City Slicker

Trust us, there really are activities in Philly that are fun enough that you’ll brave the chilly temps to take part in.

By: Sarah Waddington

As soon as winter hits, so many of the things that were once part of our day-today routines are brought to a screeching halt from the freezing temps. Sometimes, it’s not so much the weather itself that prevents us from going out and doing things; it’s more of answering the question of: “What is there to do?” It’s not like the spring or summertime when it seems as though everything revolves around being outdoors. When it comes to the fall and winter seasons, things are a bit different— these five activities will get you out of the house even when it’s chilly AF.

Get your shop on!

The holidays are upon us, which means we all have one big task that we must strive to complete: holiday shopping. Center City is an excellent place to do this, as there are so many shops and holiday-themed markets to choose from. This season, check out Macy’s in Center City—you can never go wrong with picking out the perfect gifts here, and you can see the historic light show in the main room every night (ugh, how romantic). If you’re looking for more festive, unique gifts, try a holiday market like Christmas Village at LOVE Park or the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market at Dilworth Park––both are happening now!

Hit the Grocery Store

Now this is probably a given, but no matter what the weather is like, our groceries aren’t going to restock themselves. Even though grocery shopping may not seem too exciting, you can make it a fun or new experience. Here’s something interesting you can do: go to Pinterest and browse through some recipes that you’ve never tried before. You can get super creative with this. Never cooked a dairy-free or a vegan meal before? Go for it! Who doesn’t like trying something new every now and then? It’s super fun to do it with pals, SOs, or potential partners. Bundle up and take a trip to Trader Joe’s on Market Street or ALDI in Brewerytown for great discounts. Pro Tip: there’s a new-ish farmer’s market in South Philly called Sprouts. You’ll have access to organic, all-natural foods at Trader Joe’s prices, and you’re able to sample anything you want in the store! Hop on the Broad Street Line with your reusable bags, take it all the way to Ellsworth-Federal, and you’re right there.

Skate Your Stress Away

The perfect activity to get yourself out of the house and moving with friends or family is to go ice skating. Ice skating kills time during the colder months and makes for a great night. Follow this up with a nice dinner in the city and you’ve got the perfect evening. While there are a couple places to go ice skating in the city, the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest at Penn’s Landing is our fave. General admission to Winterfest is free and to skate is only $4 (plus $10 if you need to rent skates). Lucky for us college kids, we get discounted skating admission. And once you’re tired from skating, you can chill out in the heated cabins, grab some hot cocoa, and take advantage of the many festive photo ops around the park.

Spend a Night at the Ballet

Sure, going to the movies is fun, but when was the last time you saw a play or a musical? There’s something about seeing a show come to life on stage that instantly elevates our entertainment experience. Until December 31, you can see the Pennsylvania Ballet perform The Nutcracker at the Kimmel Center on South Broad. Starting at around $30, you can ring in the holiday season by reliving this absolute classic.

Grab a Bite in the City

During the colder seasons, eating Doritos and chicken nuggets gets old pretty quickly. Why not choose a day out of the week and plan a meal in the city? We love Mission Taqueria on Sansom. The atmosphere (pictured left) is top-notch. Think: plants everywhere, neon signs, and a random outdoor space for the inevitable Instagram photos. The guacamole is heavenly, and the margaritas are some of the best in the city. And if you love delicious food and have a sweet tooth you’re dying to satisfy, Max Brenner on 15th and Walnut is your go-to place. This restaurant is the epitome of a chocolate heaven; they have chocolate-themed meals, drinks (chocolate martinis? yes), and desserts––we recommend the chocolate fondue to share––but don’t let this distract you from the food itself. They serve eclectic dishes like waffle fries dusted in chili powder and cocoa, as well as traditional fare like macaroni and cheese and hamburgers. Just a quick warning: once you go to this spot once, you’ll want to come back every week.

See? We told you there’s plenty of things to do in the city that you won’t need hand warmers for. Whether you’re heading into down solo or with pals, one thing’s for sure: it’s impossible to be bored in Philadelphia.