Thanksgiving in Philadelphia

By Katie Sagal

Will your Thanksgiving plans find you in Philadelphia this year? Whether Philly is your home base, or you’re visiting family or friends for the holiday, you probably already have some ideas for the meal itself. However, if you’re entertaining out-of-town guests, or just trying to keep the kids occupied during their time off from school, you may be in search of some Thanksgiving-friendly things to do this time of year. Many of these Philly Thanksgiving events are a kickoff to festivals, events, and activities that lead into the holiday season, too, so we hope this article is of help for longer-term planning as well. We’ve put together a few of our favorite fall activities and seasonal things to do in November. Check our ideas below:

  • Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
  • Christmas at Peddler’s Village
  • Winter at Dilworth Park
  • Franklin Square Holiday Festival
  • Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
  • A Longwood Christmas
  • Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade

While it’s less famous than its New York City or Chicago cousins, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest of its kind in the country. It proceeds down Benjamin Franklin Parkway, bursting with colorful floats, massive balloons, and performers from all across the state. And it wouldn’t be a Thanksgiving parade without the appearance of the Man himself at the end!

 

Christmas at Peddler’s Village

November – December

Encompassing the kick-off to the Christmas season on one end, and the official Christmas Celebration at the other end, this seasonal event series at Peddler’s Village is a local tradition. Located about an hour from Center City Philadelphia in New Hope, PA, this charming historic town boasts more than 60 specialty shops that are ideal for holiday shopping. Their festive decorations are practically unparalleled, too—a truly inspiring start to the holiday season.

 

Winter at Dilworth Park

November - February

This Center City locale is a popular site for holiday festivities, offering up everything from an ice rink (opening usually early November) to an inside garden space in Dilworth Park called Winter Garden. You’ll also find an abundance of glittering holiday lights here, with vendors offering hot cocoa and apple cider, and all that welcomes you into the Christmas season. Dilworth Park also hosts many events throughout the year including fall and winter markets, concerts, and even an Oktoberfest event, should you be visiting before Thanksgiving.

 

Franklin Square Holiday Festival

Mid-November – Late December

Another bastion of holiday cheer with its glittering lights, glamorous decorations, and cheerful music, Franklin Square is one of the top places in the city to celebrate the oncoming season. During the week of Thanksgiving, they usually host Thanksgiving craft-making events for kids, while after the focus is on Christmas. You can enjoy family-friendly activities throughout, such as a carousel, miniature train, mini-golf course, and more. And don’t forget the enchanting lights show that runs each day beginning at 4.30PM.

 

Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market

November – January

Also located in Dilworth Park, this expansive holiday market features nearly 50 different artists and artisans selling their beautiful handcrafted wares. You can find everything from unique gifts to specialty holiday foods. Admission to the market is free, but you’re sure going to want to set aside some money for the presents you’ll be purchasing. It’s right across the street from the Christmas Village, a German-style marketplace which is held in LOVE Park.

 

A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens

November – January

Longwood Gardens is an inspiring sight year ‘round, but there’s just something about the acres of poinsettias, Christmas trees, and winter flowers that populate their Conservatory during the holiday season that makes it truly special. Outdoors, you’ll also find a cozy, blazing fire pit accompanied by thousands of twinkling lights on nearby trees. This season typically kicks off on Thanksgiving Day, but they’ve added a week this year to give everyone more time to enjoy the magic that is a Longwood Christmas.

BlueCross RiverRink Winterfest

Late November – Early March

This holiday tradition is one of Philadelphia’s most beloved things to do on Thanksgiving weekend. This time of year, it’s typically cold enough to begin ice-skating, and families love to bring their kids to burn off a little bit of that Thanksgiving meal at the RiverRink. Winterfest is a seasonal extravaganza, with everything from fire pits and an ice rink to indoor arcades and a chalet-like lodge nestled in a picturesque winter landscape.

