Official Philly Brag Book by Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY GPTMC, THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AND CBS 3 / THE CW PHILLY

Greetings! I love Philadelphia. I’ve been a resident of this great city for my whole life and have enjoyed Philadelphia’s arts and culture, history, shopping, dining and sports every single day. Now that I’m Mayor, I’m honored and very privileged to share Philadelphia with you. Since William Penn founded Philadelphia in 1682, our city has been one of ﬁrsts. Philadelphia’s spirit of innovation continues. We’re at the forefront of technology, the arts, medicine, industry and more. Truly, Philadelphia offers a new experience no matter where you’re from or where your interests lie. Read on and discover all you’ll be bragging about once you come and visit. We’re looking forward to your stay! If you already live here, keep reading for a reminder of all the wonderful things you love about this great region. Sincerely,

Michael Nutter Mayor City of Philadelphia

dear loves-to-brag, i have enough firsts, bests and quirky tidbits to fill the whole art museum-that is, if it weren’t already filled with thousands of breathtaking pieces. this book lists just a sampling of brag-worthy facts about my great region and my thriving tourism industry. Share with your friends, family, co-workers, fellow bus riders, the guy next to you on the plane and anyone else you want to impress with your knowledge of Philadelphia and The Countryside® (that’s me!).

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Dear Good with Numbers, Save my stats to your flash drive. 1. 2.

Philadelphia is the sixth-largest city in the U.S.

Philadelphia has more than 150 neighborhoods within the city limits.

More than 92,000 locals live in Center City, making it the third-most-inhabited downtown in the nation.

Overnight leisure trips to Philadelphia and The Countryside® rose from 6.5 million in 1997 to 10.4 million in 2008, a 59% increase.

In 2008, Philadelphia’s tourism industry contributed $9.3 billion to the region’s economy and employed 87,000 people.

Twenty-ﬁve percent of the U.S. population lives within a ﬁve-hour drive of Philadelphia.

With more than 5,000 pages on restaurants, shops, tours, museums, itineraries and other attractions, gophila.com is the perfect guide for everything to see and do in Philadelphia. And uwishunu.com gives an insider’s view of what’s new and cool in the city through daily blog posts that number more than 3,000.

Dear Guy Who Needs a GPS to Go Down the Street, It’s easy to get to me. And with a walkable downtown, cabs all over and trains throughout the region, getting around is simple too. 8.

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Philadelphia International Airport, which J.D. Power and Associates ranks highest among large airports in overall customer satisfaction in its 2008 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, offers 650 nonstop daily ﬂights to more than 120 domestic and international cities. Amtrak’s 30th Street Station is a major East Coast hub. Trains run along the Northeast Corridor serving Baltimore, Boston, New York and Washington, DC. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) includes a vast network of bus, regional rail, subway, trolley and light-rail services in the city and suburbs. The SEPTA Airport Regional Rail Line—the “R1” to commuters in the know—connects the airport to Center City for a minimal fare.

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Taxi drivers charge a flat rate to ride between Center City and the Philadelphia International Airport. In Center City, more than 60 bus, trolley, regional rail and high-speed rail lines carry more than 296,000 passengers each workday. Philadelphia-area commuters spend less time in traffic than commuters in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC. Thanks to William Penn, Center City’s grid layout makes the area easy to navigate. Numbered streets run north and south, and named streets run east and west. Penn named many of the east/west streets after the trees that grew along them so that the illiterate population could find their way as easily as the literate.

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The Rodin Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway houses one of the largest collections of Rodin’s works outside of Paris. One hundred theater companies and even more museums reside in Philadelphia. Three generations of the Calder family left their mark on Philadelphia: Alexander Milne Calder created the William Penn statue perched on City Hall; his son Alexander Stirling Calder designed the Swann Fountain on Logan Circle; and grandson Alexander Calder’s mobiles grace the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Exhibitions, recordings and personal items pack the small Paul Robeson House, the home of the athlete, scholar, singer, actor and social activist.

Dear Culture Vultures, Drop these facts next time you’re stretching your legs at intermission. 14.

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Philly is the mural capital of the world, boasting more than 3,000 indoor and outdoor murals created by the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. The oldest continuously operating theater in the nation, the Walnut Street Theatre was the ﬁrst theater to install gas footlights and air conditioning.

