Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? Metro has you covered.
Friday Night Bites at the Philadelphia Zoo
Friday Nights Dinos and Bites launched last month with extended hours for the Zoo through 8 p.m. until Labor Day. This event not only provides visitors with more time to peruse through the massive indoor-outdoor facility, it also will include life-size animatronic dinosaurs and new menus that complement the new exhibit, Big Time: Life in an Endangerous Zone experience.
Most of the flavors of this new experience can be found through the newly renamed Bedrock Brews beer garden and Dino Bites fooderie. For Friday Nights Dinos and Bites, Bedrock Brews and Dino Bites will spotlight one local craft brewer per week, plus offer up burger and beer pairing specials. Highlights include their T-Rexican paired with Troegs Dream Weaver, the Pterodactyl Turkey Burger paired with Victory Brother Love IPA, the BBQ Double Brontesaurus Burger paired with Troegs Haze Charmer and more.
On the educational side of it all, there is also one new exhibit that adds to the mix of the new weekend event. Big Time is a new immersive multi-sensory experience that features 24-animatronic prehistoric beasts, transporting guests back to when these giants roamed the earth. This dynamic experience stimulates the senses and enables guests to walk among dinosaurs like the larger than life T-rex, puts them face-to-face with an enormous Woolly Mammoth, and side-by-side with a life-sized polar bear, elephant and Sumatran rhino and more.
3400 W. Girard Ave., philadelphiazoo.org
Pirates at the Camden Adventure Aquarium
There will be some special visitors coming to the Camden Aquarium starting this weekend. New this summer, Adventure Aquarium is presenting Pirates, a limited-time engagement that will run from June 18 to July 9 where guests will experience interactive shows, scavenger hunts, games, crafts, up-close animal talks (cue the parrots) and plenty of buccaneers.
According to a release, the Pirates event will serve as the launch for the redesigned Caribbean Currents, now “Pirate’s Passage” exhibit, home to 10 different exhibits filled with exotic and amazing creatures including hundreds of brightly colored tropical fish, lined seahorses, spiny lobster and lionfish. For this special new event, Darkbeard and his crew will invite guests on an Aquarium-wide adventure to find sunken treasure: gold, gems and booty while they sing, dance and safely interact with guests. On top of the in-person festivities, guests can also purchase a “Pirate Treasure Bag” is available including admission, an eye patch, snack voucher, glitter tattoo voucher, photo voucher, keychain, pieces of treasure and an exclusive plush.
1 Riverside Dr, Camden, New Jersey, adventureaquarium.com
Summer Solstice
On Sunday, June 20, the summer solstice will be in full swing, and Philadelphians can spend the longest day of the year in Fairmount Park. For this day in particular, the neighborhood park program, which oversees the 10,200 acres that include Fairmount Park and more than 100 neighborhood parks around the city, will be hosting a full slate of activities so that Philadelphians can take advantage of every second of the long day.
Before the sun even comes up, Philadelphians can head to start the summer solstice right with a sunrise hike led by Brad Maule (5:30 to 8 a.m.) Those who join Fairmount Park Conservancy on the Belmont Plateau will be just in time to watch the sun rise over the city skyline, and then head on a morning loop hike through West Park at Meadows and Trolley Trail. Later in the day marks a celebration fit for two holidays: According to the release, Philadelphians can celebrate Father’s Day and the summer solstice with a special guided kayak tour of the river, followed by a festive picnic at the Schuylkill Banks Park. Boxed dinners (which includes sandwiches and sides) will be provided by Joshua‘s catering and a choice of 2 drinks (beer or hard cider) courtesy of Wyndridge Farms. Lastly, there will be one last event to learn about the healing power of labyrinths. Led by Athena Dugan, the Philadelphia representative of the International Labyrinth Society, this unique workshop will teach the history and techniques of labyrinth making.
Summerfest
For Summerfest, activities and offerings will mirror years passed with the return of boardwalk-style rides, games, concessions and their staple: The 12,000 square foot roller skating rink with sweeping views of the water and the Ben Franklin Bridge. That means Philadelphians can take advantage of the Ferris Wheel, Carousel, Gravity Storm Moon Bounce, Artful Golfer Mini Golf, the arcade and boardwalk games (balloon buster, basketball toss, ball-in-a-basket, high-striker, etc.) during open hours.
Food-wise, there will be plenty to munch on and refreshing sips to slurp on from Chickie’s and Pete’s and Skelly’s Concessions while enjoying everything Summerfest has to offer. Chickie’s & Pete’s will be operating the Crabshack and the Lodge bar so you can order wings, Crabfries, and beer all in one place, while Skelly’s Amusements will offer some seasonal classics such as funnel cake, ice cream, lemonade and cotton candy.
101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd, delawareriverwaterfront.com
