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(Clockwise from bottom left) Big Cat Falls at the Philadelphia Zoo; the Carousel at Please Touch Museum®; and playing at Smith Playground. (Photos by B. Krist, courtesy of Please Touch Museum® and by R. Kennedy)

Happy Thanksgiving! For our final Giving Thanks post, we’re reflecting on Philadelphia, the kids’ play place. Many of the uwishunu staff grew up in the Philadelphia region, and our childhoods were spent touring Independence Hall, climbing through the Franklin Institute’s Giant Heart exhibit and going to Phillies games at the Vet. Now, as adults, we’re so happy to represent this city we grew up in. Thanks for everything, Philly!

Dear Pint-Size Philly Lovers,

This is the perfect place for kids. With big playgrounds, colorful carousels and fun activities, you won’t even mind hanging out with your brother all day.

1. Boys and girls love sliding down Smith Memorial Playground’s Giant Wooden Slide. The legendary 10-foot-high, 13-foot-wide and 39-foot-long masterpiece — now all spiffed up after a multi-million dollar restoration — has been entertaining kids for more than 100 years.

2. Carousels are making a comeback. Riders of all ages go ’round and ’round at Franklin Square, Peddler’s Village, Please Touch Museum^®, Philadelphia Zoo and Sesame Place.

3. In its new restored Memorial Hall location, Please Touch Museum^® features 38,000 square feet of hands-on fun in six themed areas.

(From left) Fall fun at Franklin Square; and going for a ride at Sesame Place. (Photos by G. Widman and R. Kennedy)

4. Dream Travel named Franklin Square on its list of “The Best Playgrounds in the United States” in 2008.

5. Sesame Place is the only attraction in the nation based on the popular PBS children’s show.

6. Not only is the Philadelphia Zoo the nation’s first, it was also the first American zoo to open a special area just for young animal lovers. At the Children’s Zoo, kids get up close and personal (safely, of course) with dozens of small animals.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]

(Clockwise from bottom left) Philly Beer Week, Sunoco Welcome America! on the Fourth of July; and the Philadelphia International Flower Show. (Photos by G. Widman and J. Smith)

With tomorrow being Thanksgiving, we’ve all been reflecting on those large-scale events that grace Philadelphia every year. From the ridiculous (Wing Bowl, anyone?) to the sacred (the only-in-Philly Mummers Parade), these events keep our calendars full and Philadelphia’s traditions going — and all of us celebrating, year after year.

Dear Organized-Event-Goers,

Sparkling Mummers. A gardening mecca. A week of beer. Music galore. Fun annual events and festivals give reasons to visit all year long.

1. Thanksgiving Day Parades are a national staple, but the oldest (and might we say, most festive) takes place in Philadelphia, a tradition dating back to 1920.

2. While the tradition dates back to the 1700s, the first official Mummers Parade was held on New Year’s Day 1901. Every January 1, thousands of Mummers in four divisions — Comic, Fancy, String Bands and Fancy Brigades — strut up Broad Street as tens of thousands of cheering spectators keep warm with hot drinks and warm soft pretzels.

3. The Philadelphia International Flower Show, the world’s largest indoor flower show, blooms every March.

4. Founded in 1962, The Philadelphia Antiques Show is one of the longest-running antiques shows in the country and is internationally acclaimed as the premier American antiques and decorative arts show.

5. PrideFest began in 1993 and has grown to an international week-long event. Now known as Equality Forum, the gay and lesbian event occurs every May and features dozens of substantive programs and more than a few fabulous parties.

6. The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, taking place in late spring, is the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse competition.

(From left) Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Mummers Parade on New Year's Day. (Photos by J. McWilliams for the PCVB and R. Kennedy)

7. In June, Philly Beer Week celebrates and highlights the region’s local breweries with more than 290 different suds-related activities.

8. Every June 16 — also known as Bloomsday — fans of James Joyce gather on Delancey Place as local celebs stage a day-long reading of his classic Ulysses.

9. Thousands of people enjoy music, crafts, artistic performances and the procession to the Schuylkill River during the June Odunde African-American Festival Weekend, one of the oldest and largest festivals celebrating African culture.

10. Philadelphia’s Sunoco Welcome America! Fourth of July festival hosts the nation’s largest free outdoor concert.

11. Every weekend throughout the summer, Penn’s Landing hosts free international festivals featuring food, crafts and entertainment.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]

(Clockwise from bottom left) Fishing in front of the Water Works and the Art Museum; the Northbook Canoe Company; and Chamounix Equestrian Center. (Photos by R. Nowitz, B. Krist and R. Kennedy)

Oh, how we love Philadelphia’s wide open spaces! Biking, fishing, canoeing, horse-back riding, jogging and, of course, lots of walking (Philly’s awfully walkable) keep us fit, while the fresh air blows freely all year long. We’re thankful that we can be country boys and girls — within city limits.

