PHILLY LOVES THREE-DAY WEEKENDS

A Three-day Weekend And An Affordable Hotel —What’s Not To Love?

PHILADELPHIA, January 9, 2008 – Long weekends are the perfect time to discover all the things to Love about Philadelphia. Those looking for a three-day escape this winter can take advantage of the popular Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, which comes with an extra incentive this season thanks to the new Love campaign. As always, the two-night offer, available at more than 30 hotels throughout the region, includes free hotel parking (valued at up to $75), a Philadelphia Privileges coupon book and a Philly’s More Fun® teddy bear. What’s more, 100 lucky hotel package buyers who book and redeem their stay before March 16 will be randomly named “Philly Guest of the Day.” Upon check-in, they’ll receive any number of prizes, including tickets to attractions and museums, hotel upgrades and gift certificates for restaurants, nightlife venues and shops. The package is bookable online at gophila.com/love.

Here are just a few ways to spend the long weekends in Philadelphia:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Weekend, January 16-19, 2009:

Landing just one day before the inauguration of the country’s first African-American president, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will hold even more significance in 2009. All Americans can honor the momentous event as well as the civil rights leader by visiting a groundbreaking exhibition and historic sites important to the nation’s past and present in Philadelphia.

• Visitors can discover the contributions of many notable Africans and African-Americans over nearly 500 years during America I AM: The African American Imprint, making its world debut at the National Constitution Center. From the “Doors of No Return” that led captive Africans on a journey to the Americas to the bench where Martin Luther King, Jr. penned his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” this four-year traveling show, conceived by radio and television personality Tavis Smiley, shows how Africans in America have impacted history. January 15-May 3, 2009. 525 Arch Street,

(215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.org

• Historic Philadelphia’s attractions are open and free to visitors year round, but the lines are shorter during the cooler months. That means winter is the optimum time to explore legendary sites like the Liberty Bell Center, where the connection between the Liberty Bell and African-American history is revealed. Exhibitions, videos and interactive

displays explain how the Abolitionist Movement adopted the icon based on the inscribed quote from Leviticus, reading “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof,” as a symbol of its anti-slavery activities. Another national symbol of freedom, Independence Hall played a major role in the birth of the United States and its Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Tour tickets are available for free at the Independence Visitor Center. Liberty Bell, 6^th & Market Streets, (215) 965-2305; Independence Hall, Chestnut Street between 5^th & 6^th Streets, (215) 597-8974, nps.gov/inde; Visitor Center, 6^th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676, independencevisitorcenter.com

• Visitors to The Franklin Institute Science Museum can feel the power of the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which will be played on four giant screens in Franklin Hall throughout the weekend. On Saturday and Monday, special presentations, an African drumming performance, live gospel music, a scavenger hunt and other interactive happenings for children and adults round out the inspirational weekend.

222 N. 20^th Street, (215) 448-1200, fi.edu

• The first institution built by a major United States city to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage and culture of African-Americans, The African American Museum in Philadelphia will feature special programming in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout the weekend. The event calendar includes musical and dance performances, an author discussion, a scavenger hunt and a showing of Martin Luther King Boulevard, a film in which Philadelphia native Marco Williams travels to streets named after the reverend and explores their significance. 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380, aampmuseum.org
• The self-guided Quest for Freedom tour takes<
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