if you're not up for a "heart warming week with the gals," come to Philly anyway, Queerty.

LOL I just can't see why you wouldn't want to spend a week in Philly. I think next year Rosie should plan a week in Springfield, Massachusetts or Hartford, Connecticut - that'll really get the lesbian tourists' mouths watering!

It's a FAMILY trip... not a lesbian trip.
If you're not into, you're not into it- but you don't have to criticize people who want to show their kids that families like theirs exist. Don't criticize Rosie for setting up a trip for the kiddies and don't criticize lesbians for their travel habits. I doubt that lesbians would "vacation" to Hartford, but I bet they stop by for a long weekend here and there. Big deal!

(I was totally being sarcastic and going for some laughs, but sadly the internet is 2-d. Sorry if I offended you. I actually think it's nice she's doing them, I just wouldn't spend a week in Philly - and I love history.)

...how about just a weekend?

*wink

Fair hosts, I hate to break this to you but snark is rapidly going out of fashion, even on the Net. It has been SO overdone, and this entry demonstrates you are only trying to escalate it. You're like the biggest drunk at the party who just can't understand why no one thinks he's funny. Seriously, on your death beds, do you want to look back and see your biggest contribution to the culture is attacking some easy target like Rosie and bragging about having no hearts?

Ryan, likening Philly to Springfield or Hartford is like equating Boston with Martinsburg WV or DC with Waycross GA. If you wouldn't spend a week in Philly, then clearly you haven't been there recently. You could spend an entire day just in the Museum of Art, rated 3rd best in the US (after NYC and Chicago).

Philadelphia's downtown is the 3rd largest in the US (again, behind only NYC and Chicago) and is much more comparable to those cities than to Springfield or Hartford. Not sure why you'd compare the east coast's 2nd largest city to either of those places unless you have a personal grudge or jealousy issue with Philly.

Philadelphia was named last fall as "America's Next Great City" by National Geographic. It's already a great city, is getting even better, and is finally getting some well-deserved recognition. Long overshadowed by NYC and DC just 2 hrs in either direction, Philly is getting noticed again, which is why - as of the most recent figures (2005) - tourism here is growing at a greater rate than any other east coast city, and also greater than that of Las Vegas NV.

This growth rate is just a continuation of a decade-long trend, and you can't sustain tourism growth like that unless you're giving tourists everything they're looking for in a good vacation. In Philadelphia's case, that's a clean, unique, and cosmopolitan downtown with world-class cuisine, shopping, museums, theatres, music venues, historical sites etc, surrounded by varied and colorful neighborhoods and beautiful countryside.

Everything Jason said is true. Unfortunately crime has spiralled out of control due to a short sighted, narrow minded mayor who thinks it is more important to rename west river drive than deal with real problems. And he does nothing to make the city attractive to business.