Museums, Theaters and Attractions

Museums, Theaters and

Attractions

Unique venues like museums, theaters, mansions, zoos and theme parks are more than just great ice breakers and conversation starters at meetings and events. These properties provide built-in entertainment, memorable settings and opportunities for fun that simply can’t be duplicated elsewhere.

Oftentimes, the architecture of these venues not only is visually stunning, but lends itself to acoustically impressive experiences. For example, presenting from the stage of a theater with state-of-the-art lighting and AV and the audience in comfortable fixed seating, or holding a reception in a museum’s marble rotunda filled with music, mingling and merriment.

“We have a ballroom that can be divided to offer a meeting on one side and a separate dining or cocktail area,” notes Richard D. Portney CPCE, director of the Farmhouse and Fern & Fable Operations, regarding Peoples Light Theater in Malvern, PA. “With events over 75, we close the restaurant, which allows for more breakout space for the meeting. All food and beverage is prepared in-house. We have a dedicated event coordinator that works with you from your booking until the end of the event, and we are quick to respond to questions and concerns.”

In addition to the main ballroom at Peoples Light, there also is a pavilion and outdoor garden space that can be utilized during the warmer months. A 30-foot by 40-foot tent adjacent to the pavilion is available from April through November, as well.

“We are the profit center for Peoples Light, which is a non-profit organization,” explains Portney, “so, all proceeds go directly to them to fund the arts, community

programs and events for special needs individuals and children. We have plenty of convenient parking onsite.”

The venue also features plenty of natural light and offers flexibility in creating new menus and stations, as well as a variety of table designs. “Our spaces offer great meeting views and we have Wi-Fi and state-ofthe-art AV available.”

Located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History offers a memorable and unique venue for events. “You and your guests can explore galleries that bring the natural world to life while enjoying an unforgettable evening,” explains Tina Karl, director of special events for the museum. “With our unparalleled collections and monumental architecture, we are a premier site for after-hours special events.”

Its soaring, four-story Rotunda, designed in the BeauxArts style and featuring Henry, the iconic African Bush Elephant, provides a spectacular setting for receptions or seated dinners. For gatherings of up to 2,500, groups also can utilize the Ocean Hall, Fossil Hall, Mammal Hall and Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals (home of The Hope Diamond).

“Where else can you dine with a dinosaur, party with a pachyderm or dazzle your guests with diamonds? We’re at your service, ready to provide expert arrangements in a variety of dramatic settings, intimate or expansive, in the world’s largest natural history museum - the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History,” Karl proclaims.

“We've had the pleasure of hosting a variety of gatherings, from corporate meetings to local non-profits' celebrations, to wedding receptions and more,” observes Mitch Nugent, founder, executive artistic producer, Prima Theatre in Lancaster, PA.

A non-profit organization, Prima Theatre boasts free parking, luxury seating for up to 200 guests, an in-theatre bar, and proximity to top hotels and attractions. With state-of-the-art technology (lighting, AV, movie theatre-size film screen, and complimentary Wi-Fi), the property is highly appealing for its technology integration.

In addition, this climate-controlled blackbox theater offers a blank slate that easily can be transformed to fit a planner’s creative vision, yet is well suited to host any gathering as it is. Behind the scenes is a catering kitchen, a stage with on-site instruments for special presentations, and dressing rooms with private bathrooms.

“Time and time again, events at Prima are remembered for being well-curated experiences in an intimate environment,” says Nugent. “Planners can avoid a stale location and, at the same time, stay clear of venue operators that lack the goods and understanding of what it takes to pull off a remarkable event… At Prima Theatre, we love providing an environment where bold and beautiful experiences can thrive.”

At Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, PA, its location helps to inspire a truly unforgettable experience for attendees. Planners won’t find another place with the same waterfront views in the city. The museum boasts a great atmosphere and is nestled between two

Henry the Elephant in the lobby of the Smithsonian Institute's Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC

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bridges, the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman, is situated right off of Interstate-95, and is within walking distance of multiple hotels along the waterfront and in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood.

Inside, the Independence Seaport Museum offers a variety of spaces, all customizable to meet the planner’s specific needs. The Rooftop Ballroom showcases views of the Delaware River and the surrounding area. An attached terrace serves as the perfect satellite location in the warmer months for any space being rented at the museum, including the ballroom. This versatile space can be used for large group meetings, as a breakout room, for lunch or dinner, and more.

For presentations, the venue also has a theater that can accommodate up to 500 people, and Independence Seaport Museum partners with an AV company to ensure that events run seamlessly. A first-floor gallery space is ideal for a cocktail reception or intimate dinner.

In addition, planners can add customizable options to events that will have their guests exploring award-winning exhibits, climbing aboard Cruiser Olympia (the oldest floating steel warship in the world), or paddling in a swan boat at Paddle Penn’s Landing (a protected basin behind the museum) in the warmer months. Brûlée Catering serves as the exclusive caterer for a number of landmark locations and cultural institutions throughout the city of Philadelphia, including Memorial Hall, circa 1876, home to the Please Touch Museum, which offers both daytime meeting spaces and a whimsical, fun backdrop for evening events. Who wouldn’t want to ride a classic carousel or wander through Wonderland between bites?

