New Year's Eve Planning Guide: Delaware River Waterfront in Philly and South Jersey

Philadelphia (PRNewswire/WorldTourismNews) - Happy New Year! Happy New Year! It's twice the fireworks, twice the fun as Philadelphia rings in 2010 with two dazzling pyrotechnic displays along the Delaware River waterfront at 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.

Restaurants, hotels and attractions in Philly and South Jersey are ensuring that revelers have a clear view of the colorful displays by hosting lavish celebrations for adults and kid-friendly fetes for pint-sized partiers -- the details of which are below. And for those who want a great view of the fireworks and clear access to the musical soundtracks that accompany them, Camden's Wiggins Waterfront Park is a best bet.

To see what's going on in the region throughout the four-day holiday weekend and to book a hotel stay, visit gophila.com/newyears.

  Thursday, December 31, 2009:

  10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
                           Visitors touring the Independence Seaport
                           Museum head outside to the second-floor
                           terrace at 6:00 p.m. with their
                           noisemakers, party hats and sparkling apple
                           cider to watch the fireworks over the
                           Delaware River.

  3:00 p.m.
                           During the Philadelphia Movie Sites Tour,
                           participants watch clips from In Her Shoes,
                           The Sixth Sense, Rocky, 12 Monkeys and more
                           than 20 other films and see the actual
                           sites where the scenes were filmed. The
                           tour ends at Penn's Landing in time for the
                           6:00 p.m. fireworks show.

  4:00 p.m.
                           The family-friendly party at the Hyatt
                           Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing wows
                           revelers with a buffet dinner, a carnival-
                           themed dessert reception, a hot chocolate
                           and smores bar, children's movies, face
                           painting and, of course, the 6:00 p.m.
                           fireworks viewing.

 
  4:00-6:30 p.m.
                           Along with sweeping views of the fireworks
                           and the city skyline, the Spirit of
                           Philadelphia's dinner cruise includes a
                           dinner buffet, hors d'oeuvres, premium open
                           bar, a DJ, party favors and a champagne
                           toast.

  4:00-7:00 p.m.
                           Those looking for just an unbeatable viewing
                           spot for the 6:00 p.m. fireworks show will
                           find just that on the Battleship New
                           Jersey, where a low-cost ticket includes
                           music, bar service and a chance to win
                           prizes.

  5:00 p.m.
                           The overnight party on the Battleship New
                           Jersey includes dinner in the crew's mess,
                           a ride in the flight simulator, a tour of
                           the ship and a non-alcoholic toast during
                           the midnight fireworks.

  5:00-7:00 p.m.
                           Winter sports enthusiasts celebrate at the
                           Blue Cross RiverRink's New Year's Eve Party
                           on Ice, one of two family-friendly affairs
                           taking place at the rink and offering one
                           of the best views of the city's fireworks.

  5:00-8:00 p.m.
                           The all-ages party at the Chart House
                           Restaurant dazzles guests with a lavish
                           buffet dinner, a meet-and-greet with a
                           member of the Fancy Brigades and an
                           unbeatable view of the 6:00 p.m. fireworks
                           show.

  6:00 p.m.
                           Themed "An Orchestral New Year," the first
                           of two New Year's Eve fireworks displays --
                           this one 12-minutes long and perfect for
                           families --lights up the sky above the
                           Delaware River in Philadelphia and Camden.

  8:30 p.m.
                           During the Philadelphia Movie Sites Tour,
                           participants watch clips from In Her Shoes,
                           The Sixth Sense, Rocky, 12 Monkeys and more
                           than 20 other films and see the actual
                           sites where the scenes were filmed. The
                           tour ends at Penn's Landing in time for the
                           12:00 midnight fireworks.

  8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
                           Along with sweeping views of the fireworks
                           and skyline, the Spirit of Philadelphia's
                           dinner cruise includes a dinner buffet,
                           hors d'oeuvres, premium open bar, a DJ,
                           party favors and a toast.

  9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
                           The Chart House Restaurant's second, adults-
                           only party features appetizers, an
                           elaborate buffet, a champagne toast at
                           midnight, party favors and a wonderful view
                           of the fireworks.

  9:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
                           Chio from Wired 96.5's Chio in the Morning
                           hosts the Deep Sea Splash at the Adventure
                           Aquarium, complete with open bar, champagne
                           toast, hors d'oeuvres, music and a great
                           view of the fireworks.

  10:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
                           Those looking for just an unbeatable viewing
                           spot for the late-night fireworks show
                           will find just that on the Battleship New
                           Jersey, where a low-cost ticket includes
                           music, bar service and a chance to win
                           prizes.

  11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
                           Winter sports enthusiasts celebrate at the
                           Blue Cross RiverRink's New Year's Eve Party
                           on Ice, one of two family-friendly affairs
                           taking place at the rink and offering one
                           of the best views of the city's
                           breathtaking fireworks displays.

 
  12:00 midnight
                           Themed "21st-century Rewind," the second of
                           two New Year's Eve fireworks displays --
                           this one 16-minutes long -- lights up
                           the sky above the Delaware River in
                           Philadelphia and Camden.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region's vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit gophila.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to Hear Philly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

Source: Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

For more information contact:

Cara Schneider, +1-215-599-0789, cara@gptmc.com, or Morgan
Obidowski, +1-215-599-2298, morgan@gptmc.com, both of Greater Philadelphia
Tourism Marketing Corporation