Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC
While some cities around the U.S. are whining about how bad they’ve been hit by the decline in travel and tourism (yeah, Las Vegas, I’m looking at you), Philadelphia is rising to the challenge with creativity and by showing its travelers a whole lotta love. (And not just the brotherly kind.)
First they loved us up with the Philly Overnight Hotel Package, a two-night hotel offer which includes free parking, and they’ve recently added the Philly Guest of the Day component: Travelers booking the package before March 16, 2009 have a chance of being one of 100 randomly chosen guests to win valuable prizes, including Southwest Airline tickets, an iPod shuffle, and gift certificates to restaurants. What I love most about this deal is that it’s not “based on double occupancy” and it’s not a “2-for-1″ (yeah, I’m looking at you again, Las Vegas). It doesn’t discriminate against the solo traveler.
Philadelphia is, in fact, a great destination for solos. Its diversity of activities offers great bang-for-your-buck. It’s got history (the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall), professional sports teams (the Phillies and the Flyers), great food and shopping, America’s first zoo, and more. The Philadelphia Museum of Art has a new Cezanne exhibition opening on February 26 featuring over 60 of the artist’s works. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation has a terrific website (gophila.com) featuring detailed itineraries for visitors, depending on their interests.
How much do they love solo and single travelers? They’ve even come out with a list for us singles of “24 Places to Find Love in Philadelphia, the Place That Loves You Back”. Aww. I’m touched. Finding love is not really on my radar when I travel solo (I’m not a fan of the long distance aspect of it), but if it rings your bell, here are their suggestions, taken from their press release:
- Go on a biking outing with the Bicycle Club of Philadelphia.
- Join the Fishtown Beer Runners on a Thursday night run (3 to 5 miles), followed by a cold beer at a local pub.
- Go dancing. No partner needed. Try The Society Hill Dance Academy ($20) to learn salsa, cha-cha, foxtrot or rumba. The DanceSport Academy has monthly ballroom and Latin dance socials ($10). The Peppermint Club offers lessons for older dancers followed by light refreshments ($12).
- Try bowling (and drinking and dining) with other hip young professionals at North Bowl, Strikes Bowling Lounge, or Lucky Strike.
- Temple University Center City offers formal cooking and entertaining courses, one-session classes taught by local renowned chefs, and free Saturday (2pm) demonstrations at Foster’s–all of which are quite popular.
- Communal dining tables can be a good way of meeting people. Twenty Manning has a 20-person table, and Buddakan has a 24-person table. Fork:etc has a chef’s table with prix-fixe bistro menu for $40 every Wednesday at 8pm.
- Try Crossing Vineyards and Winery‘s Wine Tasting for Singles monthly event ($20). Other wine-tastings and sessions are offered by The Wine School of Philadelphia and the Fermentation School at Tria.
- Chat up another beer fan at The Foodery, a beer retailer that encourages customers to sample their purchases at communal tables. Or check out Philadelphia Brewing Company‘s free Saturday tours and tastings.
- Meet other art lovers at Art After Five, a Friday night cocktail party at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- Meet fellow movie buffs at Movie Mondays at the Trocadero Theatre or on Tuesdays at the Fancypants Cinema at the N. 3rd bar. (Both feature bars during the films.)
- Strut your stuff (or appreciate someone else’s) at the open mic nights (Monday and Tuesday) at MilkBoy Coffee. If poetry’s more your thing, try the African-American focused Panoramic Poetry open-mic night held bimonthly (2nd and 3rd Fridays of the month) at the October Gallery.
- If you want to meet someone who shares your volunteerism values, sign up for a volunteer activity with Single Volunteers of Bucks County or Greater Philadelphia Cares.
Whether or not you’re looking for love on your solo trip to Philly, this is a great list to have on hand for unique activities that go beyond the usual tourist sites.
