Courtesy Philadelphia CVB
Philadelphia
The arts scene continues in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia has more public art than any other American city, and with more than 3,000 murals painted on walls, Philadelphia is often referred to as the Mural Capital of the World.
“Thanks to our Mural Arts Program and those murals created by professional, staff and volunteer artists, our experiential mural arts tour is our most popular,” said Danielle Cohn, vice president of marketing communication for the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The tour can be customized with a trolley tour and even a step-on guide, and more than 35 murals are typically featured; they include building walls transformed with the images of heroes from Dr. J to Frank Sinatra, and landscapes to hope-inspiring scenes.
Love Letter, a public art project consisting of 50 rooftop murals along the Market Street corridor, can be viewed on a ride on the El train. This astounding collection is described as a love letter from a guy to a girl, from an artist to his hometown and from local residents to their west Philadelphia neighborhood. Guides point out the murals, provide color commentary and lead participants off the train to spot murals from train platforms.
“With our thriving arts community, our creative spirit shines and resonates with Philadelphia’s reputation of the home of freedom and democracy,” said Cohn. “The American dream is still here.”
Hershey and Harrisburg
Bank groups have enjoyed chocolate drops in Hershey since Milton Hershey created that treat for the masses more than 150 years ago. Today, visitors can observe the chocolate being made and craft their own sweet creations.
“Hershey’s Chocolate World is the most visited corporate/visitors center in the world,” said Rick Dunlap, director of communications for Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau. “You begin by taking a chocolate tour ride, a great introduction before you literally create your own candy bar.”
Dunlap described the hands-on activity as very accurate, complete with lab coats and hairnets.
“You add the ingredients of your choice, design your bar, watch each step in the process and ultimately receive your personalized, beautifully packaged masterpiece,” he said.
The venue also offers a tasting adventure, where experts offer an interactive discussion of chocolate. After tasting six different chocolates, participants receive an official master’s degree in chocolate tasting.
More instruction and yummy indulgences are offered at the The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue. “You experience how people have made their living as well as drinking warm chocolate samples from around the world,” said Dunlap.
A tour of this aromatic destination on the Hershey Trolley Tour, where fun-loving guides sing, entertain and tell the great story of Milton Hershey, is also a must.
Lancaster
Downtown Lancaster is in the midst of an arts boom — who knew?
“The word is getting out about the fact that we have a downtown at all and that it is historic yet hip, and an enticing contrast to the surrounding Amish countryside for which we’ve long been known,” said Joel Cliff, media relations manager for the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Artists of all sorts are now an integral part of our community.”
Established in 1730, the city that began as a trading post in the wilderness is now home to the Fulton Theatre, the oldest continuously operating theater in the country; the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra; three renowned art museums; the Ware Center, a performance arts venue; and a variety of hand-painted murals.
Cliff suggested that groups stroll the city’s streets to best experience the artistic ambiance. On the first Friday of the month, local artists at dozens of galleries, such as those along Prince Street, affectionately dubbed Gallery Row, extend their hours and host receptions. On North Queen Street, glass studios and chic shopping are on the itinerary.
“You won’t find such a breadth and diversity of quality arts anywhere else in a single downtown space in Pennsylvania between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh,” said Cliff.
