BOTTOMS UP
DESTINATION
PHILADELPHIA By Thom Meintel of TravelSquire. For more travel tips go to travelsquire.com Fiercely proud of its starring role as the birthplace of the US, Philadelphia, long lauded for its historical significance, is practically a cultural goldmine. Forget that Rocky famously put it on the map years ago running through its gritty Italian market and up the Art Museum steps. Today, the Mummers who march annually on New Year’s Day to the rhythm of banjos, have something new to make noise about. The city’s reputation as an artistic hub is about to achieve milestone status when the new museum for philanthropist Albert Barnes’ sprawling collection of Impressionist paintings opens. Valued at close to a billion dollars, the over 300 works have been installed until now in his last residence when he was alive, allowing few visitors to thrill to the sight of them. These and many more works, along with a vast artistic community in place and a thriving music, dance and culinary culture will shine up Philly’s star even brighter. If the sight of a cracked bell and the first American flag brings you to your knees or if drinking a local craft beer with your “buds” in a circa 1700’s pub floats your boat or even if you just crave a good, soft pretzel and a real cheese steak with fried onions, then Philly’s your place. Strategically classified as a big city of many small neighborhoods, this is no sprawling urban nightmare but a perfectly proportioned metropolis. The Philly Sound was the perhaps the beginning of the city’s stellar reputation as a music hotbed, still going strong today, and the cobblestone streets, colonial townhouses, Federal style architecture and horse drawn carriages are the perfect backdrop for a thriving alternative scene. Check your attitude here, by the way, Philly is down home not a night at the opera. We’ve got William Penn to thank for that!
STAY
THE RITTEnHOUSE – Nothing like sweeping views of Rittenhouse Square and round the clock pampering to make you want to spend a few more days in Philly. The red carpet to royal treatment begins here. rittenhousehotel.com LE MERIDIEn – Originally the YMCA, the intriguing Georgian Revival-style structure adjacent to Love Park will give you endless ideas for when you get back to your chic black, white and red quarters. starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien THE PALOMAR – If you like your hotel hip and eco-friendly, stay here in one of their spa rooms. hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com LOEwS PHILADELPHIA – The Loews properties have character but it helps to have a pedigree. They were smart enough to install this one in the landmarked PSFS building, the first international style skyscraper built in the U.S. loewshotels.com HYATT REgEncY – On the waterfront in Society Hill, history’s stomping ground and the most beautiful part of Center City. pennslandinghyatt.com
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