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20. The nation’s oldest natural history institution, The Academy of Natural Sciences displayed the first and most complete dinosaur skeleton ever discovered in 1858–and it’s still on view today. 21. In 1824, The Franklin Institute Science Museum was established as the first professional organization of mechanical engineers and professional draftsmen in the U.S. 22. Designed by Maxfield Parrish and produced by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Dream Garden, which includes more than 100,000 pieces of stained glass, is on display inside the Curtis Center near Independence Mall. 23. The Brandywine River Museum features works by three generations of Wyeths, including N.C. Wyeth’s Treasure Island paintings, Andrew Wyeth’s Snow Hill and Jamie Wyeth’s Portrait of a Pig. 24. The National Constitution Center holds the distinction of being the world’s only institution dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. 25. Freedom Theater, founded in 1966, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest African-American theater companies.

The fra nklin ins titute 26. The Philadelphia Museum of Art counts—and occasionally displays—the wedding gown of Philadelphia-born Grace Kelly as part of its 225,000-piece collection. 27. Mummy fans can ﬁnd one of the world’s great collections of Egyptian treasures at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, which houses the thirdlargest Sphinx in the world. 28. The Walk of Fame, comprising the 106 brass plaques embedded into the sidewalk along the Avenue of the Arts, honors musicians with a Philadelphia connection.

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29. Taller Puertorriqueño was the ﬁrst Latino organization in the state to receive the Governor’s Award for the Arts. 30. Albert Barnes’ internationally acclaimed art collection, displayed at The Barnes Foundation, is widely considered among the most extensive of French Impressionism—even compared to Paris. It houses 181 Renoir works, the largest number of works by the Impressionist icon in the world. 31. Philly music masters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s smooth sound and socially conscious lyrics paid off with 175 gold and platinum albums and 80 number-one pop singles.

Dear Trendsetter, I feel you-it’s nice to say you were the original . i boast some notable firsts too.

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32. One-man invention factory Benjamin Franklin developed the first bifocal glasses, Daylight Savings Time and the Franklin Stove. He also established the first public hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, in 1751 and the first fire department in 1736. 33. The first Congress of the United States met in Philadelphia in Congress Hall, adjacent to Independence Hall. 34. The nation’s first stock exchange started here in 1790 as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

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38. The first hot air balloon in the U.S. was launched in 1793 from Washington Square, one of William Penn’s original green squares. 39. When the gates opened in 1874, the Philadelphia Zoo became the nation’s first zoo. 40. When Philadelphia opened Water Works in the 19th century, it was the country’s first municipal water treatment center and became an international tourist attraction. Today, the architectural icon houses an environmental education museum and an upscale restaurant. 41. ENIAC, the world’s first computer, was developed more than 50 years ago at the University of Pennsylvania. Modern, easy-to-transport laptops seem light years ahead of this 150-footwide computer.

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Richard Allen and Absalom Jones founded the Free African Society, the nation’s first black self-help organization, in 1787. 36. In 1805, Charles Willson Peale founded the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, making it the nation’s first art school and museum. 37. The United States Mint, the country’s first mint, opened in Philadelphia in 1792. (Does the coin in your pocket sport the letter P? If so, it was minted in Philly.)

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Founded in 1791 by Reverend Richard Allen, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church was the world’s ﬁrst African Methodist Episcopalian church. It’s set on the oldest parcel of African-American-owned land in the country. 48. Philadelphia held the nation’s ﬁrst Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1920.

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church 42. Wanamaker’s (now Macy’s) opened as the nation’s first department store. 43. In 1959, Philadelphia became the first city to pass an ordinance mandating that all construction projects designate a certain percentage of the costs for public art. 44. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, commonly called “CHOP,” opened as the first children’s hospital in the U.S. in 1855. 45. Mother’s Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia in 1908. 46. The first Jewish congregation in the city, Mikveh Israel was established in 1740 and remains one of the oldest in the nation. 7

Dear History Buffs, I have some doozies for ya. Declaration, bell, hall, encampment. . . 49. William Penn founded our city way back in 1682 and chose the name Philadelphia, which is Greek for “brotherly love.” (And that’s Penn standing atop City Hall—not Ben Franklin, as often thought.) 50. The two most important documents in America’s history were written and signed in Philadelphia. Copies of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution live in the West Wing of Independence Hall.

