Concerts, festivals,
food, and eclectic
neighborhoods put
a special shine
on summer in
Philadelphia.
BY JOANN GRECO
Season of
Celebration
156 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com 157 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
Stops on this route of interwoven sites include
the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Benjamin
Franklin Museum, National Constitution Center,
and Christ Church. They stitch together that
fabled story as easily as Betsy Ross did the nation’s
first flag.
“Philadelphia’s enduring independent spirit
was established in the historic district,” says
Meryl Levitz, the president and CEO of VISIT
PHILADEPHIA
TM
. “Today, you find that revolu-
tionary quality all over the region.”
Beyond Philly’s historic heart, travelers gather
deeper insights into the city’s past and a rich un-
derstanding of this modern metropolitan area that
some four million people are proud to call home.
Start by exploring the neighborhoods within a
five-minute walk. To the north, Old City condos,
art galleries, and happening restaurants are lo-
cated in redeveloped Civil War–era factories. A
few blocks south, Society Hill features stately red
brick homes with Federal touches such as boot
scrapers, marble stoops, and wooden shutters.
Hot Fun in the City
To the east lies Penn’s Landing, a hub of summer
fun, including concerts, films, and, most notably,
fireworks and other events linked to Wawa Wel-
come America!, the city’s weeklong Independence
I
n summertime, the streets of
Philadelphia’s historic district
are crowded with visitors
looking to better understand
America’s beginnings.
P
H
O
T
O
S
B
Y
J
. F
U
S
C
O
F
O
R
V
IS
IT
P
H
IL
A
D
E
L
P
H
IA
™
Clockwise from left: Philadelphia
skyline, Silk City, Morgan’s Pier, and
the O-bon Festival in Clark Park
P
H
O
T
O
B
Y
B
. K
R
IS
T
F
O
R
V
IS
IT
P
H
IL
A
D
E
L
P
H
IA
™
Top Chefs and Beer Halls
True foodies also know that some of the hippest
restaurants lie on the fringes of Center City,
just a 10-minute cab ride away. Along Passyunk
Avenue, Nicholas Elmi, America’s newest “top
chef,” has joined a stellar cadre of toque-wearers
who have established innovative kitchens, while
the culinary scenes of South Street West and
Fairmount continue to grow. All over town,
the beer garden concept is flourishing, from
Fishtown’s Frankford Hall to Bella Vista’s
Brauhaus Schmitz, from Brü to Drury Beer
Garden, both in Center City.
Artful Offerings
For the culturally inclined, the mile-long
Benjamin Franklin Parkway reigns. The roster
of museums includes the Barnes Foundation,
where Cézanne’s still lifes top the bill this sum-
mer; the Rodin Museum, with its unparalleled
sculptures and recently replenished gardens; the
just-expanded Franklin Institute; and The
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University,
where the world’s exotic birds preen in the sum-
mer spotlight. At the top of the parkway, the
Philadelphia Museum of Art is showcasing the
work of Patrick Kelly, the Philly native who made
a huge splash in the fashion world of the ’80s.
Behind the Art Museum, Fairmount Park,
the nation’s largest urban swath of green, offers
treasures like Shofuso, a Japanese tea house and
garden, and Please Touch Museum, a children’s
attraction located in one of the few surviving
structures from the 1876 Centennial Exposition.
P
H
O
T
O
B
Y
J
. F
U
S
C
O
F
O
R
V
IS
IT
P
H
IL
A
D
E
L
P
H
IA
TM
The Benjamin Franklin Museum showcases
the life of this extraordinary individual. BY WES ISLEY
But he was also a teenage runaway and, later
in life, was accused of inciting riots against the
monarchy while living in England. Most fa-
mously, Franklin invented the lightning rod
and confirmed much of what we know about
electricity. Clearly, he was a brilliant man who
transformed our world.
Learn just how much Franklin influenced
Philadelphia and life in the U.S. with a visit
to the Benjamin Franklin Museum, located
within Independence National Historical
Park. Renovated and reopened in 2013, the
M
ost people imagine Benjamin
Franklin as a bespectacled, grand-
fatherly figure who signed the
Declaration of Independence and
helped craft the U.S. Constitution.
22,000-square-foot museum brings Franklin
to life by focusing on the compelling personality
of this inventor, statesman, and entrepreneur.
View possessions such as the family Bible and
a favorite armchair, and artifacts from Franklin’s
printing and publishing businesses. Exhibits also
explore his contributions to science, firefighting,
higher education, and medical care. The mu-
seum engages all ages with computer animation,
hands-on objects, and touchscreen games.
Of course, the museum is only one attraction
within Independence National Historical Park,
which includes many sites connected to Frank-
lin’s exceptional life. There’s Independence Hall,
where the Constitution was signed; City Tavern,
where Franklin often dined; Franklin Court,
where his home and printing office once stood;
and Christ Church, where Franklin lies at rest.
Think you know Ben Franklin? A visit to
the museum that bears his name will make
you think again.
Relevant
Revolutionary
168 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com
Benjamin Franklin
Museum
Independence National
Historical Park
317 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA
215.965.2305
nps.gov/inde
Interactive displays,
touchscreen games, and
computer animation make
learning fun for all ages.
