Plan A Perfect 10 Weekend in Philly Over October 10, 2010 - Columbus Day Weekend

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Philadelphia region offers up the "Perfect 10" girlfriend getaway during the three-day Columbus Day weekend, which includes Sunday, 10/10/10. Here are 10 reasons to plan a trip and book a value-added hotel package today at visitphilly.com:

1. Cleopatra: The ultimate "10," the elusive Queen Cleo remains a mystery to most -- archeologists are still searching for her body today. With 140 artifacts and multimedia features at The Franklin Institute, Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt offers a unprecedented look into the dynamic pharaoh's fascinating life, including her rule, the opposition to her throne and her legendary romances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Through January 2. 222 N. 20th Street, (215) 448-1200, fi.edu
2. Beautiful Exhibits: At the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Perelman Building, Desert Jewels: North African Jewelry and Photography from the Xavier Guerrand-Hermes Collection spotlights 80 necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings, as well as 30 fashion photographs by artists from Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia. The collection, comprised of many never-before-seen pieces, highlights cultural threads shared by many North African societies. The Moore College of Art & Design showcases the perfect little handbag -- 25 of them, in fact -- during the free Judith Leiber: Art of the Handbag. All the rage during the glamorous 1950s and 1960s, Leiber's small, jewel-encrusted clutches make an artful and fashionable statement even today. Perelman, Fairmount & Pennsylvania Avenues, (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org; Moore's Graham Gallery, 20th Street & the Ben Franklin Parkway, (215) 965-4027, thegalleriesatmoore.org
3. Design & Fashion Frenzy: Double the design, double the fashion, double the fun during the 10/10/10 weekend thanks to DesignPhiladelphia and Philadelphia Fashion Week. For the former, Philadelphia's thriving creative community -- from interior design to architecture to culinary arts and more -- comes alive during the largest design festival in the nation, with 135 exhibits, workshops, studio tours, lectures, runway shows and street happenings throughout the city. The second annual, four-day Philadelphia Fashion Week at the 23rd Street Armory features the work of student, local, national and international designers and includes 15 runway shows, musical performances and pop-up boutiques. DesignPhiladelphia, October 7-17, designphiladelphia.org; Fashion Week, October 6-9, 22 S. 23rd Street, philadelphiafashionweek.org
4. Shopping Spectacular: After basking in all the glitz and glam of Cleopatra, Desert Jewels, DesignPhiladelphia and Fashion Week, it's time to shop. Independent boutiques line Old City's sidewalks, and Northern Liberties' sometimes-edgy shops are perfect for trendy pieces. For the ultimate shopping experience, girlfriends can head to the largest mall on the East Coast, the King of Prussia Mall, located just 30 minutes from Center City and filled with high-end retailers such as Gucci and popular favorites such as J.Crew. 160 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia, (610) 265-5727, kingofprussiamall.com
5. Spa-liday Weekend: To relax and rejuvenate, ladies can stop into one of many spa/salons for manis, pedis, masks, mud baths and other treatments. An urban oasis in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, Rescue Rittenhouse Spa stays in weekend theme with its "Perfect 10" manicure, pedicure and waxing offer. Those who sign up for a treatment at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia spa, which carries its own line of luxury products, can also take advantage of the natural-water pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and exercise room. Rescue, 255 S. 17th Street, 2nd floor, (215) 772-2766, rescuerittenhousespa.com; Four Seasons, 1 Logan Square, (215) 963-1500, fourseasons.com/philadelphia
6. Beautiful Smells: Always a holiday for the eyes and nose, Longwood Gardens amps up the aroma during Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance. Visitors delve into the history, the science and the evocative power of fragrance in the unmatched environment of Longwood's conservatory, filled with lilies, jasmine, lilacs and 260 other plants. And personalized scent cards make sweet memorabilia. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org
7. Studio Tours: The two-weekend Philadelphia Open Studio Tours event gives art lovers the chance to see local artists of all mediums in their neighborhood workshops. Since the "Perfect 10" weekend lands on the second weekend, the gals can pick up the perfect pieces for their homes at the studios east of Broad Street -- that includes Old City, Fishtown and Northern Liberties. October 2-3, 9-10. philaopenstudios.com
8. Show Time: Drama, comedy and toe-tapping fun await inside Philadelphia's theaters. The gals can get their dose of weekend drama at The Wilma Theater, where Macbeth's tragedy takes center stage, September 29-November 7; "Oh What A Night" indeed when Jersey Boys hits the Forrest Theatre, through December 12; and local fave Peter Nero and the Philly Pops bring the house down with hits from Mamma Mia, Tommy, Grease and many more during Broadway Rocks! at the Kimmel Center, October 6-10. Wilma, Broad & Spruce Streets, (215) 546-7824, wilmatheater.org; Forrest, 1114 Walnut Street, forrest-theatre.com; Kimmel, Broad & Spruce Streets, (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
9. Strong Philly Women: The Philadelphia region boasts some "Perfect 10" women of its own. History's most famous seamstress lived in Philadelphia, and the Betsy Ross House is open to visitors all year long. At The African American Museum in Philadelphia, VOICES: African American and Latina Women Share Their Stories of Success tells the inspiring stories of 50 Pennsylvania women who overcame challenges to achieve success in law, medicine, education, science, business, the arts and entertainment and technology. Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street, (215) 686-1252, betsyrosshouse.org; African American Museum, 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380, aampmuseum.org
10. Fab Hotels: The newest accommodations to hit the scene are Starwood's Le Meridien Philadelphia, featuring black-and-white decor with red accents in the guestrooms, and Kimpton's LEED-certified Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, located in the 80-year-old American Institute of Architects building. In addition to offering stylish spots to rest, both hotels house restaurants/bars that draw visitors and residents alike. At the Palomar's Square 1682, James Beard award-winner Chef Guillermo Tellez serves up inventive New American fare using local ingredients, while the three-martini lunch special at Le Meridien's Amuse starts the party early. Le Meridien, 1421 Arch Street, (215) 422-8200, lemeridienphiladelphia.com; Palomar, 117 S. 17th Street, (215) 563-5006, hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com

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