So during the day you followed the crowd to the Art Museum, the waterfront and to the local cheese steak shop, but now you’re looking for something unique and fun to do in the evening. Look no further! Keep reading to find out some information on a couple of great tours that will keep you interested and entertained as the sun goes down.

Tippler’s Tour

This tour takes you through colonial Philadelphia to visit some local pubs where you learn about our founding fathers and their favorite watering holes. Learns the songs and toasts of their day while walking in their footsteps.

Independence After Hours

This tour takes history to the next level. You are not only hearing about it, you are living it! The tour starts with dinner at City Tavern and continues when your guide takes you through Independence Hall after dark. Here you will find actors reenacting some of America’s most important scenes. 

These tours are brought to you by Historic Philadelphia. This is an organization that strives to bring history to life by operating tours and historic attractions in the City of Brotherly Love. They have created these tours geared toward those who want to extend their history lesson into the late night hours.

Hurry up and catch these gems before they go away for good!

Philadelphia has been lucky enough to get two great exhibits in town at the same time. The sad part is they’re both leaving at the end of May.

Spies, Traitors and Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America

This exhibit was created by the International Spy Museum and is at the National Constitution Center until Monday, May 30th.  It explores accounts of actual events and missions to keep America’s borders safe from attacks and foreign threats. Artifacts from throughout the country’s history are displayed to tell the story of the United States that many do not know about.  

This is a great way to indulge the spy and secret keeper in us all. Bring your family, friends, enemies….frenimies and maybe you’ll learn a trick or two to become the next 007.

http://constitutioncenter.org/

Leonardo da Vinci’s Workshop

The ideas of the great inventor, Leonardo da Vinci, come to life at his workshop located at the Franklin Institute until Sunday, May 29th. The inventions include contraptions for flying all the way up to devastating machines of war.

The audience can see his sketches and his notebooks at this exhibit along with interactive displays that will take you a little bit further into the mind of one of history’s greatest thinkers.  

http://www2.fi.edu/

Did you know that the Independent Hotel is actually a part of a larger family of hotels?  That’s right, we are proud to be a part of the Hersha Hospitality family, a group dedicated to making the world a little bit greener.

Hersha has launched a new Eco-friendly program called EarthView that is being followed by all of its hotels including yours truly. Read about it below or check out the website for more information:

EarthView is a program developed and implemented by the Hersha Group that is dedicated to fully integrated environmental and community policies that aim to make sustainable hospitality a genuine reality.  EarthView delivers environmental and conservation programs that positively impact a hotel operation’s bottom line while simultaneously improving the well-being of our guests, our employees, our communities, and our planet.

http://www.hersha.com/Earthview.asp

Along with reducing our energy intake and making recycling a priority, Hersha has found a new and unique way of reusing guest room amenities, that would have otherwise become waste, through an organization named Clean the World.

Clean the World is committed to reducing the waste created by discarded soap and shampoo products and collects these items from hotels to be recycled and distributed to domestic homeless shelters and impoverished people worldwide, helping to prevent deaths caused by hygiene-related illnesses. Clean the World Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) tax-exempt charitable organization. For more information visit: www.cleantheworld.org. Text CLEAN to 20222 to donate $10 to help Clean the World.

 And if that’s not enough to show our love for Mother Earth we even planted a tree earlier this week to help make the corner of 13th and Locust a little bit brighter. Nothing makes us happier than being able to give back to both our global and local communities.

If you’re looking for ways to be green during your stay at the Independent (or any hotel) here are a few suggestions:

• * Lower or turn off your thermostat when you leave the room
• * Request that the housekeepers forgo changing your sheets and towels everyday
• * Turn off the lights and your television when you leave the room
• * Recycle!! Use the recycling receptacles at your location to throw away bottles, cans and paper.

…and Time restaurant now has it!!  This local restaurant is opening its doors earlier than ever before (on Sunday) to offer their guests breakfast with a twist.

What’s the twist? Sweet, soulful, sinfully fabulous jazz music. That’s right, while your taste buds are being tantalized, your ears will be caressed by the smooth sounds of jazz.

The best part: YOU CAN SLEEP IN!!   Anyone who’s been out in Philly on a Saturday night knows there is no way they are waking up to catch brunch…you know, the one that’s only served until 12pm.  Thankfully Time thought of this as well; they are serving their brunch menu from 12pm until 4pm!!

Luckily for us Time is located only a couple of blocks away at 13th and Sansom Sts. So if you’re in the area, or just need a bloody mary to take the edge off from the night before, stop in for some jazz and brunch.

http://www.timerestaurant.net/

The United States was founded on the principles of liberty and equality, which is exactly why the Equality Forum takes place right here in Philadelphia, the birthplace of freedom.