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Among his many gigs, Ben Franklin held the position of Postmaster General of North America. Today, Franklin fans can get their postcards or letters hand-stamped with his “signature” at the B. Free Franklin Post. 52. The blood of General Agnew, who died from a British sniper’s bullet in the Revolutionary War, still stains the ﬂoor at Grumblethorpe in Germantown. 53. At Valley Forge National Historical Park, visitors get the inside scoop on the harsh winter General Washington and his troops spent there. 54. After the Constitutional Convention, George Washington and the other delegates celebrated with a banquet at City Tavern, where they consumed 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, seven bowls of spiked punch and 22 bottles of porter, beer and hard cider. 55. George and Martha Washington celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary at the Powel House. Sally Bache, Ben Franklin’s daughter, wrote about the festivities in a letter, which is on display there. 56. Carpenters’ Hall hosted the First Continental Congress, and it was the site of a secret meeting between Ben Franklin and French spy Julien Achard de Bonvouloir that led to the French Alliance during the American Revolution.

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Congress Hall was the site of the presidential inaugurations of George Washington (his second) and John Adams; the ratiﬁcation of the Bill of Rights; the establishment of the First Bank of the United States, the United States Mint and the Department of the Navy; and the ratiﬁcation of Jay’s Treaty with England.

Dear Expert Shopper, I’m your dream destination with cool shops, independent boutiques, high-end stores, edgy galleries and no sales tax on clothes. So, get shopping. 58. King of Prussia Mall is the largest mall on the East Coast. 59. QVC is headquartered in the Philadelphia region and reaches more than 166 million homes worldwide. 60. At more than 1.6 million square feet, Franklin Mills outlet mall is one of the largest discount and retail shopping malls on the East Coast.

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Rittenhouse Row features top-name specialty shops like Tiffany & Co., Nicole Miller and Barneys CO-OP, as well as individually owned boutiques. 62. Jewelers’ Row, located on Sansom Street between 7th and 8th Streets, is the nation’s oldest and second-largest diamond district.

63. Coveted by fine jewelry aficionados around the world, Lagos jewelry is designed and made in Philadelphia, and its flagship store is located on Walnut Street. 64. Centro Musical, a music emporium in the heart of Centro de Oro, stocks the largest collection of Latin music CDs in the entire state. 65. More than an artist gallery and workshop, The Clay Studio also sells so many high-quality pieces of ceramic art that Niche magazine presented it with a Top Retailer Award in the Best Arts Nonprofit category in 2008.

Dear Event-Goers, Sparkling Mummers. A gardenmecca. A week of beer. ing mecca Music galore . Fun annual events and festivals give reasons to visit me all year long. 66. While the tradition dates back to the 1700s, the ﬁrst ofﬁcial Mummers Parade was held on New Year’s Day 1901. Every January 1, thousands of Mummers in four divisions—Comic, Fancy, String Bands and Fancy Brigades—strut up Broad Street as tens of thousands of cheering spectators keep warm with hot drinks and warm soft pretzels.

68. Founded in 1962, The Philadelphia Antiques Show is one of the longest-running antiques shows in the country and is internationally acclaimed as the premier American antiques and decorative arts show. 69. PrideFest began in 1993 and has grown to an international week-long event. Now known as Equality Forum, the gay and lesbian event occurs every May and features dozens of programs and more than a few fabulous parties. 70. The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, taking place in late spring, is the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse competition. 71. In June, Philly Beer Week celebrates and highlights the region’s local breweries with more than 290 different suds-related activities.

67. The Philadelphia Flower Show, Show the world’s largest indoor ﬂower show, blooms every March.

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Every June 16, fans of James Joyce gather outside the Rosenbach Museum & Library as local celebs stage a day-long reading of his classic Ulysses. Thousands of people enjoy music, crafts, artistic performances and the procession to the Schuylkill River during the June Odunde AfricanAmerican Festival Weekend, one of the oldest and largest festivals celebrating African culture. Philadelphia’s Welcome America! Fourth of July festival hosts the nation’s largest free outdoor concert. Every weekend throughout the summer, Penn’s Landing hosts free international festivals featuring food, crafts and entertainment.

Dear People Who Like Strange Things, i totally get you. In fact, i have tons of quirky and cool characteristics too. 76.

Philadelphia holds some off-the-beaten-path museums. The Mütter Museum features medical curiosities; The Insectarium devotes its space to creepy crawlers; the Weaver Historical Dental Museum covers all things mouth-related; and the Temple University School of Podiatry Shoe Museum displays a shoe collection that rivals Carrie Bradshaw’s.

the best 4th of july ever !

Eastern State Penitentiary

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The world’s only full-size statue of Charles Dickens resides in University City’s Clark Park. Peering up at him is one of his most famous fictional characters, Little Nell. 78. Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829 with central heating, running water and flush toilets— amenities that the White House didn’t have. The prison housed gangster Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton. 79. The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts trains those who dream of running away to join the circus. Students learn how to fly on a trapeze, juggle, ride a unicycle and more. 80. A pre-Super Bowl ritual, the Wing Bowl entertains—and astounds—more than 20,000 people. Amateur speed eaters compete to see who can gobble the most chicken wings in a set period of time.

