10 Philly Ways to Recapture Missed Celebrations

A bed you don’t have to make, a bathroom you don’t have to clean and parking you don’t have to pay for. Reconnecting is so much easier with that other stuff out of the picture. Celebrate that missed anniversary, the milestone birthday or just a chance to leave the house with the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package. Available at 40 hotels this spring through June 1, the package comes with amazing perks like free hotel parking and buy-one-get-one-free tickets purchased at the Independence Visitor Center to 19 top attractions. In other words: Making plans after a year of not making plans can be hard, so we have you covered. Looking for more ways to save? Treat yourself and your other half to a night (or two or three) away with one of these can’t-miss hotel deals.

Need something to do with the friend you love doing nothing with? Self-guided tours are the perfect activity for an afternoon or evening out with friends who have so much to catch up on. With a self-guided tour, you’re in control. Go at your own pace, stop for snacks and spend extra time in front of the mural that reminds you of one of your favorite nights out. Check out our guide for 16 tour options (many of which are free!) to explore neighborhoods, topics and historical moments.

Plan something special for that first night out — even if the only thing you’re celebrating is … that first night out. Greater Philadelphia is home to more than 30 restaurants, bars and breweries recognized by the James Beard Awards (aka “the Oscars of the food world”) in just the last five years. Activate your tastebuds at tried-and-true spots like Zahav and Fork and embrace new experiences at Kalaya (a 2020 nominee for Best New Restaurant and home to Esquire’s 2020 chef of the year) and Vedge, where the elevated plant-based menu has earned honors from the James Beard Foundation annually since 2014.

Float above the countryside in a hot air balloon, treat yourselves to a spa experience or sample pours at a winery. Whatever you do, make time to reconnect. Those date nights you planned, rescheduled and postponed are calling for a spot on your calendar, so shut the laptop, find a babysitter and devote some time for just the two of you to relax, indulge or try something new. Check out our guide to romantic date ideas for year-round inspiration.

Interactive museums, first-rate art institutions and fascinating historic attractions make for great places to reunite with family and friends, especially right now. Most places require advance booking and timed tickets, making for a singular experience that likely means you’ll have the spot (almost) to yourselves. Meet a hippo at Adventure Aquarium and take a selfie with the Rocky statue (you know you want to). Philly museum-goers have so much to look forward to this spring and summer at new exhibits featuring life-like dinosaurs, soundscapes from a frog, social justice-inspired works and colorful interactive installations.

After a year of grainy video calls and hard-to-follow group texts, sitting down for a meal with loved ones is downright luxurious. Translation: Don’t even think about cooking. The only way to satisfy grandma’s spicy palate, meet dad’s gluten-free needs, fit your BFF’s plant-based diet and find kid-friendly options is to go out. And thanks to Philly’s vibrant dining scene, “out” can mean whatever you want it to. Pick a BYOB to keep the bar tab low, head to a brewery to pair your favorite meal with your favorite pour, choose rooftop dining for skyline views or dine with a purpose to support restaurants owned by women and people of color. Start here for recommendations to satisfy all your cravings.

One of the best things about Philly: You’re never too far from a park. Pack a picnic or grab takeout on the way to a historic public square, lively urban park or a pocket oasis. Diverse neighborhood parks and re-imagined recreational landscapes giving Philly a city-in-a-park feel. After a leisurely meal in the grass, play mini-golf at Franklin Square, check out the art on Cherry Street Pier and stroll through wildflowers at Bartram’s Garden.

The Philadelphia region offers amazing parks, trails, preserves and other attractions for those looking to get outdoors, change up the routine and safely reconnect with loved ones in the fresh countryside air. In short: five counties’ worth of outdoor adventures await. Delaware Canal State Park blends history and countryside views along a 60-mile walking and biking trail; Fairmount Park offers trails and free recreational areas mere blocks from Center City, as well as attractions for zip-lining and adventure-biking; Marsh Creek State Park is a water sports destination and Valley Forge National Historical Park connects the Mason Dixon and Appalachian trails. Gear up for your next meandering hike or kayaking trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Philadelphia is an incredible beer city. If the 1,000-plus pours at more than 90 craft breweries across the region don’t have you convinced, the praise from Frommer’s, GQ and Thrillest should. Some of the country’s best hazy IPAs, dessert stouts and crispy saisons can be found here alongside boundary-pushing barrel-aged and sour beers. Start your Greater Philadelphia beer exploration with our guide to the most essential breweries, or check out the complete Craft Beer Trail. Breweries are a perfect place to kickstart a discovery (or rediscovery) of everything there is to do in Philadelphia and the Countryside. Whether you’re spending an afternoon at a museum, a day on the trails or a night in a hotel, there’s always a brewery nearby.

Philly’s professional sports teams are ready to welcome fans into their stadiums for cheers, jeers and beers this spring and summer. The Phillies and Union start their seasons with promising outlooks, the Flyers hope to make the NHL playoffs and the 76ers are — this cannot be overstated — unstoppable this season. As spring turns to summer, look for two of the Philadelphia Countryside’s longstanding traditions: the Radnor Hunt Races and the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair. With hometown favorites to cheer for, there’s always something to celebrate.