This annual event attracts people from all over the world. They come to discuss current issues in the LGBT community and to enjoy the various events happening all over the City of Brotherly Love.

Check out their website for a schedule of events and more information.

http://www.equalityforum.com/

Close your eyes. (Well, maybe read first then, close your eyes) 

Ok, now imagine you’re in a park with the warm sun shining on your face and a cool breeze blowing through your hair. You can hear kids playing and smell the fragrance of a thousand blooming cherry blossoms.

Now open your eyes.

Disappointed?

Well,  you don’t have to be. This is closer than you think.

The Japanese American Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) is hosting the 2011 Suburu Cherry Blossom Festival between March 7th and April 15th. This annual celebration honors the continued friendship that the City of Philadelphia has with the Japanese government and the local community.

Along with an abundance of photo opportunities the festival will host Sakura Sunday. This family friendly affair features performances by Japanese dancers and musicians as well as activities for kids of all ages. It takes place on April 10th and costs only $5 for adults (kids under 14 are free). If you don’t want to fight traffic on the way down, take the train to center city and catch the festival shuttle bus from the Horticultural Center to Fairmount Park.

Lucky for you we have plenty of rooms left on Sunday, April 10th!

Check out the site below for more information.

http://jasgp.org/cherryblossomfestival/

OK, so going to every single event during the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) may be impossible, but wouldn’t it be great if you could?

This festival is definitely something to get excited about. Inspired by Paris in 1911, the PIFA strives to not only entertain but inspire others with over one hundred performances, exhibitions and lectures that will take place between April 7th and May 1st. Many are free, family friendly and spread throughout the region so there is no excuse to miss out.

The Kimmel Center is a “leading inspiration” for this festival and takes pride in hosting many of the performances as well as being right smack in the middle of the Parisian Street Fair to take place on April 30th. This fair will take you back to a time where art and culture were taking Paris by storm. It will take place on the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street between Chestnut & Lombard Sts) from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. This all day event will feature activities for kids, street performers and even a giant Ferris wheel!

For more information about tickets and events check out their website below;

http://www.pifa.org/

As many art lovers know, the Barnes Foundation (currently located in Merion, PA) is being moved to the City of Brotherly Love. While this has caused much controversy, the outcome will hopefully make up for any broken vows made to founder Dr. Barnes to keep the collection exactly how it is at the 12-acre estate it is now housed.

The new museum will be located near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  This is a convenient location for visitors who will be able to examine this extensive collection while also exploring the city. With an increase in visitor activity, the foundation should be able to raise enough money to continue its operation for future generations.

The architects chosen to design the new home for this famed collection have taken measures to ensure that the building will reflect its current home and the history behind the artwork and its founder. Below is an image of the proposed building. Groundbreaking took place in 2009 and construction is still underway. The building is hoped to be completed by the Winter of 2011.

Many agree that the artwork’s location and arrangement are what make it unique, interesting and valuable. This move should be a great study in not just art, but in architecture as well. Challenge yourself to consider how the space, arrangements and location alter your interpretations or understanding of this collection. Let’s make it interesting and take it one step further. Examine the collection at its current location in Merion, PA and then visit the new museum to see if your feelings have changed. It could be said that if your appreciation of the collection has remained the same then the architects did an excellent job and really captured the spirit of the Barnes estate.  

For more information on the Barnes Foundation go to their website below.

http://www.barnesfoundation.org/

If you’re a native of Philadelphia you know that springtime brings two things: baseball (Go Phils!) and the International Flower Show. Before the craziness of Phillies Phever sets in, let’s take some time to stop and smell the roses. No, literally…smell the roses. The long awaited arrival of spring is here in the form of the yearly flower show.

The Flower Show is as much of a tradition in Philadelphia as eating a cheesesteak or running up the art museum steps. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society takes on the challenge of bringing together some of the country’s most talented groups to create fantasitc and spectacular displays for people of all ages to enjoy. In this year’s show you’ll be amazed at the skill and imagination it took to create these tremendous pieces of art. This year’s theme is ‘Springtime in Paris’ and you will definatly feel like you’re in the City of Lights with a model of the Eiffel Tower and displays modeled after famous Monet paintings.

The Flower Show will take place at the convention center from March 6th-13th. Tickets are $25-28 and can be purchased online or at the box office.

Check out their website below for more information and to plan your visit.

http://www.theflowershow.com/home/index.html

Remember when our fearless governor, Ed Rendell, called us a “Nation of Wusses,” well the truth is, I have to agree. He’s right! Not only do we let the snow and cold keep us indoors, but we let it take away some of our most valued pastimes. For some it may be tossing around the old pigskin in the park, for others it may be long walks on the beach, for me it’s ICE CREAM!