P
H
O
T
O
S
B
Y
J
. F
U
S
C
O
Over 142 years, it held 75,000 inmates in 980
cells, originally designed around a strict, soli-
tary confinement rehabilitation approach that
fell out of favor in the early 20th century. Revo-
lutionary for its time, Eastern State Peniten-
tiary’s radial architectural design was copied by
hundreds of prisons worldwide, and the build-
ing is also noted for having indoor plumbing
and central heat before the White House.
The penitentiary’s vaulted, sky-lit cells held
hard-boiled criminals such as famous bank
robber “Slick Willie” Sutton and gangster
“Scarface” Al Capone — although fine furni-
ture and a cabinet radio made Capone’s stay
relatively luxurious.
The prison closed in 1971 and sat aban-
doned for more than 20 years. Now in a state of
semi-ruin, the facility is open for tours every
day, year-round. An audio tour narrated by actor
Steve Buscemi guides visitors through crum-
bling cellblocks,
past empty guard
towers, and into
Death Row and
the underground
punishment cells.
A series of short,
interactive experi-
ences allows
visitors to unlock
a cell, open the
massive front
gate, learn to play
bocce, tour the
Operating Room,
F
rom the day its doors opened in 1829,
Eastern State Penitentiary gained a
reputation for its hub-and-spoke
floor plan, controversial confinement
practices, and infamous inmates.
A Notorious Past
169 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
From left: the prison’s
imposing exterior; visitors
tour Cellblock 7
Take a step back in time while exploring one of the
most famous prisons in the country. BY WES ISLEY
and more.
In addition to its daily
tours, Eastern State
Penitentiary hosts special
events throughout the
year, such as an Alumni
Reunion with former
guards and inmates,
Prison Food Weekend,
and Terror Behind the Walls, a haunted attrac-
tion consistently ranked among the top in the
nation.
Eastern State
Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Ave.
Philadelphia, PA
215.236.3300
easternstate.org
170 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com
P
H
O
T
O
S
B
Y
D
A
R
R
Y
L
W
. M
O
R
A
N
; IL
L
U
S
T
R
A
T
IO
N
C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
O
F
T
H
E
F
R
A
N
K
L
IN
IN
S
T
IT
U
T
E
The venerable Franklin Institute is on the move
again with astounding new exhibits. BY JOANN GRECO
Unveiled this month, the Franklin Institute’s
$41 million expansion adds 53,000 square feet
to an already abundant assemblage of thought-
provoking science exhibits. The three-story
wing will house a state-of-the-art traveling
exhibit gallery, plus conference and education
space. The centerpiece of the expansion, Your
Brain, is the largest permanent exhibit at the
museum and in the country, dedicated to the
understanding of the brain.
The museum opened in its limestone struc-
ture in 1934, more than a century after the
T
he new Nicholas and Athena
Karabots Pavilion literally
shimmers thanks to 10,000
aluminum panels that undulate
in response to the winds.
institute was first established as a private orga-
nization dedicated to advancing the inventions
of Benjamin Franklin. During the last eight
decades, the museum has expanded with the
times, starting with a bevy of pendulums and
pulleys, adding a belching 1920s locomotive
and a walk-through model of a human heart,
and then incorporating the latest technology.
With Your Brain, the institute ups the inter-
active quotient. A wall-sized video installation
greets museum-goers with a graphic represen-
tation of their neurological system. Elsewhere,
a two-story climbing structure comes alive with
lighting and sound effects as visitors ascend.
The pavilion’s inaugural traveling exhibit
offers still more exhilarating experiences.
Circus! Science Under the Big Top explores the
physics behind great high-wire acts and allows
thrill-seekers to launch cannon balls and tiptoe
across tightropes. Once you leave the institute,
you won’t see the world in the same way.
The Science of You
The Franklin
Institute
222 N. 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA
215.448.1200
fi.edu
Highlights of the Your Brain
exhibit, and (center) the new
Nicholas and Athena
Karabots Pavilion
P
H
O
T
O
B
Y
R
A
M
O
N
P
U
R
C
E
L
L
Explore the maritime history of the Delaware River
and the vessels that have called her home.
At the Independence Seaport Museum, visitors
can discover that history as they explore exhibi-
tions, peek in on a shipbuilding workshop, and
climb aboard two anchored vessels designated as
National Historic Landmarks.
Dating from 1892, the gleaming Olympia
was Admiral Dewey’s flagship during the Span-
ish American War, and is the only warship from
that conflict still afloat. The Becuna, a 1944
submarine, served in World War II and, after
being equipped with radar and nuclear war-
heads, in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Both
T
he history of Philadelphia is inextri-
cably linked to the Delaware River,
from its beginnings as a colonial
city to its primacy as one of the
world’s great working ports.
ships are open during mu-
seum hours, and behind-
the-scenes tours take place
on the first Saturday of
every month. For a unique
view, the museum rents
rowboats and kayaks so you
can row up to and around
these ships.
The museum’s permanent collection delves
into the waterfront’s history, from its early naval
heroes and the birth of the U.S. Navy, to its
growth as a mercantile and ship-building center
and its development as an industrial and recre-
ational powerhouse.
This summer, visit exhibits including Tides of
Freedom: African Presence on the Delaware River,
which traces 300 years of African American expe-
rience in the Delaware Valley and is curated by
Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, the host of the PBS Series
History Detectives.
Ahoy Matey!
