Philadelphia, Where Big-City Excitement Meets Neighborhood Charm
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(Word Count – 66) Welcome to Philadelphia, where big-city excitement meets neighborhood charm. The second-largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is at the center of the Northeast Corridor and within a day’s-drive of 40 percent of the U.S. population. Philadelphia offers a variety of attractions, entertainment, dining and history that can please every traveler. For more information about Philadelphia, visit the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website at www.discoverPHL.com (Word Count - 122) Welcome to Philadelphia, where big-city excitement meets neighborhood charm. The second-largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is at the center of the Northeast Corridor and within a day’s-drive of 40 percent of the U.S. population. Made famous as the birthplace of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” the city’s strength is in the culturally diverse neighborhoods that merge to create a unique and dynamic destination. Come and listen to the sounds of Philadelphia on the Avenue of the Arts, taste the distinctiveness of world renowned chefs on Rittenhouse Row, relive history at Independence Hall and feel the pulse of the city through touring its neighborhoods. For more information about Philadelphia, visit the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website at www.discoverPHL.com. (Word Count – 247) Welcome to Philadelphia, where big-city excitement meets neighborhood charm. The second-largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is at the center of the Northeast Corridor and within a day’s-drive of 40 percent of the U.S. population. Made famous as the birthplace of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” the city’s strength is in the culturally diverse neighborhoods that merge to create a unique and dynamic destination. Listen to the sounds of Philadelphia on the Avenue of the Arts at the new Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Taste the distinctiveness of world-renowned chefs’ creations at restaurants located on Rittenhouse Row or in Old City. Relive history at “America’s most historic square mile,” Independence Mall, home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. Feel the pulse of the city through touring its neighborhoods such as South Philadelphia’s 125-year-old Italian Market or the stately historic homes on Delancey Street in Old City. Philadelphia is also home to the world’s largest landscaped urban park, Fairmont Park. Within Fairmont’s 9,200 acres of winding creeks, green meadows and 100 miles of rustic trails are early American mansions, historic landmarks, outdoor sculptures and open-air theatres. Also located within Fairmont Park is America’s first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo. More than 1,300 animals from around the world, picturesque Victorian gardens, outstanding art and historical architecture set the scene for a rewarding visit to the zoo. For more information about Philadelphia, visit the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website at www.discoverPHL.com. (Word Count – 439) Welcome to Philadelphia, where big-city excitement meets neighborhood charm. The second-largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is at the center of the Northeast Corridor and within a day’s-drive of 40 percent of the U.S. population. Made famous as the birthplace of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” the city’s strength is in the culturally diverse neighborhoods that merge to create a unique and dynamic destination. Listen to the sounds of Philadelphia on the Avenue of the Arts – the city’s premier arts district – at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Or minuet next door to the Academy of Music – home to the Pennsylvania Ballet Company and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. After the show taste the distinctiveness of world-renowned chefs’ creations at restaurants located on Rittenhouse Row or in Old City. Relive history in “America’s most historic square mile,” Independence Mall, home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. Also located within a short march is Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest residential street in the U.S.; the Betsy Ross House; Christ Church & Burial Ground; the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia, the President’s House, Philadelphia’s official history museum; and more. Known as the Cultural District, this neighborhood helps tell the story of the creation of the United States of America. Feel the pulse of the city through touring its historic and culturally rich neighborhoods. Experience Old World heritage in South Philadelphia’s 125-year-old Italian Market where the aromas and language of the old country are alive today in shops and restaurants run by generations of the original families. Or take a stroll down cobblestone streets to view the stately historic homes of the original merchants in Old City. South Street, the “hippest street in Philadelphia,” is famous for its eclectic shops, diverse restaurants energetic nightlife and the best people watching in the city. Philadelphia