Category: Things To Do

  • The Citizens Bank Park food classics we’re ready for this Phillies season

    The Citizens Bank Park food classics we’re ready for this Phillies season

    Blink and you’ll miss it — a sea of Phillies red will be back at Citizens Bank Park for the home opener against the Texas Rangers on Thursday, March 26, with first pitch set for 4:15 p.m.

    Along with the on-field action, fans can expect the return of one of baseball’s best supporting casts: the uniquely local ballpark food.

    Aramark, which has refreshed the Phillies’ in-stadium menu for four decades, is still putting the finishing touches on a handful of new, experimental bites. While the full 2026 lineup hasn’t been officially announced, longtime fans know there’s a reliable cast of classics that tend to return year after year.

    Here’s what we’re ready to welcome back this season, from soft serve worth the sticky fingers to Jersey Shore-style slices that taste like summer.

    Served with a side of gravy at Citizens Bank Park, Bulls BBQ’s stuffed turkey egg rolls come with stuffing and cranberry sauce.

    Ballpark favorites

    General concession stands can be spotted throughout CBP, typically offering old faithfuls like Hatfield Phillies jumbo franks, Federal Pretzel braids, and a mix of domestic and local beer options.

    With a little game planning, you could score either a hot dog, a super pretzel, a popcorn box, or a soda for $5 each. And around $10 for a sizable combo at most concession stands in the park.

    (You can find these gems at South Philadelphia Market, Hatfield Grill, Cooperstown Café, Shibe Park Eatery, and other concessions throughout the park.)

    Two buckets of crabfries from a Chickie’s & Pete’s concession stand at Citizens Bank Park, as shown in this 2023 file photo. One basket is more than $15, not including a side of cheese, at the ballpark this season.

    Chickie’s & Pete’s

    While not as price-friendly as the previously mentioned menu items, Chickie’s & Pete’s Crabfries are worth every penny. The nearly $20 price tag may seem high for an Old Bay-seasoned fry basket, but the savory offering has won over fans’ hearts for a reason. Oh, and don’t forget to add the cheese sauce on the way out.

    Manco & Manco Pizza

    This Ocean City staple delivers one of the best slices you’ll find at the ballpark. Go for a personal pie of the iconic thin-crust pizza, then settle in with your crew and let the Phils do the rest against their big-league rivals.

    P.J. Whelihan’s

    P.J. Whelihan’s is a trusted Citizens Bank Park standby — and for good reason. From savory onion rings to fiery boneless wing combos and crowd-pleasing cheesesteak egg rolls, this original Poconos-area favorite has earned its spot as a must-visit at the ballpark.

    1883 Burger Co.

    A homage to the year the Phillies were founded, 1883 Burger Co. gives the nation’s oldest, continuously running franchise its proper due. The spot’s smash burgers are stacked with fresh veggies and a flattering dose of Thousand Island, all resting on a soft, buttery bun that seals all of its savory glory in one.

    A cheeseburger from Shake Shack at Citizens Bank Park.

    Shake Shack

    In case the line at 1883 Burger Co. is slammed, stop by Shake Shack for a cheeseburger that’s made the fast-food chain a national treasure. Then wash it down with a hand-spun shake, coming in multiple flavors.

    Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken

    Indulge in Southern-style comfort, brought to you by Phillies legend Ryan Howard. Along with original and Nashville Hot chicken sandwiches, try the Peach Spoon Pie dessert and The Big Piece, an unmistakable ode to the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Famer.

    Jerk chicken sandwich from Bull’s BBQ concession stand at Citizens Bank Park on April 9, 2023.

    Bull’s BBQ

    What’s not to love about burnt-end cheesesteaks, pulled pork, smoked rib platters, and turkey collard greens? Bull’s BQ, a main course concession staple, brings at-home barbecue to your stadium seat. The real highlight is the jerk chicken sandwich, complete with a plantain (or two) for an extra pinch of Caribbean flavor.

    Campo’s

    If you’re looking for a cheesesteak on game day, stop by Campo’s for the ballpark’s widest variety of the classic sandwich. The Old City staple has everything from a traditional cheesesteak and chicken cheesesteak to a buffalo-sauced sandwich and a vegetarian version.

    Doughnuts from Federal Donuts concession stand at Citizens Bank Park on April 9, 2023.

