.png)
With warm weather quickly approaching (and already happening), the City of Brotherly love will be a great place for you to enjoy the upcoming spring months. Philadelphia offers many indoor and outdoor attractions and activities.
Anna Merriman and Melissa Romero’s article on the “26 best things to do in Philly right now” explains everything you should be doing if you live in or are visiting the area. Check it out here.
While Merriman and Romero come up with a long list of things to experience, we wanted to mention some of our favorites to do when the weather starts to get warmer.
Always a childhood favorite, The Philadelphia Zoo is a wonderful place to pay a visit to and is a great experience for all ages. While it’s great for families and children, adults can appreciate the history behind this zoo. Established in 1874, The Philadelphia Zoo was the first true zoo in the United States. It is home to some architectural gems like a Frank Furness-designed gateway and the “Treehouse” by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. Children will be sure to see their favorite animal here, as it is home to some 1,300 animals. If you get to visit the zoo before March 16th, non-member adults and children get admission tickets for just $16. From March 16th - October 31st, non-member adults can get tickets for $24 and children for $19.
You’ve definitely seen the houses lined with lights along the Schuylkill River on your drives to and from Philly. Boathouse Row includes the 19th century boat houses that line the river just west of the Art Museum. If you head over to Kelly Drive, you can get up close and personal with these beautiful, historic houses. Each night, the boathouses light up, creating one of the city’s loveliest displays.
One of the best places to visit on a gorgeous day is Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park. Nearly a century old, opened in 1921, FDR park has seen a number of changes. The FDR park now includes 20 tennis courts, 8 ball fields, a rugby field, a golf course, the American Swedish Historical Museum, and the internationally renowned FDR Park Skate Park. Talk about a perfect day outdoors.
If you appreciate street art, Philly’s Spring Arts District is the destination for you. It is the city’s first rotating outdoor art gallery, complete with a dozen or so murals plastered against the neighborhood’s old warehouses and buildings.
If you just want to walk around, window shop, and grab a bite to eat, you should head over to Queen Village’s Fabric Row. Here you can find some of the best vintage shopping on the East Coast. It is also a nice way to avoid the crowds on Chestnut and Walnut street in Center City. There are indie shops and boutiques, cute cafes, and it’s a short walk to the always bustling South Street.
Lastly, if you are really trying to appreciate nature and the beautiful weather, you should take a day trip to Tacony Creek Park. This will get you out of Center City and introduce you to the middle of northeast Philly. If you are into biking or running, there is a 3.2-mile paved trail that runs through the woods. People also come here to have picnics, walk around, or take pictures. Check out their events for 2020 here.
