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Discover the Best of Philadelphia

America’s Garden Capital: The Philadelphia region boasts unparalleled greenery, with 37 public gardens within 30 miles. Andalusia Historic House, a 50-acre estate, captivates with a Greek Revival mansion and formal gardens….reports Asian Lite News

In 2024, Philadelphia invites all to immerse in a wealth of cultural, festive, and artistic experiences. Here is a roadmap to the top 24 experiences unfolding in 2024.

Wondrous Space: The Franklin Institute, in partnership with Boeing, opened its newest core exhibit, an entirely new future-focused “Wondrous Space” exhibit dedicated to space exploration. The groundbreaking “Wondrous Space” is the first of six reimagined exhibits at The Franklin Institute for its 200th anniversary in 2024.

Philadelphia Auto Show (January 13-21, 2024) The Philadelphia Auto Show, organized by the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia, is one of the largest in the U.S. It features hundreds of vehicles, from the latest models to classics, drawing over 250,000 guests annually at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Philadelphia Flower Show (March 2-10, 2024) The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, the nation’s largest horticultural event, celebrates its 195th year with the theme “United by Flowers.” Showcasing floral displays and gardens, the event highlights the colourful community’s love for gardening, flowers, and plants. The 2024 show includes the world’s largest houseplant and indoor plant competition.

WrestleMania 40 (April 6-7, 2024) Philadelphia will be “The Grandest Stage of Them All” as the city welcomes WrestleMania 40. A week-long celebration of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) will take over Philadelphia, with the main event at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Longwood Gardens: Embark on a journey to Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia’s Countryside, an enchanting haven open year-round. Seasonal exhibits like Winter Wonder (January 20 – March 24, 2024) and Spring Blooms (March 30 – May 5, 2024) showcase seasonal blossoms. Festival of Fountains (May 9 – September 29, 2024) offers a summer oasis, and the Chrysanthemum Festival (October – November) celebrates fall.

America’s Garden Capital: The Philadelphia region boasts unparalleled greenery, with 37 public gardens within 30 miles. Andalusia Historic House, a 50-acre estate, captivates with a Greek Revival mansion and formal gardens.

Annual Sports Events: Philadelphia’s annual sporting scene is rich with events. With ten pro teams and nearly 100 colleges, the city hosts thrilling competitions year-round. In 2024, do not miss championship events and historic matches. The Schuylkill River, a rowing haven for over 200 years, welcomes events like the Stotesbury Cup Regatta and Head of the Schuylkill Regatta with 1,000 racing boats.

Award-Winning Restaurants and Restaurant Week: Delight in Philadelphia’s culinary prowess with the 2023 James Beard Award-winning Friday Saturday Sunday in Rittenhouse Square. Experience an intimate dining affair with an eight-course tasting menu and seasonally inspired cocktails.

Treat your taste buds during Restaurant Week. The event returns each season in Center City with nearly 60 eateries offering prix fixe lunches and dinners and in other Philadelphia neighbourhoods featuring the newest restaurants and many of the city’s essential eats.

Pride Celebrations: Philadelphia proudly embraces one of the nation’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ communities, hosting diverse events throughout the year. In June, International Gay Pride Month, the city’s LGBTQ+ community unites for celebrations like the Equality Forum, Philadelphia Black Pride Celebration, and Philly Pride 365, featuring the lively Philadelphia Pride March and Festival with musical performances. Beyond June, OURfest in October honours National Coming Out Day with a parade, festival, and resource fair.

Historic Square Mile: Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, known as the “most historic square mile,” is a must-visit. Explore Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated an ewitness the iconic Liberty Bell, symbolizing freedom.

Iconic Philadelphia Landmarks: Seize the moment with a LOVE Statue selfie at LOVE Park. Dive into Philly’s culinary scene with a classic cheesesteak from Reading Terminal Market, dating to 1893.

Rocky Steps: Embrace your inner Rocky by conquering the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps and posing next to the iconic Rocky Statue. Visit The Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation’s Parkway Outpost’s Rocky Shop for exclusive gear and souvenirs crafted in partnership with the legendary Sly Stallone Shop.