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Historic Laurel Hill Cemetery’s “Millionaire’s Row” comprises elaborate mausoleums that serve as the ﬁnal resting places for some of Philadelphia’s most prominent 19th-century citizens. Among the Victorian-era cemetery’s occupants are Civil War General Meade, six Titanic victims and names like Rittenhouse and Strawbridge.

Dear Philly Sports Fan, You guys are everywhere . Here are some homerun stats to throw out at the game . 82. Sports fans can always ﬁnd a big game in Philadelphia, home to eight professional sports teams: Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Philadelphia Union (Major League Soccer), Philadelphia Independence (Women’s Professional Soccer), Philadelphia KIXX (Major Indoor Soccer League) and Philadelphia Wings (National Lacrosse League). 83. Philadelphia’s newest soccer teams, the Philadelphia Union and the Philadelphia Independence, kick off their ﬁrst seasons in 2010 at the 18,500-seat Chester Stadium located along the Delaware River. 84. The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series in 1980 and again in 2008.

Wachovia center

85. For three years in a row (2006-2008), PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ranked Citizens Bank Park number one on its “Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Ballparks” list. 86. Philadelphia’s Penn Relays is the oldest and largest amateur trackand-ﬁeld relay. 87. More than 100 colleges and universities compete in the Dad Vail Regatta, making it the nation’s largest collegiate rowing competition. 88. On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single basketball game, an all-time record that nobody has been able to touch. 89. The Ring magazine called The Legendary Blue Horizon boxing hall the best boxing venue in the world.

90. In 2008, football fans from all over voted Philadelphia number one in FOX Sports’ poll of “NFL’s Top 10 Fan Bases.” 91. The Philadelphia Flyers played an exhibition game against Moscow’s legendary Red Army club on January 11, 1976. The Flyers controlled virtually every facet of the game and won 4-1, proving that they were the best team in the world. 92. Forbes named the furry green Phillie Phanatic America’s top sports mascot in 2008. (Maybe it was good luck!)

Dear Can’t Get Enough of America’s Most Historic Square Mile, Neither can i ! Independence National Historical Park may be small, but the historical significance can’t be beat. beat 93. Because the events that transpired in Independence Hall had such a profound effect on the entire world, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientiﬁc and Cultural Organization) designated it a World Heritage Site in 1979. 94. At various points in its history, Independence Hall played the part of a courthouse and the seats of city, state and federal governments. During the 19th century, its basement was used as a dog pound. 95. The word “Pensylvania” is misspelled on the Liberty Bell. It’s missing an “n.”

the president’s house dig 96. In its ﬁrst coin run in 1793, the United States Mint produced 11,178 copper cents. Today it can churn out more than a million coins in a half-hour. 97. The famous crack has silenced the Liberty Bell, but if it could ring, its note would be E-ﬂat. 98. Archeological digs uncovered the foundation of the President’s House, located on Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets, where George Washington lived from 1790 to 1797 along with nine enslaved Africans. John Adams resided there from 1797 to 1800.

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99. Visitors can see the original inkstand that the Founding Fathers used to sign the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution in the West Wing of Independence Hall. 100. Five signers of the Declaration of Independence rest in Christ Church Burial Ground at 5th and Arch Streets. 101. Elfreth’s Alley is the oldest continuously inhabited street in the U.S. 102. Over 10 years, Independence Mall underwent approximately $300 million of renovations, which included the building of the Liberty Bell Center, the Independence Visitor Center Center, the National Constitution Center and the President’s House Commemorative Site (in progress). 103. Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s guides, Colonial re-enactors and professional storytellers train for more than 100 hours at The Benstitute to assure visitors historic accuracy and a welcoming experience.

storytelling benc h Dear Outdoor Enthusiast, Get your run, bike or blade on here . i have green space aplenty. 104. In 2009, Prevention magazine, the American Podiatric Medical Association and Sperling’s Best Places ranked Philadelphia fourth in the survey entitled “Top 10 Walking Cities.” 105. The Schuylkill River Trail provides 25 miles of uninterrupted partially paved trails from Center City to Montgomery County. It’s perfect for biking, walking or running.

wissahickon trail 106. Fairmount Park is the nation’s largest municipal park—yes, even bigger than New York’s Central Park—and features 9,200 lush acres and 215 miles of jogging trails. 107. Art isn’t the only thing visitors ﬁnd at The Barnes Foundation. Outside, the gardens and arboreta bloom with 3,000 species, including the exotic Monkey Puzzle Tree, Heavenly Bamboo and Southern Magnolia. And more than 10,000 rare and unusual species are nurtured in the Herbarium. 108. Cyclists can ride along Philly’s more than 205 miles of bike lanes and trails.

