Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ Martin Luther King Day, Restaurant Week and More!

‘Exploring What The City of Brotherly Has To Offer!’

Some big events will start to take place as the new year gets under way. Philadelphia Restaurant Week starts Sunday, followed by The Philadelphia Car Show, East Passyunk Restaurant Week, the Philadelphia Flower Show, followed by many food festivals and much more.

In celebration of Martin Luther King Day, some Philly Museums will be open for free with many activities for all. The Benjamin Franklin Museum will be open to the public for free this weekend as well, celebrating Ben’s birthday.

What event or activity this weekend or during the week excites you the most? Please share with us in the comments below.

No matter what tickles your fancy, we have a lot events and attractions for you below. Are you a fan of our facebook fan page. Follow us here for exciting daily updates! MyPhillyAlive on Facebook –

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we like to share fun and exciting events and attractions with you. Check out what’s happening for you this weekend in Philly and for the upcoming week and put these events on your calendar.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ January 17 – 23 ~

FYI – There are many events & attractions listed below that have been open prior today which are listed as “Now”.

• Philadelphia Bars & Restaurants with Fireplaces ~ Keep warm at these 36 bars & restaurants. ~ Philly Bars & Restaurants with Fireplaces ~
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of January ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for January 2014 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Art After 5 ~ January 17 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. East Gipsy Band – East Gipsy Band includes respected jazz and gypsy musicians from the Hungarian music scene. Integrating traditional Roma music with improvisation and jazz, their music features well-known French, German, Italian, Hungarian, and Roma tunes. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday Celebration ~ January 17 – 19 ~ FREE – In honor of Benjamin Franklin’s birthday, January 17 from 9 am – 5 pm, Visit Philly is offering FREE admission to the Benjamin Franklin Museum for the weekend. You don’t need to register in advance for free admission. ~ Benjamin Franklin Museum ~
• Wine & Cheese Pairings ~ January 18 ~ Starting at 1 pm, held at the at Chaddsford Winery at Peddlers Village. $35 per person. Cure your cabin fever with Wine & Cheese Pairing featuring hearty, classic comfort foods paired with selected Chaddsford wines. Enjoy Macaroni & Cheese, Grilled Cheese & Cheesecakes prepared in a spin off fashion from the traditional way by the Chive Cafe. ~ Wine & Cheese Pairings at Chaddsford Winery ~
• Martin Luther King Day Events ~ January 18 – 20 ~ In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr Day, enjoy several museums for free with many kinds of activities and events. ~ Martin Luther King Day Events ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~  January 18 & 22 ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 114-year history of the vibrant Reading Terminal Market where they’re sold during this 75-minute, food-writer-led walking tour. ~ Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~
• Clover Market 2014 ~ January 19 ~ Held at the 23rd Street Armory from 10 am – 5 pm. It’s an open-air market, which will be indoors, featuring 100+ vendors with antiques & collectibles, vintage jewelry & clothing, finely crafted handmade items, and original art. There will be Philly Food Trucks such as: The Cow and the Curd, Pitruco Pizza, the Farm Truck, Sweet Box Truck and others. ~ Clover Market 2014 ~
• Philadelphia Restaurant Week ~ January 19 – 24 & January 26 – 31 ~ Enjoy discounted foods at fine restaurants in Center City. ~ Philadelphia Restaurant Week ~
• Martin Luther King Day Events ~ January 20 ~ In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr Day, enjoy several museums for free with many kinds of activities and events. ~ Martin Luther King Day Events ~
• Ceremonial Tapping of the Liberty Bell ~ January 20 ~ Join Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, distinguished guests and more with a ceremonial tapping of the Liberty Bell at 12 pm in honor of Martin Luther King. ~ Ceremonial Tapping of the Liberty Bell ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ January 22 ~ (Wednesdays) Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every Wednesday from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections.  ~ Pay What You Wish ~
• Ice Skating at the Piazza at Schmidt’s ~ Now thru February 23 ~ The pop-up ice skating rink at the Piazza at Schmidt’s is very affordable for the family. Enjoy music while you ice skate and hot chocolate from Gunners Run. There will be special events at the pop-up rink, so check it out. ~ Ice skating at the Piazza at Schmidt’s ~
• Ice Skating at the Blue Cross RiverRink ~ Now thru March 2, 2014 ~ The Olympic-sized public ice rink offers skating sessions, skating lessons, parties, private functions, pond hockey, season-long special events, as well as skate rentals and sharpening. So stop down at Penn’s Landing for some fun ice skating at the rink.  ~ Ice Skating at the Blue Cross RiverRink ~
• Dinosaurs Unearthed ~ Now until March 30, 2014 ~ At The Academy Of Natural Sciences, come experience life-size, roaring, moving, animatronic, state-of-the-art and scientifically accurate dinosaurs, explore a dig site for young paleontologists as they find dinosaur bones and fossils and much more. ~ Dinosaurs Unearthed at The Academy Of Natural Sciences ~
• Beyond the Paint: Philadelphia’s Mural Arts ~ Now until April 6, 2014 ~ The Mural Arts Program will be celebrating it’s 30th anniversary in 2014 and this exhibit showcases the cumulative work of 30 years of community engaged art-making in Philadelphia. Beyond the Paint will present archival and documentary material, including timeline-based information, interactive material, and images that are enlivened by the creation of new murals within the gallery space. FREE admission on Sunday’s. ~ Beyond the Paint: Philadelphia’s Mural Arts ~
• One Day in Pompeii ~ Now until April 27, 2014 ~  Here is your chance to experience Pompeii held at The Franklin Institute. Explore 150 plus archaeological treasures, feel the floors shake and the walls rumble as you relive the volcano’s catastrophic eruption and witness the devastation left in its path. ~ One Day in Pompeii at The Franklin Institute ~
• The Artifact Lab – Mummy Conversation at Penn Museum ~ Now until (no date set) ~ Here is your chance to get up close and personal. Watch conservators clean, examine, & preserve Egyptian Mummies at Penn Museum. Best of all, there are special times during the week to where you can ask them questions in person. ~ Conserving Mummies at Penn Museum ~
• Special Information! – Do you know that Philadelphia has its own slide? Yes, the Philly Slide. With Jaye Moore & Tony Luke Jr, to help support Little Kids Rock. Check it out. ~ The Philly Slide ~

