Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Ten-hut! Historic Philadelphia, where the Army, Navy and Marines were first established, is proud to announce year two for its show-your-military ID-and-save discount program, featuring approximately 40 attractions, restaurants and shops, including special savings for the Art of the American Soldier exhibition on view at the National Constitution Center from September 24, 2010 through January 10, 2011. The discounts, available through December 31, 2010 at numerous establishments throughout Historic Philadelphia, can be found at visitphilly.com/military.

The discount program complements a new recognition program by the Philadelphia-based Liberty USO, which will award Philadelphia weekend getaways to select military families. Two-night

No need to rush home after the grand fireworks show in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July. The city’s Independence Day festivities are still going strong on Monday, July 5, the federal holiday. Families, history buffs, the budget conscious and others can find plenty of ways to keep the patriotic party going. There’s a reading of the Declaration of Independence and birthday cake at the Independence Visitor Center, and all-you-can-eat ice cream festival at Penn’s Landing and, of course, the opportunity to see two American icons of freedom, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Here are just a few of

This summer, Historic Philadelphia amps up the fun with new shows, exhibitions and festivals for the whole family. The new 3-D, 360° Liberty 360 show delves into our nation’s most significant symbols of freedom. Special exhibits uncover Ancient Rome, inspiring local women and everyone’s favorite childhood toy, the Slinky®. On the waterfront, Penn’s Landing swings into summer with multicultural celebrations, a film series and top-notch music, including the star-studded Roots Picnic. And, of course, the best place to celebrate the nation’s birthday is in America’s birthplace—the Wawa Welcome America! bash includes three fireworks shows, concerts, a parade and more.

Modern

Families looking for an affordable summer vacation don’t have to cut back on fun when they choose Historic Philadelphia. Every year, four million people—that’s the entire population of Los Angeles—visit the area between Front and 7^th Streets and Race and Spruce Streets. They come for moving history, modern attractions, fun tours, educational activities and great restaurants that are accessible to all price points and all ages. Must-dos for all Americans: the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall are free, and almost-free sites like the Betsy Ross House and the National Liberty Museum keep the history lesson going.

With so

This year, the completely re-imagined Lights of Liberty experience kicks off a summer of top-notch touring throughout Historic Philadelphia, America’s most historic square mile. Now, early risers and night owls can get their 3-D fill with the evening ambulatory tour, which projects images onto some of our nation’s most significant sites, and the year-round indoor show, which stars Benjamin Franklin and some cutting-edge 360°, 3-D imaging. Lights of Liberty joins dozens of other day and night tours that let visitors tour their way—by land, by sea, by bus or by foot.

Best of all, thanks to an intensive three-week training

Indie and owner-operated boutiques that feature unusual wares and personalized make shopping in Historic Philadelphia a blast. With dozens of independently owned clothing, jewelry and home furnishings stores, the area between Front and 7^th Streets and Race and Spruce Streets is a shopper’s nirvana. Best of all, in Pennsylvania there is no sales tax on clothing and shoes, leaving room in the budget for that extra bauble. Here are just a few of the places where discerning shoppers can indulge in their favorite pastime:

Trendy Threads:

• Charlie’s Jeans – Short or tall, thin or curvy—no matter what body

When choosing a restaurant in Historic Philadelphia, the key word is choice. In fact, there are so many restaurants, cafes and bistros that discerning diners could eat out all 108 days of summer without ever hitting the same spot twice. After a long day of touring, hungry visitors can take an adventurous turn by sampling Chifa’s Latin/Asian menu, dine in elegance at the new Union Trust Steak House or join the bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) revolution at long-time favorite Chloe. Here are just a few places where diners can please their palates:

Asian And South Asian:

• Aqua – Those in the

As daylight turns to twilight, Historic Philadelphia turns hip and happening with after-hours fun for the under-21 and over-21 sets. From early evening until the wee, small hours, the area situated between Front and 7^th Streets and Race and Spruce Streets buzzes with family-friendly evening fun and sizzles with decidedly grown-up theaters, nightclubs and dance spots. Find more on the latest happenings, musical performances and theatrical offerings at visitphilly.com. And, for half-price tickets to arts and cultural events, visit phillyfunguide.com.

Family-friendly Activities:

• Liberty 360 – The newest addition to Historic Philadelphia, Liberty 360 surrounds visitors as

Calling all military personnel. Philadelphia, the city where the U.S. Army, Navy and Marines were all founded, invites the military and their families to have some fun in America’s birthplace while taking advantage of tours and special offers available to them, now through Veterans Day. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation’s (GPTMC) Web site, gophila.com/history is loaded with special offers and themed itineraries dedicated to military visiting Historic Philadelphia. The site highlights places of historic interest to the armed forces and features information about hundreds of dollars in savings available to them. Best of all, Philadelphia is within a five-hour

Families heading to the nation’s birthplace this summer will have plenty of time to explore the city thanks to the new Historic Philadelphia Hotel Package, offering a great hotel rate, free parking and tickets to various attractions, at five area hotels. Here are the details:

PACKAGE AVAILABILITY DATES: Available any day of the week through September 7, 2009

HOTEL PACKAGE ELEMENTS:

• Two-night accommodations
• Free hotel parking for both nights
• Two tickets to the Betsy Ross House
• Two tickets to the Lights of Liberty Show
• Two tickets for Philly-themed miniature golf in Franklin Square
• 50% discount on two tickets to 1776:

The following itinerary is available on gophila.com.