Who the heck does Old Man Winter think he is?  We, as a Nation of NON-Wusses, should keep doing the things we love and show him who’s boss. Go ahead, do a polar bear swim or play football in the snow, but more importantly go to the Franklin Fountain for some sweet ice cream.  

Let’s stand together against his oppressive blasts of wind and snow and shout ”We shall be bullied NO MORE!” 

The Franklin Fountain isn’t just any ordinary ice cream shop…it is THE place to satisfy your sweet tooth. They have everything from specialty sodas and milkshakes to sundaes and pastries. The vintage decor and ice cream shoppe/soda fountain antiques will take you back to a time when the soda jerks (not jocks) got all the ladies.

The brilliant minds at the Franklin Fountain are aware that some of you may not be willing to embrace your inner rebel and stand against the Winter oppressor so they provided a winter menu filled with warm drinks like apple cider and hot chocolate.

Check out the site below for more information and consider this as your new dessert place next time your in town. 

http://www.franklinfountain.com/index.php

Valentine’s Day is coming faster than a speeding freight train and right now you’re probably hitting yourself in the head because you didn’t made plans yet.

Never fear…the Independent Hotel is here! 

We still have rooms available for the weekends before and after V-day and would be more than happy to put one aside for you and your sweetheart. If you want to spice things up a bit just book the Romance Package and we will set up a bottle of wine and an assorted cheese plate in your room.

If you’re still clueless as to what to do on your romantic getaway, we got you covered. Well, actually visityphilly.com has you covered. Check out the link below for the Top Five Romantic Date ideas in Philly. Also, if you’re just in the mood for a cold brew and a relaxed atmosphere check out Philly’s oldest bar, McGillan’s Ale House, they have a special Valentine’s Day menu and new drinks for the holiday.

So if you’re not a part of the “Valentine’s Day hate group,” grab someone you love and head to Philly for a unique Valentine’s Day experience. We hope to see you soon.

http://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/top-five-romantic-dates-for-valentines-day-weekend/

http://www.mcgillins.com/events.htm

This (see above) can happen to you if you keep feeding your stomach orange cheese puffs and greasy cheese pizza.

Yup, that’s right your stomach will grow its own mouth (and possibly its own limbs) so it can take itself out to get some quality cuisine.

At first this may not seem like such a bad thing. ‘This is great! I don’t have to think about what I’m going to eat next, my stomach will just do it on it’s own.’ However, when people start pointing and laughing at the guy with a mouth for a stomach, it will be a sad and pathetic scene.

So don’t be just another statistic, go out and feed your stomach some of the best food in the city during Philadelphia’s Restaurant Week. 

During these two weeks, restaurants from all over the city will offer special three-course dinner menu at $35 (and lunch at $20).

When: January 16-21 & 23-28

Where: 100+ restaurants in Philadelphia

What do I do: Make your reservations NOW to partake in restaurant week

For more information visit Center City District’s website:

http://www.centercityphila.org/life/RestaurantWeek.php

Chef Georges Perrier has been providing Philadelphia with some serious bragging rights when it comes to the best French food in the country. So, when he announced in April that he would be closing his landmark restaurant, Le Bec-Fin,  you can imagine the reaction of his loyal patrons. Let’s just say they didn’t take it too well.

He received pleas from people around the world to keep the famed restaurant open and an offer from his Executive Chef, Nicholas Elmi to help take the reins and keep the doors open for many more years to come.

In ringing in the New Year, this is exactly the news he shared with his guests. He announced that Chef Elmi would become his business partner to take Le Bec-Fin into a new era of innovative French cuisine and that he would be opening a new estatblishment called the Art of Bread, a bakery in Narberth, PA. What a way to start 2011!

So, to all you foodies out there…breathe…everything is going to be OK.

The Art of Bread will be opening in the Spring of 2011.

920 Montgomery Avenue, Narberth, PA

Le Bec-Fin is located at 1523 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

http://www.lebecfin.com/

So it’s 2011 and you’ve made yourself a resolution…to get into shape. However, you’ve made the same resolution every year since college, but give up on it every time you go out of town.

While any disruption in your normal routine may have been a good enough excuse to stop working out in the past, this year it’s not. We at the Independent are here to help you with your resolution and to make sure you keep sweating (in a good, muscle burning sorta way).

Ha! and you thought we only had comfy beds to offer.  

