Philadelphia has launched a new Historic Philadelphia campaign to spotlight the city’s central role in American history while highlighting the neighborhood restaurants, bars, shops, galleries and attractions that bring the area to life. The campaign focuses on the Delaware River Waterfront, Old City, Society Hill and Independence National Historical Park, covering the area from the river to 7th Street and from Vine to Lombard Streets. Coordinated by Drexel University’s Center for Cultural Partnerships and VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the $2 million initiative aims to broaden visitor experiences in and around these historic neighborhoods.
Running through 2017, the campaign ties into the opening of the new Museum of the American Revolution on 3rd Street and adds programming designed to encourage guests to explore beyond the most well-known landmarks. In 2015, Independence National Historical Park drew 4.3 million visitors who contributed $247 million in spending, according to the National Park Service. Research by Drexel University students in 2014 found that many visitors limited their visits to the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall and the Independence Visitor Center. The Historic Philadelphia effort seeks to change that pattern by promoting a fuller, richer visit.
“With the new Historic Philadelphia campaign, we’re encouraging visitors to tour iconic sites such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall and then go beyond to experience the restaurants, beer gardens, shops, galleries and museums in the very place where our extraordinary country was founded,” said Meryl Levitz, president & CEO of VISIT PHILADELPHIA. The campaign introduces new on-the-ground activities and visitor tools that make it easier to plan longer stays and discover local favorites tucked into these historic blocks.
Key offerings and enhancements scheduled over the next two summers include:
- Expanded on-site programming that increases opportunities for storytelling, hands-on colonial crafts and period games, and family-friendly performances. Popular elements such as a returning puppet show and interactive “History Makers” meet-and-greets are part of the lineup, with additional storytelling benches placed to draw visitors into neighborhood narratives.
- The Historic Philadelphia Trail, a 24-stop route designed to guide visitors to essential historic and cultural attractions while encouraging exploration of nearby shops, dining and galleries. The trail offers a clear, walkable path that connects major landmarks with lesser-known sites worth visiting.
- Featured coverage in 225,000 copies of Where magazine, distributed across 48 hotels, the Independence Visitor Center and area attractions during 2016 and 2017. This placement provides widespread visibility for the campaign and practical visitor information for planning a visit to the district.
- Special combined passes for the 2016 season that include one-time admission to the National Constitution Center, the Betsy Ross House and the Christ Church Burial Ground. These passes also include two days of rides on the PHLASH Downtown Loop, making it easier for visitors to move between attractions without worrying about parking or transit.
By combining curated programming, interpretive elements and practical visitor tools, the Historic Philadelphia campaign seeks to extend the time visitors spend in the district and to spread visitor activity across a wider range of businesses and cultural sites. The effort benefits neighborhood merchants, restaurateurs and cultural institutions while enriching the visitor experience by connecting iconic national landmarks with the living, contemporary communities that surround them.
The campaign’s mix of events, exhibits and wayfinding resources supports both day-trippers and multi-day travelers. Enhanced storytelling moments and family-oriented offerings create accessible entry points for first-time visitors, while the Historic Philadelphia Trail and packaged admission options simplify planning for repeat visitors eager to explore new facets of the area.