LOCATION: Historic Philadelphia, Centennial District, Bucks County, Kennett Square and Camden, New Jersey

TRANSPORTATION: Foot, taxi, bus or car

DURATION: Four days and four nights

This summer, forgo the same old family vacation in favor of a fun and—dare we say—educational trip to Historic Philadelphia. Everyone knows the birthplace of America is chock full of historic attractions, but it’s also home to a one-of-a kind amusement park, a spectacular aquarium, the country’s oldest zoo, breathtaking gardens, only-in-Philly shops, delicious eats and so much more. Best of all, many of the city’s attractions

TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest online travel community, recently named Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park one of the top three patriotic attractions in the United States. The Web site’s travelers and editors also placed the Statue of Liberty in New York (#1) and the Freedom Trail in Boston (#2) at the head of the list.

In the summer of 2007, Independence National Historical Park welcomed more than
3.7 million visitors, an increase of 19% from the previous summer, according to the National Park Service. The Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the New Hall Military Museum, Franklin Court, the

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) today announced that WTXF-FOX 29 will be the official media sponsor of its Historic Philadelphia campaign, an effort that promotes the lively area between Front to 7^th Streets and Race to Spruce Streets. The partnership gives the attractions, restaurants, galleries and shops in the city’s most historic area—nearing the end of a $300 million transformation—television exposure during the busy summer tourism season and provides FOX 29 with a chance to tout the neighborhood in which its station is located.

Here’s a look at what the partnership includes:

• One half-hour special produced by

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) announced a $2 million summer marketing campaign to promote Philadelphia and The Countryside® to travelers seeking history, fun and affordability. On June 1, the tourism organization will debut new Philly’s More Fun™ and Historic Philadelphia advertising campaigns, emphasizing a variety of summer experiences and value-driven hotel packages.

“With gas prices taking a bite out of visitors’ discretionary income, we want to send the message that Philadelphia is an exciting, accessible destination that’s also affordable,” said Meryl Levitz, president and CEO, GPTMC. “And once in town, visitors can easily get around on foot or

If you’re in town covering the presidential primaries and you’re looking for a diversion, Philly has plenty of them to help pass the time. Consider this your condensed guide to some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping districts, attractions, nightspots, events and more. For more suggestions, visit gophila.com. And when you’re back to work and ready to tell your Philadelphia story, visit gophila.com/pressroom.

History 101:
If you’re working at the National Constitution Center (which you must tour) and you’ve never seen the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall, here’s your chance. Consider these spots your Historic Philadelphia must-sees:

Presidential Power:

• Although it was Thomas Jefferson’s words on the Declaration of Independence, the script is Timothy Matlack’s, a failed businessman who bet on horses and was an ardent supporter of the colonists’ cause. His excellent penmanship earned him the honor.

• During the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793, George Washington found refuge at the Deshler-Morris House in Germantown, his temporary White House, where he conducted four cabinet meetings as well as the work of the executive branch.

• When John Adams took the oath of office in Congress Hall in 1797, the peaceful transfer of power from one president to

Historic Philadelphia is home to many of the most significant historic sites in the country. From the original Independence Hall to the modern National Constitution Center, each place plays a pivotal role in telling the city’s—and the nation’s—story. Here is just a sampling of the don’t-miss attractions found here:

American Originals:

• While historians debate Betsy Ross’ role in making the first American flag, the Betsy Ross House offers an excellent portrayal of a working-class woman’s life in Colonial America. Visitors can tour the home of the nation’s best known seamstress and enjoy interactive programs and activities. 239 Arch Street,

Long regarded as the birthplace of American democracy, Historic Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park (INHP) has been the site of many of the seminal events that carried the nation through its founding as a global leader of democratic ideals. But the Park hasn’t remained static in the nearly two-and-a-half centuries since the Declaration of Independence was signed there on July 4, 1776. Instead, it has grown and progressed with the times, emerging in the early 21st century as a living model on history for the generations who come to experience it.

The Early Days:

The four blocks between Walnut and

For centuries, the historic land we now call Independence Mall has been known around the world as "America’s birthplace"—a proud designation it has earned for its role in the development of the guiding principles of the nation. But like the U.S. Constitution, Independence Mall has continuously evolved with time. Here’s a look at what has changed on "America’s most historic square mile" since before the Founding Fathers first set their quills to paper.

1700s:

1732 - Construction begins on Independence Hall, built as the State House of the Province of Pennsylvania. Construction is completed in 1756.

1775 - The

The area between Front to 7th Streets and Race to Spruce Streets encompasses distinctive and dynamic neighborhoods that together make up Historic Philadelphia. Here’s a look at what distinguishes these vibrant communities:

Independence National Historical Park:

Regarded as the nation’s most historic square mile, Independence National Historical Park tells the story of how American democracy came to be through historic landmarks and attractions. New additions like the Liberty Bell Center and the National Constitution Center join classic favorites such as Independence Hall and the Carpenters’ Hall to take visitors back to the time of the nation’s Founding Fathers.

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