Philadelphia named among top 2017 travel destinations by Travel + Leisure

Another day, another accolade recognizing Philadelphia’s world-class restaurants, nightlife, history and culture.

Travel + Leisure magazine recognized the city on its “50 Best Places to Travel in 2017” list, joining the ranks of international destinations like Helsinki, Jerusalem and Turin, Italy. Philly was the only East Coast city to join the premiere list.

Philadelphia – a selection which Travel + Leisure editors said might surprise readers – earned a spot on the list, in part, because its high-profile events. Pope Francis visited in 2015, and subsequently inducted it as the first World Heritage City in the U.S., and the Democratic National Convention took over this past summer.

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“The young population here is growing at a faster rate than any other major city, and tidy residential neighborhoods like East Passyunk are being diversified,” T+L’s Adam Erace wrote. “Here, the old guard sipping homemade limoncello at the Sicilian social club shares sidewalk seating with the double-IPA enthusiasts at the craft-beer boutique next door, while across the street, two young female sommeliers have put together thrilling lists of skin-fermented Malvasia, Breton cider, and quirky Canary Island reds at hot spots Townsend and ITV.

“Around the corner, the succulent slow-cooked lamb tacos at South Philly Barbacoa come with a side of social justice: owners Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller are staunch activists for undocumented workers’ rights (Martinez is open about her own undocumented status). And the new mayor is on their side as well—he’s fighting to protect Philly as a sanctuary city.”

Praise for the city has been flowing in recent years. In 2014, the New York Times ranked Philly No. 3 on its list of the 52 best places to visit. Last year, Fodor’s Travel pinpointed the city as a must-visit on its Go List 2016. Earlier this year, Lonely Planet declared Philadelphia the best place to visit in the country.