    Federal Donuts & Chicken

    There are few things better than hand-battered tenders, boneless chicken sandwiches, and freshly made doughnuts from the brainchild of world-famous restaurateurs Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook of CookNSolo Restaurant, as well as Tom Henneman, Felicia D’Ambrosio, and Bob Logue. Stopping by this South Philly-born franchise at CBP is always a home run.

    Greens & Grains

    Ballpark food isn’t just fare for meat lovers. The grub at Greens & Grains is proof that vegan or vegetarian fans don’t have to settle for french fries or pretzels. The vegan and plant-based eatery offers restaurant-quality dishes like Chk’n parm pesto, gyro pita, and a vegan hot dog.

    A cheesesteak from Uncle Charlie’s Steaks at Citizens Bank Park.

    Uncle Charlie’s Steaks

    For classic cheesesteaks at CBP, Uncle Charlie’s Steaks has earned the trust of Phillies fans. The smell of smoked rib-eye and Cooper sharp cheese can be spotted yards away. And the taste certainly matches the pleasant aroma.

    Tony Luke’s

    The South Philly-made franchise is a ballpark favorite, thanks to the roast pork sandwich and famed cheesesteak. Between the two, the roast pork is among the best CBP has to offer. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself.

    Baker Bowl Bistro and Connie Mack’s

    For some high-end ballpark bites, this Hall of Fame Club suites destination houses chef-attended specialties like a seared crab cake sandwich and a black bean veggie burger that rivals any other one in CBP.

    Chocolate ice cream and sprinkles from Old City Creamery at Citizens Bank Park on April 9, 2023.

    Old City Creamery

    Old City Creamery is a kid’s dream. Not only do they leave with Richman’s delicious soft serve, stacked with toppings of their choice, but they also get a miniature Phillies batting helmet to go. Sounds like a win to me.

    Philadelphia Water Ice

    Whether you pronounce it water or “wooder” ice, it makes no difference. This regional staple is all the more delicious under the stadium lights on a simmering summer day. The simple mix of water, sugar, and refreshing fruit flavors is a hit out of the park every time.

    A cup of mango water ice from Philadelphia Water Ice concession stand at Citizens Bank Park.

  • Pizza, museums, and waterfront walks in New Haven | Field Trip

    Pizza, museums, and waterfront walks in New Haven | Field Trip

    With a population of just over 140,000, New Haven still manages to be tiny Connecticut’s third-largest city — and one that punches well above its weight as a weekend getaway.

    It’s a university town, a harbor town, and a New England town, all folded into one. The result is a destination with world-class cultural institutions, excellent food — the pizza is as outrageous as you’ve heard — and easy access to the outdoors, from the river-fed coast of Long Island Sound to one of the largest urban parks in the region. From Philly, it’s about three hours and change up I-95, depending on traffic around New York. Start the car.

    Stay: Hotel Marcel

    Originally the HQ of the tire-producing Armstrong Rubber Co., the Wharf District Hotel Marcel inhabits an architecturally significant, brutalist concrete building honeycombed with windows and retrofitted to run entirely on renewable energy. The inside is just as interesting: terrazzo staircases with mahogany rails, Connecticut-made walnut beds, and a circular bar pouring spirulina margaritas and nonalcoholic spiced cranberry cider.

    📍 500 Sargent Dr., New Haven, Conn. 06511

    Hike: East Rock Park

    New Haven’s central green space, East Rock Park, spans 427 acres and rises 350 feet above the city, rewarding visitors with sweeping views of downtown and Long Island Sound. Not feeling a winter hike? You can drive to the summit instead. Traveling with kids? Stop by the Trowbridge Environmental Center on the park’s west side for hands-on exhibits about the local ecology.

    📍 41 Cold Spring St., New Haven, Conn. 06511

    Lunch: Frank Pepe and Sally’s Apizza

    If there’s only one thing you know about New Haven, it’s probably the pizza. Or as they call it here, apizza (“a-beetz”), derived from the southern Italian immigrants that opened the first shops in the early 1900s.

    For lunch, stage a mini pie crawl along Wooster Street and compare two legends located a block apart. At Frank Pepe (est. 1925), the tomato pie and oregano-dusted white clam pie are classics for a reason. At Sally’s Apizza (1938), whose recent expansion hasn’t dimmed the original’s quality, the blistered tomato pie with mozzarella is the move.