Come Back later this afternoon or evening for more things added to the Philly to do list!

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Visiting Philadelphia

Are you Visiting Philadelphia? Have you lived in or near the City of Philadelphia, but never ventured out too the many historical sites in Philly? Here is a quick guide for some must see attractions in the City of Brotherly Love.

• The Independence Visitor’s Center – Your guide for all of your information relating to historical sites in Philadelphia and other things to do in Philadelphia. ~ Independence Visitor’s Center ~
• Philadelphia Zoo ~ With the warmer weather approaching, you can not miss America’s Oldest Zoo. 42 acres of awesomeness and over 1,000 animals. ~ Philadelphia Z00 ~
• Liberty Bell – Symbol of American Independence – If you are visiting Philadelphia, this is one site that must be seen. ~ Liberty Bell ~
• Elfreth’s Alley ~ Get to walk down a street with 300 years of history. Elfreth’s Alley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in America. ~ Elfreth’s Alley ~
• Philadelphia City Hall ~ Like Architecture? Philadelphia History? They give tours of the Philadelphia City Hall. If you go up high enough, you get to see the whole city. ~ Philadelphia City Hall ~
• Philadelphia Museum of Art – So many things that surround this museum. The “Rocky” Steps or the “Rocky” statue. A great view down Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Behind the museum, you can view Boat House Row and a few other things. ~ Philadelphia Museum of Art ~
• Betsy Ross House – Did Betsy Ross actually make the American Flag? Learn about some of Philadelphia’s earliest history. ~ Betsy Ross House ~
• Independence Hall – This is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed. ~ Independence Hall~
• National Constitution Center – If anything, you must see the ‘We the People’ exhibit. There are other timely exhibits. ~ National Constitution Center ~
• Philadelphia Parks – Such as Fairmount Park or even Franklin Square for the kids or relaxing.

