Travel News June 2014
USA - EAST COAST SPECIAL 21
Three East Coast USA city options with a lot to offer!
Sightseeing, history shopping, leisure and sport - Philly, Brandywine & Valley Forge, and Atlantic City have it all...
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HEN you think of the three areas on the east coast that best typify the USA, you’d naturally assume New York, Washington and Boston. However, another unlikely trio, Philadelphia along with Brandywine and Valley Forge in Pennsylvania and Atlantic City in New Jersey, provide an intriguing blend of history, glamour, shopping and culture. Just an international flight away, you can access the bright lights of Philadelphia either through London or direct from Dublin or during the summer months direct from Shannon. The birthplace of a nation, Philadelphia is steeped in history which effortlessly combines the vibrancy and exciting treats only the second biggest city on the east coast can provide. Visit some of the very best in international arts and culture, highlighted by the exciting move of the Barnes Foundation to the Parkway in 2012. Enjoy viewing some of the best works of Van Gogh and Rodin or celebrate today’s contemporary artists at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
After hours, experience Philadelphia’s star quality with its glittering nightlife, VIP bars and clubs and world-class restaurants. Tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes is also available throughout Pennsylvania.
The Countryside of Philadelphia is just a short drive from the city. The area offers visitors lots of opportunities for tax-free shopping, at the King of Prussia Mall, the largest retail complex on the US East Coast and Philadelphia Premium Outlets with over 200 stores. It is also host to the world-renowned Longwood Gardens and of course the resplendent beautiful rolling hills and countryside.
You can also visit the many museums covering everything from the paintings of Andrew Wyeth to the comedy of The Three Stooges. History buffs can visit Brandywine Battlefield or Washington’s famous encampment at Valley Forge. The area features many different types of places to stay from hotels to unique lodgings. Last year the US Open Golf Championship took place at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore.
OASIS IN THE CITY: Rittenhouse Square is one of the five original open-space parks in central Philadelphia planned by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme during the late 17th century
A short one hour drive away from Philadelphia (60 miles) to New Jersey, is a beach and boardwalk destination Atlantic City that has stood the test of time and has been attracting visitors for over 150 years.
Home to the 1920-1930s glamour which has been epitomised in the recent award-winning Empire Boardwalk series, the mini Las Vegas of gambling, shows and entertainment has seen some big celebrity names such as Madonna, Lady Gaga and Beyonce grace its boards. Recent developments that make the destination even more appealing to guests include the $2.4 billion waterfront Revel Resort which opened in May 2012 joining a host of other world class resorts and casinos.
For an ideal complement to the other two areas, why not enjoy a beach escape with a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean at Atlantic City?
ABOVE: Shop til’ you drop at the King of Prussia Mall
LEFT: The stunning beachfront at Atlantic City and its historic four-mile long boardwalk is a magnet for locals and visitors alike
ABOVE: Longwood Vertical Fountains in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania - another popular tourist mecca
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