    📍 Frank Pepe: 157 Wooster St., New Haven, Conn. 06511

    📍 Sally’s Apizza: 237 Wooster St., New Haven, Conn. 06511

    Visit: Yale Peabody Museum

    If there are only two things you know about New Haven, they’re probably the pizza and Yale. The Ivy’s lovely, leafy campus dominates the center of town. (It’s no Penn, but…) The impressive collection at the Yale Peabody Museum, which is free to visit and requires no advance ticketing, includes a towering brontosaurus skeleton, a 300-pound Brazilian tourmaline cluster, and 4000-year-old Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets.

    📍 170 Whitney Ave., New Haven, Conn. 06511

    Read: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

    Decried as an incongruous eyesore when the Gordon Bunshaft-designed Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library opened in 1963, the modernist building has become an architectural icon on campus. Translucent marble cladding gives the interior a cozy glow while protecting the literary treasures, which are arranged in a stunning five-story cubic column, from sun damage. Even if you’re not a rare-books obsessive, it’s worth visiting for the space alone. Current exhibits include a 15th-century Gutenberg Bible and illustrated Japanese crepe-paper books.

    📍 121 Wall St., New Haven, Conn. 06511

    Dine: Fair Haven Oyster Co.

    It’ll likely be a bit too chilly to sit out on the pretty deck over the Quinnipiac River, but the warm woodwork and porthole windows get the seafood-tavern vibe across well at Fair Haven Oyster Co. Start with four different types of New England oysters, then progress to tots topped with American sturgeon caviar, oil-poached tuna toast, and bone-in skate wing in Meyer lemon brown butter. Skip dessert.

    📍 307 Front St., New Haven, Conn. 06513

    Scoop: Arethusa Farm Dairy

    Based in Litchfield County, Arethusa Farm Dairy produces some of the richest ice cream around, using 16%-butterfat milk from its own cows. Lucky for New Haven visitors, there’s an outpost at the Yale Shops. Breathe in the smell of freshly pressed waffle cones while choosing from classic flavors like coconut-coconut chunk, strawberry that actually tastes like strawberries, and an excellent coffee ice cream. One scoop is never enough.

    📍 1020 Chapel St., New Haven, Conn. 06510

  • 🥶 A snowy, sweet, and boozy weekend | Things to do

    🥶 A snowy, sweet, and boozy weekend | Things to do

    Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the great blizzard rolling into Philadelphia this weekend.

    We’re expecting more than a foot of snow, people! I’m from Ohio and I don’t remember an arctic blast forcing me to wade through that many blockades of ice.

    But if you have any memories of the record-setting blizzard of 1996, when the city literally hauled out snow and dumped it into the Schuylkill and Delaware River, then you know the weather won’t stop Philadelphians from enjoying their weekend plans.

    Lucky for you, I have a list of events that will make your time out in the cold worthwhile. (As long as your car doors aren’t frozen shut, and you’ve put enough salt down to open your front door, that is.)

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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    (From left to right) Philadelphia Zoo Garden Service workers Joseph Mineer, of Fairmount, Naeem Price, of North Philadelphia, and David Wallace, of Southwest Philadelphia, are shoveling snow on the sidewalks near the bus drop offs in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.

    A major winter storm is looking inevitable for Philly, with snow expected to stick around

    Philly is getting SNOW this weekend — some forecasts are even calling for 17 inches. A winter storm watch is in effect for the entire region this weekend, meaning you might be spending a lot of time at home.

    Expect canceled plans, back pain from shoveling, and empty grocery store shelves. The Inquirer’s weather expert, Tony Wood, has you covered with what to know about the impending storm.

    We also have a full breakdown of what you need to do once the snow lands. Shoveling rules (and the possible fines if you disobey), and what you need to know if you’re parked along a snow emergency route.

    The best things to do this week

    🍫 Chocolate and booze, please: Want a warm and sweet buzz? Take a trip down to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on Saturday for the Philly Chocolate, Wine & Whiskey Festival. This trio will make for a luscious and savory time.

    🎤 The return of an opera classic: For the first time in 15 years, Capriccio returns to the Academy of Vocal Arts stage. The Piet Mondrian-inspired run of Richard Strauss’ final opera runs through Sunday.