Dear Outdoor Enthusiast,

Get your run, bike or blade on here. We have green space aplenty, and the residents here constantly sport that fresh, outdoorsy scent.

1. In 2009, Prevention magazine, the American Podiatric Medical Association and Sperling’s Best Places ranked Philadelphia fourth in its survey entitled “Top 10 Walking Cities.”

2. The Schuylkill River Trail provides 25 miles of uninterrupted, partially paved trails from Center City to Montgomery County. It’s perfect for biking, walking or running.

3. Fairmount Park is the nation’s largest municipal park — yes, even bigger than New York’s Central Park — and features 9,200 lush acres and 215 miles of jogging trails.

(From left) Disc golf at Fairmount Park; biking along the Schuylkill River Trail. (Photos by G. Widman and R. Kennedy)

4. Art isn’t the only thing visitors find at The Barnes Foundation. Outside, the gardens and arboreta bloom with 3,000 species, including the exotic Monkey Puzzle Tree, Heavenly Bamboo and Southern Magnolia. And more than 10,000 rare and unusual species are nurtured in the Herbarium.

5. Cyclists can ride along Philly’s more than 205 miles of bike lanes and trails.

6. Inside Washington Square, picnickers can find a tree that got an unusual start. Planted in 1975, the sycamore’s seed went to the moon and back on the Apollo XIV mission.

7. Historic Bartram’s Garden is not only the nation’s oldest botanical garden, but also home to the oldest Gingko tree in the country.

8. With its own river otter and 37 different species of fish, the Schuylkill River is a popular spot for anglers.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]

(Clockwise from bottom left) Laurel Hill, a cemetery with a pedigree; the Mütter Museum; and a performance by the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. (Photos courtesy of Laurel Hill Cemetery, B. Krist and phillyfunguide.com)

What does “normal” mean, anyway? In Philadelphia, you’re free to explore whatever kooky interest your heart desires — and we’ve got the historical facts to back it up. Philadelphia, thanks for encouraging us to fly our freak flags.

Dear People Who Like Strange Things,

We totally get you. In fact, we have tons of quirky and cool characteristics too.

1.   Philadelphia holds some off-the-beaten-path museums. The Mütter Museum features medical curiosities; The Insectarium devotes its space to creepy crawlers; the Weaver Historical Dental Museum covers all-things mouth-related; and the Temple University School of Podiatry Shoe Museum displays a shoe collection that rivals Carrie Bradshaw’s.

2.   A pre-Super Bowl ritual, the Wing Bowl entertains, feeds and astounds more than 20,000 people. Amateur speed eaters race to see who can gobble the most chicken wings in a set period of time.

3.   Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829 with central heating, running water and flush toilets—amenities that the White House didn’t have. The prison housed gangster Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton.

Peek into Al Capone's cell at Eastern State Penitentiary - it's still decorated as Al left it. (Photo by K. Ciappa)

4.   The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts provides proper training for trains those who dream of running away to join the circus. Students learn how to fly on a trapeze, juggle, ride a unicycle and more.

5.   And speaking of clowns: The Stoogeum in Lower Gwynedd is the world’s first and only museum of Three Stooges memorabilia.

6.   The world’s only full-size statue of Charles Dickens resides in University City’s Clark Park. Peering up at him is one of his most famous fictional characters, Little Nell.

7.   Historic Mount Laurel Hill Cemetery’s “Millionaire’s Row” comprises elaborate mausoleums that serve as the final resting places for some of Philadelphia’s most prominent 19th-century citizens. Among the Victorian-era cemetery’s occupants are Civil War General Meade, six Titanic victims and names like Rittenhouse and Strawbridge.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]

(Clockwise from bottom left) The Spectrum, the iconic home of the 76ers; the Phillies celebrate their 2008 World Series victory; and The Legendary Blue Horizon. (Photos courtesy of the Philadelphia 76ers, by R. Kennedy and by G. Widman)

It’s no secret that, for some many most Philadelphians, the city’s sports teams are a legitimate reason to get up in the morning. It’s a testament to our loyalty that 25+ trophy-less years didn’t get us down too much — but now that teams like the Phillies are serious title contenders, our “We’re #1!” foam fingers are raised higher than ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Dear Philly Sports Fan,

You guys are everywhere. Here are some grand-slam stats to throw out at the game.