171 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
BY JOANN GRECO
Independence
Seaport Museum
Penn’s Landing on the
Delaware River
211 S. Columbus Blvd. &
Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA
215.413.8655
phillyseaport.org
Tour the Cruiser Olympia,
the world’s oldest floating
steel warship, at the
Independence Seaport
Museum.
P
H
O
T
O
S
C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
O
F
T
H
E
N
A
T
IO
N
A
L
C
O
N
S
T
IT
U
T
IO
N
C
E
N
T
E
R
Documenting our rights and freedoms
at the National Constitution Center
As a museum, the National Constitution
Center brings the U.S. Constitution to life
for all ages through interactive exhibitions,
theatrical performances, and original docu-
ments of freedom.
As a Headquarters for Civic Education,
the Constitution Center offers educators
and students cutting-edge resources
including the premier online Interactive
Constitution.
As America’s Town Hall, the Constitution
Center hosts timely conversations featuring
I
n the city’s heart, the National
Constitution Center is the
Museum of We the People,
America’s Town Hall, and
a Center for Civic Education.
distinguished speakers from across the politi-
cal spectrum, including U.S. Supreme Court
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
Now through October 19, the National
Constitution Center is presenting the powerful
Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello, an exhibition
that follows the stories of six enslaved families
who lived and worked at Jefferson’s Virginia
plantation — the Fossett, Granger, Gillette,
Hemings, Hern, and Hubbard families — and
the legacy of their descendants.
The exhibition includes nearly 300 artifacts
that represent each family’s trade as well as
personal items of the third president, including
a walking stick, a chess set, eyeglasses, and
a replica of the portable desk used to draft the
Declaration of Independence.
Explore the story of slavery in early U.S.
history while discovering the struggle and
the self-determination at the heart of America’s
founding.
Law of the Land
172 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com 173 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
Interactive exhibitions
and theatrical
performances
at the National
Constitution Center
bring America’s story
to life for visitors.
P
H
O
T
O
S
(
F
R
O
M
T
O
P
)
C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
O
F
S
T
E
P
H
E
N
W
O
N
G
A
N
D
C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
O
F
C
O
R
B
IS
The National Museum of American
Jewish History celebrates baseball. BY NANCY OAKLEY
The bases are loaded for Chasing Dreams:
Baseball and Becoming American at Philadel-
phia’s National Museum of American Jewish
History (NMAJH).
On view through October 26, the exhibi-
tion illustrates how baseball is truly America’s
national pastime, given that it has provided a
way for minority and immigrant groups to be
a part of the American mainstream. Jewish
heroes of the game, such as “Hammerin’
Hank” Greenberg of the Detroit
Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates, and
Sandy Koufax of Brooklyn and Los
Angeles Dodgers fame, take center
stage alongside Jackie Robinson,
Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio,
and Ichiro Suzuki, the first Japa-
nese position player to play in the
major leagues.
Not that you have to be a base-
ball aficionado to appreciate Chas-
ing Dreams. There’s something
here for everyone: the original sheet
music for “Take Me Out to the
Ballgame,” Little League memora-
bilia, and a nod to executives,
journalists, fans, and vendors like
Esther Schimmel of St. Louis,
I
magine priceless signed base-
balls, scorecards, photographs,
bobbleheads, uniforms, and
more — a grand total of 130
pieces of game memorabilia.
Missouri, who kept kosher — even while
selling non-kosher hot dogs. This decid-
edly human approach is due, in part,
to the museum’s call for objects, which
was posted on a Tumblr page that quickly
became filled with fans’ photos and
recollections of stick-ball games, ballpark
weddings, and more.
Assuming you can tear yourself away
from all things baseball, check out NMAJH’s
permanent holdings tracing the history of Jews
in the United States and their contributions
to American culture through art, civic ser-
vice, charitable organizations, and work.
From the sublime, consisting of paintings
and religious artifacts, to the everyday, such
as a Singer sewing machine and a Yiddish type-
writer, you’ll agree that the museum’s collection,
like Chasing Dreams, hits it out of the park.
A Home Run
National Museum of
American Jewish History
101 S. Independence Mall East,
Philadelphia, PA
215.923.3811, nmajh.org
From top: Jackie
Robinson pin; Hank
Greenberg and Joe
DiMaggio
525 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA
ConstitutionCenter.org
Follow ConstitutionCtr on
, , , and .
215.409.6700
P
H
O
T
O
S
B
Y
T
O
M
S
T
A
N
L
E
Y
For 127 years, Penn Museum archaeologists and
anthropologists have been exploring the world.
Founded in 1887, the Penn Museum’s aspira-
tions have always been grand. More than 350
expeditions (and still counting) later, the inter-
nationally renowned museum and research
center, located on the University of Pennsylva-
nia’s urban campus, offers the public an aston-
ishing view of world cultures through time and
across continents.
Housed in an eclectic-style Arts and Crafts
building with tranquil inner gardens, fountains,
a reflecting pool, and nearly one million arti-
facts, the museum, according to director Julian
Siggers, “encapsulates the story of humanity.”
It’s a big, diverse story. Guests can wander from
famous Mesopotamian treasures of Queen
Puabi, to colossal architectural elements from
the Palace of the Egyptian pharaoh Merenptah,
to Mayan stone monuments from Central
America, and Buddhist sculptures and wall
T
he result of those travels?
