Philadelphia is personally my favorite city to explore (however I *might* be biased, as someone from the area). Although it sometimes gets a bad rep due to crime rates and crazy sports fans (some of us have been yelling “go Birds!” since we could talk), Philly has so many great opportunities to build your career, make friends, and enjoy great food. Even if you don’t live here, it’s still a fantastic place to spend your days off. Here are some of the best things to do in Philly this weekend!
Puppies&Yoga – Cuddle With Puppies and do Yoga!
Puppies&Yoga has many studios in various cities around the US, but the two studios in Philadelphia are located in Old City and Fairmount. For $69, you get 75 minutes with puppies, broken down into a 45-minute puppy yoga session and a 30-minute puppy chill time for extra cuddles. Each ticket additionally includes a yoga mat for the session and access to a wellness drink cart to keep you refreshed and grounded. Important things to note are that you are not permitted to enter the session if you are more than 20 minutes late, and children must be at least 10 years old. Visit their website, puppies-yoga.com, for more info!
Rittenhouse Square – Shop Trendy & High-End Stores
Rittenhouse Square is one of the prettiest parts of Philadelphia. Alongside a beautiful park to stroll in, you can also shop in high-end stores like Aritzia, lululemon, Glossier, Brandy Melville, Athleta, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Aesop, and so many more! There are also plenty of coffee shops and restaurants to go to with your friends and family. Overall, the vibe of Rittenhouse is impeccable, and contains every store imaginable that teens and young adults are obsessed with today.
Philly Art Museum – Admire Timeless Works of Art
Whether you like the new name or not (I have mixed feelings), there’s no doubt that the Philly Art Museum is one of the pinnacles of the city. Honestly, you could spend hours here. There are so many different exhibits that are all fascinating in their own way. A typical adult ticket for general admission costs $30, but with a valid student ID you can pay only $14. Minors also receive free entry, if you want to go with a younger sibling or relative. Additionally, if you go to the Philly Art Museum during a weekday (Monday through Friday), general admission tickets also include entry to the Rodin Museum, which is at a separate location on the Benjamin Parkway not far from the main museum, and is a gorgeous curated collection of pieces by French sculptor Auguste Rodin (it’s also a great place to get some pretty pictures for your Instagram).
Happy DIY – Do-It-Yourself Decoden and Beading Studio
Located in Chinatown, Happy DIY is a place where you can create your own little work of art through decoden, which is a Japanese craft style that consists of decorating items, especially phone cases and mirrors, with fake “icing” and a plethora of charms and other adornments. You can refer to their Instagram page for pricing information and a full list of the services they offer. It’s a great way to spend time with your friends and make some memories!
Christmas Village – Explore Holiday Shopping, Food, and Fun
Each holiday season, the Christmas Village in Love Park features an extensive list of vendors, ranging from fashion to food to arts and crafts and more. There are also rides such as a carousel, ferris wheel, and children’s train presented by SEPTA. You can also participate in events like the Holiday Greenery Workshop Series, Festival of Trees (a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) and see a miniature Christmas village made entirely out of gingerbread! The Philly Christmas Village is an excellent place for people of all ages to have a good time, so it is the perfect choice for someone looking for a family-oriented atmosphere.