PHILADELPHIA, PA – Get ready, Philadelphia food enthusiasts! The prestigious James Beard Foundation® (JBF) has announced its national Taste America® event series for 2025-2026, and Philadelphia is on the map for a major culinary celebration. A walk-around tasting event is scheduled to take place in the city in March 2026, hosted by Philadelphia's selected TasteTwenty Chef, Yun Fuentes of BOLO.

VIRGINIA - Best Foods to Eat in Virginia - Virginia offers a surprisingly wide range of foods.  From the sweet and savory to the savoring and the spicy, you'll find something for everyone.

PHILADELPHIA - Roast Pork Sandwiches: While it’s not quite as well-known as the cheesesteak or hoagie, the roast pork sandwich is nevertheless a regional delicacy born from Italian-American cookery. 

Philadelphia, PA - Graduation is a momentous occasion, deserving of a just as special celebration.  Philadelphia's vibrant culinary scene offers diverse restaurants perfect for honoring your graduate's achievements. Whether you're seeking a sophisticated dining experience, lively ambiance, or something unique, these top picks will create lasting memories:

PENNSYLVANIA - Good news for Pennsylvania bargain hunters! Big Lots!, the popular discount retailer, is continuing its comeback across the state with the confirmed reopening of 13 store locations during May 2025. This significant move comes under the direction of new owners, Variety Wholesalers, and follows an initial wave of successful store reopenings in April, further solidifying the brand's return to communities across the Commonwealth.

PENNSYLVANIA - This Coconut Pineapple Shrimp Skewers are sweet, lightly spicy, and a citrus rich recipe perfect for your next back yard party or BBQ event. Simple and easy to make this easy to follow recipe will be a hit at your next barbecue party.

Philadelphia, PA - Philadelphia boasts a fantastic bar scene, and for many, a good night out isn't complete without a friendly (or competitive) game of darts. Whether you're a seasoned league player or just looking to toss a few arrows with friends over a pint, Philly offers a diverse range of pubs and dives where you can hit the board. From historic watering holes to neighborhood hangouts, here are some of the best bars in Philadelphia to play darts.

Philadelphia, PA - The Bok Bar is located atop the historic BOK building in South Philadelphia, the entrance is  on Mifflin Street (closest to 8th Street). A Scenic rooftop with cool vibes offering wine, craft beer & Asian bites, plus family days on Sundays.

Philadelphia, PA - Below, we've reviewed a few of our favorite Philly Brunch spots, such as the Old Original Bookbinder, Craft Hall, Bud & Marilyn's, and Red Owl Tavern, in our quest for the best brunch in Philadelphia. There's something to suit every taste and budget, from croissants to crumb cake-filled pastry baskets. Check out our favorites and see if any of them catch your fancy. There's something here for everyone.

Philadelphia, PA - In a city with Neapolitan pizzerias opening on every other corner, it’s becoming harder to stand out. Many have tried using imported ingredients such as Prosciutto di Parma, or even strange ingredients like Buffalo sauce, but it becomes hard to distinguish between pizzerias. Surely the only way to make a statement is to change the shape and thickness of the crust.

Philadelphia, PA - Rivers Casino Philadelphia has expanded its culinary offerings with the opening of Sapore, a new Italian kitchen promising a vibrant and welcoming dining experience. Located just off the gaming floor, adjacent to the High Limits lounge, Sapore offers a blend of classic Italian comfort food and modern twists, all served in a cozy and inviting atmosphere. 

PENNSYLVANIA - Philadelphia's culinary calendar just got a whole lot tastier! The Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival, one of the largest and most celebrated food truck festivals in the region (and ranked among the best in the country by USA Today and 10Best), is returning to Main Street on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This rain-or-shine event, a beloved springtime tradition, promises a day of delicious food, live music, local shopping, and family-friendly fun.

GEORGIA - Renowned today as the Peach State and a key player in the American South, has a history deeply embedded in the colonial era of North America. Before it officially became one of the United States, the region we now know as Georgia existed under a specific colonial designation, established with unique purposes by the British Crown. Understanding what Georgia was called before statehood takes us back to its 18th-century founding.

OHIO - Historically, Ohio is a crucial crossroads for American commerce and industry, traversed by an intricate network of railroad lines. These steel arteries have long been vital for transporting goods and connecting communities across the Buckeye State and beyond.

MASSACHUSETTS - A state pivotal to the American narrative and the 6th to join the Union in 1788, possessed a complex and evolving identity long before its formal statehood. From distinct early settlements driven by religious conviction to a unified royal province and finally a self-declared Commonwealth, the journey to becoming "Massachusetts" as we know it is a fascinating look into colonial America.