Museums, Other Attractions, a New Art Museum: Philadelphia’s cultural scene is diverse and vibrant, featuring iconic institutions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. By 2024, Calder Gardens, a $70 million sanctuary dedicated to artist Alexander Calder, will join the Museum Mile, offering rotating displays of his iconic works.

Philly Beer Week (May 31 – June 9, 2024) Philly Beer Week is the largest celebration of beer in the United States, where Brewers have been crafting beer for more than 300 years. The 10-day festival includes beer tastings, pairings, competitions, and plenty of happy hours at bars and restaurants throughout the city.

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival: Experience the enchantment of Philadelphia’s Franklin Square during the Chinese Lantern Festival, where handmade lantern displays illuminate the night, celebrating Chinese cultural traditions.

Delaware River Waterfront: The Delaware River Waterfront is a dynamic hub for outdoor activities. SeaPhilly offers intimate boat rides exploring the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, ideal for sunset dates or wildlife expeditions.

Wawa Welcome America: Wawa Welcome America is an annual festival celebrating Juneteenth and the 4th of July across Philadelphia. The festivities conclude with a massive concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where previous headliners include Jason Derulo, Pitbull, and The Roots.

Made in America: A Labor Day tradition, Made in America brings the hottest artists to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. For two days, artists and eateries take over Fairmount Park for a euphoric summer party. Previous years’ headliners include Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, and The Weeknd.

Philadelphia in Fall: Philadelphia’s vibrant autumn features Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary, a festival with haunted houses, mazes, themed bars, and live performances from September to November.

The city’s visually stunning fall foliage spots include Fairmount Park, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, the Horticulture Center, and Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Brauhaus Schmitz’s Oktoberfest on South Street offers a German extravaganza.

Philadelphia’s Sports Culture: Attend a game at the stadium or immerse yourself in the energetic atmosphere of the city’s best sports bars. Root for the Phillies (MLB), Eagles (NFL), 76ers (NBA), and Flyers (NHL), celebrating the fervour that defines Philadelphia sports culture.

Mural Capital of the World: Discover Philadelphia’s neighbourhoods and their stories through community-based public art with Mural Arts Philadelphia tours. Explore the “Mural Capital of the World” on a self-guided tour or join guided experiences on foot, trolley, train, or Segway.

Performing Arts: Philadelphia boasts top-tier performing arts venues, including the historic Walnut Street Theatre and the innovative Kimmel Cultural Campus. The Kimmel Cultural Campus features an annual Broadway series, while local companies like Opera Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Philadelphia Ballet offer compelling shows.

Winter in Philadelphia: Philadelphia comes alive in winter with events and attractions. Dilworth Park hosts the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, The Cabin, and Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn. Franklin Square transforms into a whimsical winter wonderland, featuring a charming carousel and the spectacular Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show.

The Holidays in Philadelphia: Experience the nation’s longest-running Thanksgiving Day Parade, visit one of the largest Christmas markets at LOVE Park, and shop at the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. Enjoy the Macy’s Christmas Light Show and Dickens’ Village, explore LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo, and celebrate Hanukkah at Betsy Ross House with a menorah lighting ceremony and traditional treats.

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Iconic Art and World-Class Museums in Philadelphia

Art surrounds you in Philadelphia. The city is known for its iconic LOVE and Rocky statues, but visitors can discover much more. Philadelphia’s affection for art is visible on the streets, where visitors can find an incredible outdoor art gallery and over 4,400 murals…reports Asian Lite News

Philadelphia, often referred to as the “City of Brotherly Love,” is a captivating destination with a rich history and a vibrant contemporary culture. Nestled in the heart of the United States’ East Coast, this city offers a multitude of compelling reasons to visit. From its iconic historical sites to its diverse culinary scene, thriving arts community, and tax-free shopping, the city has something for every traveller. Explore the top reasons to pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable journey to Philadelphia.

A Gateway to the East Coast

Philadelphia is considered one of the premier entry points for those travelling to the East Coast because of its accessibility. As a transatlantic gateway, Philadelphia International Airport offers numerous direct and connecting flights to international destinations, including India. Once you land, Center City is a quick 20-minute drive or 25-minute train ride. Major U.S. cities such as New York and Washington D.C. are a short drive or train ride away for those on a multi-destination trip.