Today’s visitors can
take an international
expedition through the
museum’s galleries.
paintings from Asia. Materials from Africa and
the Americas — some traditional, some more
contemporary — are also represented, while
special exhibitions enrich the signature offerings.
Worlds Intertwined: Etruscans, Greeks, and
Romans, a suite of galleries with more than
1,400 ancient Mediterranean objects, explores
the inter-relatedness of the three ancient cul-
tures, but the museum itself offers an opportu-
nity to explore the diversity and interconnec-
tions of human societies past and present.
“Our aspirational mission,” Siggers notes,
“is to transform understanding of the human
experience.”
An Expansive View
174 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com
Penn Museum
3260 South St.
Philadelphia, PA
215.898.4000
penn.museum
From top: an exhibition
of Egyptian artifacts and
one of the museum’s
tranquil outdoor gardens
175 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
P
H
O
T
O
S
B
Y
E
V
E
L
Y
N
T
A
Y
L
O
R
Magnetism — Philadelphia’s got it.
It’s this diversity, found in Philadelphia’s muse-
ums, theaters, restaurants, nightlife, and profes-
sional sports teams that attracts millions of
visitors annually.
Philadelphia is also one of the most easily
accessible U.S. destinations, and has a reservoir
of 11,000 hotel rooms. Hosting guests is one of
the things the city does best.
Tens of thousands of art revelers will appre-
ciate this hospitality when they attend the third
biennial Philadelphia International Festival of
the Arts (PIFA) April 10–25, 2015. An unparal-
leled feast of plays, musicals, art exhibits, sym-
phonies, bands, dancers, and singers will lure
O
ffering visitors the Liberty Bell and
Philly cheesesteaks alongside five-
star restaurants, the city is historic yet
avant-garde, attracting leisure,
business, and convention travelers.
tourists from around
the globe to the city
to immerse them-
selves in all things
art, and feast on
international cuisine.
Business planners
are timing conven-
tions and meetings
to coincide with PIFA so attendees can experi-
ence daily exhibits and performances that are
typically scheduled months apart, even in major
cities. The newly expanded Pennsylvania Con-
vention Center (PCC) makes it easy to plan
conferences via a new partnership with SMG.
While the PCC is known for its beauty, high-
tech amenities, and sheer size (it’s one of the
nation’s largest convention facilities), SMG is
recognized for best practices in customer service.
With a magnetic personality and all the
right resources in place, Philadelphia is “Here
for the Making” — whether it’s memories,
business, meetings, or a new start.
Here for the Making
1700 Market St.
Suite 3000
Philadelphia, PA
215.636.3300
discoverPHL.com
From left:
The Philadelphia
International Festival
of the Arts features
performers, music, food,
and attractions for all ages;
The Pennsylvania
Convention Center has
79 meeting rooms, 1 million
square feet of saleable
space, and the most
expansive ballroom
space in the Northeast.
Playing with
a Purpose
P
H
O
T
O
C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
O
F
B
R
IA
N
G
A
R
F
IN
K
E
L
, P
H
IL
A
D
E
L
P
H
IA
E
A
G
L
E
S
The home of the Philadelphia Eagles
undergoes a fan-friendly facelift.
Located only a few miles from the Philadelphia
airport, Lincoln Financial Field has served as a
meeting ground for Eagles fans since the sta-
dium’s debut in 2003. In 2014, fans will be intro-
duced to a new level of excitement at “The
Linc,” as the Eagles finish a two-year revitaliza-
tion project that will enhance the game-day
experience for all visitors.
“We talked with our season-ticket members
over the past few years to find out what was
important to them. We developed this plan of
action as a direct result of those conversations,”
says team President Don Smolenski. “Our
main goal was to dramatically enhance the
game-day experience for our fans. They de-
serve an exciting and fun experience every
time they enter Lincoln Financial Field.”
A
s you begin your descent into the City of
Brotherly Love, you may be able to hear
the chants of “Fly Eagles Fly” echoing
from Lincoln Financial Field — home
of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Upon completion prior to the start of the
the upcoming preseason, The Linc will have
upgraded amenities for all fans, including:
■ Two new high-definition video boards, one
in each end zone, that are 100 feet longer
than the previous screens
■ An extended group of LED ribbon-board
displays that will present fans with 360
degrees of video, animation, stats, and more
■ Approximately 1,600 new seats in the north-
west, southwest, and northeast corners
■ An in-stadium Wi-Fi network that will allow
fans to be able to keep up with their fantasy
teams, watch video highlights, and check
stats on their mobile devices
■ A dynamic graphic package that prominently
displays images of memorable moments and
legendary players from Eagles history
throughout the corridors of the stadium
■ Completely renovated club lounges through-
out the stadium
■ Stadium-wide audio/visual updates, includ-
ing the addition of over 1,150 HDTVs
As the newest group of Eagles hits the
gridiron in 2014, fans will have something to
be excited about — both on the field and off.
Revitalizing The Linc
176 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com
Learn More
For additional details and
updates on the stadium’s
renovations, visit events
.lincolnfinancialfield.com/
stadium-reno.
P
H
O
T
O
S
B
Y
M
IC
H
A
E
L
B
R
A
N
S
C
O
M
But for the little patrons who visit the Please
Touch Museum, these actions all weave
together seamlessly and successfully.