    🔍 Here’s a Clue: Three words: Murder, mystery, and mayhem. That’s what’s on the menu for the theatrical whodunit, Clue, based on the classic board game and 1985 movie of the same name. The musical runs at Walnut Street Theater through Sunday. Are you in?

    🎋 Honoring an iconic landscape designer: A documentary honoring Piet Oudolf, the man responsible for shaping the beautiful varieties at Calder Gardens, will play at the meditative green space starting Thursday through Jan. 30.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Lucky Girl Market at Bok, Dinos After Dark, World Sportscar Champion Demo Day

    Four of the Philly area’s 15 James Beard semifinalists in 2026 (clockwise from top left): chefs Greg Vernick, Omar Tate, Amanda Shulman, and Frankie Ramirez.

    The Philly area receives 13 James Beard Award semifinalist nominations

    The momentum continues for Philly restaurateurs.

    After Philly was granted Michelin honors this past November, the James Beard Foundation has handpicked 13 local award semifinalists for 2026.

    According to my colleague Michael Klein, this year’s list of James Beard Award semifinalists reads like a who’s who of the local dining scene, including a few surprises. Namely, Russ Cowan or Cherry Hill, N.J.’s Radin’s Delicatessen.

    The list of semifinalists will be gleaned, and finalists will be announced on March 31. Winners will be announced at a gala on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

    Read the full list of nominees.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🖌️ It’s ink o’clock: Bring your wildest ideas to the tattoo table. Dozens of tattoo artists are setting up shop at the Pennsylvania Convention Center this week at the annual Villain Arts Tattoo Festival.

    🎭 A new James Ijames creation: Arden Theatre Company’s Good Bones, the latest creation of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames, explores the soul of a city in the face of looming gentrification. The play runs through March 15.

    ‘Face to Face’ with artistic greatness: Staged at Isaiah Zagar’s most famed masterpiece, the Magic Gardens Museum, comes another example of his artistic wizardry. The iconic artist’s new exhibition, “Face to Face: Isaiah Zagar’s Mosaicked Portraits,” displays intimate artworks of the people who influenced his life, work, and imagination. The exhibition is on view through April 12.

    The take: Don’t be the neighbor who doesn’t shovel their sidewalk

    Is it technically fine to shovel just your own patch of sidewalk? Sure. Is it how you earn a good reputation on a Philly block? Absolutely not. So we debated it for you — and the consensus is this: one missed storm happens, but making a habit of stopping exactly at the property line (especially when elderly neighbors are around) is how people quietly clock you as that neighbor.

    Snow melts. Reputations don’t. And in Philly, your block definitely notices. What are your thoughts?

    Staffer picks

    Pop music critic Dan DeLuca lists the top concerts this weekend and a few holiday pop-up jams happening this month.

    🎤 Thursday: Rakim, arguably the most influential rapper during hip-hop’s golden age, takes over the Main Stage at City Winery on Thursday.

    🎸 Friday: Singer and guitarist Alec Ounsworth, known as the face of the iconic indie band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, kicks off his solo tour, “Piano & Voice,” in his hometown. Ounsworth plays at World Cafe Live on Friday and the Philadelphia Ethical Society on Saturday.

    🎤 Saturday: The “Winter Carnival Tour,” headlined by rap duo Atmosphere, and featuring hip-hop luminaries such as R.A. the Rugged Man and Kool Keith, kicks off at the Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday.

    🎸 Sunday: After completing a full bank tour for his new album, I Believe in You, My Honeydew, singer-songwriter Josh Ritter makes his way to Lancaster’s West Art for his solo tour.

    The weather may temporarily halt your weekend plans, but as you can see, there are plenty of things to do before and after the storm hits. Stay warm and diligent, folks!

    – Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Waterfalls, cabins, art, and eats in Milford, Pa. | Field Trip

    Waterfalls, cabins, art, and eats in Milford, Pa. | Field Trip

    Milford is an outdoorsy town — and then some.

    It sits along the scenic banks of the Upper Delaware River in Pike County, surrounded by mountains, with access to major trails, canoeing, kayaking, and biking, and the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania. It’s an adventure hub among the best in the tristate region.

