THE PHILADELPHIA REGION RINGS IN 2003 IN STYLE
Fireworks, Fancy Brigades and Flowing Champagne Make the
New Year In Philly A Celebration To Remember
PHILADELPHIA,
December 2, 2002
–
Philly’s More Fun When You Sleep Over™,
but Philly’s the most fun when you sleep over on New Year’s Eve. The New
Year’s Eve Philly Hotel Package offers residents and visitors a perfect
opportunity to celebrate year’s end and ring in 2003 in style. The package
includes complimentary shuttle transportation to and from the New Year’s Eve
fireworks show with a vantage point from the historic Battleship New Jersey,
VIP tickets to Mummers Fest, the New Year’s Day Mummers Parade and the Mummers
Fancy Brigade Finale and a special gift upon hotel check-in. For a list of
participating hotels, visit
www.gophila.com.
But fireworks, Mummers and hotel stays are just the finale to the
Philadelphia’s fabulous all-day and all-evening celebration. The region hosts
New Year’s Eve activities for the whole family, scrumptious dinners in
romantic restaurants, plus cultural performances, plenty of dancing and
endless champagne.
Unless otherwise noted, all events and celebrations take place in Center
City Philadelphia.
New Year’s Eve Family Fun
Afternoon New Year’s at Please Touch Museum: This kid-centric museum of
fun opens its doors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for junior partyers who ought to be
in bed well before 12 midnight. The museum atrium hosts two New Year’s Eve
countdowns, one at 12 noon and a second at 1 p.m., complete with a string band
and confetti. $8.95 for ages one and older. 210 N. 21st Street, (215)
963-0666,
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
Slumber Party at the NJ Aquarium: Families are invited to bring their
sleeping bags and snooze with the fish at the nearby Camden Aquarium. There
will be a spectacular view of the fireworks, nighttime snacks, arts and crafts
and a continental breakfast. $40 for the evening, $50 for overnight. 1
Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ, (800) 616-JAWS,
www.njaquarium.org
Ice Skating at the RiverRink: Overlooking the Delaware River from
Penn’s Landing, the Blue Cross RiverRink offers six two-hour skating sessions
on December 31, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending late at night as fireworks
illuminate the sky above the Delaware River. Evening party: $25 for skaters,
$15 for spectators. Spring Garden Street & Columbus Boulevard, (215) 925-RINK,
www.riverrink.com
Special Performances
The Pennsylvania Ballet: The ballet presents the year’s finale
performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker on December 31 at 12 noon.
Academy of Music, Broad & Locust Streets, (215) 893-1999,
www.paballet.org
The Philadelphia Orchestra: The Orchestra rings in 2003 at The Kimmel
Center for the Performing Arts with polkas, waltzes, Mozart and Hayden and
“Auld Lang Syne” at 8 p.m. on December 31. $25-$125. Broad & Spruce Streets,
(215) 893-1999,
www.philorch.org
Walnut Street Theatre: Enjoy a New Year’s Eve presentation of The Sound
of Music at Philadelphia’s oldest theater at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $60. 825
Walnut Street, (215) 574-3550,
www.wstonline.com
The Wilma Theater: Catch The Magic Fire, a play about a melting pot
family whose story will make you laugh and cry. After the show, join the cast
at the Wilma’s post-show celebration with champagne, music and hors d’oeuvres.
$75 per person, $40 per person without performance tickets. Broad & Spruce
Streets, (215) 546-7824 ext. 109,
www.wilmatheatre.org
Restaurant Celebrations
Cuba Libre: Dine Cuban-style at this hip Old City restaurant and bar.
Early dinner seatings from 4-8 p.m. offer an a la carte menu. Seatings at 9
and 9:30 p.m. include a four-course prix-fixe menu, open bar, party hats,
dancing to a DJ and a midnight champagne toast for $175 per person. 10 S. 2nd
Street, (215) 627-0666,
www.cubralibrerestaurant.com
Joseph Poon Asian Fusion Restaurant: Chinatown’s culinary ambassador
hosts a fusion feast to bring prosperity in the New Year. The 6 p.m. seating
includes a good luck gift and champagne toast for $58. The 8:30 p.m. seating
also includes a bottle of wine for each couple at a cost of $88 per person.
1002 Arch Street, (215) 928-9333,
www.josephpoon.com
Le Mas Perrier: This elegantly rustic restaurant will serve a
five-course Euro-Asian menu all evening, with live music and dancing for $85
per person. 503 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, (610) 964-2588,
www.lemasrestaurant.com
Manayunk Brewing Company: Enjoy hand-crafted brews, a generous buffet,
premium open bar, live rock music, a champagne toast and a roving magician at
this popular Manayunk brewpub and restaurant. Dinner begins at 7 p.m., with
open bar from 8 p.m. to midnight, for $100 per person. Open bar only, from
10:30 p.m.-12 midnight, is $35 per person. 4120 Main Street, Manayunk, (215)
482-8220,
www.manayunkbrewery.com
The Mansion Inn: This stately Victorian inn hosts a three-course
international dinner at 6 p.m. followed by a five-course dinner at 9 p.m.,
including a specialty champagne cocktail with strawberries and classical
guitar music. 9 S. Main Street, New Hope, (215) 862-2131,
www.themansioninn.com
New Wave Café: For true Philly flavor, enjoy haute cuisine in a casual
bar setting. Five-course menu starts with lobster bisque and ends with
chocolate decadence for $50 per person. Seatings are at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. 3rd &
Catharine Streets, (215) 922-8484
Spotted Hog: This family-friendly eatery hosts "New Year's Eve Family
Night 2002,” with music, balloon sculptures, face painting and a clown.