 

Other Things to do in November in Philadelphia

  • Skip the cooking and eat out! Many restaurants serve special meals for the holiday and you won’t have to do the dishes.
  • Register for a Turkey Trot – Philly loves running and you’re sure to find a race to suit your mileage. Or, run/spectate the Philadelphia Marathon (November)
  • Volunteer a food bank or shelter. There are many serving Thanksgiving dinners to the less fortunate.
  • Indulge your rural side and enjoy a hayride or some apple-picking outside the city.
  • Explore the local arts scene at CraftNOW Philadelphia, held at various locations throughout the city in November (select dates, November – December).
  • Take in a flick at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (November).

Explore American heritage! From the Betsey Ross House to the Liberty Bell, you can learn more about American history during November—a good field trip season, too.

Save on November Activities in Philadelphia

Planning to explore a few of these ideas for your family during Thanksgiving break? Grab a Go Philadelphia pass to save up to 45% on tickets to top November activities. After all, the December holidays are rapidly approaching and you’ll want to save where you can now! So, what are you waiting for? Grab a Philadelphia pass and get exploring!

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Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Benjamin Franklin's grave covered in pennies, one of the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia
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Historical Things to do in Philadelphia

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This phrase, uttered by Winston Churchill in the years following the Second World War, is as true today as it was back then. America is a nation with a short yet rich history, and Philadelphia was at the center of it some three hundred years ago. It's no wonder, then, that Philadelphia is full of historical things to do and see! So, if you're in town and feeling historical, we've put together a guide to the best historical things to do in Philadelphia. These are our top picks. Including: Eastern State Penitentiary Museum of the American Revolution National Liberty Museum Christ Church Burial Ground National Constitution Center and more! Live like a criminal at Eastern State Penitentiary If you've always wondered what it feels like to 'do time', you needn't break the law to find out. After all, there's a certain sense of finality to getting locked up. Instead, head to Eastern State Penitentiary, an old prison where some of the most famous criminals in the U.S. once lived. It played a big part in modernizing the judicial system in the country, with many states now banning capital punishment. It even had running water and central heating before the White House. An astonishing fact and great news for the likes of Al Capone. Yes, the late not-so-great mobster spent 8 months in this infamous prison, and you can even visit his cell! But he's just one of the many famous names you may spot as you wander the prison. Of course, your self-guided tour will let you fill in all the blanks - the who's, the what's, and the where's - and let you go at your own pace. There's even an art installation about the prison, if you need a little distraction after all that incarceration business. If you're looking for historical things to do in Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary is full of it. Feel patriotic at the Museum of the American Revolution Philly played a massive part in the American Revolution, with many of the key players living there back in the 18th century. So it's hardly surprising that a museum dedicated to the revolution and the War of Independence can be found in the city. That museum is the Museum of the American Revolution. And if you're looking for historical things to do in Philadelphia, it doesn't get much better than that. You'll explore this rich and complicated era and its connections to our world today. Thanks to a massive collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art, you'll not get a more