Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ Bastille Day, Food In Philly & More

’Exploring All That Philadelphia Has To Offer’

Off with her head! This Sunday is Bastille Day, which you can read more about below. It will be celebrated throughout the city on Saturday, July 13. Check out a fake beheading at Eastern State Penitentiary  or check out the 7th Annual Bastille Day Celebration with the Media Arts Council in downtown Media.

Love different kinds of foods? Check out the Sidewalk Sizzle and Ice Cream Freeze being held outside of the Reading Terminal Market. And don’t forget the many activities taking place during the week.

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

Did you know : Philadelphia was named 1 of the top 10 US travel destinations for 2013. Also named for having the best sandwich in America, #2 in best burgers in the country by Travel + Leisure and in the last 8 months, the city has been recognized for top 10 parks in the world, best cheesesteaks, and #1 in Culture. We can feel that the list will be growing in 2013.

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we like to share these events and attractions with you. Here are a few highlighted events or attractions for this weekend in Philly and some upcoming attractions or events to put on your calendar. Please don’t hesitate to stop by here tomorrow for any new updates of what is going on this weekend or during the week.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ July 12 – 18 ~

• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of July ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for July 2013 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Art After 5 ~ June 28 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Peter Beets – Peter Beets is a Dutch pianist with impeccable technique and an incisive sense of swing. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Philadelphia Union vs Chivas USA ~ July 12 ~ Come to PPL Park as the Union take on Dallas at 7:30 pm. ~ Philadelphia Union Tickets ~
• Philadelphia Phillies ~ July 12 – 14 ~ A three game series against the Chicago White Sox at Citizens Bank Park. On 7/12, Fireworks after the game! Cool Tip! Free face painting before every Sunday home game by Paint Your Face, inside McFadden’s Ball Park from 10:30 am until the game starts. Anyone can stop by for a free Phillie’s P or even have the Phanatic painted on their cheek!
• Sidewalk Sizzle & Ice Cream Freeze ~ July 13 ~ From 10 am – 4 pm, check out some of Reading Terminal Market’s most popular vendors, such as Beck’s Cajun Cafe and Wursthaus Schmitz, as the line up on Filbert Street to showcase some of their best foods and treats. Also, kids games & live music.  ~ Sidewalk Sizzle & Ice Cream Freeze ~
• Bastille Day ~ July 13 ~ FREE! From 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, an annual city celebration that is most noticeably at Eastern State Penitentiary. Come watch a performance by Bearded Ladies, thousands of tastykakes fly in the air as people rebel and watch a fake beheading of  Marie Antoinette. ~ Bastille Day ~
• 104.5 Summer Block Party ~ July 13 ~ Summer concerts held at the Piazza at Schmidt’s from 3:45 pm to 7 pm, bringing you popular Philadelphia bands. On June 13th, listen to Cold War Kids, Bad Books & Capital Cities.  The next concert will be August 3rd ~ 104.5 Summer Block Party ~
• Moonlight Kayak Tour ~ July 13 ~ Starting at 8 pm, professionally guided tours of the Schuylkill River between Walnut Street Dock and Fairmount Water Works, including 1/2 hour of instruction and 1 hour on the water. ~ Moonlight Kayak Tour ~
• Paddle Penn’s Landing ~ July 13 & 14 ~ From noon – 8 pm,  try your luck on a kayak or swan boat, located at the Penn’s Landing Marina. ~ Paddle Penn’s Landing ~
• Hispanic Fiesta Festival ~ July 13 & 14 ~ Both days from 2 pm – 8 pm at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Enjoy dancing, music, food, and all sorts of entertainment. ~ Hispanic Fiesta Festival ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ July 13 & 17 ~ 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 ~
• Center City Sips ~ July 17 ~ A great opportunity to sample cocktails and appetizers at new restaurants and visit local favorites with friends and co-workers for happy hour every Wednesday during the summer.  ~ Center City Sips ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ July 17 ~ 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 ~
• Summer Nights at Penn Museum ~ July 17 ~ Every Wednesday night, from now until September 11, come experience eclectic live music in a laid-back fun atmosphere, listening to musicians from all around the world. Just $5! ~ Summer Nights at Penn Museum ~
• String Band Music Under the Stars ~ July 18 ~ FREE concert starts at 8 pm. – Every Thursday through September, join the Mummers for an outdoor string band performance at the Mummers Museum! Tonight, South Philly String Band. Refreshments are served at 7:30 pm; soft pretzels, hot dogs and soda. FYI – BYO lawn chairs! ~ Mummers in Philadelphia Summer Series ~
• Movie Nights by Schuylkill Banks ~ July 18 ~ FREE!  A movie each week until August 22nd. Come watch Men in Black at Grays Ferry Crescent Movies. The movies usually begin around dusk, between 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm, but come early for free snacks. ~ Free Movie Nights with Schuylkill Banks ~
• Pairings on the Parkway ~ July 18 ~ From 5 pm – 8 pm every Thursday, until September 26, come enjoy the fun at Sister Cities Park.  Bring your own bottle of wine and Milk & Honey Café will have cheeses and other goodies for sale that will pair perfectly with your selection. Grab a seat and enjoy the light entertainment from 5:30-7:30 pm. ~ Pairings on the Parkway at Sister Cities Park ~
• Bocce Ball With Major League Bocce Philadelphia ~ Now until July 17 ~ Registration ends at midnight on July 17th. Choose from 3 different days of the week and 4 different locations in Philadelphia. Don’t miss out on this fun, with a $15 discount off the registration fee. Click on the link for details. ~ Major League Bocce Philadelphia Summer League ~
• Private Lives in Public Spaces ~ Now through July ~ Held at the Philadelphia History Museum, this is the first solo exhibition of LGBT history in a mainstream museum in Philadelphia. The intention of this exhibit is to give the viewer a quick glimpse into what life was and is like for some LGBT individuals living in an oppressive society. ~ Private Lives in Public Spaces ~
• Tugboats at the Independence Seaport Museum ~ Now until August 4, 2013 ~ Dave Boone, an award-winning artist, brings his collection of tugboats to the museum. He showcases his journey as a kid growing up around boats and his love for tugboats.  ~ Tugboats at Independence Seaport Museum ~
• River Tours on the Summer Wind ~ Now until August 11 ~ Visitors can set sail on The Summer Wind, a 48-foot Chinese Junk-rigged schooner, that docks at the Independence Seaport Museum. ~ The Summer Wind River Tours ~
• Join the Continental Army! ~Now until September 2 ~  The Continental Army is recruiting a few good kids for drills in the art of marching and musket etiquette. Taking place at Independence Hall, Musters will occur at 2 pm & 3 pm. From June 18 through August 10, the musters will occur twice daily, Tuesday through Saturday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Starting August 16 through August 31, musters will occur on Fridays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Musters will occur at the same times on Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2 (Labor Day).  ~ More info ~
• End of Day Declaration Readings ~ Now until September 2 ~ Between 3:30 pm and 4 pm, behind Independence Hall, listen to History Makers as they tell the story of every day Philadelphians during this moving version of the Declaration of Independence. From June 18 through August 10, history makers operate Tuesday through Saturday. From August 16 through August 31 and will operate for Labor Day Weekend, September 1 and September 2. ~ More info ~
• Raise the Flag with Betsy Ross ~ Now until September 2 ~ Start your Memorial Day Weekend with Betsy & raise the flag at the Betsy Ross House, daily, starting at 10 am. Complete with interactive pomp and circumstance. The Betsy Ross House is located at 3rd & Arch Streets. ~ More info ~
• Cemetery, Serial Killers; Blood & Beer! ~ Now thru November ~This tour takes you from grave robbers to psychopathic killers, and to the pub at the end of the tour. Check out Grim Philly’s other tours also. ~ Cemetery, Serial Killers, Blood & Beer! ~
• 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 ~
• Franklin Square ~ Now Open for 2013 Season ~ Enjoy miniature golf, take a spin on the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, enjoy food at Square Burger and special weekend events for the kids. ~ Franklin Square ~
• 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!

