Fourth Of July Fun Dazzles For Two Weeks In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Philadelphia, the city where America's independence was born, is the best place to celebrate Independence Day. The nine-day Wawa Welcome America! festival kicks off on June 26 with a free waterfront concert and fireworks show and continues through July 4 with a flag-waving parade through Historic Philadelphia followed by the nation's largest free outdoor Fourth of July concert by the Goo Goo Dolls and fireworks spectacular on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Adding to the fun are more fireworks, a free concert and a groundbreaking 3-D, 360 degree history show.

With so much happening before, during and after Independence Day, visitors will want to make it a weekend—or two—especially since the popular Philly Overnight® Hotel Package makes it so easy for families to join in the fun. The two-night offer, available at more than 30 hotels throughout the region, comes with free hotel parking and is bookable on visitphilly.com or by calling the hotel directly.

Here's a look at what's going on in Philly for the Fourth:

The Pre-Independence Day Party:

• Taste of Philadelphia – A favorite of foodies, Taste of Philadelphia returns for the fifth year, with more restaurants than ever joining the gastronomical festivities. Some of the city's most popular eateries serve up their specialties, and entertainment by Morris Day and the Time adds to the festive atmosphere. Free admission; fees for food samples. June 25-27. Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Waterfront Concert and Fireworks Display – After an exciting, big-name concert, the first of three breathtaking fireworks shows—presented by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and themed Heat—lights up the skies above the Delaware River. Free. June 26. Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Go 4th and Learn – About History – Mayor Nutter and local celebs share Historical Story Time with children, who also enjoy face painting, crafts and games. Milk lovers can snap a photo in front of the 1918 Wawa dairy truck, compete in cow-milking contests and taste test the fresh Wawa milk. Free. June 28. Franklin Square, 6th & Race Streets, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Go 4th and Learn – About Science – Kids' faces light up as they delve into the science of fireworks. Afterwards, participants can explore the museum's other exhibits and learning spaces such as the beloved Giant Heart. Free. June 29. The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Philly @ the Movies – Romance and teen angst are set to song in Grease, a classic musical set in the days of malt shops and poodle skirts. Movie buffs can enjoy the nighttime showing along with their own picnic. Free. June 29. Love Park, 15th Street & John F. Kennedy Boulevard, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Wawa Hoagie Day and Philly @ the Movies – It's double the delight when these Philly classics team up. Before sitting at the foot of the famed steps to watch Rocky, grab your piece of the mile-long Wawa hoagie and enjoy live music, contests and other iconic Philly treats. Free. June 30. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Screenings Under the Stars – Avatar – Part of the summer-long movie series, Avatar makes its Philadelphia waterfront debut during the Fourth of July festival. Free. July 1. Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com

Fourth of July Weekend Festivities:

• Liberty 360 – The newest addition to Historic Philadelphia, Liberty 360 surrounds visitors as they discover the nation's symbols of freedom with the help of narrator Benjamin Franklin. Inside the 360 degree theater, the groundbreaking, 12-minute indoor show uses the most modern 3-D technology of its kind to spotlight the most treasured American value—liberty. Opens July 4 Weekend. Historic Philadelphia Center, 6th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org
• Naval Destroyer Tours – Permission granted to comb aboard a United States naval destroyer, which will be in port and open for tours throughout the Independence Day weekend. July 2-6. Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Market Street, (215) 922-2FUN, delawareriverevents.com
• Concert and Fireworks at Penn's Landing – Hear an internationally renowned group in a free concert followed by dazzling fireworks, presented by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. Free. July 3. Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival – Forget about calories, and enjoy all-you-can-eat buffet of the coolest summer treat. Participants' $5 donations will benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund, helping to find a cure for pediatric leukemia. July 3-5. Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Celebration of Freedom – The star-spangled salute to America features honored speakers, like Mayor Michael Nutter, and patriotic ceremonies. Free. July 4. Independence Hall, 5th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Independence Day Parade – What's red, white and blue all over? The old-time Fourth of July parade that winds through Historic Philadelphia. Don't miss Miss America, Salute to the Military, the DC Cowboys Dance Troupe from America's Got Talent, marching bands, Asian drummers and an attempt by Marine Colonel John Folsam to break the Guinness World Record by high-fiving more than 6,000 hands along the parade route. Free. July 4. Market Street, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Party on the Parkway – Music, dancing, cultural activities, arts and crafts and live entertainment make for an afternoon of family fun. Free admission. July 4. Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 18th & 23rd Streets, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
• Life, Liberty and You Concert and Fireworks – Cap off Independence Day weekend at the nation's largest free outdoor Fourth of July concert and, of course, an eye-popping, jaw-dropping, light-up-the-sky fireworks display that is A Salute to the Armed Forces. Free. July 4. Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 18th & 23rd Streets, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com

The City's Post-Fourth Of July Glow:

• Franklin Square keeps the Independence Day festivities going with special activities and games for kids on the Great Lawn. Families can spend the afternoon hopping aboard the carousel and playing a few rounds of Philadelphia Mini Golf. July 5. 6th & Race Streets, (215) 629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org
• Then, hot on the heels of two spectacular seasons, the Philadelphia Phillies are in town the week of July 5. On July 5, fans can enjoy all the hot dogs they want during Dollar Dog Night, and the games on July 8 and 9 feature fireworks. 1 Citizens Bank Way, (215) 463-1000, phillies.com
• Even after the last fireworks have faded, Philadelphia still isn't done. On July 8, the anniversary celebration of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence includes a live reading and festivities at Independence Hall. After July 12, the tower of the historic building will go behind a decorative scrim for a 14-month restoration. July 8. 5th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde
• Just across the Delaware River, the Battleship New Jersey welcomes visitors to explore America's most decorated naval ship with tours given by people who served onboard. Open daily for guided and audio tours. 62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ, (856) 966-1652, battleshipnewjersey.org

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® 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 visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

SOURCE Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation