THE 10 BEST Indoor Things to Do in Philadelphia (Updated 2023) Pop art icon Robert Indianas famous Love sculpture is located in Phillys John F. Kennedy Park. |, directory of businesses at the Reading Terminal Market, 5 Local Coffeeshops to try in Center City Philly, 25 Must Try Restaurants in the Philly region. The Musical transports us to 1899 Paris, complete with dreamy choreo, classic bops and bohemian energy here are our takeaways from the show. Visit one of the country's oldest department stores Macy's in Center City was once the Wanamaker Department store, one of the country's first department stores. Where: Fishtown Rose Garden, 1401 Frankford Avenue. ), Where: Fairmount Water Works, 640 Waterworks Drive. Where: Bartram's Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard. Love dont cost a thing. Expect an afternoon full of visual art displays, live performances and art-making activities for the whole fam. Free Things to Do for History Lovers 1. Enter her 1740s home to learn all about her experience with the American flag, the first president, and, of course, the home itself. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories. While a modern city has sprung up around it, the alley now preserves three centuries of evolution. Check out this directory of businesses at the Reading Terminal Market. Pardon our French, but its time for the Fte nationale franaise otherwise known as Bastille Day. Block party at the Barnes, free day at Glen Foerd, jazz festival in West Philly, more summer fun in the 215. Tis the season for outdoor movie screenings. Wednesday nights are for jammin this July at the Penn Museum. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Receive the latest articles, features, news, discounts, and more straight to your inbox. South Bowl, 19 E. Oregon Ave., 215-389-2695, southbowlphilly.com. Where: World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street. Many of Phillys most popular outdoor venues are now open for the season, including waterfront destinations like Morgans Pier and Liberty Point, lush beer gardens like Independence Beer Garden in the Historic District and the Rodin Garden Bar (Fridays only), Uptown Beer Garden in Center City, PHS Pop Up Gardens on South Street and in Manayunk, and the ever-popular rooftop Bok Bar in South Philly. Dont miss: Parts of the original turbine that have been housed in the facilities since 1851. Grab a drink (or several), support underrepresented voices and witness some of the citys finest Latino bartenders this time hailing from Sor Ynez, the Ranstead Room, Parc and Vedge. Reporter Henry Savage runs downs the best spots to stretch a dollar with drinks specials, free art and exercise classes. Sam Ruland (@sam_ruland, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com). Bonus: Your ticket grants you access to a barbecue buffet and a complimentary Bey-themed cocktail. Where: The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville. Enthusiasts of riverside chilling enjoy hammocks, patio and arcade games, musical performances and tasty treats from local purveyors while strolling the boardwalk at this warm-weather attraction. The setting here is tranquil, perfect for a date night escape from the tourist crowds. Dont miss: Graduation recitals theyve been practicing so long for this! A new 56-seat patio is available by walk-in only and much easier to get than a seat at the bar or a table indoors. Dont miss: The rotating special exhibitions that encourage multiple visits. Where: Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad Street. The city has thousands of artworks thanks to organizations like the Association for Public Art and Mural Arts Philadelphia, the nations largest public art program. Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street. Speaking of public art, Philadelphia is home to one of the largest collections of it in the country. Where: United States Mint, 151 N. Independence Mall East. Partaking in the carousel, Philly-themed mini-golf and SquareBurger requires a small fee (as does the annual Chinese Lantern Festival). Stay over. Adventurous sippers can sign up for Thursdays Trails to Ales Hike. The annual Penns Landing extravaganza boasts boardwalk games, carnival rides, mini-golf, an arcade, the citys largest outdoor roller skating rink and much, much more. Two adjacent houses, built in 1755, are now a museum and open to the public (for a small fee). Take a refreshing walk around the grounds, grab a coffee from a local shop and enjoy the ambiance, people watch simply spend an hour or 2 getting back to nature in one of Phillys best urban parks. As part of the exhibition, take a tour of the mansion led by a reenactor portraying Henry B. Chew, a lawyer and slave owner who once inhabited the site. Old City is certainly one of the top places for visitors, but theres so much to see in Philly. Philadelphia's center stage shines every Wednesday afternoon, June 7 through July 26, Noon-1 p.m. Our guide to running and biking includes route lengths and