is also home to the world’s largest landscaped urban park, Fairmont Park. Within Fairmont’s 9,200 acres of winding creeks, green meadows and 100 miles of rustic trails are early American mansions, historic landmarks, outdoor sculptures, and open-air theatres. Also located within Fairmont Park is America’s first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo. More than 1,300 animals from around the world, picturesque Victorian gardens, outstanding art and historical architecture set the scene for a rewarding visit to the zoo. The most active stretch of the Park can be found behind the Philadelphia Art Museum along Boathouse Row, where the Victorian homes of the “Schuylkill Navy” rest peacefully between scullers of the river and runners and bikers on Kelly Drive. For more information about Philadelphia, visit the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website at www.discoverPHL.com. PHILADELPHIA FACT SHEET LOCATION • Gateway to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. • Only one hour and 20 minutes by train to New York City and one hour and 45 minutes by train to Washington, D.C. • Only one hour and 45 minutes by car to New York City and two hours and 30 minutes by car to Washington, D.C. POPULATION • Fifth-largest city in the United States. • Second-largest city on the East Coast. • Largest city in Pennsylvania. • Six million people in the metropolitan area and 1.5 million in the city. HISTORY • Most historic city in America and birthplace of American government. • Founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker. • Nation’s capital from 1790 to 1800. ATTRACTIONS • Historical - Independence National Historical Park - America’s most historic square mile, including the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, National Constitution Center, President’s House, Lights of Liberty Show, Betsy Ross House and more. • Cultural – World-famous museums include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, The Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute Science Museum, The Academy of Natural Sciences and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Cultural performance venues include The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and eight Resident Company Performing arts organizations) and The Academy of Music, home of the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Ballet. • Parks – With the largest city-owned urban park system in the world, Philadelphia is the greenest city in America. These parks include Fairmount Park, the largest landscaped city park in the U.S.A., Longwood Gardens, the region's and one of the world's premier horticultural display gardens and Bartram’s Gardens, the oldest surviving botanic garden in North America. • Shopping – Philadelphia offers tax-free shopping (on clothing and shoes) at unique shops along 13th street, Rittenhouse Row, Jewelers’ Row, Antique Row and South Street. Head a short distance west of the city to the King of Prussia Mall, the largest retail shopping mall in the U.S.A. Also a short distance from the city is Franklin Mills discount shopping mall, Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, Peddler’s Village and New Hope. • Restaurants and Nightlife – Ranked in the top 10 Best Nightlife Scenes by U.S. News, Philadelphia’s nightlife is alive and vibrant into the late hours with clubs featuring live jazz, blues and dance music. In addition, Philadelphia is home to several Iron Chefs and world-renowned restaurateurs. From Jose Garces’ acclaimed tapas to Steven Starr’s themed spots, there is something for everyone. And, of course, you can’t miss local favorites such as Pat’s King of Steaks or Geno’s Steaks. SPORTS • Eleven professional sports teams: Eagles (football), Flyers (hockey), 76ers (basketball), Phillies (baseball), Soul (arena football), Phantoms (minor league hockey), Union (Major league soccer), Wings (lacrosse), Freedoms (world team tennis), KiXX (men’s indoor soccer) and Charge (women’s outdoor soccer). • Premier annual sporting events, including: Army/Navy football game, Dad Vail Rowing Regatta, Philadelphia Marathon, Broad Street Run and Philadelphia Triathlon. • Numerous collegiate sporting events including the Penn Relays. CLIMATE • Four distinct seasons. • Winters moderately cold with some snow (January average temperature, 39 degrees Fahrenheit). • Summers warm and sunny with some humidity (July average temperature, 86 degrees Fahrenheit). • Spring and Fall moderate and comfortable. • Average yearly rainfall, 41 inches. GETTING HERE By motorcoach • Major interstate and regional highways (I-95, I-76, Pennsylvania Turnpike, New Jersey Turnpike) make Philadelphia easily accessible from all points, including Atlantic City (1 hour), Baltimore (2 hours), New York (2 hours), Washington, D.C. (3 hours), and Boston (5 hours). • Motorcoach loading and unloading facilities are located throughout the historic district and daytime and overnight motorcoach parking is available. By air • 30 carriers service more than 100 cities in the U.S.A. and internationally. • State-of-the-art International Terminal opened in April 2003. • Philadelphia’s International Airport is located just 20 minutes by train or car from Center City (downtown).