Latest news with #VisitPhiladelphia
Business Journals
4 days ago
- Business Journals
Why San Antonians should fly to Philadelphia this hot travel season
If you're still planning on taking a break from the imminent and relentless heat coming this summer and fall to Central and South Texas and don't want to spend all day traveling, consider Philadelphia a no-fuss destination from San Antonio. In June 2024, American Airlines launched seasonal daily nonstop flights from SAT to PHL that last through early November. Clocking in at just 3.5 hours one way, these seasonal round-trip fares and times vary. Tour the history and the contemporary culture of Philadelphia While San Antonio is home to the San Antonio Missions—of which the five Spanish colonial Missions were recognized as World Heritage sights in 2015 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—and in 2017 the city was designated as a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, the entire city of Philadelphia is the first city in the United States to be dubbed a World Heritage City. As the birthplace of the nation, Philadelphia's Historic District is a first stop for any history buff to take in the culture. According to Visit Philadelphia, the city's historic district—which spans from the Delaware River to Seventh Street and from Vine Street to Lombard Street—contains 23 essential stops to take in all the history. Those include the Independence Visitor Center, The Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall & Congress Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution, The Betsy Ross House, the National Constitution Center, Franklin Square, The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Declaration (Graff) House, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and many other stops along the way. Philadelphia's Historic District not only nods to the nation's past, but also to its current culture, with popular beer gardens, boutiques, trending restaurants and eclectic art galleries. Travel beyond the historic district and visitors will learn why the city considers itself the 'Mural Capital of the World.' In the early 1980s the city embarked on an anti-graffiti program dubbed Mural Arts Philadelphia. Now it is the largest public arts program in the nation, comprising more than 4,000 murals with a goal to add up to 100 annually. The murals not only celebrate the city's place in history but also its diversity, sports legacy, portraits of famous locals and famous figures from all over, and more. Taking the theme of murals up a notch are Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, immersive mixed media art environments created by the artist Isaiah Zagar: the Magic Gardens Studio and Magic Gardens Museum: buildings and properties that are completely covered with mosaics. According to the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, tours to all these attractions are available that offer or combine a variety of walking, driving and bus tours. Arts and Culture tours include the murals, South Philly Art Tours, Magic Garden tours, and an 'It's Always Sunny Tour.' Historic tours highlight the city's revolutionary history, and food and drink tours include samplings of the city's iconic cheesesteak proprietors and breweries, one of which offers a light walk while sampling 12 beer styles for just $79. If you're looking for a brief historic walk, a 90-minute walking tour of Philadelphia is available for just $29. A candlelight ghost tour of the city is also available. The South Philly Street Art Tour, for instance, takes visitors through the eclectic Queen Village and Bella Vista neighborhoods to explore mosaics and murals alike for just $42 per person. This tour includes the magic gardens and murals along the way. If walking sounds a little intimidating, it's important to note that for the past three years, Philadelphia has been dubbed the most walkable city to visit by USA Today. Selected by a panel of travel experts and voted on by the public, the easy-to-navigate colonial streets make for a wonderful outdoor urban experience. The Center City Philadelphia corridor spans from the Schuylkill River in the west to the Delaware River to the east, less than 2 ½ miles or 50 minutes from one side of the city to the other by foot. 'We're thrilled that Philadelphia has been named the most walkable city in the U.S. for the third year in a row,' said Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau in a statement. 'Walkability is one of our greatest strengths, especially for international travelers and meeting attendees who want to maximize their time exploring the city.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Sculpture, In Plain Sight, Unveiled at Cherry Street Pier for Pride Month
Open call begins for a permanent home of the sculpture following its Pride Month installation on the Delaware River Waterfront PHILADELPHIA, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Visit Philadelphia today unveiled In Plain Sight, a large-scale sculpture at Cherry Street Pier honoring Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual members of the LGBTQ+ community. On display throughout Pride Month this June, the installation serves as a bold celebration of the TQ+ community — a group facing increased scrutiny as LGBTQ+ rights remain at the center of national debate. The sculpture underscores Philadelphia's longstanding commitment to being a welcoming and affirming destination for LGBTQ+ residents and travelers. To bring In Plain Sight to life, Visit Philadelphia consulted with local artists and creatives, including Philadelphia-based Bill Adair, an independent arts and culture consultant and former director of the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The concept was developed in partnership with local agency A&G (Allen & Gerritsen) and the final piece was fabricated by Outshaped, a family-owned 3D design and manufacturing studio. Standing at 10 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds, the sculpture's design incorporates colors from the different LGBTQ+ pride flags, each representing a segment of the community: Transgender (T): Light blue, white and pink stripes from the Transgender Pride Flag. Queer (Q): Elements from the traditional Rainbow Pride Flag, featuring red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. Plus (+): Yellow and purple from the Intersex Pride Flag, symbolizing autonomy and visibility; black and white from the Asexual Pride Flag; and black and brown from the Progress Pride Flag, representing people of color and other marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ community. The sculpture also features carved grooves throughout, symbolizing the layered identities and lived experiences within the community. These design choices were intentionally selected to reflect the diversity and intersectionality of the TQ+ population. "Visit Philadelphia is honored to present In Plain Sight as a meaningful tribute to the TQ+ community. This sculpture is a visible reminder of Philadelphia's commitment to being a welcoming place for all," said Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia. "When travelers come here, we want them to feel our city's love, pride and spirit. Representation matters and research supports that. LGBTQ+ travelers spend more, travel more often and are more likely to choose destinations where they feel seen and affirmed." According to Community Marketing & Insights (CMI), 63% of LGBTQ+ travelers view Philadelphia as a welcoming destination. A separate study found that 73% of LGBTQ+ travelers say increased inclusivity has made them feel more comfortable while traveling. The community also represents an estimated $1.4 trillion in annual purchasing power, with LGBTQ+ travelers spending 33% more than their non-LGBTQ counterparts and taking an average of four to six trips per year. Cherry Street Pier, located on the Delaware River Waterfront, is hosting the installation throughout June. Visit Philadelphia is currently seeking a permanent home for In Plain Sight following Pride Month. Businesses or cultural institutions in Philadelphia or the surrounding counties whose values align with Visit Philadelphia's welcoming mission are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to host the sculpture next. The deadline to submit is Monday, June 23, 2025. "We're proud to host In Plain Sight during Pride Month," said Joseph Forkin, president of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. "The waterfront is a place for everyone, and Cherry Street Pier — home to a vibrant and diverse creative community — is the perfect location to spotlight this important symbol. We're honored to be part of its journey and can't wait to see where it goes next." Philadelphia's connection to LGBTQ+ history is long and significant. The city was the site of the "Annual Reminder" protests at Independence Hall in the 1960s, one of the first organized gay rights demonstrations in the United States. In 2004, Visit Philadelphia launched Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay, the country's first LGBTQ-specific tourism television commercial. Two decades later, the organization introduced In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: Drag Queen Story Time on Independence Mall and in 2024 it sponsored Philadelphia Gay News' successful effort to secure a Guinness World Records title for the largest drag story time reading. "2025 calls for marketers to be bold and brave," said Neil Frauenglass, chief marketing officer, Visit Philadelphia. "Our TQ+ sculpture sends a message to the community that they are seen and welcome in Philadelphia today, next year when we celebrate the country's 250th birthday and always." Visit Philadelphia's welcoming message to LGBTQ+ travelers is also prominently featured in a current New York City advertising takeover, which launched May 5 and runs through June 8. The campaign also includes bonus placements during the Tony Awards and NYC Pride weeks — June 9–15 and June 23–29 — reaching an additional 4.7 million impressions. To learn more about In Plain Sight, please visit About Visit Philadelphia: 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, 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 site an effective trip-planning tool. Visitors can also find loads of inspiration on Visit Philly's social media channels. CONTACTS:Ashley Carter(856) 236-9439, ashley@ Binh Nguyen(267) 603-4512, binh@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Visit Philadelphia
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
2 dead, 9 injured in Memorial Day shooting in Philadelphia: Police
Two people were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting at Philadelphia's Fairmount Park on Memorial Day, authorities said. A male and female adult victim were pronounced dead, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said at a media briefing early on May 27. The other nine victims are in stable condition. Three of the injured are juveniles between 15 and 17 years old, Bethel said. Bethel said witnesses reported hearing gunshots at the park around 10:27 p.m. local time on May 26. Officials have not recovered any weapons, and no arrests have been made. A large number of adults were present at the park when the shooting occurred, Bethel said. "They were packing up as this incident unfolded," Bethel said. Officers will review social media posts as part of their investigation, he added. Bethel said officials believe the weapon used may have been modified using a switch. "It's pretty rapid fire so we're pretty confident that there probably was a switch on this gun," Bethel said. A switch is a device that converts a semi-automatic Glock pistol to function as a machine gun, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Memorial Day shooting: South Carolina shooting leaves at least 11 hospitalized in Horry County Fairmount Park spans about 2,000 acres in northern Philadelphia, according to Visit Philadelphia. The area is generally popular outside of holidays like Memorial Day, Bethel said. "It's not uncommon for us to have large groups of individuals surge into the park," Bethel said. "We deal with those on a regular basis." Bethel also added that the area was not well lit at the time of the shooting. Bethel also emphasized the gravity of the holiday during which the shooting occurred. "This is significant," Bethel said. "It's Memorial Day — a day where we honor those who gave their lives in war. So we understand the significance of this event and we will make sure to provide an update later today." Memorial Day, traditionally observed on the last Monday of May, is a federal holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring military personnel who have died in the line of duty. This story has been updated with additional information. Contributing: Reuters Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at (This story was updated to include video.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fairmount Park, Philadelphia shooting: 2 dead, 9 injured
Axios
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Axios
News Market: ️ Cutbacks at UPenn
🗳️ Finalists for Visit Philadelphia's Liberty Bells Awards are set. Voting is open until March 21 on the group's website for new must-visit restaurants, best neighborhoods, and hotels with the best vibe. 🏈 Philadelphia Public League's girls flag football season kicked off yesterday. With more than 30 teams, this is the first season the sport is sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
CBS News
31-01-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Visit Philly's "Legacy and Love" campaign highlights Philly's Black family-owned businesses
A Visit Philadelphia social media campaign launching Feb. 1 highlights Black family-owned businesses across the city. The campaign "Legacy and Love" celebrates the generations of familiies behind those businesses. From the catchy music, to the sweetest stories, it's small family businesses that make Philadelphia just so Philly. Visit Philadelphia's Director of Diverse Marketing Daniel Davis shared how this campaign began. "Our city is filled with a lot of great businesses and really just families that look at Philadelphia as a place to develop and grow their legacy," Davis said. "To really tell their story from the beginning of their business opening to the current place of where there businesses are at." The businesses include North Philadelphia's Paul Beale's Flowers; Vera Doyle, a boutique in Mt. Airy; Hakim's Bookstore the first of its kind in the U.S.; and Arterial Coffee, a café run by two sisters. Davis says it all comes down to inclusion, the legacy of these families and the love they share serving Philadelphians. "We really feel this will bring a great civic pride to businesses they know or don't know," Davis said. Head to to see all the videos in the campaign.
