Tag: events

Celebrate Summer with These Great Philly Beer Gardens

On May 17, 2017

With warm weather comes the opportunity to enjoy your favorite drinks outdoors. This is no exception in Philadelphia, where seasonal beer gardens are both popular and plentiful. Here are a few spots you should add to your list ASAP:

Independence Beer Garden

Located across the street from the Liberty Bell, this beer garden is one of the most popular in the area. Although the crowd of patrons may be massive, the Independence Beer Garden boasts three bars, a variety of seating areas, and even several games scattered throughout the 20,000-square-foot space. The Independence Beer Garden opened its doors on April 24 and serves 40 taps of regional and domestic craft beers, as well as a wide selection of American food.

PHS Pop Up Garden

Hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, this urban oasis is located at 15th and South Streets, with a new location opening on 36th and Filberts Streets this summer. The 15th and South Streets establishment opened on Cinco de Mayo and features new food, drinks, and “inspirational events” designed to connect visitors with the surrounding plant life.

The Oval

Run by the City of Philadelphia and the Fairmount Parks Conservancy, this beer garden is located directly in front of the Art Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This year, the popular Oval Beer Garden is slated to return every Wednesday through Sunday of the Oval’s usual season. Unfortunately, the City of Philadelphia has yet to release this year’s official opening date or vendors.

Spruce Street Harbor Park

Also known as the “hammock haven on the Delaware River,” Spruce Street Harbor Park is popular amongst single beer enthusiasts and families alike. This garden features lounge seating, floating barges and, of course, over 50 hammocks for guests to relax in. The SSHP also boasts a menu of drinks and dishes made in collaboration with local restaurants and breweries. The SSHP opened on May 12 and is located at 301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

What Will Hosting the DNC Be Like?

By Adam Goldin

On June 15, 2016

In Adam Goldin, History, News, Tourism

The Democratic National Convention is right around the corner, and the question becomes… What is Philly going to look like in that time?

For those of us who were around during the Pope’s visit in September of 2015, there is some amount of hesitation about the city’s ability to host so large an event without the entire city coming to a screeching halt. Businesses lost revenue, streets, trains, and even bridges were closed, cutting people off from transport to and from jobs, and the revenue boost for the city and it’s local business owners expected from entertaining so many visitors turned out to be a bust as well.

The DNC is primarily being held within the Wells Fargo Center, and XFinity live will be included in the surrounding security perimeter. While the finalized security routes have not been determined officially as of yet, we can all expect “some closures” and a “non-scalable wall”. Special Agent James Henry spoke to the issue, and said that this will be on a smaller scale than the pope visit, and the impact will be minimal. Planning, he said, began shortly after the Pope left town, so hopefully the lessons learned from the papal visit will be reflected in the city.

And unlike the Pope’s visit, which saw many Philly residents leaving town for a mini vacation just get out of Dodge, the mayor is urging city residents to stay in place for the DNC. A campaign has been launched, with the slogan “You Don’t Want To Miss This”.

Perhaps in an effort to keep the city from shutting down, and the huge amount of waste that went along with the mass exodus of Philadelphia residents during the Pope’s tenure, there will not only be local discounts for convention-goers, but for residents as well.

Even if you don’t have a ticket to the convention, there will be lots of events that are open to the public, if you are of the inclination to attend. From art installations to PoliticalFest, to the ability submit testimony to the official party platform, there will be a lot of activities in the city apart from the convention. Visit the PHLDNC webpage, or the Morning Call online for more information, including where the aforementioned #DNCDeals can be found.

A proposal is currently working it’s way through the Pennsylvania Legislature that would lift restrictions on the sale of alcohol. Temporarily, of course. House Bill 1196 is looking to create a “national event permit” allowing for establishments hosting the event to circumvent many laws, including 2 a.m. serving cutoffs, permit holders can sell wine that has not been purchased through the PLCB, and alcohol-to-go rules will remain in effect for all approved establishments. So get ready to party like it’s the 2016 DNC. Earlier this month, another bill that allowed for, among other things, wine sales at grocery stores, longer state liquor store hours and 24/7 beverage service at casinos passed the House in a 157-31 vote.

Spring Festivals and Events in Philly

By Adam Goldin

On March 11, 2016

In Adam Goldin, Attractions, Travel

It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a uniquely romantic date night or a relaxed family fun day, there are so many great things to do in Philadelphia in spring, and as the weather starts to warm up, there is no better way to shake off the chill and the cabin fever of winter than by getting out and enjoying some of the great events that this city has to offer.

Spruce Street Harbor Park. The Delaware River Waterfront has been amping up their game every year. We are going into the third year of the SSHP, and while I know it can get crowded in peak times, it is always worth the trip. Last year they stretched the length of the park further, and tied in more with the Roller Rink just around the point past the Seaport Museum. Though the specific details haven’t been released yet, they have always tried to expand the offerings. From horseshoes and shuffleboard to napping in a hammock fried chicken sandwiches from Federal Doughnuts and ice cream from Franklin Fountain, to a sandy beer, wine, and cocktail barge on the water for the grownups, it’s a spring afternoon that just can’t be beat. Last year they opened in May.

Chinese Lantern Festival. As part of the 10th birthday part of Franklin Square, Historic Philadelphia is putting on a great spring event starting in April and running until June. The small but charming square at 6th and Race will have the usual fare of the carousel and Philly-landmark mini-golf as well as Square Burger (for that Tastykake milkshake), but there will also be huge, illuminated lanterns, including a three-story-tall pagoda and a 200 foot long Chinese dragon. There will be craftspeople with small booths and will be creating edible sugar dragons, Chinese character painting of guest’s names, and more! There are entertainers at night when the lanterns are lit, including acrobats and balancing acts. The square is free during the day, but once the sun sets, the activities entertainment will come with a ticket price.

Fairmount Park’s Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival. Fashion shows, tours of the Shofuso Japanese Garden House, a samurai competition, Taiko drumming, dancing, karaoke, live music, Sakura Under the Stars, and more events all made an appearance at last year’s festival. And, of course, the cherry blossoms themselves, which are just as magical as any of the festivities put on at this wonderful spring festival.

Starting this month and running through September, the Franklin Institute will be hosting a “Science behind Pixar” event. From the math and engineering to the modeling and sound recording, dive into the world of Pixar with over 40 hands on displays, along with video of interviews with the creators of Pixar films. Try out modeling, set design, animation, and more at this event that everyone can enjoy. Don’t forget to walk through the giant heart on your way out, in true Franklin Institute tradition!

And don’t forget to celebrate warm weather the Philly way: with a street fair. The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, the South Street Spring Festival, and the 9th Street Italian Market Festival all happen about the same time every year. Each brings the unique personality of its neighborhood, with food, drinks, entertainment, music, and elbow-to-elbow people out into the sunshine every year. I recommend going early in the day if you are taking kids, as the crowds get rowdy after a day of sun and imbibing. If you’re looking for something more brainy, check out the Philadelphia Science Festival, which culminates every year with a street fair science carnival.