New Year's Eve in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s New Year’s Eve parties are the stuff of legend. If you’re already picturing skies aflame with more pyrotechnics than a Katy Perry concert, you’re not far wrong. This historic city really lays on the light shows, with firework displays taking place throughout the evening and parties of all stripes – from thrilling live music in dive bars to black-tie balls – ringing in the New Year across the city. Spending the whole of New Year’s Eve in Philly? We’ve put together a short guide to how you might while away the hours leading up to the midnight celebrations, including all the best parties as well as must-see Philly attractions including the Independence National Historical Park and Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Morning: Immerse in Philly’s Rich History

You just can’t visit Philadelphia and not also spend time at the Independence National Historical Park while you’re there. This absolute treasure trove of American history is basically the nation’s entire origin story. Independence Hall, a polished red-brick Georgian confection complete with central bell tower and steeple is the stately venue where the Founding Fathers debated and signed the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. You can feel the full weight of history on a tour that takes in the grand Assembly Room and adjacent Liberty Bell Center; home, of course, to that iconic symbol of American independence – there’s surely no better way to ‘ring’ in the New Year (sorry).

Explore the hushed chambers of the Congress Hall and learn about the major historic events – including the inauguration for George Washington's second term – that took place here. The President’s House carries on Washington’s story and explores the history of slavery in early American history, revealing the stories of enslaved people who served Washington throughout his presidency. The park’s cobbled lanes invite gentle, contemplative strolls, and rangers are on hand to provide further insights into the area’s past.

Appetite for Philly history well and truly whetted, you might also want to explore nearby landmark attractions including the Benjamin Franklin Museum, a mind-bending deep-dive into the inventions and writings of one of America’s most celebrated Founding Fathers. And, as you’re already in the heart of Philadelphia's old city, why not also pop your head into Elfreth's Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the United States, and Betsy Ross House, said to be where the very first American flag was created.

Afternoon: Art and Aquariums

All that history is sure to have given you a whopping great appetite. And a whopping great appetite demands a whopping great lunch. So, while in Philly, do as the Philadelphians do. You can get your gnashers round a classic Philly cheesesteak in just about any diner worth its salt here, but hit up Chubby’s, Larry’s or Joe’s Steak + Soda House for some of the most authentic in town: cheese-oozing subs crammed with tender fried steak and onions, sure to provide sustenance for the rest of the afternoon’s sightseeing.

To wit: onwards to the mighty Philadelphia Museum of Art, where you can live out your childhood dream of running up the 72 steps made famous in the Rocky movie. Heck, you can even grab a selfie beside a statue of the fictional boxer before heading inside. And, boy, do some knockout pieces await you there. We’re talking Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Monet’s Water Lily Pool, and Picasso’s Three Musicians, alongside dozens more international heavyweights of modern and contemporary art, as well as an extensive collection of Asian and medieval European art and artifacts.

Or, for something completely different, you could head out of town to the awesome Adventure Aquarium, where 15 zones of interactive animal fun await. There are sharks by the boatload here, including a rare great hammerhead, as well as giant sea turtles, stingrays and all the usual seafaring suspects. But that’s not all. Adventure Aquarium just happens to be the only aquarium on the planet with resident hippos (Genny and Button, since you’re asking). You can also meet a colony of teeny-tiny little blue penguins, the smallest species in the world at around a foot tall.

Alternatively, keep your dancing feet ship-shape for the long evening ahead and do your post-lunch sightseeing from the comfort of a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Sure, the whole point of these is that you can get on and off for a closer peek at all the big Philly attractions (the clue’s in the name, Columbo) but, hey, it’s New Year’s Eve, and no-one will think any less of you for conserving energy by simply enjoying the 90-minute narrated loop without setting foot off the coach once.

Evening: Ain’t no Party Like a Philly Party

Philadelphia’s New Year’s Eve celebrations kick off in earnest around 6PM when the first volley of fireworks are launched along the Delaware River waterfront. Synchronized music booms out across the city as eyes turn skywards for the technicolor extravaganza, and there are plenty of places to nab yourself a good view. Arm yourself with a blanket and flask of hot chocolate to hit up some of the best free seats in the house: Penn’s Landing, Camden Waterfront and Race Street Pier for the win. This ‘matinee’ show allows young families to join the fun, and is repeated at midnight for the grown-ups, once the kids are safely tucked up in bed.

Most of the city’s ticketed New Year’s Eve events also run dual parties around the two firework displays. These include the Independence Blue Cross Riverrink Winterfest (try saying that after your second mulled wine) – the city’s most popular holiday wonderland – which counts firepits, log cabins, hot food and drinks, festive trees festooned with fairy lights, a Ferris wheel and a whopping great ice-skating rink among its many attractions.

Other options include Cherry Street Pier and Liberty Point, where the early evening parties include fun activities like mural-making and live ice-sculpting demonstrations for the kids (don’t worry: adults can join in too!). All events include epic dance parties and most also come with one free drink (hot chocolate or a cocktail, depending on the time of day, or age of partygoer). By the morning after the night before you’re sure to be left with happy, hazy memories and little doubt that Philadelphia’s New Year party scene is a force to be reckoned with. Full disclaimer: you’ll probably have a sore head too, but Philadelphia’s excellent glut of laid back brunch spots and colorful New Year’s Day Mummers Parade will soon sort you out.

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