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 to share today, next week, this season or next:
PROFILE: NANCY HILL
Growing up, Nancy Hill found medical illustration fascinating. She credits her grandmother, a medical librarian at Temple University, for her interest. Today, the University of the Arts grad is project managing the Spit Spreads Death: The Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19 in Philadelphia (October 17, 2019-August 5, 2024) exhibition at the Mütter Museum. Her job: memorialize and make relevant a devastating, century-old virus. On September 28, the 101th anniversary of the Liberty Loan parade that started the flu-spreading epidemic, Hill has organized a parade up Broad Street featuring floats by Blast Theory. After that comes community health fairs, Hidden City tours of Kensington and flu vaccines at the Mütter. 19 S. 22nd Street, (215) 560-8564
HOTEL NEWS: A NEW HOTEL & A FALL HOTEL PACKAGE
Philadelphia's first-ever micro-hotel opens to the public on September 10. — Photo courtesy Pod Philly
Center City gets its first micro-hotel in Pod Philly, a modern, 252-room concept that opens to the public September 12. The idea behind the efficient, 11-story, new construction: Hotel rooms in a city like Philadelphia should be affordable and provide essentials—comfortable sleeping, showering, etc., because the best part of urban travel takes place in the city itself. Still, with great communal spaces and dining from local restaurateurs Michael Kennedy and Greg Root (Pizzeria Beddia, R&D, Suraya), Pod Philly is destined to become a destination unto itself. More on those restaurants: Condesa, a vibrant Mexican restaurant occupies the ground floor, and El Techo, a penthouse taqueria, features Rittenhouse’s first retractable roof. 31 S. 19th Street, (267) 494-0440
Simple to book, easy to enjoy, the perks-packed Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package, refreshed just in time for fall, is perfect for travelers who want to do minimal trip planning. Known for its convenient overnight hotel parking, the package also includes museum tickets (Museum of the American Revolution and the National Constitution Center), a gift card to use at any of chef Jose Garces’ Philadelphia restaurants and bus passes to get around town (PHLASH® Downtown Loop). Running from September 12 through November 30, 2019, the package is bookable at visitphilly.com/overnight.
VISIT PHILADELPHIA NEWS
2018 was a record-breaking year for the hospitality industry in Philadelphia. A record 45 million people visited the five-county Greater Philadelphia region last year—that’s the ninth consecutive year of growth. Visitors injected $7.6 billion into the economy to fuel job growth (103,800 supported jobs), generated state and local tax dollars ($980 million) and increased overall quality of life. For more on the region’s successes, read the press release. And for a look back at VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s recent marketing work and wins, check out its just-released 2019 Annual Report.
HEADS UP FOR SEPTEMBER:
Opening September 19, 2019, Fashion District Philadelphia will become Center City Philadelphia's largest shopping, dining and entertainment complex. — Rendering courtesy of Fashion District Philadelphia
- September 13, Friday the Firkinteenth: Northeast Philly’s Grey Lodge Pub carries on a 21-year-old Friday the 13th tradition by tapping as much cask ale as the crowd wants (last time, 22).
- September 18, North Entrance reopens at Philadelphia Museum of Art: For the first time in 40 years, the Art Museum entrance facing Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive and Kelly Drive reopens to the public—with a new, Frank Gehry-designed sky-lit vaulted walkway.
- September 19, Fashion District: The old Gallery mall gets a new life as a retail (national chains and local shops), entertainment (Philly’s first full-service movie theater, Candytopia and more) art (permanent local art curated by Bridgette Mayer; pop-up exhibits from Conrad Benner) and dining (Big Gay Ice Cream, Chickie’s & Pete’s, City Winery) destination for East Market.
- September 26-29, 2019 MightyFest: Mighty Writers, the fast-growing organization that teaches kids to think and write clearly, hosts a free literacy carnival, writing workshops, a gospel breakfast and a VIP reception with the NY Times’ Michael Barbaro.
- September 28-February 17, Cost of Revolution: The Life and Death of an Irish Soldier: Old City’s Museum of the American Revolution explores the relationship between the American and Irish revolutions by unspooling the brief and punishing life of Irish artist Richard St. George.
- September 29, Downingtown Fall Fest: Chester County’s Victory Brewing Company presents a day of food, crafts and beer along Green Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
- September 29, Puerto Rican Festival Parade: One of the city’s most beloved parades brings island pride to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
LOOKING AHEAD:
- October 2-19, Site/Sound: Revealing the Rail Park: Multi-sensory art installations, family programs, music and performances honor the past, present and future of the historic viaduct during three Saturdays of free programming.
- October 3-November 17, Blooms & Bamboo: Chrysanthemum and Ikebana Sogetsu Artistry: Autumn’s Colors at Longwood Gardens expects sellouts to experience large works in bamboo and natural elements by Akane Teshigahara, a flower arranging master from Japan.
- November 7-17, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival: This festival showcases the Asian American and Pacific Islander experience through film, theater and music.
- November 28, 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade: The country’s oldest Thanksgiving parade makes its 100th run this year.
- December 14, Army-Navy Game: Army takes on Navy for the 120th time.
NEW & UPDATED PRESS RELEASES:
- Mes De La Herencia Hispana En Filadelfia 2019
- Avenue of the Arts Neighborhood Guide
- Sensory-Friendly Attractions & Performances in Philadelphia and The Countryside
- Graduate Hospital Neighborhood Guide
- Philadelphia and The Countryside Events Calendar, September 2019-August 2020
ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY:
- Akwaaba Philadelphia
- Franklin Square Fountain Show
- Annual Reminders Marker at Independence Hall
- Liberty Bell Center
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.
