Six Great Reasons to Celebrate July 5th in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- No need to rush home after the grand fireworks show in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July. The city's Independence Day festivities are still going strong on Monday, July 5, the federal holiday. Families, history buffs, the budget conscious and others can find plenty of ways to keep the patriotic party going. There's a reading of the Declaration of Independence and birthday cake at the Independence Visitor Center, an all-you-can-eat ice cream festival at Penn's Landing and, of course, the opportunity to see two American icons of freedom, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Here are just a few of the happenings making July 5th almost as much fun as the Fourth in Philly:

1. The Party Is Still Going On – Those who don't want the party to end can drop by the Independence Visitor Center for the annual live reading of the Declaration of Independence and stick around for some Happy Birthday America cake. 6th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676, independencevisitorcenter.com. Then, head down to the Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival at Penn's Landing, where a $5 donation gets cool-treat lovers as much ice cream as they want. Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, (215) 683-2200, welcomeamerica.com
2. Blockbuster Exhibitions – The Egyptian pharaohs were a far cry from the American Founding Fathers, and that's a good thing. An expedition thousands of years in the making, the stunning Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt at The Franklin Institute reveals some of the secrets of the world's most legendary queen. Discover how the masters expressed their artistic freedom at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Late Renoir, which includes 80 masterpieces by August Renoir along with Matisse, Picasso and others whose talents were influenced by the groundbreaking impressionist. Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, (215) 448-1200, fi.edu; Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org
3. Philly Put The Free In Freedom – Visitors celebrating freedom can find lots of free things to do in town. Stop by the 13 Once Upon A Nation storytelling benches throughout Historic Philadelphia to hear tales from America's past. While you're at the Franklin Square bench, join in the Independence Day Fun fest with games and family activities. Stick around for a ride on the carousel, a round of Philly Mini Golf and yummy treats at SquareBurger. 6th & Race Streets, (215) 629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org
4. Lines? What Lines? – July 5th is a great time to visit two of the most iconic symbols of American freedom—the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Visitors can get into the Liberty Bell Center relatively quickly and take time to explore the exhibits and displays that trace the Bell's history. Getting a free, timed ticket for a tour of Independence Hall is a snap too. Just drop by the Visitor Center, call ahead or go online to reserve tickets in advance. And with the Independence Hall tower about to undergo a two-year restoration, this is one of the last opportunities to see the Hall's glorious bell tower before it is wrapped in scaffolding. Chestnut Street between 5th & 6th Streets, (800) 537-7676, nps.gov/inde
5. A Military Mind – Independence has been declared, so now it's time to sign up for George Washington's army. As part of the Military Muster, kids learn the fine art of marching, drills and other Revolutionary War skills while their parents proudly click away with their cameras. Signers' Garden, 5th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org. Then mix and mingle with almost 200 Revolutionary War soldiers who will pitch camp on the front lawn of the National Constitution Center. 525 Arch Street, (215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.org
6. See Philly In A Phlash – Hop on the purple Phlash bus for a quick and easy ride to the Please Touch Museum® for a day of family play. 4231 Avenue of the Republic, (215) 581-3181, pleasetouchmuseum.org. Or, head to the Philadelphia Zoo, where the Creatures of Habitat: A Gazillion Piece Animal Adventure exhibit featuring dozens of animals all made out of Lego bricks is on view. 3400 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org

With so much happening throughout the long Independence Day weekend, visitors will want to extend their stay—especially since the popular Philly Overnight® Hotel Package makes it so easy to join in all 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.

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