in-depth look at the time period than right here. Go check out the massive collection for yourself and get immersed in that revolutionary spirit! Learn about liberty at the National Liberty Museum Speaking of the War of Independence, liberty is something America has strived for ever since. It's also a big deal in Philadelphia, where one of the city's most iconic sights is called the Liberty Bell. Liberty is clearly something Philadelphia celebrates, which is why you'll find the National Liberty Museum within the city's limits. Paying tribute to liberty across the globe, you'll find exhibits dedicated to heroes that fought against tyranny. Whether it's a faithful recreation of the secret floor where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis, or another of the jail cell Nelson Mandela spent nearly 30 years for taking a stand against racial apartheid, you'll be moved by the countless offerings in the museum. And because it's Philadelphia, of course you'll find a copy of the Liberty Bell and information all about the Revolutionary War too. Pay your respects at Christ Church Burial Ground Given Philadelphia's importance to the war efforts against the British, you might guess that many important faces from the war lived their lives in the city. It's also where many of them were laid to rest. So why not go pay your respects at Christ Church Burial Ground? This self-guided tour will take you around all the famous remaining gravestones that still stand in the graveyard. Listen and you'll learn more about the brave men and women buried beneath your feet. In fact, it's the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin, one of the most famous faces of the war, and one of the names on the Declaration of Independence. if you have any pennies handy, toss one onto his grave. It's a Philly tradition. But he's just one of the many names you'll see as you walk the yard. So keep an eye out and see who you spot. You wanted historical? It doesn't get much more historical than a graveyard. Get constitutional at the National Constitution Center After the war was won and the British were done, there was a matter of an entire country to run. Where do you begin with such a mammoth endeavor? Well, rules help, so they should come first. And that's what they did. They wrote down a load of rules which became the U.S. Constitution back in 1787. And guess where they wrote said document? That's right, Philly, baby! Don't believe us? Head down to the National Constitution Center and be proven wrong. Inside, you'll learn everything you need to know about this key moment in American history. Thanks to hundreds of interactive exhibits, artifacts, and straight-up facts, you'll learn all about the process leading up to the document's release, how it's shaped America in the 300 years since, and how it's been amended as time's gone on. And that's not all; you'll see the OG document in all its glory, as well as the original Emancipation Proclamation that Lincoln signed. Constitutional stuff! You'll even get to vote for your all-time favorite president, and take the presidential oath of office (maybe a little practice for a future career?) Do the walk of freedom on a Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour And where better to end this historical jaunt through Philly than on a literal jaunt? Follow the history of the Founding Fathers and the roads the Revolution once walked on this Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour. Learn about Philadelphia's many famous landmarks like the Liberty Bell, and enter the likes of Independence Hall. With your knowledgeable guide in tow, you're sure to learn a lot more than we could ever share. So go check it out if your feet are in a walking mood. And those were our picks of the best historical things to do in Philadelphia! Looking for some modern marvels to complement your so-far historical vacation? See all of Philly's best bits with Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see the city at your own pace.
Dom Bewley
lions at Philadelphia zoo
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Outdoor Activities in Philadelphia