Located in Memorial Hall at Fairmount
Park, the museum showcases eight eclectic
exhibit “zones” that enhance social and cogni-
tive skill development — but that’s the last
thing on children’s minds when they enter
the 156,000-square-foot space dedicated to
their enjoyment.
Play hopscotch on a cloud? Sure! Drive a
boat, gas a car, and shop for your own grocer-
ies? Why, yes, you can. Row a flying machine?
Give it a try!
Named by Huffington Post as one of eight
“uncommonly cool children’s museums in the
U.S.,” the Please Touch Museum engages all
the senses to spark interest and encourage
D
ream. Imagine. Create.
The images these words
evoke are often juxtaposed
with learn, develop, and
accomplish.
177 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
Shopping Satisfaction
Any day of the summer is ideal for exploring the
antique shops of Skippack, as well as the bou-
tiques, farmers’ markets, and outdoor dining
options of the various countryside towns — and
you’ll soak up a dose of sunshine on your shop-
ping spree.
In less than a half hour from Center City,
you can stroll Germantown Avenue in Chest-
nut Hill. Start your day with an espresso from
Chestnut Hill Coffee, or end it on a sweet note
at Bredenbeck’s Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor
(bredenbecks.com) with a scoop of Philadel-
phia’s own Bassett’s Ice Cream.
Head 30 minutes north to reach scenic
downtown Doylestown, home to independent
shops like the Doylestown Bookshop (doyles
townbookshop.com). Take another short jaunt to
New Hope’s Main Street, a shopper’s destina-
What better reward
for a day of outdoor
adventure than a local
ice-cold brew enjoyed
al fresco?
188 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com 189 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
P
H
O
T
O
S
C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
O
F
P
E
D
D
L
E
R
’S
V
IL
L
A
G
E
“I
can breathe here!” It’s a familiar
refrain heard from travelers far and
wide who’ve traded the frenzy of
their busy lifestyles for a respite in
bucolic Peddler’s Village.
is anything but sleepy. There’s a wealth of activi-
ties here. Check in at the newly renovated
Golden Plough Inn, with its historical character
and 21st century perks, like Wi-Fi, a modern
business center, and all-day activated lobby.
The Village offers one-of-a-kind shops and
galleries from Irish crafts and gifts, hats, home
accents, designer fashions, a salon and spa, to
jewelry and cookery ware from the basic to the
obscure. Stop for chicken pot pie or pot roast at
the traditional Cock ’n Bull, craft beer and
gourmet burgers at the casual Buttonwood
Grill, or steaks, chops and a buzzy bar at Earl’s
Bucks County. If the kids are in tow, don’t miss
Giggleberry Fair, a wonderland that includes an
indoor obstacle course, an upgraded game
room, and an antique carousel.
Like so many of the area, including nearby
New Hope, where the renovated Bucks County
Playhouse offers off-Broadway fare, Peddler’s
Village thrives on the artistic. Events include
this month’s Fine Art and Contemporary Craft
Show, an outdoor exhibition of paintings,
drawings, sculpture, photography, and more.
With each season, there’s a celebration of
the region’s bounty: strawberries in spring,
peaches in summer, and apples in the fall.
Autumn brings the Scarecrow Festival, where
you can build your own straw man, or join in a
pie-eating contest. And, as you might expect,
the holidays are perhaps the most enchanting
time of year, with natural decorations, one mil-
lion twinkling lights, and a Christmas Parade.
Brimming with so much beauty and artistry,
it’s no surprise that Peddler’s Village is a favorite
location for corporate retreats, weddings, family
reunions, and many other celebrations. The
Village was made to celebrate all that’s good in
life. Upon leaving, you might feel a little sad,
much like the romantic lead in the musical
Brigadoon, who upon returning to city life,
mourns the bygone charms of the Scottish
village. But unlike Brigadoon, which only
appears out of the mist every 100 years, Ped-
dler’s Village will always be here, waiting for
your return. So, what are you waiting for?
Routes 202 & 263
Lahaska, Pennsylvania
215.794.4000
peddlersvillage.com
Peddler’s Village is one man’s vision
and everyone’s dream.
A Renaissance
in Bucks County
Clockwise from left:
The 42-acre land-
scaped grounds of
Peddler’s Village in
spring; The country
shopping village offers
65 specialty shops; one
million jewel-colored
holiday lights; Enjoy
family-friendly
entertainment at 15
seasonal festivals; the
antique operating
Carousel at the
Giggleberry Fair family
entertainment center; a
beautiful and spacious
Town & Country guest
room at the Golden
Plough Inn
Nestled in southeastern Pennsylvania’s rolling
hills of central Bucks County (so named for its
resemblance to the countryside of Buckingham-
shire, England) Peddler’s Village evolved from
the fertile imagination of area native Earl
Jamison. The beauty of Bucks County, home to
James A. Michener and Pearl Buck, has inspired
New Hope School of Impressionist artists and
lured such literary greats as Moss Hart, Oscar
Hammerstein, George S. Kaufman, and Dorothy
Parker, who made Bucks County their home.
Jamison was inspired to share the beauty and
artistic legacy of the area with a broader public.
It began with the purchase of a chicken farm
in the 1950s, which Jamison transformed into a
storybook village: Brick walkways wind through
gardens of native plants and stone buildings,
while a water wheel churns over a rippling brook
dotted with stone bridges. But the genius of
Jamison’s design is its timelessness. Peddler’s
Village may be a work of artifice, but it feels like
it’s been a fixture of Bucks County for centuries.
