The semester is finally over, and four to six weeks of winter break is a long time. Whether you decide to travel over the holidays, or engage in a staycation, Philly (and its surrounding townships) is one of the best places to be during the “most wonderful time of the year”. Sure, a break from studying and collegial activities will be nice…for about a week or so. Get involved in whatever community you may belong to; however, if by any chance you’re looking to get involved in the Philadelphian community, here are a few sites you cannot miss this over this holiday break.
1. A Longwood Christmas:
If there’s an epitome of a winter wonderland, Longwood Garden’s twinkling lights and tree displays are definitely it. Located in Kennett Square, Longwood Gardens consists of over 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows. Although this is not the type of place where you book hours and hours of pre-planned activities, Longwood gardens poses a very relaxed, picturesque environment; it’s a very enticing way to spend a few hours with your S.O., or just a girls night out!
2. The Pennsylvania Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker:
So, maybe your perception of The Nutcracker isn’t a very good one considering a lot of people only the see ballet because their little sister is in it. However, watching a professional ballet production of anything is a completely unique experience. If you’ve ever been to a Broadway show, imagine a Broadway environment except with focus on the art of dance. It may sound pretentious, but it’s pretty cool to watch the pretty ladies en pointe do 30 pirouettes in a row.
3. Reading Terminal Market:
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept of Reading Terminal Market, it’s essentially an indoor farmer’s market on steroids. From crêperies to the freshly caught fish of the day, the place is a maze full of delicious treats. However, the Reading market takes on a whole new level of awesomeness during Christmas. The market sets up a not-so-miniature miniature scenery of downtown Philadelphia with over half a mile of wooden “train tracks” that encloses the city. Plus, all stands turn into stands that are solely dedicated to holiday grub. From anything fried in oil to celebrate Hanukkah, to absurdly large gingerbread houses, the Reading Terminal Market is a sweet, aromatic place to visit around the holidays.
4. Adventure Aquarium's Christmas celebration:
Okay, so this one isn’t directly in Philly, but it’s about 20 minutes across the bridge in Camden, NJ. The aquarium seems strictly business…until you see a scuba diving Santa in the midst of the tanks. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, a scuba diving Santa is hysterical. If you need a laugh, this is the place to go.
5. The Mummers parade:
Unless you’re from Philly, a “Mummer” probably isn’t a term you’re familiar with. Well, they’re essentially really fun people who put on sequenced costumes, feathers, and run through intricate choreography while maintaining a sharp string band concert. These parade fanatics come back for another performance on New Year’s Day at the SugarHouse casino.
6. Fireworks at Penn's Landing:
Penn’s Landing has a great historical background and is conveniently located in the “old city”. So, if you’d want to take a trip to the Liberty Bell or Constitution Center before the exciting show, it’s fairly easy to do so. Facing the Delaware River Waterfront, the area is home to numerous concerts, fundraisers, and other important events throughout the year. However, perhaps the greatest of them all is the firework show on New Year’s Eve. Make sure to get there early though. This firework show is so renowned and popular that cars will park in the middle of the highway right outside of Philadelphia just to catch a glimpse of this lovely tradition.
7. Rothman Ice Rink:
The large ice-skating rink located right in front of City Hall in downtown Philly is fun for children and adults of all ages. Skaters can skate their way to different food booths and enjoy hot chocolate and a warm pretzel. Not only is ice-skating entertaining, but the location also offers amazing skyline views of Philadelphia and everything it has to offer.
These attractions barely scratch the surface of what there is to see in Philly this holiday season. Don’t just waste away your holidays in boredom - check out visitphilly.com for more information, or talk to a local, like myself, for the best attractions and the best times to visit them.