1.   Sports fans can always find a big game in Philadelphia, home to eight professional sports teams: Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Philadelphia Union (Major League Soccer), Philadelphia Independence (Women’s Professional Soccer), Philadelphia KIXX (Major Indoor Soccer League) and Philadelphia Wings (National Lacrosse League).

2.   Philadelphia’s newest soccer teams, the Philadelphia Union and the Philadelphia Independence, kick off their first seasons in 2010 at the 18,500-seat Chester Stadium located along the Delaware River.

3. The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series in 1980 and again in 2008.

4.   For three years in a row (2006-2008), PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ranked Citizens Bank Park number one on its “Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Ballparks” list.

5.   Philadelphia’s Penn Relays is the oldest and largest amateur field relay.

(Clockwise from bottom left) The Flyers' Danny Briere; Citizens Bank Park; and soccer fans, excited for the debut of the Philadelphia Union. (Photos courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers, by G. Widman and courtesy of Major League Soccer)

6.   On March 2, 1962, legendary Sixer Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single basketball game, an all-time record that nobody has been able to touch.

7.   The Ring magazine called The Legendary Blue Horizon boxing hall the best boxing venue in the world.

8.   In 2008, football fans from all over voted Philadelphia number one in FOX Sports’ poll of “NFL’s Top 10 Fan Bases.”

9.   The Philadelphia Flyers played an exhibition game against Moscow’s legendary Red Army club on January 11, 1976. The Flyers controlled virtually every facet of the game and won 4-1, proving that they were the best team in the world.

10.   Forbes named the furry green Phillie Phanatic America’s top sports mascot in 2008. (Maybe it was good luck!)

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]

(Clockwise from bottom left) Seurat's Models, on view at The Barnes Foundation; Rodin's The Thinker outside the Rodin Museum; and the National Constitution Center. (Images: Georges Seurat, Models 1886-88, 78 1/4 x 98 3/8”, © The Barnes Foundation. Photograph reproduced with the permission of The Barnes Foundation, All Rights Reserved; by J. Smith; and by G. Widman)

It’s true what they say: Philadelphia has arts out the wazoo…not to mention museums, sculptures and theaters. We’re thankful to be able to view a Picasso in one direction, Italian sports cars the next and an avant-garde performance just a few blocks from home. A little culture? Please, and thank you.

Dear Culture Vultures,

Drop these facts next time you’re stretching your legs at intermission.

1.  Philly is the mural capital of the world, boasting more than 3,000 indoor and outdoor murals created by the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.

2.  The oldest continuously operating theater in the nation, the Walnut Street Theatre was the first theater to install gas footlights and air conditioning.

3.  The Rodin Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway houses the largest collection of Rodin’s works outside of Paris.

4.  100 theater companies and even more museums reside in Philadelphia.

5.  Three generations of the Calder family left their mark on Philadelphia: Alexander Milne Calder created the William Penn statue perched on City Hall; his son Alexander Stirling Calder designed the Swann Fountain on Logan Circle; and grandson Alexander Calder’s mobiles grace the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

(From left) A larger-than-life mural of Frank Sinatra; and Swann Fountain in Logan Square. (Photos by G. Widman)

6.  Exhibitions, recordings and personal items pack the small Paul Robeson House, the home of the athlete, scholar, singer, actor and social activist.

7.  Founded in 1812 as the nation’s oldest natural history institution, The Academy of Natural Sciences displayed the first and most complete dinosaur skeleton ever discovered in 1858 — and it’s still on view today.

8.  In 1824, The Franklin Institute Science Museum was established as the first professional organization of mechanical engineers and professional draftsmen in the United States.

9.  Designed by Maxfield Parrish and produced by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Dream Garden, which includes more than 100,000 pieces of stained glass, is on display inside the Curtis Center near Independence Mall.

10.  The Brandywine River Museum features works by three generations of Wyeths, including N.C. Wyeth’s Treasure Island paintings, Andrew Wyeth’s Snow Hill and Jamie Wyeth’s Portrait of a Pig.

11.  The National Constitution Center holds the distinction of being the world’s only institution dedicated to the U.S. Constitution.

12.  Freedom Theater, founded in 1966, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest African-American theater companies.

13.  The Philadelphia Museum of Art holds — and occasionally displays — the wedding gown of Philadelphia-born Grace Kelly inside its 225,000-piece collection.

(Clockwise from bottom left) The new Perelman Building at the Philadelphia Museum of Art; a classic Alfa Romero at the Simeon Foundation Museum; and Taller Puertorriqueno. (Photos by G. Widman, courtesy of the Simeone Foundation and by R. Kennedy)

14.  Mummy fans can find one of the world’s great collections of Egyptian treasures at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, which houses the third-largest sphinx in the world and more than one million other objects.