    But Milford isn’t just for people in hiking boots. It’s also an artsy town, with galleries, a theater, and dedicated film, music, and writers’ festivals. It’s a shopping destination too, with a slew of antique and gift shops, and a healthy-living store that rivals anything in Philadelphia or New York.

    “Geographically, I believe Milford has the edge over most small towns around,” said local entrepreneur Bill Rosado, who owns some popular businesses in town. “It is centered so well. Just looking at the town is a treat to me.”

    There’s plenty of history in Milford, too, which calls itself the “birthplace of the conservation movement” as it was home to Gifford Pinchot, founder and first chief of the U.S. Forest Service. It also has a historical museum that’s home to a unique and morbid artifact from the Civil War era.

    And, finally, you have to eat. Milford is home to fine dining at historic hotels, both fancy and cozy bars, along with breweries, classic diners, organic coffee, and, thanks to Rosado, authentic food from Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. (He was born there.)

    Milford’s about 75 miles northwest of Manhattan and just across the river from North Jersey, so yes, you’ll see Yankees and Giants gear, but it’s just 135 miles from Philly, so get up there.

    One of the cabins available for rent at Sean Strub’s Dwarfskill Preserve in Milford, Pa.

    Stay: Dwarfskill Preserve

    There are plenty of hotels in downtown Milford that are in the midst of everything the town has to offer, including the historic and ornate Hotel Fauchère and the Tom Quick Inn, which would be at home in Cape May. Rosado owns both of them.

    I’ve been eyeing up the tiny cabin at the 575-acre Dwarfskill Preserve, up in the hills above town, for years now, as a former colleague had spent extended time there over the years and shared lovely pictures. It’s owned by former Milford mayor Sean Strub and consists of three separate properties: the one-room cabin I rented for a few nights with my girlfriend, Jen, and my dog, Wanda, and two larger cabins that can fit more people.

    We stayed there over the New Year’s holiday, cooking brisket in the microwave and making coffee on the hot plate. While Milford and the Dwarfskill are undoubtedly at their best in the summer and fall, when you can take full advantage of the outdoor opportunities, including the swimming hole at the cabin, we watched both the wood fireplace and the ample snowfall outside for hours. It was hard to leave, a full hygge experience, in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

    📍 Dwarfskill Falls Lane, Milford, Pa. 18337

    Grey Towers, the Pinchot family residence, outside Milford, and the family’s haven from 1886 to 1963. The family made its fortune in lumber.

    Explore: Grey Towers National Historic Site

    If you drive around Pennsylvania as much as I do, you’ll see the name Gifford Pinchot quite a bit. Pinchot was a two-term governor of the Commonwealth and has a 54,000-acre state forest named after him.

    He went on to found and run the U.S. Forest Service and is generally considered a pioneer in the U.S. conservation movement. Pinchot was born in Milford and his home, Grey Towers, is a national historic landmark run by the U.S. Forest Service. Its curated gardens, French chateau-style stone architecture, and expansive library can all be seen on tours, both in-person during spring, summer, and fall, and online all year round.

    At 150-feet tall, Raymondskill Falls is the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania.

    If you’re interested in something a little more outdoorsy, visit Raymondskill Falls, which, at 150 feet, is the tallest in Pennsylvania. You can, technically, visit in winter, but the ice and snow could be treacherous. In summer, you might have to brave some crowds and jammed parking lots, but the views are worth it.

    📍 Grey Towers: 122 Old Owego Turnpike, Milford, Pa. 18337

    📍 Raymondskill Falls: Raymondskill Road, Milford, Pa. 18337

    Learn: The Pike County Historical Society at the Columns

    It’s not every day that a county historical society can really wow you with an artifact, but Pike County punches up with a Civil War relic you won’t find anywhere else in the world: the bloody U.S. flag used to cradle Abraham Lincoln’s head after he was shot at Ford’s Theatre in 1865.

    The flag and other exhibits are housed in “the Columns,” a 1904 neoclassical-style mansion. Want to learn how they obtained the flag? Visit on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

    📍 608 Broad St., Milford, Pa. 18337

    Shop: Better World Store and Cafe

    It’s hard to pin down Better World Store and Cafe in one category.

    It’s a place to get coffee or tea and healthy pastries. It’s a community hub, where people gather to meet or work remotely.

