to-be-missed foodie town, and the city's diverse and multifaceted restaurant scene is doing its part to give discerning diners a taste of the world. It's in Philadelphia that authentic Burmese ginger salads, Brazilian barbecue and traditional Irish breakfasts are as accessible as Israeli eggplant sandwiches and Korean kimchi. The following is just a sampling of the region's global smorgasbord:

French Flair:

• The city's premminent French restaurant, Georges Perrier’s Le Bec-Fin is consistently lauded for its superior dining experience. These days the menu has a contemporary twist (Jonah crab

Historical Sites & Attractions:

• Wannabe sailors can spend the night in the nation’s most decorated battleship, the Battleship New Jersey, and take tours of the officers’ and crew’s mess halls, communications center and high-tech command center. 62 Battleship Place, Camden, (856) 877-6262, battleshipnewjersey.org
• Meet America’s most famous flag maker in her interactive 18^th-century upholstery shop at the Betsy Ross House. Visitors learn all about Betsy’s life and legend from the lady herself. In the summer months, enjoy free Colonial-style entertainment in the courtyard. 239 Arch Street, (215) 686-1252, betsyrosshouse.org
• Penny-pinchers and spendthrifts alike cash in on the

This is a Philadelphia QFest press release.

Philadelphia QFest, formerly the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, will mark its 16^th year of bringing the best in new queer cinema from around the world to Philadelphia, July 8-19, 2010. The 12-day summer festival with be produced by the nonprofit organization, Philadelphia Cinema Alliance (PCA) and its presenting sponsor, TLA Entertainment Group.

The artistic director, Raymond Murray (president and founder of TLA Entertainment Group and TLA Releasing), and his team of programmers will select 125 films—narratives, documentaries and shorts—from more than 40 countries, in 27 languages. Filmmakers will compete

This June, visitors to Philadelphia and The Countryside® will find so much to do that they’ll have to stay three, four or five days. Ancient history buffs delve into the story of history’s most mysterious leader during the world-premiere Cleopatra exhibition at The Franklin Institute, and then discover the parallels between the much-storied ancient empire and America during Ancient Rome & America at the National Constitution Center. Late Renoir at the Philadelphia Museum of Art examines an iconic master, while the James A. Michener Art Museum’s Icons of Costume reveals the art of movie fashion. Outdoor events, family fun, annual

Visitors to Philadelphia can choose from an assortment of options to explore the region, including those of the automotive, audio, self-guided and water-based varieties. And the sightseeing fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Those who come out at night can join tours that feature high-tech storytelling, behind-the-scenes action and even spirits from beyond. Here’s a selection of tours available throughout the region:

History Lessons By Day & Night:

• Colonial Kids’ Quest – When the Declaration of Independence goes missing, kids play detective as they follow this kid- and stroller-friendly walking tour to historical sites. The program runs

Travelers who want an international getaway without the international price tag can set their sights on Philadelphia, where a taste of all the world's cultures converge. From city boulevards that recall the elegance of the Champs-Élysées to lively Italian marketplaces to serene Japanese gardens that mimic Kyoto, Philadelphia and The Countryside® offers visitors a chance to explore every corner of the globe—no passport required. Here are some of the sites, sounds, smells and stops not to miss:

Vive La France!:

• French émigré architect Paul Philippe Cret planned the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a wide boulevard lined with statuary, trees and

El viajero que busca una escapada internacional a un precio no internacional puede poner la mira en Filadelfia, muestrario cultural del mundo entero. Desde bulevares que evocan la elegancia del de Champs-Élysées así como bulliciosos mercados italianos hasta serenos jardines japoneses que evocan a Kyoto, «Filadelfia y sus alrededores» (Philadelphia and The Countryside®) brinda a todo visitante una oportunidad para explorar cada rincón del globo, sin pasaporte. Presentamos aquí algunos de los sitios, de los sonidos, de los aromas y de las escalas que uno no puede perderse:

Vive La France!:

• El arquitecto Paul Philippe Cret, emigrado

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) today announced the 10 new creative ambassadors—visual and performing artists and entrepreneurs from Philadelphia’s talented creative class—who will shape its Philly 360°® African-American marketing campaign in year two. Singer, songwriter and former member of Floetry, Marsha Ambrosius will serve as 2010’s lead creative ambassador, promoting a positive image of Philadelphia and building buzz about the city. Ambrosius and nine others are at the core of the campaign designed to showcase the city’s attributes by leveraging the authentic voice, credibility and social networks of Philly’s cultural influencers. Last year, Philly hip-hop heroes The Roots

African-American tourism marketing campaign Philly 360°®. Now in its second year, the initiative focuses on expanding the destination’s current visitor base by attracting a new group of African-American travelers who are younger, technologically savvy and driven to an urban destination based on its contemporary cultural offerings, vibrant nightlife and overall buzz factor. The name Philly 360°® reflects a commitment to giving potential visitors a 360° view of the city’s current and historic tourism offerings.

At the core of the campaign are the Philly 360°® Creative Ambassadors, members of the city’s creative class who are known nationally for their work and

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) today announced that the Shop America Alliance (SAA) recognized it as the best Destination Management Organization for the Philly 360°® African-American marketing campaign’s fall fashion promotion. SAA honored the 21 Shop America Salutes Innovation (SASI) award winners from organizations in the United States and Mexico at a ceremony in Las Vegas in January. Judges evaluated award recipients based on exceptional marketing creativity that promotes shopping, dining and/or cultural attractions as tourism activities

Philly 360°®’s fall fashion promotion included:

• visitphilly.com/Philly360: Devoted to Philly’s diverse creative scene, nightlife, music, history, food and more, visitphilly.com/philly360

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