15.  The Walk of Fame, comprising the 106 brass plaques embedded into the sidewalk along the Avenue of the Arts, honors musicians with a Philadelphia connection.

16.  Taller Puertorriqueño was the first Latino organization in the state to receive the Governor’s Award for the Arts.

17.  Albert Barnes’ internationally acclaimed art collection, displayed at The Barnes Foundation, is widely considered among the most extensive of French Impressionism — even compared to Paris. It houses 181 Renoir works, the largest amount of works by the Impressionist icon in the world.

18.  Philly music masters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff‘s smooth sound and socially conscious lyrics paid off with 175 gold and platinum albums and 80 number-one pop singles.

19. Opened in 2008, the Simeone Foundation Museum houses 60 classic and antique racecars, chronicling more than 100 years of automobile history in its world-class collection.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]

(Clockwise from bottom left) Magill Library at Haverford College; a recreation of Robert Indiana's LOVE statue on Penn's campus; and Milkboy Coffee, a popular study spot for Main Line students. (Photos by R. Kennedy, K. Ciappa and G. Widman)

Did you know that many of us at uwishunu went to college and/or graduate school in Greater Philadelphia? Our diplomas read: Arcadia, Drexel, Haverford, Moore, the University of Pennsylvania, St. Joseph’s, Temple and Villanova. (Phew! That’s a lot of homework.) And are we ever thankful for the education we received here — both in the classroom and in the city. Graduation caps off to ya, Philly.

Dear Teachers,

Pop quiz! Where’s the best place to reach for higher education?

1.  With more than 80 colleges and universities in the region, Philadelphia is “One Big Campus.”

2.  More than 360,000 students are enrolled in higher education programs here.

3.  In addition to the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, three more of the nation’s top 25 liberal arts colleges, as named by U.S. News & World Report, are in the Philadelphia region: Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College and Swarthmore College.

4.  One out of every six doctors trained in Philadelphia.

5.  Each year, Philadelphia-area institutions of higher learning award more than 55,000 degrees.

(From left) College students at the 2008 POPPED! Music Festival on Drexel's campus; and the beautiful Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College. (Photos by M. Kennedy and R. Kennedy)

6.  Philadelphia’s Free Library system catalogues more than seven million items, including magazines, research materials, videos, art, music, films and, of course, books.

7.  In 2008, The Wall Street Journal article entitled “And the Best Executive M.B.A. Programs Are…” rated The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School second in the nation.

8.  With more than 1,000 students, the Drexel University College of Medicine is the largest private medical school in the nation.

9.  The region ranks third in the country for the number of health profession and related degrees conferred.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]

(Clockwise from bottom left) The Rittenhouse Hotel; the Loews Philadelphia Hotel; and the pool at the Doubletree. (Photos by G. Widman and courtesy of the Loews and the Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia)

We love when friends and family come to visit us in Philadelphia, but when a pull-out couch won’t do, we kindly guide them towards Philadelphia’s hotels. And thanks to these pillars of hospitality, our loved ones keep coming back. So as we approach Thanksgiving — when we’ll be counting on them the most — we salute Philadelphia’s hotels.

Dear Room Service Junkies,

With everything from AAA Five Diamonds to pet services, our hotels have more than mini shampoo bottles. (Don’t worry — we have those too.)

1. The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia has earned the prestigious AAA Five Diamond status for 25 consecutive years.

2. The Rittenhouse Hotel and Condominiums have kept their Five Diamond title for 18 consecutive years.

3. For the last nine years, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia has earned AAA’s Five Diamond honors.

4. For the Travel + Leisure “World’s Best Awards” issue, voters consistently rank The Rittenhouse Hotel and the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia in the list of the “Top 100 Hotels: Continental U.S. and Canada.”

The Chairman Suite at the Rittenhouse Hotel. (Photo courtesy of the Rittenhoues Hotel)

5. Philly even welcomes pets. Animal Fair Magazine gave Philly its “Five Bone” award for being the nation’s most pet-friendly destination.

6. Philadelphia welcomed its first Kimpton Hotel — Hotel Palomar — earlier this fall. Square 1682, the hotel’s restaurant, is the Kimpton chain’s first LEED-registered restaurant.

