Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

CONTACT: Caroline Bean
(215) 599-7433
caroline@gptmc.com

WHAT’S NEW IN PHILADELPHIA?
Spring/Summer 2002

Gardens Galore: 100 Events at 27 Gardens Make the World’s Largest Garden Party a Must for May

In the richly historic Philadelphia region, William Penn’s horticultural legacy is celebrated and perpetuated at dozens of wonderful historic estates, arboreta, botanic gardens, museums and parks. That’s why each year, the Gardens Collaborative, an organization of 27 incredible public gardens and historic houses in the Greater Philadelphia region, invites garden lovers to dance, dream and dally at The World’s Largest Garden Party, featuring more than 100 special Garden Party events throughout May.

Check out these totally "New for 2002" Garden Party events:

The Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia

The new Butterfly House at The Camden Children's Garden, which features not only butterflies but wonderful tropical plants as well
Philadelphia Zoological Garden at The Philadelphia Zoo, home to a wonderful plant collection

While in town, visitors can take advantage of specially created Garden Hotel Packages being offered at three hotels in the Philadelphia countryside – the Chestnut Hill Hotel, the Radnor Hotel and the Wayne Hotel. To book a package, visit www.gophila.com. For more information about the Gardens Collaborative, visit their Web site at www.libertynet.org/gardens or call (866) - BLOOM25.

Step Back In Time This Spring and Summer in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a living textbook for American history. Beginning this spring, visitors can crash an historic family reunion, relive the Revolution or talk politics with Ben Franklin. That’s just the beginning.

Freedom on the Sea, a re-creation of the famous ship La Amistad, docks in the area this spring, providing visitors with moving tales of its history in conjunction with 10 days of multicultural events. April 11-20, 2002, Camden Waterfront, (856) 747-9400, www.camdenwaterfronts.com

Celebrate America’s birthday in its birthplace from June 28-July 7, 2002 during Sunoco Welcome America. The festival features readings of the Declaration of Independence, fireworks, concerts, parades, a ceremonial tapping of the Liberty Bell and more than 50 free events. This year, the USS Cole and the Magna Carta will be in Philadelphia over July Fourth, bringing even more honor and history to the celebration. (800) 770-5883, www.americasbirthday.com

Lights of Liberty Show, a nighttime sound and light spectacular that brings the nation’s most historic square mile to life after the sun sets, begins its 4^th season in Philadelphia’s Independence Historical National Park on May 9. The show recreates America's struggle for Independence with 3-D sound, five-story projections, music by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the voices of celebrities like Walter Cronkite. 877-GO-2-1776, www.lightsofliberty.org

On May 6, historic re-enactors take to the streets of Philadelphia to welcome visitors to the country’s most historic square mile. Each day, re-enactors such as Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin use drama, dance and interactive storytelling to teach visitors about the events of the American Revolution. The re-enactors perform more than 270 performances weekly, including a new play about Betsy Ross. (215) 629-5801, www.historicphiladelphia.org

Present and former residents of Elfreth’s Alley will celebrate the 300^th anniversary of the nation’s oldest residential street during Elfreth’s Alley Family Reunion, featuring tours, a street festival and pancake breakfast. May 31-June 2, 2002, (215) 574-0560, www.elfrethsalley.org

Patriots or Traitors?, a two-year celebration of the 225^th anniversary of the struggle for Philadelphia, kicks into high gear this June with events running every weekend day throughout the month. The highlight is the reenactment of the Continental Army’s March-Out on June 15.
(610) 834-1550, www.valleyforge.org

Concerts Under the Stars

For an unforgettable summer night, grab a blanket, a picnic basket and a buddy and head to a concert under the stars. There are plenty to choose from in the Philadelphia region. Below is just a sampling:

The Arpeggio Jazz and Music Ensemble returns to the 36^th Street Plaza in University City on Thursday evenings from April through August for the free 36^th Street Jazz concert series.