The Museum of the American Revolution offers stateof-the-art facilities for conferences and receptions with AV capabilities in each event space for panel discussions, all day events, or board meetings. There also is the added benefit of having event space on a separate floor from exhibits, providing a level of privacy.

The National Constitution Center, in the heart of Old City, features views of Independence Mall and a capacity for over 1,000 guests with both indoor and outdoor options. Its Grand Hall Overlook offers a large screen

that is ideal for presentations or for displaying event visuals.

Choosing venues like these provides the opportunity to pair the event with the exhibits and experiences that would be offered along with museum admission. For instance, at the Museum of American Revolution, there is the option to break up a daytime meeting by offering exhibit access to guests, or, for evening receptions, adding private shows in the George Washington War Tent. There even is the opportunity to bring in museum educators for bite-sized history lessons throughout the event.

At Please Touch Museum, groups can host interactive, team building exercises that incorporate design, thinking and creative “play” for adults.

Brûlée Catering works closely with event planners to understand their vision and help customize just the right menu. Whatever the theme, sales managers for Brûlée can help guide planners to the right menu selections and will ensure that guests won’t leave the event hungry. Each sales manager has direct access to the culinary team should an event have dietary restrictions of any kind.

For groups looking to host all-day events, Brûlée provides seamless all-day service, from coffee and light breakfast to mid-morning breaks, and all the way through dinner and drinks. At any point in the day, there is the option to have food and beverage available. When hosting out-of-town guests, the culinary team at Brûlée can incorporate a signature “Philly” flair to the menu, including offerings like cheesesteaks, Philadelphia soft pretzels, and water ice.

Each of its venues have a list of preferred vendors who can collaborate with the in-house and catering teams, meaning that Brûlée always is at the ready to connect planners with vendors who they trust and work with frequently.

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MEMORIAL HALL c. 1876 FREE LIBRARY ON THE PARKWAY MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER THE MET PHILADELPHIA THE LIBERTY VIEW DILWORTH PARK MOULIN

Independence Seaport Museum is a “Must See” when considering a scenic destination venue for a special, private event in Philadelphia. Located along the Delaware River waterfront, this one-of-a-kind facility can host corporate meetings or social events and features panoramic views, including from outdoor terraces and tented balcony spaces that overlook the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman Bridges.

The museum accommodates events of all sizes in its Rooftop Ballroom. Additionally, an on-site theater is perfect for conferences, product presentations and theatrical productions. Collaborating closely with preferred vendors, Independence Seaport Museum will customize events according to the planner’s interests, vision and budget.

Recently, Sage Catering announced a new partnership with the museum. “We are thrilled for this new venture and all the incredible events we will execute together,” exclaims Dana Twaddell, VP and senior event planner for Sage Catering. “Sage already has successfully completed corporate events and fundraisers at the museum. We have weddings booked into 2024, and we are expecting to see even more bookings before the end of the year.”

Sage Catering provides guests with quality seasonal food and impeccable service for social and corporate events, fundraisers, holiday parties and formal galas. “We work with the Independence Seaport Museum to bring the client’s vision to life. Our goal is to create an experience that is unique and personalized,” Twaddle adds.

The city of Saratoga Springs, NY may be relatively small in size, but there is no shortage of live music, theater, or events in town. The iconic Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) once was named the Best Outdoor Music Venue in a USA Today 10 Best readers’ poll.

Each summer, SPAC plays host to one of the most respected and popular Jazz Festivals in the United States, and it is the summer home of the New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. And every summer, Live Nation acts like Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Luke Bryan, and more fill the amphitheater and surrounding grounds.

Numerous galleries are found in the Beekman Street Arts District and Downtown Arts District, including Saratoga Arts, a non-profit organization that presents gallery exhibits, art classes, and performances. Skidmore College boasts the Arthur Zankel Music Center and the Tang Teaching Museum, and offers music and dance performances all year long.

Saratoga also is home to Caffe Lena, America’s longest continuously operating coffeehouse and an intimate, not-for-profit that features worldclass concerts in a 110-seat performance space. Additional local cultural attractions include: Yaddo; Opera Saratoga; Pitney Meadows Community Farm; C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios; and the Home Made Theater.

Unique venues like these provide exciting options for those in search of memorable spaces for meetings, events and group outings. Whether choosing a theater stage, a museum gallery or a rooftop terrace overlooking the city, planners can offer one-of-a-kind settings and experiences that will delight and entertain attendees.

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The Farmhouse at People’s Light is the premier venue in Chester County for private events. From our cathedral ceilings and fabulous dance 昀oor to customizable packages and endless photo ops, we have everything you need for an unforgettable celebration.

39 Conestoga Road Malvern, PA 19355

farmhousepeopleslight.com thefarmhouse@peopleslight.org

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