The hits just keep on coming in Pennsylvania, a state with diverse destinations and visitor experiences for groups.
From the heights of urban Philadelphia to the battlefield of Gettysburg and even destinations in the Pennsylvania Dutch country, new attractions and activities continue to come online in the Keystone State. Groups traveling in Pennsylvania in the coming year will find a variety of things to see and do that weren’t around last time they visited the state.
In Philadelphia, a new observation deck attraction opening soon will give visitors a bird’s-eye view of the historic city. The Frick Art and Historical Center, an art museum in Pittsburgh, has an impressively expanded facility to show off.
In Lancaster, the ever-popular Sight and Sound Theatre will be debuting a brand-new musical next year dramatizing the biblical story of Samson. Gettysburg has recently welcomed a new history museum that replaces a beloved but aging attraction. And in Somerset County, a new visitors center at the Flight 93 National Memorial gives groups a comprehensive look at events on board the fated flight that crashed in a local field on September 11, 2001.
One Liberty Observation Deck
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is among the most historic, beautiful and populous cities on the East Coast, but visitors have never before been able to see the city from above. That will change with the debut of One Liberty Observation Deck, which is slated to open to the public in November.
As the name suggests, the observation deck will be situated in the massive building at One Liberty Place.
“Philadelphia was one of the very few gateway cities that didn’t have an observation deck,” said Evan Evans, general manager of the observation deck. “But the city has a great tourism base already. This was the first skyscraper to be built in Philadelphia, and it has opened up as a great business opportunity for everyone.”
The observation deck is located 888 feet above the streets of downtown Philadelphia. From this vantage point, visitors will be able to see the entire city as well as points as far away as Wilmington, Delaware; Trenton, New Jersey; and Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
In addition to providing a great view, the observation deck will also include exhibits and technology that help guests learn more about the city and its history.
“We’re telling the Philadelphia story within the experience,” Evans said. “Philadelphia has the world’s largest mural arts program, so we’ve done some graphic mural arts inside the project to show what Philadelphia is all about. We also use some mosaic scenes throughout the experience to honor mosaic artists from Philadelphia.”
The experience will also offer a Benjamin Franklin exhibit, which will recount the story of how he discovered electricity, as well as interactive kiosks that use satellite imagery to allow visitors to see detailed images of Philadelphia landmarks several miles away from One Liberty Place.
The attraction will feature dedicated elevators that take visitors directly from the ground floor to the observation deck on the 57th floor. When the observation deck starts welcoming groups in January, there will be more conveniences available.
“We’re right in the middle of the city, just a block from City Hall, but we’ll have a bus loading and unloading zone just steps away from our entrance,” Evans said. “Groups will have express access — they’ll have a Fast Pass so they don’t have to wait in line for tickets.”
‘Samson’ at Sight and Sound Theatre
Lancaster
In the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch country, Sight and Sound Theatre has earned a reputation as America’s foremost faith-based theater company, producing Broadway-quality musicals that tell stories from the Bible on a grand scale, with original music and state-of-the-art costuming, sets, lighting and stage direction. In March, the company will unveil its newest show, “Samson.”
“This show has been in development for nearly three years,” said Sight and Sound brand manager Dean Sell. “It’s a story about an unlikely hero. We’re treating him sort of as the world’s first superhero. He was known for his incredible strength — it was the gift he was given. So we’re really excited to tell this new, fresh story in a way that is true to the Bible but also family friendly.”
Theatergoers familiar with the biblical account of Samson will recognize that it includes some mature themes, including sexual promiscuity, intimate deception and a good deal of violence. While challenging to present in a manner consistent with the values of faith-based audiences, these topics also help to set up some of the show’s most powerful moments.
“We’re so excited about the temple scene at the end,” Sell said. “Samson has one last act of strength, where he pushes the pillars and the temple comes collapsing down. It’s going to be probably the most immersive scene we have done here. The audience is going to be surrounded on all sides and overhead by the temple that comes crashing down all around them.”
Like other Sight and Sound shows, “Samson” will run about two and a half hours and will feature an original score of new songs written specifically for the production. The show will include some 40 cast members, in addition to live animals such as horses, donkeys, sheep and pigs.
“Samson” will open on March 12 and is scheduled to run through December 31.