Seatings are at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. $18.95 per adult, $16.95 per child 12 and
under. Route 202 & Street Road, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, (215) 794-4040
Striped Bass: This elegant tribute to innovative seafood offers a
three-course a la carte menu until 7:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., diners can enjoy a
four-course meal prepared by Chef Terrence Feury, as well as an expanded wine
list and the big-band sounds of a swinging ensemble. Cost is $195 per person.
1500 Walnut Street, (215) 732-4444,
www.mealticket.org
Susanna Foo: Philadelphia’s premier Asian chef offers an elegant
setting in which to enjoy a seven-course extravaganza. Seating for the prix-fixe
menu begins at 9:15 p.m., with a harpist on the first floor for $85 per person
and a DJ and dancing upstairs at $95 per person. 1512 Walnut Street, (215)
545-2666,
susannafoo.com
Vivo Enoteca: The Main Line’s popular new Italian wine bar and
restaurant offers a special New Year’s Eve menu and delicious champagne
cocktails while a DJ spins festive tunes. 108 N. Wayne Avenue, Wayne, (610)
964-8486
Zanzibar Blue: This swanky international jazz club offers early
seatings for four courses from 5:30-6:30 p.m., at $75 per person. At 9:30 and
10 p.m., five courses will be served, with live music and party hats, at a
cost of $130 per person, with the option of open bar for an additional $32 per
person. Broad & Walnut Streets, (215) 732-5200,
www.zanzibarblue.com
Hotel Happenings
Four Seasons: Offering the ultimate in black-tie elegance, the Four
Seasons hosts a single seating at 7:45 p.m., featuring a seven-course menu,
music, dancing and a champagne toast. Dinner only costs $225 per person;
dinner with a hotel overnight starts at $799, and hotel only is $699 for
December 31. One Logan Circle, (215) 963-1500,
www.fourseasons.com
Loews Philadelphia Hotel: Just a hop and a skip from the Mummers Parade
route, the contemporary hotel offers flowing seating from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. for
a special dinner in the Restaurant at PSFS, at $135 per person. The overnight
package includes dinner and a room for $275. Or, join in the fun in the two
ballrooms from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., with a live band, DJ, a limited open bar and
hors d’oeuvres for $85 per person. 12th & Market Streets, (215) 627-1200,
www.loewshotels.com
Mendenhall Inn: The luxurious inn celebrates 2003 in the Gold Ballroom
with hors d’oeuvres, dinner, Viennese dessert buffet, cocktails, dancing and
champagne from 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. For dinner alone, the cost is $199 per couple.
With accommodations, the cost is $329 per couple. Route 52, Kennett Pike,
Mendenhall, (610) 388-2100,
www.mendenhallinn.com
Omni Hotel: Overlooking historic Independence Square, the hotel opens
its Azalea Room for an early four-course dinner at 5 p.m. for $50 per person.
The 8 p.m. seating includes six courses and giveaways for $100 per person.
Room rates for December 31 begin at $220. 4th & Chestnut Streets, (215)
925-0000,
www.omnihotels.com
Park Hyatt at the Bellevue: The historic hotel offers an array of
packages for all types of celebrants. At 5:30 p.m. guests can enjoy a
four-course prix-fixe dinner with piano for $85 per person, or at $585 per
couple with overnight accommodations. At 9 p.m., a five-course meal, with
champagne toast, party favors and dancing will be offered at the cost of $265
per person, and at $935 per couple with overnight accommodations. Broad &
Walnut Streets, (215) 790-2814,
www.hyatt.com
Radnor Hotel: The gala at this historic Main Line property begins at 9
p.m. with a five-course dinner, top-shelf open bar, DJ, dancing and a grand
dessert buffet. Without accommodations, the cost is $179 per couple; with an
overnight stay, including New Year’s Day breakfast, the cost is $299 per
couple. Lancaster Avenue, Radnor, (610) 341-3191,
www.radnorhotel.com
Rittenhouse Bed and Breakfast: The deluxe New Year’s Eve package at
this quaint bed and breakfast. includes a wine reception, a three-course
dinner at nearby Opus 251, tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra, a post-party
at Opus 251 and a Continental breakfast on New Year’s Day for $575. The cost
of the package without Orchestra tickets is $400 per couple. 1715 Rittenhouse
Square, (215) 546-6500,
www.rittenhousebb.com
Ritz-Carlton: This regal hotel offers early seatings for those headed
to the Orchestra and elsewhere at a cost of $80 per person. Later seatings, at
$300 per person, include champagne, dancing and a balloon drop at midnight.
Dine and stay overnight, and receive a deluxe morning-after kit, complete with
an ice pack and dark glasses, starting at $669 per room. 10 Avenue of the
Arts, (215) 523-8000, ext. 4130,
www.ritzcarlton.com
Sofitel Hotel: The French-style celebration at Chez Colette features a
full-course menu and champagne for $85 per person, from 6 p.m.-12 midnight.
Room rates begin at $199 for the evening. 120 S. 17th Street, (215) 569-8300,
www.sofitel.com
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.
# # #
Note to Editors:
For story angles and photographic images of Philadelphia and its surrounding
countryside, visit www.gophila.com/pressroom.
December 2002
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