109. Inside Washington Square, picnickers can ﬁnd a tree that got an unusual start. Planted in 1975, the sycamore’s seed went to the moon and back on the Apollo XIV mission. 110. Historic Bartram’s Gardens is not only the nation’s oldest botanical garden, but also home to the oldest Gingko tree in the country. 111. With its own river otter and 37 species of ﬁsh, the Schuylkill River is a popular spot for anglers.

Dear Coupon Clippers, No need with me. There are tons of ways to have a great time without breaking the bank. 112. Subscribers to phillyfunguide.com save on tickets to dozens of arts and cultural events. 113. Philadelphia’s more than 200 bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) restaurants save customers money on the tab. 114. On the ﬁrst Sunday of the month, visitors to the Philadelphia Museum of Art simply donate what they wish for their entrance fee.

115. Museum Week, held in the spring, offers special discounts and savings at more than 50 museums around the region. 116. Center City District’s Restaurant Week keeps prices low with specialty prix-ﬁxe menus at topnotch eateries. 117. The two-night Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, complete with free hotel parking and a coupon book, is available all year long at dozens of hotels around the region. 118. At the Walnut Street Theatre, play-goers who reserve one of the 22 full-view seats in Row R in the Upper Mezzanine catch the show for only $10. 119. Those in the know line up at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts at 5:30 p.m. to score one of the $10 tickets for Kimmel Center Presents shows.

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120. Families can get around easily and save money with a Family Day Pass for the purple Phlash trolley, which stops at 27 locations and attractions around town from May through October. For only $10, two adults and two children can hop on and off all day. (Individual day passes cost just $5.)

Dear Pint-Size Philly Lovers, i’m the perfect place for kids. With big playgrounds, colorful carousels and fun activities, you won’t even mind hanging out with your brother all day. 121. Boys and girls love sliding down Smith Memorial Playground’s Giant Wooden Slide. The legendary 10-foot-high, 13-foot-wide and 39-foot-long masterpiece—all spiffed up after a multi-million-dollar restoration—has been entertaining kids for more than 100 years. 122. Carousels are making a comeback. Riders of all ages go ’round and ’round at Franklin Square, Peddler’s Village, Please Touch Museum®, Philadelphia Zoo and Sesame Place. 123. In its new restored Memorial Hall location, Please Touch Museum® features 38,000 square feet of hands-on fun in six themed areas.

Dear Foodies, Two words. Come hungry.

Sesame P lace 124. Dream Travel (dreamontravel.com) named Franklin Square on its list of “The Best Playgrounds in the United States” in 2008. 125. Sesame Place is the only attraction in the nation based on the popular PBS children’s show. 126. Not only is the Philadelphia Zoo the nation’s ﬁrst, it was also the ﬁrst American zoo to open a special area just for young animal lovers. At the Children’s Zoo, kids get up close and personal (safely, of course) with dozens of small animals. 19

127. The James Beard Foundation has awarded Best Chef honors to Susanna Foo, Georges Perrier, Jose Garces, Marc Vetri, Jean-Marie Lacroix and Guillermo Pernot. 128. Kennett Square, the mushroom capital of the world, produces about 25% of the nation’s entire mushroom crop. 129. Taking advantage of ideal growing conditions, 27 wineries ﬂourish throughout the Philadelphia region. 130. The Italian Market is the world’s oldest outdoor market. 131. One of the nation’s oldest and ﬁnest working farmers markets, Reading Terminal Market houses more than 80 merchants, including Amish farmers. 132. Old City’s Zahav was named one of the “50 Best New U.S. Restaurants 2009” by Travel + Leisure. 133. Diners can eat in the fresh air in Philadelphia, where more than 150 alfresco restaurants serve patrons in sidewalk seats, courtyards and patios.