SOUTH CAROLINA - Stretching across the Palmetto State like a ribbon connecting diverse landscapes, South Carolina Highway 9 is the longest road within the state's borders.  Spanning an impressive 259.57 miles, this scenic byway offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience the full spectrum of South Carolina's natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Philadelphia, PA -  Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, also played a complex and pivotal role in the Underground Railroad, the clandestine network that helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom. While the city participated in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, it also nurtured a significant free African American population and a fervent abolitionist movement that actively worked to dismantle slavery. Today, numerous historical sites, markers, archives, and tours throughout Philadelphia and the region offer profound insights into this critical chapter of American history, a testament to the courage of freedom seekers and those who aided them. 

"The Underground Railroad is an undeniably important part of American history," said Jenea Robinson, senior media relations manager at VISIT PHILADELPHIA®. "Philadelphia played an exciting role in this movement. The city took part in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but also had a significant population of freed African-Americans and others who tried to make things right."

A comprehensive brochure detailing many sites is available at the Independence Visitor Center, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and the Johnson House.

Key Historical Sites in Philadelphia:

1. Liberty Bell Center (6th & Market Streets): The Liberty Bell, with its inscription "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof," became a powerful symbol for abolitionist societies in the 1830s and later for freedom seekers worldwide. Its message resonated deeply with the anti-slavery cause.  
2. President's House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation (6th & Market Streets): This open-air memorial stands where President George Washington lived. At the same time, Philadelphia was the nation's capital. It poignantly tells the stories of the nine enslaved Africans who served his household, including Oney Judge, who bravely escaped to freedom from this very location.
3. Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church (6th & Lombard Streets): The active flagship of the nation's first Black denomination, Mother Bethel AME Church was a crucial sanctuary and meeting place for the abolitionist movement. Fugitives sought refuge within its walls, and iconic figures like Harriet Tubman, Lucretia Mott, Frederick Douglass, and William Still spoke powerfully from its pulpit.
4. Historic St. George's Methodist Church (235 N. 4th Street): This early house of worship was the site of a significant protest against racial discrimination. Reverends Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, who later became foundational figures in the AME Church, led a walkout over a discriminatory seating policy, highlighting the early struggles for equality.
5. Belmont Mansion & Underground Railroad Museum (Fairmount Park): The 1742 home of Judge Richard Peters, who, despite being a slaveholder, reportedly purchased some enslaved individuals to free them and is believed to have hidden fugitives in the attic. The on-site Underground Railroad Museum shares these stories, including that of Cornelia Wells, a freed African American woman associated with the estate.
   • Location: 2000 Belmont Mansion Drive, Fairmount Park
6. Historic Fair Hill Burial Ground (Germantown/North Philadelphia): This circa 1703 Quaker burial ground is the final resting place of influential abolitionists like Lucretia Mott and Robert Purvis. Today, it also serves as an environmental education center, surrounded by murals depicting 300 years of social justice history in Philadelphia.
   • Location: 2901 Germantown Avenue
7. Johnson House National Historic Site (Germantown): This well-preserved home belonged to the Quaker family of Samuel and Jennet Johnson. In the 1800s, they courageously cared for escaped slaves, making their home a vital station on the Underground Railroad.
   • Location: 6306 Germantown Avenue, Germantown

Archives, Libraries & Research Centers:

For those wishing to delve deeper into the records and narratives of the era:

8. Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) (1301 Locust Street): HSP is a repository for hundreds of printed items, manuscripts, and graphic materials relating to the abolitionist movement, including the invaluable journal of Underground Railroad agent William Still.
9. Library Company of Philadelphia (1314 Locust Street): Founded by Benjamin Franklin, this historic library holds a 13,000-piece Afro-American Collection featuring significant documents and books about slavery and abolitionism.
10. Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University (Sullivan Hall, 1300 W. Berks Street): This renowned library contains narratives by figures like Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass, along with first editions by Phyllis Wheatley, W.E.B. DuBois, and many others.
11. National Archives at Philadelphia (14700 Townsend Road, Northeast Philadelphia): A crucial resource for researching the ancestry of people who lived in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, during this period.

Exploring Beyond the City: Chester County's Role:

12. Chester County Historical Society (225 N. High Street, West Chester): This society houses artifacts and manuscripts detailing the bucolic county's significant role in abolitionist history and the Underground Railroad network.
13. Kennett Underground Railroad Center (Kennett Square): Based in Chester County, this center offers and organizes tours of various Underground Railroad sites, often departing from the Brandywine Valley Tourism Information 

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Philadelphia and its surrounding region are imbued with the powerful and often poignant history of the Underground Railroad. From iconic national symbols and sacred houses of worship to preserved homes of abolitionists and invaluable archival collections, these sites offer a profound opportunity to learn about the struggle for freedom and the brave individuals who risked everything for it. Exploring these locations provides a deeper understanding of a critical chapter in American history and Philadelphia's complex but ultimately pivotal role.

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MARYLAND STATE - When it comes to size and influence in Maryland, Baltimore reigns supreme. As the state's largest city, Baltimore boasts a population exceeding 600,000 residents, making it a bustling hub of culture, commerce, and history.