However quaint its ambience, Peddler’s Village
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Chester County’s
Brandywine Valley
484.770.8550
brandywinevalley.com
P
H
O
T
O
S
C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
O
F
T
H
E
C
H
E
S
T
E
R
C
O
U
N
T
Y
C
V
B
Then Chester County’s Brandywine Valley
is the place to be this summer.
Downtown Phoenixville is home to Blobfest,
a weekend-long street party, July 11–13, dedi-
cated to the cult horror film The Blob. The
campy 1958 movie was filmed around Phoenix-
ville, though the amoeba-like alien star threat-
ens not Phoenixville but nearby Downingtown.
For more than a dozen years, Bridge Street’s
landmark Colonial Theater has been the hub
for all things Blob, with costume contests,
reenactments of scenes from the film, and
an amateur filmmaking contest.
If you’ve got pedals, or just enjoy the excite-
C
alling all movie, cycling , and mush-
room fans: The Main Streets of the
Brandywine Valley are your summer
destination for festivals as unique as
the towns that host them.
Feeling Festive?
191 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
Clockwise from left:
the Colonial Theatre in
Phoenixville; Kennett
Square, the “Mush-
room Capital of the
World;” the Iron Hill
Twilight Criterium in
West Chester
ment of them, don’t
miss the Iron Hill
Twilight Criterium on
August 2, when bi-
cycles take over down-
town West Chester.
This year marks the
10th anniversary of the
event, which brings
crowds to Gay and High streets. The main attrac-
tion is the professional cyclists who speed through
the streets at sunset at up to 35 miles per hour.
Kennett Square is, proudly, the “Mush-
room Capital of the World;” 65 percent of
U.S. mushrooms are grown here. Naturally,
there’s a celebration surrounding the dis-
tinction: the Mushroom Festival, Septem-
ber 6–7. Tour a mushroom farm, stock up
and eat all the mushrooms you can. And be
sure to try mushroom ice cream at local
favorite La Michaocana Ice Cream.
P
H
O
T
O
(
L
E
F
T
)
B
Y
D
A
V
E
J
E
N
S
E
N
; P
A
IN
T
IN
G
B
Y
G
E
O
R
G
E
A
. W
E
Y
M
O
U
T
H
, C
O
L
L
E
C
T
IO
N
B
R
A
N
D
Y
W
IN
E
R
IV
E
R
M
U
S
E
U
M
O
F
A
R
T
The picturesque Brandywine countryside inspires
the artists that flock to this area BY JOANN GRECO
The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of
Art is committed to exploring the intersection
of the area’s natural and painterly splendors.
This summer, it enhances that dual mission
with an exhibition of 45 works drawn from
private and public collections as well as the
Brandywine River Museum of Art’s own hold-
ings.
Lure of the Brandywine: A Story of Land Con-
servation and Artistic Inspiration (June 7 through
August 10) showcases works like Andrew Wyeth’s
D
efined by rolling green hills and a mean-
dering river, the Brandywine Valley in
Chester County has long served as a
picturesque inspiration, most notably
for three generations of Wyeth artists.
Landscape with Tree, William T. Richards’ The
Valley of the Brandywine, and Jasper Cropsey’s
Autumn on the Brandywine River.
Later in August, the museum unveils
Exalted Nature: The Real and Fantastic World
of Charles Burchfield, co-organized with the
Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo.
Known for his luminous watercolor technique,
Burchfield also took nature as his subject,
lending his own distinctively modern touch to
a familiar genre.
In addition to presenting special exhibi-
tions, the museum has an outstanding collec-
tion of American art and offers tours of the
studios of illustrator N.C. Wyeth and his son,
Andrew, as well as the Kuerner Farm, which
served as the subject and inspiration for nearly
1,000 of Andrew’s works, beginning with his
earliest painting of the farm in 1932 at the age
of 15.
A Creative
Conservancy
190 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com
Brandywine
Conservancy &
Museum of Art
U.S. Rt. 1
Chadds Ford, PA
610.388.2700
brandywine.org
George A.
Weymouth (b.
1936), Indian
Hanna, 1990,
Collection
Brandywine
River Museum
of Art.
192 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com 193 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
P
H
O
T
O
S
(
F
R
O
M
L
E
F
T
)
B
Y
K
IM
M
A
S
S
A
R
E
A
N
D
L
A
R
R
Y
A
L
B
E
E
I
n 1728, John Bartram, a Quaker farmer,
planted a garden on the banks of the
Schuylkill River, becoming the first to
cultivate hundreds of native species
gathered from all over the colonies.
Bartram shipped the seeds of his discoveries
across the Atlantic, filling Europe’s gardens
with New World magnolias and azaleas, sugar
maples and sumacs.
Today, nearly 300 years later, Bartram’s
Garden still blooms on its original site, its 45
idyllic acres planted with many of the same
species John Bartram collected. But his lasting
legacy is far larger: Thousands of acres of
public gardens have grown in and around
Philadelphia.
Philadelphia is America’s Garden Capital
— for good reason and in every season.
