Six Reasons to Get Psyched for Spring in Philly

Greater Philadelphia’s top attractions have reopened and offer a wealth of experiences for curious travelers, experienced locals and anyone who’s ready to get out of the house. Current capacity limitations mean you and your buds should book tickets in advance for a unique visitor experience that comes with a chance to spread out and take your time. In addition to symbols of freedom like the Liberty Bell et Independence Hall, visitors will find an unparalleled art collection at the Barnes Foundation, exquisite floral displays at Longwood Gardens and dining delights at Reading Terminal Market. Coming this spring: the Centre de découverte de la foi et de la liberté in Old City explores the nation’s founding tenets shared in the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Bible (opens May 1). Check out our guide to must-see attractions in Greater Philadelphia.

Spring exhibitions in Philly represent the city: colorful, creative and innovative. Add these to your list of things to see when the family comes to visit:

• The Barnes Foundation hosts the world premiere of Soutine / de Kooning : Conversations en peinture, featuring 45 groundbreaking 20th-century works by Chaïm Soutine and Willem de Kooning (on view now)
• The Franklin Institute lays claim to another world premiere: the hands-on Crayola IDEAworks : l'exposition sur la créativité (on view now)
• Later in the season, the Philadelphia Zoo welcomes life-like dinosaurs at BIG TIME : La vie à une époque dangereuse (opens March 29)
• Eastern State Penitentiary brings back last fall’s popular Night Tours (starting May 7)
• Please Touch Museum debuts Centennial Innovations inspired by Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Fairgrounds
• The pièce de résistance: the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s stunning redesign, which includes new gallery spaces and exhibitions (debuts May 7)

Philly’s parks and trails are calling! It’s the perfect time to safely stretch your legs, unwind or work up a sweat as the city’s green spaces bloom. Our guide de la course à pied et du vélo includes route lengths and recommended starting points for more than 20 scenic trails where you can catch up with friends, including the Schuylkill River Trail, Delaware Canal Towpath and the currently closed-to-vehicles MLK Drive. Find acres of gardens, picnic spots, athletic fields and unbeatable skyline views in our guide to Philly’s top parks — a collection of restful spaces where you can reconnect with family just a heartbeat away from Center City.

Root, root, root for the home team — in person! Spring sports are back and ready to welcome fans into their stadiums for cheers, jeers and beers. The Phillies kick off their season with an April 1 home game at Citizens Bank Park and the Union de Philadelphie begin their season with two Concacaf Champions League matches, including one at Subaru Park (April 14). Plus, the unstoppable 76ers et Les mouches are poised to make the NBA and NHL playoffs, respectively. Check each team’s website for ticketing information and get your foam fingers ready!

Spring brings a host of new spots to dine and drink, including the highly anticipated opening of Chef Omar Tate’s Honeysuckle supper club and grocery shop; the return of Terrasse sur le robinet at Independence Visitor Center (opens March 26); La cuisine du débarcadère in Bala Cynwyd from Chef Nick Elmi (now open); and a handful of new craft breweries, including Great Barn Taphouse from Great Barn Brewery in Warrington (April). Plus, regional restaurant weeks mean special menu items and irresistible fixed-price meal deals. Don’t miss Northern Liberties Semaine des restaurants (April 9-18), Semaine des restaurants de King of Prussia (April 11-15 & 18-22) and Semaine des restaurants latinos (May 5-9).

Philly has way too much going on this spring to fit into a single day. Luckily, it’s super easy to stay over. Book the Visite de Philly avec nuitée à l'hôtel for incredible perks like free hotel parking and buy-one-get-one-free tickets purchased at the Independence Visitor Center to top Philly attractions — a great way to see many of the awesome spots mentioned above. The can’t-miss deal is available for stays through June 1. Plus, keep an eye out for new hotels opening this spring.