Barack Obama in Philly on January 17; Plenty of Affordable Hotel Rooms for Inaugural...

Barack Obama in Philly on January 17; Plenty of Affordable Hotel Rooms for
Inaugural Weekend

Presidential Activities Make For Four Days Of Fun And Discovery In The
Nation's Birthplace

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Those looking for an affordable and
accessible way to celebrate President-elect Barack Obama's historic
inauguration are invited to visit and stay in Philadelphia, the nation's
birthplace and first capital, January 17-20, 2009. The four days of
festivities will include Obama's visit to the city on Saturday, January 17 ;
the world premiere of America I AM: The African American Imprint at the
National Constitution Center; special events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. at The African American Museum in Philadelphia; an outdoor screening of
the inauguration next to the Independence Visitor Center; and Inauguration Day
programming at Independence National Historical Park, where visitors can
witness a re-enactment of the first peaceful transfer of power between George
Washington and John Adams. Find more details at gophila.com/president and
phillyinauguration.com, or visit the Independence Visitor Center at 6th &
Market Streets.

Where To Stay:
Those planning a trip to Philadelphia can choose from the more than 30 hotels
in the city and region offering the popular Philly Overnight(R) Hotel Package,
a two-night offer that comes with hotel parking (up to a $75 value), a new
Philadelphia Privileges coupon book and a Philly's More Fun(R) teddy bear. The
package is bookable at gophila.com.

Discount Admission:
The Philly Presidential Pass provides visitors with a 10% discount at many
Historic Philadelphia retail shops, including the Independence Living History
Center, the Lights of Liberty Shop and the Betsy Ross House, among others. The
pass will be available at the Independence Visitor Center from January 16-20,
2009.

What To Do:
Here are some highlights of Philly's four-day inauguration celebration:

Saturday January 17, 2009:
-- President-elect Obama will be in Philadelphia, the first city on his
whistle-stop train tour to Washington, DC. He follows in the footsteps
of Abraham Lincoln, who made a Philadelphia appearance on his tour in
1861. Details of visit to be announced. pic2009.org
-- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Weekend make for an ideal
time to see America I AM: The African American Imprint, debuting on
January 15 in Philadelphia. The exhibition at the National
Constitution
Center, where Obama delivered his memorable speech on race in March
2008, celebrates the contributions of Africans and African-Americans
over nearly 500 years through artifacts, narration, music, art and
video. From the "Doors of No Return" that led captive Africans
on a journey to the Americas to the bench where King penned his
"Letter from a Birmingham Jail," this four-year traveling
show, conceived by radio and television personality Tavis Smiley,
shows
how Africans in America have impacted history. Runs through May 3,
2009.
525 Arch Street, (215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.org
-- The African American Museum in Philadelphia presents Voices of Peace,
a
collection of letters and spoken word by Mothers in Charge with
students
from Carson Valley School. 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380, ext. 229,
aampmuseum.org

Sunday, January 18, 2009:
-- The African American Museum in Philadelphia offers a full day of
activities in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The commemoration
service
features inspiring music from the Civil Rights movement and a
screening
of Martin Luther King Boulevard, a film that explores the U.S.
boulevards named after the reverend and what they signify. A book
discussion with Troy Jackson, author of Becoming King: Martin Luther,
rounds out the day. Commemoration service, 12:00 noon; film screening,
1:00-4:00 p.m.; book discussion, 3:00-5:00 p.m. 701 Arch Street, (215)
574-0380, ext. 229, aampmuseum.org

Monday, January 19, 2009 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day):
-- The African American Museum in Philadelphia presents Sharing the
Heritage! The day-long tribute to King includes storytelling and
performances by a youth orchestra, church choirs, praise dancers, a
jazz
ensemble and tap dancers. Festivities kick off at 11:00 a.m. with an
historical scavenger hunt and the showing of the film King. 701 Arch
Street, (215) 574-0380, ext. 229, aampmusuem.org

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (Inauguration Day):
-- Outside of the Independence Visitor Center -- a one-stop-shop for
museum
tickets, Philadelphia concierge services, Philly-style food, free
wireless Internet service and bathrooms -- a giant screen will project
the historic inauguration for all to see. And without the strict
Washington, DC rules regarding strollers, coolers and backpacks,
visitors can enjoy their stress-free viewing. For those who'd
rather not brave the colder temperatures, the center will have an
indoor
screening as well. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Lawn, between Market & Arch
Streets and 5th & 6th Streets; Center, 6th & Market Streets,
(800) 537-7676, independencevisitorcenter.com
-- What better way to spend Inauguration Day than by taking the Oath of
Office at the National Constitution Center? The museum will also host
special presidential activities throughout the day. Visitors can
discuss
the influence of King and the importance of Obama's The Audacity of
Hope book during From Revolution to Evolution. The Breaking Barriers
Show explores the lives of Thurgood Marshall, Bessie Coleman, Jackie
Robinson and other extraordinary African-Americans throughout history.
During the interactive Transfer of Powers program, guests take a
closer
look at moments when executive power was transferred. And, of course,
at
12:00 noon, all eyes will be glued to televisions throughout the
museum
to watch Barack Obama take office. Oath of Office, 10:00 a.m.-2:00
p.m.;
From Revolution to Evolution, 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.; Breaking
Barriers,
10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; Transfer of Powers, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
525 Arch Street, (215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.org
-- History buffs can witness the first peaceful transfer of power during
a
reenactment of John Adams' presidential inauguration in Congress
Hall, where the second president took the oath on March 4, 1797. Free,
but seating is limited. 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 6th & Chestnut
Streets, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde

For more information on these and other happenings, visit the attractions' Web
sites.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes
Philadelphia and The Countryside(R) 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 gophila.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

Cara Schneider, +1-215-599-0789, cara@gptmc.com, or Rachel Ferguson,
+1-215-599-2291, rachel@gptmc.com, both of Greater Philadelphia Tourism
Marketing Corporation