Photo of Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

 

Ah, mid-winter: The magic of the holidays has worn away, spring is still a ways off, the season begins to drag a bit, and cabin fever sets in. Now it goes without saying that our favorite remedy for the winter doldrums is a weekend (or weeklong!) escape to Guild House, our lovely, luxury boutique hotel with a special place in Philadelphia’s history. (Just check out all the beautiful suites you can bed down in for a change of pace!)

The second-best option (or an option to add to your Guild House Hotel getaway) is to simply leave the confines of the house. And happily enough, Philadelphia offers loads of ways to enjoy the city and its many outdoor activities, even in the depths of winter. Here, a snapshot of 20 easy ways to get out, breathe in some fresh air, shake off the winter blues and make the most of (outdoor) Philly this season.

 

Photo of the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink at Winterfest by M. Stanley for DRWC

Ice Skating

The rinks aren’t huge, but there are two of them, both beautiful, both easy to get to, and both great for singles, couples, families … you name it. The Rothman Ice Rink, situated in the shadow of City Hall in Dilworth Park, is open through February 26, and not only offers a fantastic city view while you’re skating, but also boasts a cute little cafe for snacks and drinks (hot cocoa, cocktails, you name it), plus the charming and Instagrammable little hangout, Wintergarden, just feet away. The other rink is perched right on the Delaware River: The Independence Blue Cross RiverRink is open through March 5, and just one part of the fantastic Winterfest hoopla on the riverfront. You can skate, then cozy up to eat and drink in a lodge, or spend a little time lounging around a firepit while you watch other skaters.

 

Photo of the Electrical Spectacle at Franklin Square by M. Edlow for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Franklin Square

Of course, the historic squares in Center City all make for lovely hangs and excellent people-watching throughout the year. But there are some special winter perks as well. Consider: At Rittenhouse Square, there’s a wonderful farmers’ market two days a week, all winter. When it comes to winter-activity potential, however, the very best place to be is Franklin Square. There, in addition to the year-round mini-golf course, a carousel and Square Burger snacks and drinks, you’ll also find special winter programming that includes the FREE Electrical Spectacle Light Show (through February 26), “street curling” rinks, and even the occasional event. Bonus: It’s just a 20-minute walk from our historic Philadelphia hotel!

 

View from the hiking path at The Discovery Center

Nature Centers and the Natural World

Come winter, tromping around outside appreciating Philadelphia wildlife isn’t always top of mind for Philadelphians—but that’s exactly why it’s a great time to go and enjoy a place like the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, where the birdwatching is still great and the peace of the nature and wildness surrounding you (right here, within city limits!) is that much more peaceful in the colder weather. There are guided nature photo walks, birding trips, mentored archery deer hunts, art classes, and much much more to do at this Philadelphia treasure. Another option is the Discovery Center, which is an especially family-friendly collaboration between the National Audubon Society and the Philly Outward Bound School. At this wildlife sanctuary in East Park, birdwatching is a major draw (you can borrow binoculars from the front desk at the center); you can also simply go to admire the untouched swath of nature surrounding the Center’s placid abandoned reservoir. It’s a short, simple, relatively flat walk around the woods, with pretty views —an easy, peaceful outing. In the Northwest, there’s also the Schuylkill Center, an “urban environmental education center” with 340 acres of fields, forests, ponds and streams. There, you can take advantage of three miles of hiking trails, a “nature playscape” for children and the occasional fun winter event.

 

Photo of Woodford in Fairmount Park by M. Fischetti for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Fairmount Park

No other American city has an urban park so big or so accessible. (Truly! Fairmount even beats Central Park in sheer acreage.) And while you can always do any normal park activity there, such as taking a Frisbee or planning a picnic or going for a walk or hike, there’s also no shortage of special things to do in the park, as well: the Boxers’ Trail is the storied running/walking path on which THE Joe Frazier used to train; Boathouse Row offers some of the best views of the city; the frisbee golf and tennis and basketball courts all open all winter and free to the public; the historic homes are fun to visit, and one of them—Woodford—is open all winter for tours. Finally, the Philadelphia Zoo, which is technically part of the park, is open all year. (Meantime? Wwo other favorite Fairmount Park destinations — Shofuso, the indoor/outdoor Japanese teahouse, and Treetop Quest Philly, the series of ziplines and ropes courses, both open again in mid-March.)

 

Photo of Little Nonna’s by E. Mencher for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Outdoor Dining

Streeteries—a pandemic trend that stuck around once we all realized how truly great temperature-controlled sidewalk seating could really be—are still very much a Philly staple. There are too many excellent options to possibly name here … but if we’re talking about a few great, winter-friendly options within quick (under 15 minutes) walking distance of our own little boutique Philly hotel, you might consider:

  • Parc (9 minutes by foot), a Rittenhouse see-and-be-seen institution, known for its upscale French menu
  • The Love (12 minutes by foot), another Rittenhouse favorite with a seasonal, homey menu of American favorites like honey-brined pork chops and pumpkin risotto, plus stellar cocktails
  • Harper’s Garden (14 minutes by foot), with a seasonally rotating menu and one of the coolest outdoor setups in the city
  • Bud & Marilyn’s (1 minute by foot … our neighbor!), a fun neighborhood staple with a menu of throwback dishes done in fresh, delicious ways
  • Little Nonna’s (1 minute by foot … another neighbor!), a popular, unfussy and utterly charming Italian spot with a romantic back patio
  • Charley Dove (14 minutes by foot), a friendly little French BYO with great vibes … owned by the same folks who run Rouge, a Rittenhouse staple with comfortable outdoor seating and a famously great burger
  • Talula’s Garden (11 minutes by foot), one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the city, plus a menu of local, seasonal, memorable dishes.
  • Want more ideas? The Inquirer’s November list of heated streeteries and patios is a deeply helpful resource.

 

Want to book a room or suite at Guild House Hotel, a historic Philadelphia hotel in the heart of the city? Click here to plan your stay!