PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 5, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Nobody celebrates the New Year like Philadelphia. The holiday weekend is loaded with options to help ring in 2007 the right way. With so much to do and see, sleeping over is a must.
Once again, revelers can spend New Year's Eve watching the spectacular fireworks show at Penn's Landing and catch the Mummers Parade along Broad Street or the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on New Year's Day. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation offers tips for booking a stay and suggestions on how to spend the weekend.
Hotel Booking Tips
Finding a room in Philadelphia won't be easy, as hotels traditionally fill up quickly for the holiday. Some hotels are asking for a two-night or more minimum stay, so visitors should consider staying the entire weekend. The Philly Overnight(r) Hotel Package offers two-night accommodations, parking, a coupon book and more. The Philly Overnight(r) Hotel Package and other New Year's hotel specials are now available at gophila.com. Here's how to secure a room:
-- Search the Internet often: Hotels routinely update their room
inventory on Web sites like gophila.com. If a room isn't
available the first time, don't be discouraged. Be sure to check
the hotels' own Web sites and other travel sites as well.
-- Call the hotel's local number: The reservation department
located within the hotel has the most up-to-date information on
room availability from last-minute cancellations.
-- Stay near the airport: Hotels located near the Philadelphia
International Airport are within a 15-minute drive from Center
City and near SEPTA's R1 Airport Line.
Weekend Happenings
Pre-New Year's Eve To-Dos:
-- Staying in Philadelphia requires a stop at one of the city's
bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) restaurants. Visitors can bring
along their favorite wine or spirit for an intimate dinner for
two or an all-out family gathering. Visit gophila.com/byobmap
for an interactive Google map displaying more than 130
restaurants and the nearest Wine & Spirits Store location for
each restaurant.
-- Amarna, Ancient Egypt's Place in the Sun, an exhibition at
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and
Anthropology, spotlights the royal city of Tutankhamun's
childhood. 3260 South Street, (215) 898-4000,
www.museum.upenn.edu
-- Phantom of the Opera, the play based on the classic novel by
Gaston Leroux, is showing at the Forrest Theatre through
December 31, 2006. 1114 Walnut Street, (800) 447-7400,
www.forrest-theatre.com
-- The Pennsylvania Ballet's 38th annual production of the
Nutcracker runs now through December 31, 2006. 1101 S. Broad
Street, (215) 551-7000, www.paballet.org
New Year's Eve:
-- The bespangled merriment begins at Mummers Fest, an annual event
at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where fans can try on
costumes, watch brigades rehearse and learn the famous Mummers'
Strut. December 28-31, 2006. 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 467-0281,
www.mummersstrut.com
-- Children with early bedtimes don't have to miss out on the New
Year's celebration at Please Touch Museum. Countdown to Noon
rings in 2007 with Mummers, confetti and a ball drop. 12 noon
and 1:00 p.m. 210 N. 21st Street, (215) 963-0667,
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
-- The Blue Cross RiverRink welcomes 2007 with its New Year's Eve
Party on Ice, complete with live music, family activities, food
and a fantastic view of the Penn's Landing fireworks display.
Columbus Boulevard & Market Street, (215) 925-7465,
www.riverrink.com
-- Ring in 2007 at the New Years Eve's Temptation party held at the
Independence Visitor Center. Hosted by Metrospect, the party
features entertainment, top-shelf open bar, hors d'oeuvres and
VIP service. 9:00 p.m.-1:30 a.m. 6th & Market Streets,
www.metrospectevents.com/nye/
New Year's Day:
-- New Year's wouldn't be the same without the Mummers Parade, a
day-long affair in which 15,000 clowns, musicians and dancers
strut up Broad Street, leaving a trail of glitter, feathers and
fun. Starts at 9:00 a.m. www.phillymummers.com
-- Mummer skill and execution is put to the test at the Mummers
Fancy Brigade Finale, where judges reward the best
performances. 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. Pennsylvania Convention
Center, 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 893-1962, www.mummersstrut.com
-- Even The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts gets into the
Mummers spirit on New Year's Day. Parade spectators can warm up
and enjoy refreshments in the stunning Commonwealth Plaza lobby
or stop in for New Year's brunch at Cadence restaurant, which
overlooks the Broad Street action. 260 S. Broad Street.
(215) 790-5800, www.kimmelcenter.org
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside(tm) a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region's vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.
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