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.

Are you Visiting Philadelphia and need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more. Try the Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours Company~ Philly Sightseeing Company ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

• 40th Street Summer Series ~ July 27 ~ Starting at 6 pm, come listen to the The Heavens Atheist Gospel. A dynamic brass band led by multi-instrumentalist and composer Jacob Garchik who will perform with the critically acclaimed and jubilant The Heavens. ~ 40th Street Summer Series in University City ~
• 104.5 Summer Block Party ~ August 3rd ~ Summer concerts held at the Piazza at Schmidt’s from 3:45 pm to 7 pm, bringing you popular Philadelphia bands. On June 13th, listen to Cold War Kids, Bad Books & Capital Cities.  The next concert will be August 3rd ~ 104.5 Summer Block Party ~
• Night Market Philadelphia ~ August 15 ~ Next Night Market is South Street, from 6 pm – 10 pm. ~ Night Market 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 Weekend Weather for the weekend of July 12 – 14

 

Friday  |  60% Thunderstorms  |  High 77°  | Low 69°

Saturday  |  30% Isolated Thunderstorms |  High 82° | Low 72°

Sunday  | 30% Scattered Thunderstorms  |  High 88° |  Low 74°

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 ~

Please ‘Like’ our Philly Fan Page

Sign up for MyPhillyAlive’s Newsletter

ppp