Harry Connick, Jr., Frederica Von Stade, Tony Bennett and the Irish Tenors are among the performers who will take the stage at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts during the 2002 summer season. (215) 546-7900, www.manncenter.org

Summer Nights Under the Stars resumes this May at the Chaddsford Winery. The concert series, featuring jazz, swing, oldies and opera, also includes a wine tasting. (610) 388-6221, www.chaddsford.com

Those who prefer movies to music need not fret. The Mercer Museum is hosting an Under the Stars Movie series every Tuesday in July and August. Among the feature films are It Came From Outer Space and The Truman Show. (215) 345-0210, www.mercermuseum.org

Special Event Hotel Packages Help Visitors Truly Experience Philadelphia

The word is out – Philly’s More Fun When You Sleep Over. That’s why visitors attending special events like Philadelphia Open House Tours and Bloomsday are encouraged to stay the night in order to truly enjoy their Philadelphia experience. Some of the hotel packages available include:

Philadelphia Open House Tours, April 24-June 2, 2002

Steal a glimpse at some of Philadelphia’s most beautiful, private homes, gardens and attractions. Hotel packages are available at Independence Park Inn, $129 weekday, $139 weekend,
(800) 624-2899; Omni Hotel, $169 weekday, $129 weekend, (215) 925-0000; Raddison Plaza-Warwick Hotel, $149 weekday, $129 weekend, (215) 790-7781; Sheraton Society Hill,
$179 weekday, $139 weekend, (215) 238-6000.

Sesame Place "Declaration of Fun," May 11-September 2, 2002

The nation’s only Sesame Street^TMtheme park and the nation’s first children’s museum have buddied up for a Center City hotel package, which includes two nights accommodations, two one-day passes to Sesame Place, two tickets to Please Touch Museum^® and the Stars & Stripes value book. Hotels include the Embassy Suites Hotel Center City, (215) 561-1776; Doubletree Center City, (215) 893-1600; Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, (215) 928-1234.

Bloomsday Weekend, June 14-16, 2002

Bloomsday is the Rosenbach Museum & Library’s annual holiday celebrating James Joyce’s Ulysses, a manuscript that holds a treasured place in their collection. The central event takes place on June 16 with a public reading of the book, in honor of the day the novel’s hero walked through Dublin. Hotels participating in the package include: Rittenhouse Square Bed & Breakfast, $167 and up, (877) 791-6500; Sheraton Rittenhouse Square, $149.95, (800) 325-3535.

American Sublime, June 17-August 25, 2002

Exhibit at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) showcases the work of 19^th-century American landscape painters. PAFA is the first of only two venues in the United States to display the exhibit. Hotels offering a package are The Four Seasons, Clarion Suites, The Latham and the Rittenhouse Bed & Breakfast. (215) 972-7600, www.pafa.org

"Room, Reel and Rail" for The International Gay and Lesbian Film Fest, July 10-22, 2002

Film debuts, panel discussions and special activities highlight the 12-day Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The package includes breakfast for two, one-day cinema pass for two and discount savings on Amtrak. Westin Philadelphia, $139 per night,
(215) 563-1600, (877) YES-RAIL

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Hosts Free Programming This Spring

The $265 million Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, a soaring, glass-enclosed facility on the Avenue of the Arts, opened to rave reviews in December 2001. Resident companies include The Philadelphia Orchestra, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops^®, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and American Theater Arts for Youth. The Center joined the venerable Academy of Music to form the Regional Performing Arts Center (RPAC).

This spring, the Kimmel Center is hosting free performances every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in the Commonwealth Plaza. On Tuesdays, students and faculty from the University of the Arts take the stage. And on Saturdays, families are the focus of the fun. (215) 790-5800, www.kimmelcenter.org

The Redevelopment of the Country’s Most Historic Square Mile Continues

The $38 million Independence Visitor Center, located on Independence Mall, opened in November 2001 to orient visitors to Independence National Historical Park (INHP), the City of Philadelphia and the surrounding region. In late summer, 2002, a new sculpture will be unveiled on the building’s south wall that depicts a most unusual view of the Declaration of Independence – words pertaining to slavery that were drafted but cut from the document will be shown once again, but filled in with crushed glass.

