Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Historical Sites & Attractions:

• Wannabe sailors can visit the nation’s most decorated battleship, the Battleship New Jersey, and take tours of the ship, ride the 4-D flight simulator, climb into the onboard helicopter and sleep in the sailors’ bunks as part of its award-winning Overnight Encampment program. 62 Battleship Place, Camden, (856) 966-1652, battleshipnewjersey.org
• America’s most famous flag maker greets guests in her interactive 18^th-century upholstery shop at the Betsy Ross House. Visitors learn about Betsy’s life and legend from the lady herself. Summer brings a weeklong, annual Flag Fest celebration with free events every day. Also,

Philadelphia, aptly dubbed the City of Brotherly Love, caters to lovers looking to reenergize their relationships at cultural sites, romantic eateries, outdoor attractions and other swoon-worthy spots. Couples can make it a weekend—or longer—by booking special hotel packages, some of which are romantically themed, on visitphilly.com/hotels. One popular deal, the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package comes with two nights and free hotel parking.

Here are a few suggestions for embracing the region’s romantic side:

Cozy Cuisine:

• After a day in the Chester County countryside, foodies favor the Birchrunville Store Café, a bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot known for its contemporary French-Italian

If you haven’t updated your Philadelphia guidebook lately, you might be missing some major new museums and attractions. Over the past few years, the region welcomed some destination-defining—and trip-defining—attractions, including the Barnes Foundation, the renewed Rodin Museum, the National Museum of American Jewish History and The President’s House, as well as new fashionable hotels and fun festivals.

Between all their touring, visitors fuel up in a city that’s become a top dining destination, evidenced by recent multiple-page features in Travel + Leisure and Bon Appétit. The Italian Market, Reading Terminal Market, BYOB spots, red-gravy restaurants, chef-centric eateries, ethnic outposts, food

Only in Philadelphia this fall, Prohibition, Titanic, Maya and Dead Sea Scrolls join such recent additions as the Barnes Foundation and the renovated Rodin Museum, making the region a must-see, must-do. A new Kimpton hotel even gives visitors a new way to stay—right on Independence Mall. Here’s a peek at what’s awesome this autumn in Philadelphia and The Countryside®:

Anticipated Accommodations:

• The 100-year-old Lafayette Building, located on Independence Mall, recently found new life as a Kimpton-owned Hotel Monaco. The 10-story, four-star hotel houses 268 rooms; a bevy of luxury suites; 120-seat Red Owl Tavern, serving modern American fare and

Long a pioneer in the environmental movement, Philadelphia is attracting increasing global attention for its efforts to establish itself as a leader in urban sustainability. Across the city, eco-programs abound—from the implementation of the Philadelphia Water Department’s Green City, Clean Waters program to greenscape previously impervious surfaces, to Mayor Nutter’s program to give 300,000 trees to city residents for planting, to the Philadelphia School District’s recent designation by The Center for Green Schools as the greenest in the nation. Not to be outdone, the region’s service amenities and modes of transportation are also advancing the green revolution. Here’s a look

2012 is a year to look backward and forward in the Philadelphia region. In a nod to the past, several of the region’s cultural institutions will showcase globally revered treasures from the worlds of religion and art that date from antiquity to the 20^th century. But with eyes focused on the future, the region is also embracing some of the most modern interpretive artwork ever commissioned. Plus, a number of the city’s museums are unveiling major renovations that will enable them to thrive for many years to come. Here are just 12 reasons to visit in 2012:

Relocations, Redesigns,