    It’s also a place to look good, with woolens and other “natural” clothes, and smell good, or simply be good, with homesteading supplies and books.

    📍 Broad Street, Milford, Pa. 18337

    Eat: Felix’s Cantina at La Posada

    Jen spends weeks in the Yucatan every winter, so she was surprised to see a restaurant in Northeastern Pennsylvania promising a “taste of the Yucatan Peninsula and other regional dishes from southern Mexico.”

    Rosado, who also owns a historic theater in town, owns the Cantina at La Posada, yet another one of his hotels. He was born in Merida, the capital of Yucatan.

    He knows the dishes well, and she approved, describing our pork and birria tacos as “fattening and delicious.”

    For breakfast, the Waterwheel Café Bakery Bar, an old grist mill along Sawkill Creek, serves up a killer thick-cut challah French toast. We basically licked the plate clean.

    The Waterwheel Café Bakery Bar

    📍 Felix’s: 210 Second St., Milford, Pa. 18337

    📍 Waterwheel: 150 Water St., Milford, Pa. 18337

  • ⭐ MLK Day, Restaurant Week deals, and new Mummers band competition|Things to do

    ⭐ MLK Day, Restaurant Week deals, and new Mummers band competition|Things to do

    I’ll be candid. The Eagles’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers was a sting to my winter plans. I looked forward to the crazed tailgates outside the Linc and the wave of excitement each tush-push touchdown generated among our rabid fanbase.

    We were all hoping for a back-to-back Super Bowl run, even when the glaring holes in our offense signaled something far different. Unfortunately, we’ll have to see how things shake up next season. But that doesn’t mean our winter plans should be in the gutter. There are still plenty of things to do this weekend (and beyond) to mend our broken hearts and fill our typical Eagles Sundays.

    Along with Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations throughout the city, restaurant week specials will be in full swing, plus the return of a Wilma Theater favorite, a toast to Ben Franklin’s 320th birthday, and more.

    Read below to see what’s in store this week and beyond.

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Sporting a face that sums up the magnetism of mummery Robbie Reid (top), a member of the Froggy Carr comic club, pauses for a moment along the parade route yesterday. At left, the Fralinger String Band performs during the competition judging – it won – at City Hall. And at right, Mayor Nutter appears to be doing a version of the mummers’ strut as he kicks off the string band division yesterday with the Greater Overbrook String Band leading off.

    Mummers string band competition will duke it out at the Linc

    Thirty to 60 mph winds led to a postponement of the Mummers’ string band competition, and put a momentary damper on what was otherwise an extraordinary New Year’s Day. But the string bands may have gotten an even sweeter prize out of the ordeal, according to my colleague Henry Savage.

    The judged string band competition will now take place at 2 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the Linc, parade officials announced last week. The annual competition is still open to the public, with tickets available on Ticketmaster for $12 to $25. It will also be broadcast on WFMZ-TV.

    The best things to do this week

    ⭐ Celebrate MLK: Celebrate civil rights icon, and my dear fraternity brother, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at the African American Museum in Philadelphia starting Saturday. AAMP’s “Celebrating MLK 2026: Radical Peace and Public Memory” offers a screening of Selma, art-making, gallery talks, and other family-friendly activity through Jan 19.

    🎉 Ben’s Birthday Bash: Stop by the Franklin Institute to celebrate Ben Franklin’s 320th birthday. The birthday bash for the founding father will be packed with games, music, and a few surprises. Visitors can even hear the song “Happy Birthday” being played on one of Franklin’s own inventions: the glass harmonica.

    🦸🏼‍♂️ Unleash your inner superhero: The Bingo Verifying Divas will step out donning superhero ensembles for Superhero Smash GayBINGO at the Congregation Rodeph Shalom. The crew will bring its typical brand of entertainment and laugh-out-loud comedy, plus some prizes between each round.

    🔍 A watchful eye on this famed detective: For theater-lovers and inquiring minds, Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective, directed by Bill Van Horn, now runs through Feb. 15 at Walnut Street Theatre.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Trestle Night Fever Happy Hour Dance Party and Tramp Stamp: Trashy 2000s Party at Kung Fu Necktie.