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134. In 2008, Bon Appétit magazine ranked Bella Vista’s Little Fish third on its list of the nation’s 10 “Best Seafood Restaurants,” and then included Marigold Kitchen in its list of the “Top 10 Brunch Spots” in the country in 2009. 135. Girl Scout cookies, bubble gum and ice cream soda were all created in Philadelphia. 136. Making Philadelphia the largest gluten-free zone in the tri-state area, more than 30 local eateries have completed Gluten-Free Resource Education Awareness Training and offer glutenfree items on their menus. 137. ForbesTraveler.com put Tacconelli’s Pizzeria on the top 10 list of “America’s Best Pizzerias” in 2008. 138. Visitors love to eat their way through the nation’s third-largest Chinatown, ﬁlled with more than 50 restaurants and 15 grocery stores. 139. The folks at Gourmet magazine know where to go when they want to rock out. In 2009, the Web site listed Johnny Brenda’s as one of the “Eight Great Rock Venues with Great Food” in the U.S.

144. Greensgrow Farmstead runs an urban farm and garden center on a former abandoned lot in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Throughout the city, locals can pick up fresh145. Located in Fishtown, the 100K from-the-farm fruits and veggies at House proves it’s possible to more than three dozen build an affordable home that farmers markets. satisfies the designer and the Philadelphia is home to the environmentalist in everyone. state’s largest green roof 146. Managers at White Dog added to an existing strucCafe support local organic ture in an urban area— family farms and purchase PECO’s headquarters at goods from them in season. 23rd and Market Streets. Wind power supplies the In addition to the small restaurant’s electricity, preserved wetland that and White Dog commits a lives outside Horticultural portion of its profits to the Hall in Fairmount Park, ardmore region’s environment. farmers market 147. To offset the carbon inside the center preserves more than 20 acres of majesfootprint of the team’s utility tic trees, some of which date power usage at Citizens Bank back to the Centennial celebration Park Park,, the 2008 World Champion of 1876. Philadelphia Phillies purchased The Comcast Center is the biggest example of 20 million kilowatt-hours of environmentalism in Philadelphia—literally. The Green-e Energy Certified tallest building between New York and Chicago, Renewable Energy Certificates. the 57-story Comcast Center also boasts the designation of the tallest green building in the country.

Dear Tree Huggers, Squeeze away. From locals who buy farmfresh grub to jocks who plant trees, Philadelphians are crazy green. 140.

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148. Once an overgrown, abandoned lot, The Village of Arts and Humanities in North Philadelphia has been transformed into a thriving center that combines the outdoors, the arts and education. 149. In the 2009 Nalgene Least Wasteful City Study, Philadelphia came in third for recycling, third for avoiding using the car for trips and sixth for participating in sustainability/environmental programs. 150. For the Philadelphia Eagles, green is more than a team color. In 2008, the team planted more than 1,500 trees and shrubs in Eagles Forest at Neshaminy State Park to offset the team’s carbon emissions from away-game travel.

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Dear Lady Who Can’t Get Enough Sconces, Just walk around. Modern architectural masterpieces and Colonial structures mix perfectly, if I do say so myself. 151. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway was planned by Paul Philippe Cret and was modeled after the Champs-Élysées. Other Philly landmarks featuring Cret’s work are the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, The Barnes Foundation and the Rodin Museum. 152. City Hall took 30 years to complete and is the tallest masonry structure in the world. Some walls are 14 feet thick. 153. Anyone can see stunning examples of Georgian, Federal and other architectural styles at seven historic Fairmount Park mansions, which are open to visitors. 154. While strolling along the Avenue Arts, pedestrians are treated to a of the Arts light show illuminating a dozen buildings. Philadelphia is the only city in the country to have color-changing LED lighting on such a large scale.

155. The central branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, which was designed by Julian Francis Abele, is modeled after the Gabriel Palaces on Place de la Concorde in Paris. Born in South Philadelphia, Abele was one of the nation’s ﬁrst African-American architects and was one of the chief designers of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Dear BookWorms and Media Mongers, Free speech never sounded so good. The birthplace of independence can really get the creative juices flowin’. 156. Ben Franklin wrote and published the famous Poor Richard’s Almanack. Franklin Court exhibits an example of the printing press he used.

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157. The detective and mystery novel was created by Edgar Allan Poe when he lived in Philadelphia. Some of his most famous (and eerie) works include The Black Cat, The Fall of the House of Usher and The Murders in the Rue Morgue. 158. The Philadelphia Inquirer has churned out several top-selling authors. Jennifer Weiner (author of blockbuster bestsellers Good in Bed, In Her Shoes and Certain Girls), Steve Lopez (author of The Soloist) and John Grogan (author of Marley & Me) all wrote for the newspaper. 159. Monster alert! The Rosenbach Museum & Library holds the world’s largest collection of works by Maurice Sendak. 160. The title of the nation’s oldest African-American newspaper belongs to The Philadelphia Tribune. 161. Before Vogue, Elle and Bazaar, there was Godey’s Lady’s Book, the ﬁrst successful women’s magazine, published in Philadelphia beginning in 1830. 162. The Curtis Publishing Company, founded in Philadelphia, became one of the largest and most inﬂuential publishers in the U.S. during the early 20th century. Its publications included Ladies’ Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post.