Bursting in
Blooms
From left: Bartram’s
Garden, Longwood
Gardens
With 31 gardens within 30 miles of Center
City, the region has the greatest concentration
of public gardens in the country, earning it the
moniker “America’s Garden Capital.”
A tour of Philadelphia’s gardens is a peek
into the region’s past, its present, and its future.
Many of the majestic trees of the 92-acre
Morris Arboretum have flourished there for
more than a century, including the arboretum’s
bender oak, which spreads 90 feet at the gateway
to the gardens and is estimated to be 250 years
old. Opening this month, a new 86-acre Mead-
ow Garden at Longwood Gardens serves as both
an ode to the past and a fresh look toward the
future — where diverse habitats, wildlife, undu-
lating fields of colors, textures, and lush wetlands
integrate with walking trails and a restored farm-
house. And in the interactive gardens of Cam-
den Children’s Garden, a new generation learns
to love the natural beauty of the region.
For visitors and locals alike, the region’s
gardens offer a variety of experiences:
The Arboretum at the Barnes
Foundation
MERION
Twelve-acre former private estate featuring
rose, peony, and fern collections, and more
than 3,000 specimens of woody plants.
Awbury Arboretum
PHILADELPHIA
19th-century Quaker estate with 55 acres of
English-style landscape, gardens, ponds, and
woodland trails.
Bartram’s Garden
PHILADELPHIA
America’s oldest living botanical garden, with
45 acres of plantings.
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
NEW HOPE
A 134-acre site of woods, meadows, a pond, and
a creek filled with native plants.
Brandywine Conservancy and Museum
of Art
CHADDS FORD
Wildflower and native plant gardens plus a
museum featuring American art, including
works by three generations of Wyeths.
Cabrini College Campus
RADNOR
Native woodland with grand trees surround the
112-acre campus.
Camden Children’s Garden
CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
Four-and-a-half acres of interactive gardens and
a butterfly house.
Visit 31 Gardens Within 30 Miles
194 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com 195 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
Centennial Arboretum Horticulture
Center
FAIRMOUNT PARK
27 acres of landscape in the heart of west Phila-
delphia, with trees and shrubs from Asia, Eu-
rope, and North America.
Chanticleer
WAYNE
35-acre pleasure garden that displays the beauty
of the art of horticulture. Highlights include
water and ruin gardens.
Hagley Museum and Library
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
Located on 235 acres along the banks of the
Brandywine River, it’s the former site of the
gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont.
Haverford College Arboretum
HAVERFORD
The 216-acre campus is home to more than
two miles of nature trails, a duck pond, an
18-acre pine arboretum, and small Asian
and perennial display gardens.
Henry Botanic Garden
GLADWYNE
This historic garden features plants growing
naturalistically in the woodland and hillside
landscape.
Henry Schmieder Arboretum
DOYLESTOWN
Mature trees, native woodland, and designed
gardens blend with Georgian architecture of
the Delaware Valley College campus.
The Highlands Mansion & Gardens
FORT WASHINGTON
A late 18th-century Georgian mansion on 44
acres with a formal garden and 9 outbuildings.
Hortulus Farm Garden
WRIGHTSTOWN
A 100-acre 18th-century farmstead and nursery
with 30 acres of formal gardens including pool
and lake gardens, and woodland walks.
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens
DEVON
Over a mile of paved walkways lead through
native wildflowers and woodland gardens,
including a diverse collection of rhododen-
drons and azaleas.
Landscape Arboretum of Temple Uni-
versity Ambler
AMBLER
The 187-acre campus features a mix of natural
and designed landscapes including gardens of
culinary, dye, and medicinal herbs and dwarf
evergreens.
Lewis W. Barton Arboretum and Na-
ture Preserve
MEDFORD, NEW JERSEY
Landscaped grounds, courtyard and patio
gardens, exotic pines, wildflower meadows,
recreational areas, and natural woodlands
and wetlands.
Longwood Gardens
KENNETT SQUARE
One of the world’s great gardens showcasing
dazzling outdoor gardens and fountains as well
as indoor horticultural feats within a grand
Conservatory. Open 365 days a year.
Meadowbrook Farm
MEADOWBROOK
A 25-acre grand estate featuring a retail nurs-
ery, plants, public gardens, and more; part of
the Philadelphia Horiticultural Society family.
Morris Arboretum of the University
of Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA
92 acres of colorful gardens, winding paths,
bubbling fountains, and spectacular, mature
trees make up this historic landscape.
Mt. Cuba Center
HOCKESSIN, DELAWARE
Former estate of Mr. and Mrs. Lammot du Pont
Copeland; home to 500 acres of naturalistic
garden design and native plants.
Nemours Mansion & Gardens
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
French gardens on 300-acre estate recalls the
splendors of Versailles in its fountains and
sculptures, with acres of forest.
Philadelphia Zoo
PHILADELPHIA
America’s first zoo includes diverse horticul-
tural collections of trees, shrubs, and plants.
Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore
College
SWARTHMORE
110 acres on Swarthmore’s campus features
4,000 kinds of plants, including seasonal cro-
cus, roses, and hollies.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
PHILADELPHIA
A traditional-style Japanese house in West
Fairmount Park, with a viewing garden, koi
pond and island, a tea garden, and a courtyard
garden.