The Liberty Bell, the nation’s most beloved symbol of freedom, is getting a new home. Work on the $12.4 million facility is expected to be complete in March 2003. The Center will be built along 6^th Street between Chestnut & Market Streets. It will feature a chamber to house the Liberty Bell and an indoor and outdoor area with exhibits and interpretive displays. (215)597-0660, www.nps.gov/inde

The $185 million National Constitution Center, a stirring interactive museum and the first dedicated to honor and perpetuate the ideas embodied in the U.S. Constitution, is scheduled to open on July 4, 2003. Its goal is to increase understanding of the relevance of one of the greatest documents ever written.
(215) 923-0004, www.constitutioncenter.org

BYOBs Are Gaining Popularity Throughout the Philadelphia Region

Fabulous food doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Getting great food at a great price and being able to bring your own wine while you’re at it explains the popularity of the new crop of BYOBs around town.

The word is out about D’jango, owned by husband and wife team Bryan Sikora and Aimee Olexy. The neighborhood restaurant features European dishes, regional ingredients and moderate prices. 526 S. 4^th Street, (215) 922-7151
Mustapha Rouissiya, the Moroccan-born chef behind Figs, cooks up a Mediterranean feast that includes Israeli, Moroccan and Spanish cuisine in this sunny Fairmount space painted with colors that evoke Rouissiya’s homeland. 2501 Meredith Street, (215) 978-8440

Gilmore’s, owned by Peter Gilmore, who was chef de cuisine at Le Bec-Fin for 22 years, is a casual, family-friendly restaurant featuring self-assured and affordable French cuisine.
133 E. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 431-2800

Pif, a tiny bistro run by chef David Ansill and his French wife, Catherine, is a new BYOB charmer in the Italian Market area of South Philly. The menu changes daily, depending on what looks good at the Market. 1009 S. 8^th Street, (215) 625-2923

Spezia, a continental BYOB, offers posh fare with an emphasis on contemporary Italian cuisine. 614 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, (610) 526-0123

Major Developments and Events Are on the Horizon in Philadelphia

With the Republican National Convention, the X Games and NBA All-Star Weekend taking place in Philadelphia in recent years, the city has enjoyed being the center of the country’s attention. With more major developments and events on the horizon, Philadelphia doesn’t have to give up basking in the glow of the national spotlight anytime soon. Here’s what’s coming up:

The Philadelphia Museum of Art welcomes Degas and the Dance from February 12-
May 11, 2003. Through some 150 works in all media, the exhibit explores Degas’ 40-year exploration of the dance world.
New stadiums are currently under construction in South Philadelphia for two of Philadelphia’s sports teams. The Eagles will move into their new home in August 2003. The 66,000-seat, state-of-the-art Eagles stadium will feature improved seats and sight lines, dramatically improved entertainment systems, an exterior plaza and luxury seats. Just a few blocks away is the Phillies Ballpark, a 43,000-seat, natural grass and dirt field, expected to open in April 2004.

Lewis and Clark 200^th Anniversary Tour (1803-1806) is a major, traveling exhibit of expedition artifacts going to five cities between January 2004 and September 2006. The tour visits Philadelphia from November 6, 2004–March 4, 2005.

An international celebration of Benjamin Franklin’s life is taking place in Philadelphia in 2006. Hosted by six Philadelphia institutions in honor of Franklin’s 300^th Birthday, the commemoration includes special events and exhibits including a traveling display entitled The Creation of Benjamin Franklin, American Citizen of the World.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating awareness of and visitation to Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

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Note to Editors: For photographic images of Philadelphia and its surrounding countryside, visit the photo gallery section of www.gophila.com/pressroom/

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