    Pig Iron Theatre Company’s ‘Poor Judge’ premieres at the 2024 Fringe Festival, running Sept. 11-22 at the Wilma Theater.

    The thing of the week: ‘Poor Judge’ is back

    The brainchild of beloved performer Dito Von Reigersberg (aka Martha Graham Cracker) is now back on stage.

    Pig Iron Theatre Company’s Poor Judge, a story of love, Hollywood ambition, and the darkness of the American success story, returns to Wilma Theater for the first time since its debut two years ago.

    The show, brought to life by the music of Aimee Mann, is running through Jan. 25. Tickets are available at wilmatheater.org.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🎭 Final curtain call: Catch the Tony Award-winning musical Suffs, a story chronicling women’s struggles for the right to vote, at the Academy of Music before it closes on Jan. 18.

    🍜 Restaurant Week in Center City: Center City District Restaurant Week returns with a bevy of prix-fixe dinner menus, ranging from $45-$60 at select restaurants, plus two-course lunches for $20 at other nearby eateries. Visit the official website for the full list of participants.

    🥘 Bucks County bites: New Hope and Lambertville join forces for a PA-NJ-style restaurant week through Jan. 25, which includes two dozen restaurants along both sides of the Delaware River.

    🍻 Philly Flurry in Fairmount: Small business in Fairmount, Brewerytown, Francisville, and Spring Garden are offering limited-time promos and discounts on drafts, cocktails, ice cream pints, and food orders through Feb. 1. Here’s a full list of participants.

    Staffer picks

    Pop music critic Dan DeLuca lists the top concerts this weekend and a few holiday pop-up jams happening this month.

    🎸 Thursday: Singer and guitarist Bill Kirchen, best known for their 1972 hit “Hot Rod Lincoln, stops at Sellersville Theater on Thursday. He will perform one set with his band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, and another set with his Bob Dylan tribute band.

    🎤 Friday: Long-time soul balladeer Peabo Bryson is on tour, 35 years since his Grammy-winning duet with Celine Dion on the title song for 1991’s Beauty and the Beast. He will be at City Winery on Friday.

    🎤 Saturday: Chuck D and Flavor Flav will be joined by fellow hip-hop legends and R&B acts on Saturday at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Other veteran performers include Montel Jordan of “This Is How We Do It” fame, KRS-One, Sugarhill Gang, Philly’s Schoolly D, and the Furious Five – minus the group’s leader Grandmaster Flash.

    Thanks for sticking with me for another newsletter entry. As I said at the top of the year, some amazing things are happening in 2026, even if our Birds came up short in the playoffs. I’ll do my best to capture the highlights. so tay tuned for more.

    – Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Mummers string band competition will duke it out at the Linc

    Mummers string band competition will duke it out at the Linc

    While the postponement of the Mummers’ string band competition could have put a damper on an otherwise joyous New Year’s Day in Philadelphia, the string bands may have gotten a sweeter prize out of the ordeal.

    The judged string band competition will now take place at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 31 at 2 p.m., after 30 to 60 mph winds on Jan. 1. forced organizers to reschedule, parade officials announced on Sunday.

    The annual competition is still open to the public, with tickets available on Ticketmaster for $12 to $25, and will be broadcast on the same channel as the parade, on WFMZ-TV. WFMZ has not announced a time for the television broadcast but said it will be later in the day on Jan. 31.

    City officials and parade organizers decided to postpone the competition once extreme wind and unexpected snow damaged several performance props and contributed to a few minor injuries, according to the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association (PMSBA).

    Despite the postponement of the competition, string bands continued to perform for paradegoers in full costume and makeup, honoring the parade’s historic milestone of 125 years, said Sam Regalbuto, PMSBA president, in a statement.

    How to watch

    The Mummers’ rescheduled string band competition can be watched in person, online, or on television.

  • Antiques, river hikes, and cozy inns in Lambertville and Stockton | Field Trip

    Antiques, river hikes, and cozy inns in Lambertville and Stockton | Field Trip

    Walt Whitman, Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross — these are the massive engineering marvels that come to mind when most Philadelphians think of the bridges between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. But less than an hour north of the city, the Delaware narrows enough to let charming, Norman Rockwell-type trusses span the forested riverbanks.