Isn't being outside fun? The calming call of birdsong, the sun washing over you, and the feeling of wind blasting you in the face. Nothing quite beats it. So, if you're vacationing in Philadelphia, make the most of the sunshine at the best outdoor activities in the city. But what are they? We know doing your own research is boring, so we did it for you. You are very welcome. Here are our top tips for some great outdoor fun in Philly! Including: Philadelphia Ghost Tour Philadelphia Zoo Dark Philly Adult Night Tour Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour Christ Church Burial Ground Serious spookums on the Philadelphia Ghost Tour Let's kick your guide to the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia with some spooky shenanigans. Do you believe in ghosts? Do you think the dead walk this Earth, shuffling through dark streets and in the corners of video clips? Even if you don't, you may change your mind after this ghoulish ghost tour of Philadelphia's streets. Spirits, haunted houses, eerie graveyards, and mysterious gardens are covered on this candlelit ghost tour of Philadelphia. Each guide is a masterful storyteller, weaving terrible tales at each and every stop. You'll learn all about the darkest secrets hidden in the shadows of America's most historic and most haunted city. If you're lucky, you may even see places where real ghost sightings and hauntings have taken place! And best of all, if you are a parent, the trip is kid-friendly too. So, no reason to leave them at home or fear they'll be scarred for life. Just what you want as a parent. If you're made of stern-enough stuff, this ghastly tour is easily one of the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia! Walk and talk with the animals at Philadelphia Zoo Animals, right? Everybody loves an animal, from the cute and tiny to the large and ferocious. We love them so much we even let some sleep in our beds, so it's no surprise we love to visit the less-domesticated sort at the zoo. And, if you're in Philly, why not check out the outdoor glory of the Philadelphia Zoo? Get up close and personal with lions, gorillas, tortoises, snakes, and tons more at this state-of-the-art animal wonderland. Spread across 42 acres of space, you'll have the chance to meet over 1,300 species of rare and exotic creatures! With all that space, you can expect the residents of Philadelphia Zoo have plenty of space to stretch their legs. Which is good for them, of course, but it's also good for you. Nothing is quite as sad as a tiny zoo with mistreated animals. Little ones will love the KidZooU, despite the name, where they'll be able to pet friendlier animals and learn all about the animal kingdom as a whole. Bigger kids will appreciate the Carnivore Kingdom, which is full of the bitey critters. A top day out for all and sundry. Explore your darker side on this Dark Philly Adult Night Tour We're back with more spooky endeavors now, though you'll want to leave the children at home for this one. Because while ghosts, haunted buildings, and spooky cemeteries can be wholesome, this evening tour of Philly's seedy underbelly is far from it. Featuring vampires, pirates, sex, torture, and, yes, even ghosts (but the terrifying kind) are all part and parcel of this chilling stroll through the city's unseen history. Your trepidacious steps will take you past Independence Hall, the Library of Congress, and over twenty other sites, where unspeakable things have supposedly taken place. Well, unspoken of until now, at least. Whipping posts, gallows, the red light district, public slave auctions, you'll see all the sites of these unthinkable events. The red light district?! What would the children think?! Thankfully, aiding you on your descent into the underworld is a brave yet knowledgeable history expert who will expertly recant the city's darkest events. Together, you will peel back the layers of the city's rotten core and expose them to the world! Or, you'll simply never forget your time at one of the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia. It's up to you. Feel revolutionary on this Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour Stepping away from the ghoulish once again, let's instead focus on something more patriotic. Philadelphia was one of the key cities in the fight against the English interlopers, and on this tour, you'll have the chance to walk the Revolutionary Road, and get a deeper understanding of the Founding Fathers and what they faced. From the famous Liberty Bell to Independence Hall, you'll cover the most impactful sites of the Revolution. You'll also visit many locations linked to the Founding Fathers, including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and many more. You'll also see the house of the unknown George Washington. Not sure if you've heard of him, but he had a small hand in the War of Independence. And the whole time, your learned guide will be on hand to sprinkle secrets and lesser-known facts into your ears. You'll never look at a one-dollar bill quite the same again. See where many famous faces lay at Christ Church Burial Ground Speaking of Revolutionary legends, what about that Declaration of Independence? Such a simple sheet of paper holds such significance that Nicholas Cage is continuously keeping it out of the bad guys' hands. But what of the hands that signed it? Where are they now? Well, all of them are dead, but some of them are buried at Philly's own Christ Church burial ground. So why not go visit them, and pay your respects? Look close enough, and you'll find the burial sites of four declaration signers, including Benjamin Franklin (and his wife), Francis Hopkinson, and George Ross, as well as many other famous faces from America's earliest days as a sovereign nation. Unfortunately, natural weather erosion means that thousands of those buried there are lost to time. But they're right beneath your feet if that's comforting at all. And, while you're there, throw a penny onto Benjamin Franklin's grave for good luck. It's a tradition here in Philly. Don't think; just throw. And that was our guide to the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia! In the market for some inside fun in Philadelphia? Check out all the city's best bits with Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see as much of the city as you like at your own pace.
Dom Bewley
What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in Philadelphia
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What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in Philadelphia

Over 60% of Americans have either served themselves, or have family who have served in the armed forces. That is an astronomical figure. It's no wonder, then, that Memorial Day is such a big deal here. A day when we all remember those who gave their lives for our country, Memorial Day gives ordinary folk like you and me a chance to show our gratitude to them. And if you're in Philadelphia, you might wonder what to do on Memorial Day weekend? In this guide, we'll cover all the best events and experiences, as well as other fun things to get up to in the days before and after Memorial Day. Including: Philadelphia's History with Memorial Day Philadelphia's Memorial Day Parade The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall Special exhibits at the Museum of the American Revolution and more! So, if you were wondering what to do on Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia, now you know! If you're staying in town for a few days and want to fill out your itinerary with fun, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Philly's best bits at one low price. So grab a Philadelphia pass and save while you sightsee this Labor Day weekend!
Dom Bewley

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