recommended starting points for more than 20 scenic trails. What the what? On a 20-minute guided tour, visitors can see the original drafts of both documents prominently displayed and explore the very courtroom that our nations founding fathers once occupied. Dont miss: Events with a dance floor any excuse to dance. Where: Various locations including Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Dont miss: The fountain show (spring into fall) and the Electrical Spectacle Light Show (during the holiday and winter season). Each of the alleyways 32 colorful homes tells a story of pre-industrial livelihoods and has for the past 300 years, making it the oldest street in America. We are coming to Philadelphia for one day only in June 2023 and have so many things we want to see that I know it will be impossible to do so. Tour highlights include Americas very first coining press dating back to 1792, seven turn-of-the-century Tiffany glass mosaics and push-button stations showing videos about the minting process (narrated by late Phillies announcer Harry Kalas). Or maybe youd prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Food and drink are available on a pay-as-you-go basis from local food trucks and a pop-up beer garden. Foodies will want to place a visit to the Reading Terminal Market high on your to-do list. The annual fest honoring this piece of film history (and much more), runs July 14-16. A new 56-seat patio is available by walk-in only and much easier to get than a seat at the bar or a table indoors. Trump, DeSantis, protestors rally at Moms For Liberty convention Independence Visitor Center: Start your journey through history at the Independence Visitor Center for an introduction to all that Independence Hall National Park has to offer with trip planning advice from the center's friendly staff. They also serve delicious house coffee and various espresso based drinks. After listening to these Philly tales, mingle with fellow fans of history and shop from a selection of local vendors. Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the US. Highlights include the countrys oldest ginkgo tree, the original Franklinia tree, and the Bartrams Mile segment of the Schuylkill River Trail for hikers, runners and bikers. Located 12 floors up, this University City park in the sky is open year-round for chill hangs and free events most nights of the week, including live music, quizzo (trivia), ice cream socials and outdoor movies. This classic no frills pizza joint serves the best comfort fare in the city including traditional pies, hoagies, strombolis, assorted pasta dishes, and traditional Italian desserts. Its always easy to get a seat here unlike many restaurants where you have to make a reservation months in advance. Stay over. Without Independence Hall, the America we know today would feasibly not exist. Where: Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Race Street Pier, Race Street and Christopher Columbus Boulevard. The best Chinese restaurant in Philly just happens to be a 100% vegetarian restaurant. The iconic cracked gong makes for a stellar photo backdrop with. Today. Where: Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1700 W. Montgomery Avenue. Rittenhouse is one of 5 beautiful public squares planned by William Penn. Center City District | Events Every Friday night starting at 5 p.m., the Philadelphia Museum of Art is open to visitors who can pay what they wish to explore the entire main building, featuring works by Marcel Duchamp, Salvador Dal, Himalayan artists and many others. The annual fest honoring this piece of film history (and much more), runs July 14-16. The only way to fully experience Philly? THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Philadelphia - Tripadvisor The taps flow from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Its shaping up to be another stellar summer at The Oval the pop-up urban oasis located just across the street from the famous Rocky Steps and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Youve learned about the American Revolution over and over again in the classroom and beyond, but what about seeing it for yourself? For more fun, chow down at the Dilworth Park Caf, fuel up at the Air Grille pop-up beer garden or hop your way through the Dilworth Park dancing fountain. Peruse our guide to essential public art in Greater Philadelphia for more on where to see these works. Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute. Book the. Starting with the winter holiday season and continuing on through the cold winter months, skating is a great way to get outside and burn some calories during an otherwise lazy time of the year. Fun Things to Do in Philly This Weekend - The Philadelphia Citizen Stop for coffee at Menagerie Coffee, a fantastic sandwich at Freebyrd Chicken, and lots of other delicious options. Outside the Philadelphia Marriott Downton, far from the fifth-floor ballroom where Moms For Liberty held general sessions, protesters chanted things like "get out of my city!" and "get out of my . Where: Various locations including outside the Merchant Exchange Building, 143 S. 3rd Street. During the Christmas season, they air a tremendous holiday production, a spirited 15 minute show featuring poplar carols and a brief hint of The Nutcracker production performed by the Pennsylvania ballet. The Rocky Statue and the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art are two of the most visited attractions in Philadelphia and theyre both free. Valley Forge National Historical Park the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of General George Washington and the Continental Army offers a glimpse into the Revolutionary War. Find the uniformed storytellers at multiple locations, including at Independence Square, Franklin Square and the Betsy Ross House. See contemporary art from international and national artists and students enrolled at this visual arts school for women. Encompassing the city's busiest and most densely packed cultural, historical and entertaining neighborhoods, Center City bracketed east/west from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River, and north/south from Spring Garden Street to South Street features Philly's premier downtown area as well as an ever-expanding . Seeking big fun for cheap? While admission is free, donations are welcome. . A symbol of freedom, human rights, and liberty, this monument answers the citys call for brotherly love. (Hint: This theater hosts the annual festival in the films honor.). Using modern technology, the National Constitution Center has created interactive, high-definition ways to explore Americas most influential document that was drafted just a few blocks away. This is great news for anyone who loves Chinese food, particularly so for anyone who also hates attempting to find meat-free choices besides fried rice. Calling all nature lovers and sunset socializers: Head to ChesLen Preserve in Chester County for the nature preserves annual Friday Night Lights event an open-air affair featuring live music, stargazing, pay-as-you-go grub from local food trucks, bonfires (and smores, of course), beer from Animated Brewing Co. and East Branch Brewing Company, wine, and plenty of non-alcoholic refreshments. While Old City houses the most historical sites in the city, Center City continues to receive praise for its expanding foodie scene, yearly lineup of events, and numerous entertainment offerings. Center City Visit Philadelphia Where: The President's House, 600 Market Street. Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit among dozens of spectacular glowing installations (some never seen before), live stage performances, festival-themed crafts by Chinese artisans, and international food and drink including the return of the super-popular Dragon Beer Garden. The ticketed, 21-plus celebration features a red carpet, a best-dressed contest, DJs spinning Beyoncs biggest hits and a 360-degree photo booth. Where: Rodin Museum, 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Relax above the Delaware River on a floating net while savoring ice cream or water ice from one of the vendors, or take a load off in the beer garden over select craft brews and seasonal cocktails. 17 Best Things to do in Old City, Philadelphia | visitPA Taller Puertorriqueo, in El Centro de Oros El Corazn Cultural Center, serves as a community center, art gallery and event space for symposia, readings, film screenings, artist workshops and more. Dont miss: Revolutionary War veteran graves and Betsy Ross original burial site its history! Be sure to test out a Philly style soft pretzel at Millers Twist, Italian cookies at Termini Brothers, and a cheesesteak at By George. Dont miss: Peter the Bald Eagle, an actual bald eagle who lived in the mint for six years in the 1830s (and was an inspiration for coin designs). Grab a bite at The Bourse A walk among the headstones is a whos who of people who shaped the early days of the United States. Where: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard. Rainy-day activities in Philadelphia: Things to do indoors - Inquirer.com Where: Athenaeum of Philadelphia, 219 S. 6th Street. Plus, we have tons of hiking and cycling trails (pet-friendly, might I add) so take the scenic route next time and get some fresh air. Spruce Street Harbor Park is hard to miss with colorful hammocks, floating gardens, and LED lights strewn throughout tree branches. For the best pizza in the area, stop by Manny and Aldos. Check out our Philly Rewards program to learn how to earn great prizes just for exploring the City of Brotherly Love. The 6abc/Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade is on November 28 from 8:30am to until noon. See Christ Church and its Burial Ground Phoenixville, Chester County where parts of the campy 1950s horror/sci-fi flick The Blob were filmed hosts a wacky three-day festival of film screenings, live stage shows, themed competitions and even a recreation of the pivotal movie scene in which frightened townspeople flee the