7. The Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, available at 35+ Center City hotels, includes free hotel parking, a stuffed teddy bear and special deals at area restaurants, shops and attractions.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]

(Clockwise from bottom left) The Phillies go green at Citizens Bank Park; fresh tomatoes at Headhouse Square's farmers' market; and a guestroom at the eco-friendly Four Seasons. (Photos by G. Widman and M. McClellan and courtesy of the Four Seasons Philadelphia)

Sustainable food, green buildings and energy-efficient stadiums: Such are the results of Philadelphia’s eco-friendly efforts. How do we measure our thankfulness — in LEED certifications? Locally sourced menus? How about recycling bins? We’ll just give Philadelphia two (green) thumbs up.

Dear Tree Huggers,

Squeeze away. From locals who buy farm-fresh grub to jocks who plant trees, Philadelphians are crazy green.

1. Throughout the city, locals can pick up fresh-from-the-farm fruits and veggies at more than three dozen farmers markets.

2. Philadelphia is home to the state’s largest building with green roof technology added to an existing structure in an urban area — PECO’s headquarters at 23rd and Market Streets.

3. In addition to the small preserved wetland that lives outside Horticultural Hall in Fairmount Park, inside the center preserves more than 20 acres of majestic trees, some of which date back to the Centennial celebration of 1876.

4. The Comcast Center is the biggest example of environmentalism in Philadelphia — literally. The tallest building between New York and Chicago, the 57-story Comcast Center also boasts the designation of the tallest “green” building in the country.

5. Greensgrow Farmstead runs an urban farm and garden center on a former abandoned lot in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

6. Located in Fishtown, the 100K House proves it’s possible to build an affordable home that satisfies the designer and the environmentalist in everyone.

(From left) The Comcast Center, the country's tallest "green" building; and Greensgrow Farmstead in Kensington. (Photos by J. Holder and M. van Ogtrop)

7. Managers at White Dog Cafe support local organic family farms and purchase supplies from them in season. Wind power supplies the restaurant’s electricity, and White Dog commits a portion of its profits to the region’s environment.

8. To offset the carbon footprint of the team’s utility power usage at Citizens Bank Park, the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies purchased 20 million kilowatt-hours of Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

9. Once an overgrown, abandoned lot, The Village of Arts and Humanities has been transformed into a thriving center that combines the outdoors, the arts and education.

10. In the 2009 Nalgene Least Wasteful City Study, Philadelphia came in third for recycling, third for avoiding using the car for trips and sixth for participating in sustainability/environmental programs.

11. For the Philadelphia Eagles, green is more than a team color. In 2008, the team planted more than 1,500 trees and shrubs in the Eagles Forest at Neshaminy State Park to offset the team’s carbon emissions from away-game travel.

12. Through a series of efficiency and lighting upgrades, the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia significantly reduced its overall energy consumption, while leftover food from its award-winning restaurants (including the Five-Star Fountain Restaurant) is recycled at a local composting farm.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]

(Clockwise from bottom left) Toasting at BYOB Marigold; a guest room at the Sofitel; and the Kimmel Center. (Photos courtesy of uwishunu and the Sofitel and by B. Krist)

Oh, money. What a pain you can be. Thankfully, Philadelphia is aware that you don’t grow on trees and offers money-saving deals and discounts at museums, theaters, hotels and restaurants. We speak for our wallets when we say, “Thanks, Philly!”

Dear Coupon Clippers,

No need in Philadelphia. There are tons of ways to have a great time in Philly without breaking the bank.

1. Subscribers to phillyfunguide.com save on tickets to dozens of arts and cultural events.

2. The more than 200 BYOB (bring-your-own-bottle) restaurants save customers money on your dinner tab.

3. On the first Sunday of the month, visitors to the Philadelphia Museum of Art simply donate what they wish for their entrance fee.

4. Museum Week, held in the spring, offers special discounts and savings to more than 50 museums around the region.

5. Center City District’s Restaurant Week keeps prices low — $35 per person not including alcohol, tax and gratuity — with specialty prix-fixe menus at top-notch eateries.

(Clockwise from bottom left) Pork belly buns at Restaurant Week favorite Chifa; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, offering specials during Museum Week; and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Photos courtesy of Chifa, by G. Widman and by B. Krist)

6. The two-night Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, complete with free hotel parking and a coupon book, is available all year long at dozens of hotels.

7. At the Walnut Street Theatre, play-goers who reserve one of the 22 full-view seats in Row R in the Upper Mezzanine catch the show for only $10.

8. Those in the know line up at the Kimmel Center at 5:30 p.m. to score one of the $10 tickets for Kimmel Center Presents shows.

9. Families can get around easily and save money with a Family Day Pass for the purple Phlash trolley, which stops at 27 locations and attractions around town from May through October. For only $10, two adults and two children can hop on and off all day. (Individual day passes cost just $5.)

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]