Those visiting who need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more, please ask us in the comments below, Tweet us at @MyPhillyAlive or ask us on our Facebook Page. ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

• Wine & Cheese Pairings ~ January 25 ~ Starting at 1 pm, held at the at Chaddsford Winery at Peddlers Village. $35 per person. Cure your cabin fever with Wine & Cheese Pairing featuring hearty, classic comfort foods paired with selected Chaddsford wines. Enjoy Macaroni & Cheese, Grilled Cheese & Cheesecakes prepared in a spin off fashion from the traditional way by the Chive Cafe. ~ Wine & Cheese Pairings at Chaddsford Winery ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ February 2 ~ (1st Sunday’s Only) Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every 1st Sunday of the month from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections.  ~ Pay What You Wish ~
• First Friday’s in Old City~ February  7 ~ Your chance to visit Art Galleries throughout Old City after normal hours. You will be able to talk to the art directors and possibly some of Philadelphia’s local artists. This also takes place as First Saturdays with select Art Galleries extending out to Fishtown. ~ First Fridays ~
• First Friday’s in Manayunk ~ February 7 ~ Come enjoy art in Manayunk. Before or afterwards, enjoy a meal at the many restaurants, or stop in one of Manayunk’s wonderful specialty shops. ~ First Friday’s in Manayunk ~
• Philadelphia Auto Show ~ February 8 – 16 ~ The Auto Show will feature more than 700 concept, classic, luxury and exotic cars on display.  Get up close and personal to new cars and test drive some. ~ Philadelphia Auto Show ~
• Paleopalooza at The Academy of Natural Sciences ~ February 15 & 16 ~ From 10 am to 5 pm at The Academy of Natural Sciences. It will be an exciting weekend packed with activities, shows, and more—all featuring your favorite animals—dinosaurs!  ~ Paleopalooza at The Academy of Natural Sciences ~
• East Passyunk Restaurant Week ~ February 23 – March 1 ~ Enjoy discounted meal prices at 24 different kinds of restaurants in East Passyunk. ~ East Passyunk Restaurant Week ~
• Philadelphia Flower Show Preview Party ~ February 28 ~ The 2014 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Preview Party is an exclusive, first look at the fanciful flowers, luscious landscapes, and dare-to-dream designs of “ARTiculture” before it opens to the public. ~ Philadelphia Flower Show Preview Party ~
• Philadelphia Flower Show ~ March 1 – 9 ~ More info to follow this week. ~ Philadelphia Flower Show ~
• St. Patrick’s Day in Philadelphia ~ March 17 ~  Get your Erin Go Bragh on at Philly’s Best Irish Bars! ~ St. Patrick’s Day in Philadelphia ~

As always, no matter if you are visiting Philadelphia or live in the City of Philadelphia, we hope our list of things to do in Philadelphia helps you out.

If you have stumbled upon something else that we did not mention, please let us know in a comment or in an e-mail. If you are a business or organization that has an event coming up, please contact us. MyPhillyAlive

If you happened to visit any of the things mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment here or on that article describing what you liked about that event or attraction. As always, we would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks, MyPhillyAlive

Philadelphia Weather for the weekend of January 17 – 19

 

Friday  |  Mostly Sunny  |  High 46°  | Low 32°

Saturday  |  30% AM Snow Showers  |  High 35° | Low 27°

Sunday  | 30% AM Snow Showers  |  High 42°  |  Low 29°

Disclaimer : This blog post is a weekly update of things to do in Philadelphia. Please check the date above, when such article was posted. If an earlier date appears above, just go to this link for current events and attractions in Philadelphia. ~ Click : Things to do in Philadelphia ~

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