Colonial Theatre. One of the City of Brotherly Loves best-known landmarks is LOVE itself the Robert Indiana sculpture in John F. Kennedy Plaza (or LOVE Park, as its known to locals). Dilworth Park The cityscape view from here is pretty amazing As an added bonus, Love Park is home to a number of events throughout the year including free fitness classes, concerts, and most famously, the German inspired Christmas Village. Paths are clear but take you through the mostly abandoned facility giving vibes of exploring an ancient Greek or Roman city. The Best Things to Do in Philadelphia - Visit Philadelphia Various locations including Liberty Point, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street, Cruiser Olympia, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard. The 10 million pixel screen provides the most amazingly crisp picture, 5x the resolution of of an HD television. More than 2,000 LGBTQ+ athletes of all skill levels compete for glory in eight different tournaments, ranging from volleyball to billiards, with social events offered daily. The Visit Philly Overnight Package booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks. Also, they always throw parties (with various food & drink specials) for all the biggest sporting events, most notably the Superbowl. And while the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall are no doubt the most iconic things to do in the park, theyre far from the only ones and far from the only free ones, too. Check out our guide to Phillys hottest new restaurants. July 4th Concert and Fireworks with Demi Lovato and Ludacris, Chinese Lantern Festival and more With so much happening this week, youre gonna want to stay over for a day or two (or three). Tap your toes to some of Phillys funkiest jazz musicians, visit community vendors to buy locally made goods, or take a load off with cool treats and summer eats at the food trucks. Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street, Independence Square, 111 S. Independence Mall West, Franklin Court, Chestnut Street between 3rd & 4th Streets. Tickets are required for the weekends events. Those sites are joined by other nearby museums like the National Constitution Center, the National Museum of American Jewish History, the African American Museum and more. Youre doing awesome things in Philadelphia. The ambiance here is loud and rowdy most of the time, thus making it a more popular hangout for drinks and sporting events, rather than a traditional Irish pub where you come more for the great food. 12 Festive Things to Do During Christmas in Philadelphia Nothing symbolizes the city more than the Liberty Bell. From pizza, to lasagna, to ravioli, to gelato, you can find all your Italian favorites here. Things to Do in Philadelphia the Weekend of July 8-9 Treat yourself to a refreshing matcha green tea milkshake or a decadent matcha cheesecake. Enjoy draft beers from Mainstay Independent Brewing, cocktails, and finger foods and sandwiches. Budget-conscious travelers, rejoice! An indoor/outdoor hub for local creatives, Cherry Street Pier offers a revolving event space with a spectacular view of the Delaware River. Where: Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut Street. While the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation two of Phillys best-known art museums sit just slightly north of Center City proper, there are several important art, history and science museums within Center Citys borders. I consent to receive email communications from visitphilly.com and agree to Visit Philadelphias, Photo by A. Ricketts for Visit Philadelphia, Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia, Photo by M. Murphy for the Kimmel Center, which feature some innovative challenges like a hand-cranked floating house from. The Delaware River waterfront has no shortage of alfresco chilling destinations, two of which offer excellent views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. BYO blanket and picnic (or purchase food from local food trucks). When the ice melts and the shades come out, its time for Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest. This weeks vibe: Very much the dog days of summer. The surrounding serene gardens are free to explore and a great place to find artistic inspiration. Continuing west, Rittenhouse Square offers fine dining selections, some of the best shopping in the city and one of the citys greatest and most-well-known public spaces, Rittenhouse Square. Plunge into bizarre fun at Museum of Illusions (from USD 25.76) The Museum of Illusions in Philadelphia presents more than 60 mind-bending illusions to delight the whole family. Whereas the Hill remains largely residential (and is home to many of the still-standing colonial-era houses in Philly), South Street remains a busy thoroughfare for the adolescent-to-teen crowd, cramming dozens of eateries, galleries, sneaker stores, risque lingerie emporiums and the like on to a single street. Where: Edgar Allan Pe National Historic Site, 532 N. 7th Street.