Valentine’s Day was nice, but one day just isn’t going to cut it

Philly has always been known as the City of Brotherly Love, but this month, it’s full of more love than ever before.

This past Valentine’s Day, Visit Philadelphia transformed a stretch of 18th Street in Rittenhouse Square with massive red and pink balloon garland installations above the outdoor dining structures, turning the area into the ultimate romantic setting. If you strolled by the picturesque part of the city, you may have caught glimpses of the diners and restaurant workers under the glow the pop-up romantic venue, some of whom won big. 

According to a release, Visit Philadelphia’s Get A Room Giveaway aims to extend the love and romance of Valentine’s Day well beyond Feb. 14, encouraging bookings for future hotel stays as the tourism industry begins its COVID-19 recovery. Some were surprised with the giveaway last night while dining, and others will also be awarded, as the giveaway will go on through Feb. 28. The extension comes through a partnership with Metro Philadelphia and Visit Philadelphia and in total, 100 people will win big. 

This is a much-needed escape, as reported by the U.S. Travel Association, 69% of travelers are focused on finding a change of scenery in 2021, and what better way to do just that then by traveling to a city rich in culture, food and romance. 

“Visit Philadelphia is bringing fun and happiness to the most romantic day of the year,” said Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia in a statement. “Our Get A Room Giveaway is part of our #OurTurnToTourist marketing campaign to encourage people to enjoy day and overnight visits to Greater Philadelphia.”

The package includes free hotel parking— which is worth up to $100 in Center City—plus a way to purchase buy-one-get-one-free tickets at the Independence Visitor Center for nearly 20 of Philly’s iconic museums and attractions including the Adventure Aquarium, The Franklin Institute, Penn Museum, Philadelphia Zoo, The Barnes Foundation and more. 

According to Visit Philadelphia, our city is ending the year just as it started it: with outstanding national press coverage. The latest triumph comes in the January/February issue of ‘Condé Nast Traveler’, featuring Philadelphia as one of only eight places in its “The Best Destinations in the Word: The 2021 Gold List.” This great coverage comes on the heels of a nine-page story in ‘Travel + Leisure’s’ December issue highlighting the diversity and creativity fueling the city’s neighborhoods and ‘Esquire’s’ “Best New Restaurants in 2020” list in which Philadelphia received multiple recognitions. The year began with Philadelphia as the only U.S. city on ‘National Geographic Travel’s’ annual “Best Trips” list.

Participating hotels for this specific promotion with Metro and Visit Philadelphia include Canopy Philadelphia Center City, DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City, Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia, The Inn at Penn, Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, Le Méridien Philadelphia, Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, Warwick Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia and The Westin Philadelphia. Participating restaurants include a.kitchen, Bar Bombón, The Dandelion, The Love, Tria and HipCityVeg. 

“Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is so pleased to be included in this Valentine’s Day offer, and the staff is energized about extending hospitality to visitors as they return,” said General Manager, Carol Watson in a statement. “While aspects of travel have changed and safety is more at the forefront than ever, travel is still an escape for visitors and we’ll do our part to make sure guests have a carefree time in Philadelphia. 2021 will be the year leisure visitors return and we’re ready.”

Now through Feb. 28, you can enter Metro Philadelphia and Visit Philadelphia’s Get A Room Giveaway for your chance to win a Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package, complete with overnight accommodations, free parking and buy-one-get-one-free attraction tickets. Enter once a day at philly.metro.us/getaroom, and find more info at visitphilly.com/getaroom.

The Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package is based upon availability and subject to blackout dates. For full rules, go to philly.metro.us/getaroom.