Tyler Arboretum
MEDIA
A 650-acre historic arboretum with unique
P
H
O
T
O
S
B
Y
(C
L
O
C
K
W
IS
E
F
R
O
M
B
O
T
T
O
M
L
E
F
T
)
R
O
B
C
A
R
D
IL
L
O
, J
E
N
K
IN
S
A
R
B
O
R
E
T
U
M
, M
T
. C
U
B
A
C
E
N
T
E
R
. S
C
O
T
T
A
R
B
O
R
E
T
U
M
, L
IS
A
R
O
P
E
R
plant collections, state
champion trees, mead-
ow maze, and 17-plus
miles of hiking trail
Tyler Formal
Gardens of Bucks
County Commu-
nity College
NEWTOWN
A restored 1930s four-
tier formal garden
featuring pear tree
espalier, Stella Tyler’s
bronze sculptures,
marble fountains,
varied plantings,
and parterres.
Welkinweir
POTTSTOWN
An arboretum, gardens
and historic home at
the edge of a private
valley overlooking
ecologically diverse riparian, wetland and
meadow, and forest habitats.
Winterthur
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
A du Pont family country place with a 60-acre
garden inspired by the Brandywine Valley
landscape, set amidst a 1,000-acre preserve
Wyck Historic House, Museum
and Garden
PHILADELPHIA
Historic Quaker home, featuring the oldest
rose garden in America and an heirloom
vegetable garden.
For More...
Visit greaterphiladelphia
gardens.org for more
information on America’s
Garden Capital.
Clockwise from lower left:
Morris Arboretum; Jenkins
Arboretum & Gardens;
Mt. Cuba Center; Scott
Arboretum, Chanticleer
P
H
O
T
O
S
C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
O
F
V
A
L
L
E
Y
F
O
R
G
E
C
A
S
IN
O
Earn Dividend Miles at Valley Forge Casino Resort.
Valley Forge Casino Resort is breaking new
ground by helping guests take to the air
through a new partnership with US Airways:
Now, casino points can be converted into
Dividend Miles.
The Dividend Miles program isn’t the only
standout feature of the casino resort. With
seven dining options from fine dining to ca-
sual, more than 200,000 square feet of banquet
space, celebrity chefs, comedy shows, a night-
club, and a first-class gaming area, Valley Forge
Casino Resort is the only Philadelphia area
casino that has it all.
T
hink about a dream casino vacation:
slots, roulette, blackjack, gourmet
dining, and top-shelf drinks. Then
pair all of that with a free flight to
your choice destination.
After a day of gaming,
enjoy casino entertain-
ment, from Mixed Mar-
tial Arts matches to coun-
try rock and off-Broadway
shows. Mosey on in to the
Deuces Wild Saloon,
where you can test your
skill atop a mechanical
bull and sip on specialty drinks served in a glass
boot. For a more mellow vibe, wind down at the
Cameo Lounge with a signature cocktail before
retiring to one of the resort’s 485 guest rooms
and suites.
“We’re certainly different, and we’re proud
of it,” says CEO Mike Bowman. “Play, dine,
and stay. Come gamble, have a great meal in
one of our restaurants, and stay the night.”
When it’s time to fly home, count up your
points and head to the player services desk at
the casino to redeem your US Airways flight for
your next adventure!
A Flying Game
197 usairwaysmag.com JUNE 2014
Clockwise from top:
Pacific Prime restaurant;
Valley Forge Casino hotel;
slot machines in the
gaming area
1160 First Avenue
Kind of Prussia, PA
610.354.8118
vfcasino.com
BY NICOLE ESPLIN
P
H
O
T
O
S
C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
O
F
: V
A
L
L
E
Y
F
O
R
G
E
T
O
U
R
IS
M
A
N
D
C
O
N
V
E
N
T
IO
N
B
O
A
R
D
, V
A
L
L
E
Y
F
O
R
G
E
C
A
S
IN
O
R
E
S
O
R
T
, A
N
D
S
E
A
S
O
N
S
5
2
Traveling to Montgomery County reminds us of the
feeling we get when we explore something new.
In Valley Forge and Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania (the visitor center is just 30 miles
northwest of Philadelphia International Air-
port), there are a lot of ways to feel that free-
dom, from running or cycling along the rolling
hills of Valley Forge National Historical Park,
to meeting locals strolling along the main
streets of a dozen neighborhood towns.
This summer, relish your freedom — the
O
ften when traveling, it’s not the tick-
ing off of attractions that becomes
our memorable moments. What
lasts is the memory of the freedom
we felt exploring something new.
destination’s tourism board is inspiring visitors
to embark on new adventures big and small at
the region’s unique places and wide-open spac-
es. Seeking adventure? Try climbing a rope
bridge in the mountain treetops. Some un-
plugged family time? There’s kayaking and
go-carting. Relaxing and reconnecting? Visit a
museum, then enjoy a restaurant dine-around.
With accommodations to fit any budget and
themed itinerary ideas — from arts and culture
to history and shopping — that help provide the
inspiration, the real beauty, says Valley Forge
Tourism and Convention Board president Bill
Fitzgerald, is finding the experiences that en-
courage you to take a deep breath, relax, and
explore. Start packing for a memorable, educa-
tional, and exciting trip, then explore your free-
dom in Montgomery County.
Explore Your Freedom
196 JUNE 2014 usairwaysmag.com
1000 First Ave.
King of Prussia, PA
610.834.1550
valleyforge.org