Home to History

Philadelphia is known for attractions that tell America’s story. For visitors curious about American history, there is no better place than “America’s most historic square mile.” In the Old City historical district, walk the same streets and enter the same buildings as America’s Founding Fathers. At Carpenters’ Hall, visitors can enter the First Continental Congress site, where the Founding Fathers met to discuss independence. Nearby is Independence Hall — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. And, of course, see the iconic Liberty Bell, an international symbol of freedom.

Iconic Art

Art surrounds you in Philadelphia. The city is known for its iconic LOVE and Rocky statues, but visitors can discover much more. Philadelphia’s affection for art is visible on the streets, where visitors can find an incredible outdoor art gallery and over 4,400 murals. For a breathtaking experience, lose yourself in a maze of mosaics at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens along South Street. Mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar crafted the mixed media art environment. He uses handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, and international folk-art techniques to chronicle his life and influences in the space.

World-class Museums

Philadelphia is home to incredible museums where visitors can learn, play, and connect with the arts and sciences. Modeled after the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway is home to some of the city’s iconic art museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art‘s collection spans over 2,000 years, from the Renaissance to contemporary pieces. Just blocks away, the Rodin Museum stores one of the largest collections of famed sculptor Auguste Rodin’s work outside of Paris. Next door, the Barnes Foundation houses one of the world’s finest private collections of early French-Modern, Impressionist, and Post-Impressionist paintings. Philadelphia is also home to world-class science and history museums. Founded in honour of America’s famed scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute promotes science education with interactive exhibits. Kids and adults alike can marvel at the stars in the Fels Planetarium or explore the iconic Giant Heart. For those interested in history, the Penn Museum invites visitors to explore 10,000 years of human existence through artefacts, such as the largest Sphinx in the Western hemisphere.

An Acclaimed Culinary Scene

Thanks to its roster of renowned chefs and restaurateurs, Philadelphia boasts an exceptional dining scene. Critics from The New York Times to Bon Appétit have showered praise on Philadelphia’s chef-driven culinary scene, hailing it as one of the finest in the world. With restaurants helmed by James Beard Award winners such as Michael Solomonov, Greg Vernick, Marc Vetri, and Ellen Yin, among others, you can savour unforgettable meals. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the taste of Philadelphia at the historic Reading Terminal Market, which hosts over 80 local vendors.

Performing Arts

Considered a top theatre city in the U.S., Philadelphia boasts a rich community of esteemed performing arts organizations. The Kimmel Cultural Campus is home to many legendary ensembles, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Ballet, and Opera Philadelphia. The historic Walnut Street Theater is the oldest operating theatre in America. The city is also full of new artists premiering ground-breaking works. Visitors can see these performances at centres for emerging artists like FringeArts and Penn Live Arts.

The Great Outdoors

As the most walkable city in the United States, Philadelphia is the perfect destination for travellers looking to spend time outdoors. Philadelphia’s park system spans over 10,000 acres and has over 270 miles of recreational trails, offering numerous outdoor adventures. Nature lovers can hike through Fairmount Park or Wissahickon Valley Park. For those who prefer a water view, the Delaware River Trail offers access to several piers and pop-up parks. On the other side of the city, admire more spectacular waterfront views on the Schuylkill River Trail.

Tax-free Shopping

Clothing and shoe purchases are tax-free in Philadelphia, making it a prime place to go shopping. Visitors will find international brands and locally owned boutiques in neighbourhoods. For one-stop shopping, head to the Fashion District Philadelphia in Center City. For more shopping, make your way to the countryside, where over 400 retailers await at the King of Prussia Mall.

One-of-a-kind Communities

Philadelphia is a city of neighbourhoods. Each one has a unique set of restaurants, shops, and experiences inspired by cultures from around the globe. In South Philadelphia, visitors can seamlessly transition from the restaurants to the locally owned boutiques that line East Passyunk Avenue. Head north for the chic cafes, bars, and colourful street art that fill trendy neighbourhoods Fishtown and Northern Liberties. Enjoy luxury shops and restaurants in picturesque Rittenhouse Square or Washington Square West — home to the city’s Gayborhood. And over in West Philadelphia, the campuses of prestigious universities quickly give way to a close-knit community tucked along tree-lined streets. Every neighbourhood has its own culture and atmosphere, and visiting them feels like an adventure in a new place.

