By: Nina Violi, Kat Bein By: Nina Violi, Kat Bein | November 24, 2021 | Lifestyle
The days are getting shorter and there's a feeling of festivities in the air. Winter is here and we're ready to have some fun.
Whether you're looking to get cozy with friends and family or shop 'til you drop, take a hike through a winter wonderland or hit the slopes, Philly offers so much to do in the colder months for fun well beyond the holiday season. Gather the crew and get out there during the winter season with these six must-try activities.
See also: 7 Warm Cocktails and Winter Drinks to Stay Cozy all Season
1 S 15th St / Website
Right in front of City Hall in Dilworth Park, an ice rink has popped up for you to skate with friends and family. For 90 minutes, you and your group can enjoy winter in the city. The rink is open now through Feb. 27 of 2022. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids 10 years old and younger. Skate rentals are also available for $10 each.
1500 Walnut St. / Website
This famous chocolatier serves a range of chocolate goods and treats all year-round, but the hot chocolate is even more exciting in the cold winter months—especially if it's snowing outside. Try a white chocolate chai or white chocolate matcha for an adventurous taste, or stick with the classic and get all the trimmings. You can also enjoy a bevy of chocolate cocktails, inducing a chocolate martini and white chocolate Russian.
219 South Cheyney Rd., Glen Mills / Website
Head outside the city and take a hike among the truly magical woods of Newlin Grist Mill. Explore the 160-acre park and it's 8.5 miles of trail, spotting small snow birds and other fauna among the winter wonderland scene. From sparkling white grasslands to a wintry river, there's plenty to see and enjoy. You might even come across a waterfall or two. The trails are mostly flat, making them safe and enjoyable for all members of the family, and you'll definitely get some very shareable photos.
193 Resort Dr., Tannersville / Website
Just a bit more than a two-hour drive from Philly sits some of the most fun you can ever have on a snow day. Camelback Resort offers a host of indoor and outdoor fun, but the skiing and snow tubing are must-try adventures. Boasting more than 40 snow tube lanes, snow tubing kicks off in mid December and lasts as long as the winter weather. One pass lasts for two hours, while skiers and snow boarders can take advantage of lift tickets and season passes. There's lots of other things to do between trips down the slope. Check the Camelback Resort website for a full list of restaurants and summer activities, too.
240 S Broad St / Website
The tradition is back at the Academy of Music, located on Broad Street. The Philadelphia Ballet performs The Nutcracker from Dec. 10 through Dec. 31 in 2021. The story follows a girl named Marie who befriends a Nutcracker on Christmas Eve, and her hero must fight the evil Mouse King. The show includes students from the Philadelphia Ballet who work so hard to give the performance you cannot miss, so don't!
1501 John F Kennedy Blvd. / Website
Also at City Hall, you'll find the Christmas Village German Christmas market. The market is open from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24 in 2021, boasting vendors that sell perfect gifts for the holiday season. Other than shopping, the village includes live entertainment, a German food court, a Ferris wheel and a kids' train. While at City Hall, stay for the projected light show called “Deck the Hall Light Show,” running from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1, 2022.
Photography by: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels
