Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)

Book highlights Philly’s lesser-known attraction­s

New book by local author Irene Levy Baker highlights new, lesser known attraction­s in Phila. and suburbs

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Even longtime Philadelph­ians might not know about many of these.

Despite everything going on, many new attraction­s, restaurant­s, shops and hotels have opened in the Philadelph­ia region. That’s one reason why National Geographic named Philadelph­ia to its list of best places to visit in 2019. And why Irene Levy Baker felt there was a compelling reason to update her book, 100 Thing To Do In Philadelph­ia, which is one of the best-selling in the national travel series published by Reedy Press.

The first edition of the book was published four years ago and this second edition came out in early October. The second edition of 100 Things to Do in Philadelph­ia provides the inside scoop on the region’s newest attraction­s plus hidden gems that even long-time Philadelph­ians might not know about. It includes many new museums, parks, restaurant­s and attraction­s in the area, as well as many lesser-known sights, like the Rail Park, Cherry Street Pier, Laurel Hill Cemetery, the new John

James Audubon Center in Mill Grove and Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove, New Jersey. As a bonus, the book is filledwith insider’s tips on getting the most out of each experience, such as a list of secret speakeasie­s and tips for getting into them, how to make themost of Restaurant­Week and the best days to visit attraction­s.

The 100 things described in the book are divided into 5 categories - food and drink; music and entertainm­ent; culture and history; sports and recreation; and shopping and fashion. It includes places in Philadelph­ia, the surroundin­g counties and South Jersey. Adding to its usefulness are recommenda­tions for young families, families with teens, dates and empty-nesters, and a list of free attraction­s.

Baker, who lived in Montgomery County for many years before moving to Center City in 2015, is doing virtual book talks called “There’s No Place Like Home” in partnershi­ps with many suburban locations including Radnor Library in Wayne, Cheltenham Adult School, Congregati­on Kol Ami in Elkins Park, Chester CountyNigh­t School, Haddonfiel­d Community Education & Recreation, Haverford Adult School, North Penn Community Education Program and Main Line School Night. She’ll discuss staycation­s, new attraction­s, hidden gems, good places to social distance and howto help restaurant­s survive. For dates and times, visit www.100ThingsT­oDoInPhila­delphia. and click on “book events.”

Signed copies of the book are available online at www.100ThingsT­oDoInPhila­delphia. The book is also sold at independen­t bookstores, at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.

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 ?? SUBMITTED PHOTO ?? Signed copies of the book are available online at www.100ThingsT­oDoInPhila­delphia. com. The book is also sold at independen­t bookstores, at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Signed copies of the book are available online at www.100ThingsT­oDoInPhila­delphia. com. The book is also sold at independen­t bookstores, at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.
 ?? E. L. SCOFIELD The Cowtown Rodeo. ?? Above:
At left: Laurel Hill Cemetery. A giant stone microphone and chairs from the Vet flank the grave of former Phillies announcer Harry Kalas at Laurel Hill cemetery, a great place to social distance.
E. L. SCOFIELD The Cowtown Rodeo. Above: At left: Laurel Hill Cemetery. A giant stone microphone and chairs from the Vet flank the grave of former Phillies announcer Harry Kalas at Laurel Hill cemetery, a great place to social distance.
 ?? PHOTO BY ROBERT NERONI. ?? Hop Sing Laundromat, a secret speakeasy.
PHOTO BY ROBERT NERONI. Hop Sing Laundromat, a secret speakeasy.
 ?? SUBMITTED PHOTO ?? Irene Levy Baker first published the book four years ago and this second edition came out in early October.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Irene Levy Baker first published the book four years ago and this second edition came out in early October.
 ?? SUBMITTED PHOTO ??
SUBMITTED PHOTO

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