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Stay in timeless elegance

The landmark Loews Philadelphia was the first international-style skyscraper in the United States. At 33 stories, the former Philadelphia Savings Fund Society (PSFS) building commanded the skies in the early 1930s and served as a hub for the most prominent business leaders of the time…reports Asian Lite News

Philadelphia is a city steeped in history,that includes a variety of historic hotels, that showcase the style and refinement of that bygone era. From their stately facades to opulent interiors, Philadelphia’s historic hotels offer a refined journey back in time, combining old-world charm with modern comfort.

One of Philadelphia’s boutique hotels, The Notary Hotel, Autograph Collection, occupies the historic City Hall Annex. The hotel’s theme is notary or “stamp of approval,” which is a nod to the original purpose of the building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by Philip Johnson and built in 1926, the 18-story annexe was originally where residents would go to get official documents notarised. The building, designed in the Classical Revival style, has large stone archways on the first floor and columns on the exterior of the building. Inside, many of the original details of the building have been preserved.

Aloft Philadelphia Downtown combines modern design with the city’s deep-rooted history. Taking over the 21-story 1925 Liberty Title building, this hotel is adjacent to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and a block from City Hall. It perfectly preserves the old-time elegance (think impressive ceiling designs, monumental windows, detailed crown moulding and marble flooring) and blends it with innovative amenities and hip social spaces (including a chic rooftop bar).

Just steps from City Hall, the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia is situated in the former Girard Trust Bank and Girard Trust Building. Modelled after the Pantheon in Rome, the bank building was designed by architect Frank Furness and completed in 1907. It’s easily identified by its pillar and masonry dome, which is hemispherical on the exterior and octagonal on the interior. The four-story banking room serves as the hotel’s restaurant and ballroom. Guest rooms are located in the attached trust building, a 30-story skyscraper that was built in the 1930s and has views of City Hall.

The landmark Loews Philadelphia was the first international-style skyscraper in the United States. At 33 stories, the former Philadelphia Savings Fund Society (PSFS) building commanded the skies in the early 1930s and served as a hub for the most prominent business leaders of the time. Developers of this stunning Art Deco structure even kept the three-story banking room and transformed it into an event space with the original bank safe, Cartier clocks and marble finishes still intact.

Renowned for its Georgian Revival architectural details—think ornate woodwork and striking black-and-white décor—Le Méridien offers guests an elegant and historic atmosphere. The classic space was once a YMCA as well as the district attorney’s office and now boasts some of the best views of the city skyline (including the William Penn statue perched atop City Hall). The hotel perfectly blends contemporary furniture and décor with the intricate original details of the building.

The iconic Bellevue Hotel, known as The Grande Dame of Broad Street, was constructed in 1904 by owner George Boldt (also the proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria), known as the “Father of the Modern American Hotel” for pioneering the idea of a hotel as an experience. The hotel was recently refreshed with furnishings that put a modern spin on 18th-century styles. The guest hallways were specifically fashioned to allow Victorian gowns with hoop skirts (6 feet wide) to easily manoeuvre and the lighting and electricity throughout the hotel was designed by Thomas Edison.

Home to the Morris family for more than 120 years, the Morris House Hotel now invites guests to experience its rich past in one of the 17 guest rooms—each with different designs and decor. With a colonial-style façade, charming outdoor garden and prime location (just steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall), you can’t help but feel immersed in the history and significance of this space.

The Warwick, on the National Registry of Historic Places, opened in 1928 has welcomed celebrities and prominent guests including U.S. Presidents, Hollywood celebrities, and athletes, including Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers. The limestone and brick building was designed by Frank Hahn, with classical and Renaissance features and houses The Prime Rib, an acclaimed Philadelphia steakhouse with décor inspired by the 1940s.

Step straight into the 18th century with a stay at the historic Thomas Bond House in Independence National Historical Park. The restored 1769 bed & breakfast has 12 unique guest rooms—each offering a one-of-kind stay. Built by Dr. Thomas Bond, a celebrated surgeon and a co-founder of the American Philosophical Society and Pennsylvania Hospital, the house served as a private residence until 1810. Since then, it’s held a stocking factory, leather tannery, rag supplier, customs broker and retail shop until its conversion to a B&B in 1988 by the National Park Service.