Yes, we are a small, 24-room, boutique hotel, but we sure as hell pack a punch when it comes to providing our guests with the best source of physical fitness Philadelphia has to offer…the 12th Street Gym.   Guest passes to this world class facility are available to each of our guests during their stay. They offer group fitness classes, a swimming pool and equipment for individual training, so that anyone can work out no matter their exercise regimen.

After you work up an appetite head on over to Fuel Restaurant at 1225 Walnut St.  Everything on the menu is under 500 calories! It almost seems too good to be true, but it’s not.

Now it looks like you have no more excuses to drop your workout routine the next time your in Philly. Your bathroom scale will thank us.  

http://www.12streetgym.com/

http://www.fuelphilly.com/centercity/

Whether it’s your mother-in-law, cousins or friends from out of town the holidays can only mean one thing…house guests. Even though they eat all of your food and leave hair in the bathtub you still want them around because you’re the sentimental type. Thankfully you live in a city with plenty of hotels, one of which feels like a home away from home. That’s right you guessed it, The Independent.

We are right in the heart of center city and within walking distance of some great shops, restaurants and entertainment. You can pick them up from the airport and drop them off here without ever feeling guilty. Don’t worry your pretty little head, we’ll take good care of them.

The holidays are stressful enough without having a distant relative claiming your sofa for his own. So be good to yourself this holiday season and send your guests to the Independent. You’ll be glad you did, and they will be too.

We are so glad that Philadelphia is gaining more and more recognition as one of the best cities for gay travel. Windy City Media Group has even attested to it. The author, Kate Sosin, visited some of the cities hot spots for the LGBT community and had some great things to say.

We were even mentioned! That’s right your very own Independent Hotel, famous in Chi-town (well, almost).

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=29829

Do you constantly find yourself thinking about rolling green hills, tweed jackets and the finest whiskey in the world? Are you looking to be taken on a fantastic journey by some of the greatest story tellers in Philadelphia? Then it sounds to me like you need to check out the Philadelphia Irish Theatre Festival.

Local theatre companies will be presenting eight different plays between December 2010 and May 2011. These plays, written by Irish playwrights, explore the lives of people experiencing great joy, struggle and triumph. Some plays display Ireland at different times throughout it’s history and others explore the relationships between friends, family and community.

To find out more about the festival and to buy tickets visit the Greater Philadelphia Theatre Alliance’s website.

http://www.theatrealliance.org/irish-theatre-mixtix

And did you know that we are located right in the heart of the city and near many of Philadelphia’s great theatres? Call us to book your room today.

It’s tough out there, the economy is in the toliet and you’ve learned to cope with it.  You’ve been cutting out the lattes, carpooling to work and even convinced your family that a “staycation” is just as fun as the vacations you’ve had in the past.

Well, no more! The wonderful people at Wanderlust Women’s Travel wrote an article about our fine city; Frugal Friday in Phillly for Big City Fun on a Budget. And guess what…they mentioned us!

Check out their website for some great travel tips and things to do in the City of Brotherly Love when you’re on a budget.

http://wanderlustwomentravel.com/2010/12/frugal-friday-philadelphia-on-a-budget/

Don’t worry, it happens to everyone. You get so wrapped up in holiday planning, shopping and cooking the Christmas ham that you forget the most fun holiday of them all….New Years Eve!!

Leaving the planning for this holiday to the last minute could give you a rough start to the new year. Virtually every bar and club in the city is having some sort of party so there will be no shortage of places to have a celebratory drink. And after a night of drinking and confetti throwing most of these people will stay overnight (thank you responsible drinkers). Which is great, except you didn’t book your room yet and we are almost sold out.

I know you’re already looking for your phones to call so here’s our number: 215.772.1440. And guess what? Since we are in such festive spirits we are offering a late checkout (1pm) so you can catch up on some much needed sleep before heading back home.  We look forward to seeing you and Happy Holidays!

You do your own taxes, and even change the oil in your own car, so why let someone else take you on a scripted tour? The good news is: you don’t have to!

The Fairmount Park Art Association has put together a Museum Without Walls audio tour for visitors and locals alike. This tour allows you to access audio commentary through a variety of mediums so that you can create and partake in your very own public art tour.

Philadelphia is widely recognized as having the largest collection of public art, which can be seen in the form of sculptures, statues and murals scattered throughout the city. The Museum Without Walls program gives you the location and background on each of the pieces through commentary provided by people who share a connection with the work of art.  

Creating your own tour and soaking in some scenery along the way doesn’t sound like a bad way to spend a day in Philly. It’s definitely something to consider if you’re the type that likes to march to the beat of your own drum.

http://museumwithoutwallsaudio.org/