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165. Philadelphia faculty and graduates pioneered the use of the X-ray, helped identify the ﬁrst colon cancer gene, invented ultrasound gels, discovered chromosomes and endorphins and founded six of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world. 166. The Philadelphia area includes approximately 100 hospitals, 150 research labs, ﬁve medical schools and four specialty hospitals doing research in pediatrics, cancer treatment and ophthalmology. 167. The Philadelphia region is the second-largest medical research and education center in the U.S.

163. Philadelphia Gay News, established in 1975, is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected gay newspapers.

Dear M.D. s, Ph.D. s and A.B.C. s, With hospitals, labs, schools and businesses out the wazoo, i’m crawling with brainiacs. 164. The Philadelphia port is the nation’s top port for perishables and ranks third nationally for steel imports.

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168. The Monell Chemical Senses Center, established in 1967, opened as the world’s ﬁrst scientiﬁc institute for multidisciplinary research on taste, smell and chemosensory irritation related to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, pediatric health, occupational safety, environmental pollution and homeland security. 169. In 2008, MasterCard ranked Philadelphia 18th on its Worldwide Centers of Commerce Index™. 170. Dr. Philip Syng Physick, known as the Father of American Surgery, invented numerous surgical instruments, including clamps and tubes to remove kidney stones. Many of his instruments are on display in his Society Hill mansion.

Dear Teachers, Pop quiz! Where’s the best place to reach for higher education? 171. With more than 80 colleges and universities in the region, Philadelphia is “One Big Campus.” 172. More than 360,000 students are enrolled in higher education programs here.

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the arts

st. joe’s

173. In addition to the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, three more of the nation’s top 25 liberal arts colleges, as named by U.S. News & World Report, are in the Philadelphia region— Bryn Mawr College, Swarthmore College and Haverford College. 174. One out of every six doctors in the country trained in Philadelphia. 175. Each year, Philadelphia-area institutions of higher learning award more than 55,000 degrees. 176. Philadelphia’s Free Library system catalogues more than seven million items, including magazines, research materials, videos, art, music, ﬁlms and, of course, books. 177. In 2008, The Wall Street Journal article entitled “And the Best Executive M.B.A. Programs Are…” rated The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School second in the nation. 178. With more than 1,000 students, the Drexel University College of Medicine is the largest private medical school in the nation. 179. The region ranks third in the country for the number of health profession and related degrees conferred.

The moshulu Dear Landlubbers, I know you’d be a sailor if it weren’t for the whole seasickness thing, but you can still enjoy my water(front). 180. Docked at Penn’s Landing, the Moshulu is the world’s largest four-masted ship still afloat. And it’s found a second life as an upscale restaurant. 181. Philadelphia claims the largest freshwater ports in the world, those along the Delaware River. 182. Philly’s a hot cruise town. Each year, more than 27,000 people cruise out of the city on eight cruises. 183. Admiral Dewey’s flagship during the Spanish-American War, the U.S.S. Olympia is docked at Penn’s Landing and is the world’s oldest steel warship still afloat. 184. The Blue Cross RiverRink on Penn’s Landing offers ice skating lessons for all ages, and children with disabilities can enjoy the rink’s sled hockey, the only program of its kind in the region.

penn’s landing

Dear Room Service Junkies, With everything from AAA Five Diamonds to pet services, my hotels have more than mini shampoo bottles. (Don’t worry-they have those too.) 185. The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia has earned the prestigious AAA Five Diamond status for 25 consecutive years. 186. The Rittenhouse Hotel and Condominiums have kept their Five Diamond title for 18 consecutive years. 187. For the last nine years, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia has earned AAA’s Five Diamond honors.

the rittenhouse hotel

188. For the Travel + Leisure “World’s Best Awards” issue, voters consistently rank The Rittenhouse Hotel and the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia in the list of the “Top 100 Hotels: Continental U.S. and Canada.” 189. Philly even welcomes pets. Animal Fair Magazine gave Philly its “Five Bone” award for being the nation’s most pet-friendly destination. 29

