PHILADELPHIA, June 12, 2002 – With a new performing arts center that is offering weekend evening festivals, concerts under the stars throughout the city and countryside and a host of new outdoor cafés and restaubars, the Philadelphia region is more fun than ever when you stay up late. This summer, visitors to the region are invited to see for themselves why Philly’s More Fun When You Stay Up Late. With the new Philly Triple Night Hotel Package, developed by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) and the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association (GPHA), visitors can check into their favorite hotel any Thursday or Friday from June 27 through September 8, stay two nights and receive the third night free. The Philly Triple Night Hotel Package, available at more than 40 hotels throughout the city and region, also includes a fun gift upon check-in and a Stay-Up-Late Guide with information about what to do after the sun sets. Rates for the three-night hotel package start at just over $165. Incredible Stay-Up-Late Rates are also available at most hotels for one-night stays. To reserve the hotel package, visitors can call their favorite hotel or log on to gophila.com.

To help visitors learn about all the region has to offer, GPTMC has created a special Stay-Up-Late Guide, available at all participating hotels and online at gophila.com. The Guide includes information about restaurants, bars, attractions and events that keep late hours. Some summer highlights include:

• 2002 Summer at The Kimmel: Festival Fun in the (Air-Conditioned) Sun. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Art’s summer programming kicks into high gear in July with themed festivals every weekend. Throughout July and August, the Center heats things up on the Avenue of the Arts with "Wednesday Night Dance Parties." Through August 28.
  Broad & Spruce Streets (on the Avenue of the Arts), (215) 893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org

• Festival of Fountains. An illuminated, musical fountain display is the thrice-weekly show at Longwood Gardens. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until August 31. Route 1, (610) 388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.com

• Performing Arts at The Mann Center. The Mann Center for the Performing Art’s eclectic outdoor concert series includes performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Irish Tenors, Tony Bennett and Roberta Flack as well as theatrical stagings of Porgy and Bess and H.M.S. Pinafore. Through September 15. 52^nd Street & Parkside Avenue, (215) 546-7900, www.manncenter.org
• Festivals at Penn’s Landing. Special events at the Penn’s Landing Festival Pier include the PECO Energy Multicultural Series (weekends through mid September), Big Band music under the stars (Thursdays in July), children’s Special Sundays (in July and August) and Smooth Jazz nights (Fridays in August). Festival Pier at Delaware Avenue & Spring Garden Street, www.pennslandingcorp

• Lights of Liberty Show. This nighttime sound and light spectacular brings Independence Historical National Park to life after the sun sets. 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 Charleston Heston and Whoppi Goldberg. This summer, "Family Friday Nights at Lights" debuts, featuring activities geared towards families. Through October. 6^th & Chestnut Streets, (877) GO-2-1776, www.lightsofliberty.org
• Channel 6 ZooBalloon. The Philadelphia Zoo has a brand new attraction opening for visitors this summer. Visitors can take a ride in a tethered helium balloon, one of only three such rides in the country, and get a breathtaking view of the Zoo and city skyline. Through November.
  3400 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 243-1100, www.philadelphiazoo.org
• Sunoco Welcome America. The nation’s largest and longest birthday celebration 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 Magna Carta will be in Philadelphia beginning on July 3, bringing even more honor and history to the celebration. June 28-
  July 7, 2002, (800) 770-5883, www.americasbirthday.com
• Fringe Festival. In this arts event modeled after the festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, Old City hosts national and international artists performing their works, ranging from poetry and dance to video and puppetry. August 30-September 14. 211 Vine Street, (215) 413-9006, www.pafringe.org

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 gophila.com or call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Note to Editors: For story angles and photographic images of Philadelphia and its surrounding countryside, visit gophila.com/pressroom.

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