Looking for a story to tell? Philadelphia has plenty of them. Here are some of the people, places and events on our radar for stories perfect for sharing today, next week, this season or next:
PROFILE: SIERRA GEORGIA AND GALEN THOMAS
Galen Thomas (left) and Sierra Georgia, co-creators of Cloud Cups, CBD-infused desserts now for sale at Pizza Brain in Fishtown.
Scooped-to-order cannabidiol (CBD)-oil-infused gelato is a now thing — a delicious, only-in-Philly thing — and Sierra Georgia and Galen Thomas are to thank for it. Georgia is the founding owner of Gelat’oh and graduate of Bologna, Italy’s Carpigiani Gelato University. Thomas is Georgia’s business partner in Cloud Cups, a line of CBD-infused desserts and drinks that recently moved into the former Little Baby’s Fishtown flagship, where they’ve become the dessert portion of next-door-neighbor Pizza Brain. Dairy and vegan flavors such as white coffee, passion fruit, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and the newly launched brown sugar Pop Tart have kept them busy catering private parties across the country and as far as Antigua. At Pizza Brain, they’ll scoop both non-infused and infused gelato. So, said Thomas, “You can be on the cloud or off the cloud.” 2311 Frankford Avenue
HISTORY: DORA KELLY LEWIS, PHILADEPHIA SUFFRAGETTE
This portrait depicts Dora Kelly (“Mrs. Laurence”) Lewis (1862-1928), a Philadelphia socialite and prominent suffragette. — Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
It’s the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, and we’re looking back to Philadelphians who made a difference. Dora Kelly (“Mrs. Laurence”) Lewis (1862-1928), a socialite and descendant of a founder of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) grew into suffrage activism through the prison and labor reform movements. A close ally of prominent suffragette Alice Paul, Kelly became an executive in the National Woman’s Party (NWP) in 1913. In 1920, she became chair of the ratification committee. Arrested often for protesting — including picketing the White House as a “Silent Sentinel,” — Lewis, jailed four times, from three to 60 days, would go on hunger strikes. Read more about Philadelphia’s connections to U.S. women’s suffrage — celebrating its centennial in 2020 — here.
HOTEL NEWS: VISIT PHILLY OVERNIGHT HOTEL PACKAGE, WINTER EDITION
The Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package is back for winter 2019-2020. — Photo courtesy of M. Stanley
Just in time for gift-giving season and New Year’s resolutions to get away, VISIT PHILADELPHIA® introduces its wintertime hotel package. The popular deal — an up to $253 value — encourages visitors to wonder and wander while exploring the city’s cold-weather charm. Included: Two, free Philadelphia Sightseeing Passes that offer access to two of 33 major attractions (a package first), admission and skate rental for two to the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, a gift card to Garces Group restaurants in Philly and a $10 Lyft credit to get around town without a car, since it’s parked for free at one of 44 great hotels. Here’s more info: visitphilly.com/overnight
WHERE WE’RE EATING: LAIZA MONTANEZ
My favorite place to eat is, hands down, Tio Pepe on Castor Avenue, a low-key Portuguese restaurant in a diverse neighborhood in the Northeast. The owner is down-to-earth, and the menu is low-cost and super flavorful. If you want a full table dining experience, go upstairs, but if you want a quick meal to enjoy with a beer and a game, hit the downstairs bar. We usually order an entire chicken fire-grilled in Portuguese seasonings and pickled veggies — some of the best veggies I have ever eaten — with a side of buttery rice, homemade chips and a salad. I’m salivating just thinking about it. 6618 Castor Avenue, (215) 742-4775
IN JANUARY:
Colorful dragons, traditional lion dancers and parades accented with firecrackers and brightly costumed marchers ring in the Lunar New Year in Philadelphia. — Photo by M. Edlow for VISIT PHILADELPHIA
- Through January 5, Luminature at the Philadelphia Zoo: Last chance to catch the debut of the nighttime spectacle everyone’s been talking about.
- Through January 12, 30 Americans: The Barnes Foundation ends an unmissable exhibition of major works by amazingly influential African American modern artists.
- Through January 12, 2020, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: More than the second woman — and first Jewish woman — to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, this living legend is honored in an exhibition at the National Museum of American Jewish History.
- January 1, 2020, Mummers Parade: It’s year 123 for Philly’s boisterous, colorful, South Broad Street New Year’s Day tradition.
- January 18, 2020, Lunar New Year: The Penn Museum starts the Year of the Rat early with lion dances, crafts, martial arts demonstrations. (Come January 25, the celebration continues with feasting and firecrackers in Chinatown.)
- January 20, 2020, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Greater Philadelphia holds the country’s largest day of service, with tens of thousands of volunteers doing community projects throughout the city and region.
- January 23-February 8, Philadelphia Orchestra, BeethovenNOW: Pianists Yefim Bronfman, Daniil Trifonov and Emanuel Ax join the orchestra for all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos at the Academy of Music, part of a season-long celebration of Beethoven’s 250th.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Philadelphia Flower Show, world's largest and longest-running indoor flower show, returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center February 29-March 8, 2020. — Photo by C. Smyth for VISIT PHILADELPHIA
- February 1-16, 2020, Getaway at the Greenhouse: Summer pops up for two weeks at the Fairmount Park Horticultural Center via a giant sandbox, live music, food trucks and Gaia, The Traveling Artwork, British artist Luke Jerram’s spectacular giant globe.
- February 1-June 14, 2020, Witness to History: Selma Photography of Stephen Somerstein: The Brandywine Museum of Art documents the historic 54-mile march for civil rights from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.
- February 8-17, 2020, Philadelphia Auto Show: Hundreds of the automotive industry’s latest creations go on display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at a majorly popular event.
- February 29-March 8, 2020, Philadelphia Flower Show: “Riviera Holiday” — and Princess Grace of Monaco — are themes of the oldest and largest indoor flower show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
- March 1-September 20, 2020, A Seat at the Table: Dome Collective mounts a free, interactive exhibition about women’s representation in places of power at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
- April 11 & 12, 2020, African American History & Culture Showcase: Private exhibits, living history makers, documentary films, historical reenactments, artists, poets, actors and musicians are part of this annual event at the Convention Center.
- August 26, 2020, Toast to Tenacity™: Independence Mall honors the 100th anniversary of voting rights for women — Women’s Equality Day — with a sold-out midday event featuring speakers, live music and glasses raised to suffragists.
NEW & UPDATED PRESS RELEASES:
- Philadelphia Makes National Geographic Traveler’s Best Trips List
- 19th Amendment Centennial in Philadelphia
- Philly Connections to Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco and 2020 Flower Show Feature
- Philadelphia & The Countryside Calendar of Events
ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO:
- Mummers (photo gallery)
- Philadelphia Museum of Art in Winter (video)
- Jim’s Steaks (video)
- Lunar New Year (photo)
- Drexel Park Skyline, with Cherry Blossoms (video)
VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.
On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.
