Looking for some fun things to do in Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
It’s a packed weekend for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. First, on Friday the 16th from 5 to 9 p.m., the Museum will be hosting a Friday Night Lounge with live performances from Rashaan Rich and The JuneB All Stars honoring Juneteenth. Plus, visitors can find locally sourced spirits, wines, and small plates from Constellation Culinary Group available for purchase. The next day, Philadelphians can head back to the PMA for a Saturday Night House Party where the venue will be full of music, art-making activities, artist takeovers, live entertainment, pop-ups and more.
Highlights include local distillery tastings, Botanic Village’s artist takeover at the Great Stair Hall, on-site screen printing and other creative events. This particular celebration is ticketed ($15) and will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. And finally, on Sunday the 18th, the Museum will be hosting a family-friendly Block Party from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This particular activation will feature music, food trucks, artist-designed mini golf, story time, artist takeovers, and more to help celebrate Father’s Day.
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, philamuseum.org
Stars & Stripes Fest
This particular event is the finale to the Betsy Ross House’s annual Flag Fest, and is chock full of family-friendly entertainment and activity in the House’s courtyard. Highlights include circus-style performances, the Punch & Judy puppet show, and more. Kids will also be able to meet Betsy Ross and play old-time carnival games while there this Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
239 Arch St., historicphiladelphia.org
Rodin Garden Bar
Back for another sunny season, the Rodin Garden Bar is officially back open, and will take place every Friday until Aug. 25 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. This pop-up experience offers beer, wine, craft cocktails and tasty small plates, with the venue’s scenic garden acting as the backdrop to it all.
And what’s on the menu? As the release states, food items by Constellation Culinary Group include a Roasted Turkey Baguette, Whipped Ricotta, Tofu Bahn Mi, Chilled Citrus Marinated Shrimp, a Mezze Platter, Plantain Chips, Curry House Pickles, and more. Cocktails include a Paloma made with tequila, fever-tree grapefruit soda, and lime, and a Red Rosé cocktail made with gin, sorrel syrup, fever-tree elderflower tonic.
As an extra bonus, admission to the Rodin Museum will be pay-what-you-wish during Garden Bar hours.
2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, rodinmuseum.org
Mermaids at the Camden Adventure Aquarium
Mermaids will be among the many fixtures swimming around the popular venue amongst its collection of sharks every Thursday to Sunday until June 18.
The underwater experience happens in the Shark Realm of the CAA, and while there, families can check out the mystical divers making their way among sand tigers, nurse sharks and sandbars. Guests can interact and take photos with mermaids in front of a movie-screen-sized window while they’re in the 550,000-gallon exhibit as well.
The Camden Adventure Aquarium will also showcase mermaids in their own Mermaid Beach Club (which will call the Stingray Beach Club home) where visitors will be able to stop by to see a mermaid wading above the surface. Other activities span photos with mermaids, themed food and drinks (like a margarita, mermaid sundae and fish po’boy) and DIY crafts.
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey, adventureaquarium.com
Paddle Penn’s Landing
What better way to enjoy the summer in Philly than by spending it on the Delaware River? ISM annually offers ways to spend the sunny season in the city right on the water with Paddle Penn’s Landing and Kayak Excursions. The former provides families (of up to 4 at a time) with the chance to hop on a paddleboat (your choice a swan, flamingo, yellow duck, or dragon boat) and the latter happens on select days. Excursions range in destinations, but each one is designed to give unique perspectives of the Delaware River.
211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd, phillyseaport.org