Also, in Philadelphia’s historic district and located adjacent to the Museum of the American Revolution, the Independence Park Hotel at 2nd and Chestnut streets is one of Philadelphia’s most historic boutique lodging options. Originally opened in 1856 on the site of a former brewery as a dry goods store, the National Historic Landmark building is now a boutique hotel with 41 rooms elegantly furnished with details that draw upon Philadelphia’s rich history. Closed due to a fire in 2018, Independence Park Hotel reopened to welcome guests once again in early 2022.

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Must watch ‘art’ in Philadelphia

This sculpture was actually created as a prop for a scene in the film Rocky III, however, Sylvester Stallone gave it to Philadelphia in 1982…writes Puja Gupta.

To travel in the current time is really scary, But we plan plan for some special trips in the post Covid era. Philadelphia, the sixth-most populous US city, is known for its abundant accessible art. With the first art museum and school in the US and more public art than any other American city — including murals and sculptures — the spirit of the city can be found in the art that follows you down the street into parks, open spaces, museums and galleries.

Here is a list of some quintessential art one must see in Philadelphia, curated by Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.

LOVE Sculpture by Robert Indiana

In honour of the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, famed artist Robert Indiana was asked to lend his aluminum-molded LOVE sculpture to Philadelphia. It was placed in JFK Plaza, with a clear view all the way down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The plaza has since been known as LOVE Park and is arguably the most selfie-friendly spot in Philadelphia.

Rocky by A. Thomas Schomberg

The Rocky movies are known the world over and no trip to Philadelphia is complete without a visit to the Rocky steps and the Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This sculpture was actually created as a prop for a scene in the film Rocky III, however, Sylvester Stallone gave it to Philadelphia in 1982, as he felt that the fictional fighter Rocky Balboa was symbolic of the city, where anyone from anywhere can succeed with grit and hard work.


The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost: The Calders

The artwork of the Calder family of sculptors punctuates the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from start to finish. The patriarch, Alexander Milne Calder, emigrated from Scotland to the U.S. in 1868 and settled in Philadelphia. He is best known for the immense bronze statue of Philadelphia founder William Penn, placed on top of City Hall in 1894 — the largest in the world atop a public building. His son, Alexander Stirling Calder, was an accomplished sculptor who created the Swann Fountain in Logan Square. Also called Fountain of Three Rivers, the art deco sculpture was created in 1924 and features Native American subjects that represent the Delaware, Schuylkill, and Wissahickon Rivers. Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see a kinetic mobile by the third generation, Alexander “Sandy” Calder.


Thomas Eakins’ “Portrait of Dr. Samuel D. Gross (The Gross Clinic)”
This masterpiece by renowned Philadelphia artist Thomas Eakins (seen drawing in the back of the painting) was shocking and frightening for those who saw it for the first time because it depicts a bloody surgical procedure in progress. Eakins created Portrait of Dr. Samuel D. Gross (The Gross Clinic) for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia and is now recognized as one of the greatest American paintings.

Keith Haring’s “We the Youth”

This mural by the Pennsylvania-born, iconic pop artist Keith Haring was created in 1987 for the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution (the title is a play on “We the People”). We the Youth is the only Keith Haring collaborative public mural remaining intact and on its original site and was recently restored by Mural Arts Philadelphia.

Barnes Foundation Ensembles

Philadelphia native Albert C. Barnes amassed one of the world’s most important collections of post-impressionist and early modernist art, between 1912 and 1951. As he gathered works that also included African sculpture, antiquities, Asian art, Native American ceramics, jewellery, and textiles, manuscripts, old master paintings, and European and American decorative and industrial arts, he would arrange them in “ensembles”. Rather than by chronology, style or genre, the arrangements would be for the purposes of symmetry, or light, colour and space, instead. By experimenting with the display, he challenged the traditional norms of viewing fine art, providing a new way to experience it. Visit the Barnes Foundation to see pieces by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse available nowhere else and make your own connections with the world-renowned collection.

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