Dear Gossip Column Reader (You Know Who You Are), Let’s dish on some famous Philadelphians. 190. Before she stitched up the first flag, Betsy Ross snuck out of her home and rowed across the Delaware River to elope with John Ross, the first of her three husbands. 191. The curly-haired Larry Fine, one of The Three Stooges, was born in the building now occupied by Jon’s Bar & Grill at the corner of 3rd and South Streets. A mural of Fine commemorates the landmark. 192. Alice Paul, the women’s rights activist whose life was depicted in the HBO special Iron-Jawed Angels, earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. at The University of Pennsylvania. The Alice Paul Center for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality at Penn is named for her. 193. On the second Sunday of May in 1907, Anna Jarvis invited several friends to her Philadelphia home to commemorate her mother, setting in motion the establishment of Mother’s Day. Congress made it official in 1914.

194. The Civil Rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” was based on a hymn by Reverend Charles Tindley, the “Father of Gospel Music” who lived in Philadelphia. Tindley Temple United Methodist Church stands in his honor. 195. Guion “Guy” Bluford, the nation’s ﬁrst AfricanAmerican astronaut in space, hails from Philadelphia. 196. Time magazine named Sister Mary Scullion, founder of Project H.O.M.E., to its 2009 “Time 100” list of the world’s most inﬂuential people.

Dear Name Droppers, Take a deep breath. I have a lot of big names on my roster. 197. Hollywood via Philadelphia: Kevin Bacon, Maria Bello, Danny Bonaduce, David Brenner, Dick Clark, Bradley Cooper, Bill Cosby, Blythe Danner, Kim Delaney, Tina Fey, W.C. Fields, Kate Flannery, Richard Gere, Seth Green, Grace Kelly, Cheri Oteri, Paul Robeson, Bob Saget and M. Night Shyamalan.

198. Music’s movers and shakers*: Marian Anderson, Frankie Avalon, Boyz II Men, Chubby Checker, John Coltrane, Jim Croce, Kevin Eubanks, Eve, Fabian, Wilhelmina Fernandez, Gamble & Huff, Hall & Oates, Billie Holiday, Joan Jett, Patti LaBelle, Mario Lanza, John Legend, Teddy Pendergrass, Pink, The Roots, Bobby Rydell, Jill Scott, Sister Sledge, Will Smith and Grover Washington, Jr.

our beautiful city

The rocky statue at the philadelphia museum of art

199. Sports greats*: Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant, Steve Carlton, Harold Carmichael, Wilt Chamberlain, John Chaney, Maurice “Mo” Cheeks, Bobby Clarke, Randall Cunningham, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Jimmie Foxx, Joe Frazier, Marvin Harrison, Gene Hart, Bernard Hopkins, Allen Iverson, Ron Jaworski, Harry Kalas, Tommy Lasorda, Connie Mack, Moses Malone, Tug McGraw, Bernie Parent, Mike Piazza, Merrill Reese, Mike Schmidt, Dawn Staley, Rasheed Wallace and Reggie White. 200. Filmed in the area: The Answer Man, Cold Case, Dare, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Marley & Me, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Wrestler, Baby Mama, The Happening, Shooter, Lady in the Water, Invincible, In Her Shoes, National Treasure, The Village, Jersey Girl, Signs, The Sixth Sense, Beloved, Fallen, 12 Monkeys, Up Close & Personal, Philadelphia, Age of Innocence, Trading Places, Mannequin I-II, Witness, The Real World Philadelphia, Unbreakable and, the granddaddy of them all, Rocky (each one except Rocky IV). * Notable residents, natives and persons generally associated with Philadelphia

P.S.

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P.P.S.: To start your visit, call the Independence Visitor Center at (800) 537-7676. Plan your trip to the Philadelphia countryside. • Bucks County: visitbuckscounty.com • Chester County: brandywinevalley.com • Delaware County: brandywinecountry.org • Montgomery County: valleyforge.org To plan a meeting, visit PhiladelphiaUSA.travel. Don’t miss the opening of our new Pennsylvania Convention Center in March 2011. Visit paconvention.com.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality.

CBS 3 (KYW-TV) is proud to be the first television station in Philadelphia and the national birthplace of Eyewitness News. The station traces its roots to experimental station W3XE that signed on the air in 1932. In 1941 it became the first station in the state to be licensed by the FCC—and only the second in the country. Today, along with sister station The CW Philly 57 (WPSG-TV), we are proud to be serving Greater Philadelphia from the first studios in the country built entirely in high definition and still broadcasting from the heart of the City of Brotherly Love.