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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