    Everyone knows New Hope. But on the opposite side of the river, Lambertville and neighboring Stockton make a compelling case for a Jersey-side getaway, thanks to stylish revived historic inns, a vibrant arts scene, and some excellent shopping. Start the car.

    Hunt: Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market

    Coming off I-95 and up River Road, you’ll hit Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market, just outside Lambertville. Over five decades, this sprawling indoor-outdoor operation has grown into one of the largest antique markets in the region. Treasure hunt for Tiffany-glass lamps, rare baseball cards, glittering geodes, and more. Don’t miss Art & Restoration gallery on the first floor, where the chatty owner is happy to talk through the process of paper deacidification and the highlights of his ever-changing collection (which recently included a Picasso).

    📍 1850 River Rd., Lambertville, N.J. 08530

    Hike: Goat Hill Overlook

    River towns offer plenty of scenic walks along the water, but a little elevation makes all the difference. Goat Hill Overlook, halfway between the Golden Nugget and downtown Lambertville, is a low-effort, high-reward climb: a gently uphill, paved path that clocks just under a mile from the trailhead parking lot. At the summit, the blue, bridge-laced Delaware slides toward the horizon before dissolving into the woods.

    📍 Coon Path, Lambertville, N.J. 08530

    Shop: Downtown Lambertville

    Indie boutiques, antique dealers, and cafés line the streets of downtown Lambertville, which stretches along Bridge Street (at the foot of the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge) and spiders out in a series of charming alleys and lanes. Wander into Zinc for home and garden inspo, Lambert + Hope for Flamingo Estate candles and Laguiole knives, and Panoply for special-edition books and vintage vinyl.

    📍 Bridge Street, Lambertville, N.J. 08530

    Snack: RSC Atelier

    Perhaps the only gourmet grocery you’ll find attached to a gas station, RSC Atelier in Stockton grew out of the old Rosemont Supper Club nearby. Build a picnic basket with Iberico ham, upscale tinned fish, and farmstead cheese sourced by sister business Immortal Milk Cheese Co.

    📍 10 Risler St., Stockton, N.J. 08559

    Stay: The Stockton Inn

    A crossroads for travelers since 1710, the nine-key Stockton Inn reopened in 2024 after a seven-year renovation that modernized the staying experience while still preserving the building’s historic bones. Earthy colors and natural fabrics give the rooms and suites a tranquil, contemporary vibe that feels both at home in the country but also more stylish than the typical area B&Bs.

    📍 1 S. Main St., Stockton, N.J. 08559

    See: Music Mountain Theatre

    New Hope’s Bucks County Playhouse gets most of the attention, but just a mile from Lambertville’s downtown, Music Mountain Theatre is quietly expanding the arts scene on the Jersey side of the river. Founded in 2017, the company stages polished productions year-round for families and adults alike. This winter’s lineup includes Grease (through Feb. 1), followed by Dangerous Liaisons and Shrek the Musical.

    📍 1483 N.J.-179, Lambertville, N.J. 08530

    Dine: Sergeantsville Inn

    True to headline, nearly everywhere in this guide has a Lambertville or Stockton address. Dinner is the only exception. For that, head three and a half miles inland to the Sergeantsville Inn. Chef Sean Gray, formerly of New York’s Momofuku Ko, runs the tavern and restaurant housed in a building that dates to 1734. Stone walls, wood beams, and Shaker-style chairs set the stage for a candlelit meal of radicchio salad with cheddar and pears, beer-battered onion rings with horseradish aioli, or a whole roasted duck. Look alive — the Revolution is here.

    📍 601 Rosemont Ringoes Rd., Sergeantsville, N.J. 08557

  • 💫 Some Bowie stardust, Eagles postseason hype, and more| Things To Do

    💫 Some Bowie stardust, Eagles postseason hype, and more| Things To Do

    We’re back, baby!

    I hope by now you’ve shaken off the holiday rust and are back to your normal routine. Me? Well, I’m still recovering from the overabundance of Christmas-themed cakes and the Champagne slushies on New Year’s Eve. But I’m slowly getting back to form for what will be a special year for all of us in the region. (Even folks at the New York Times think so).

    The new year is going to be a transformative one for the city. Y’know, the World Cup and the nation’s 250th celebration and all — and it’s already kicking off with some exciting events.

    This week, there’s a reveal of a new waterfront art installation, the opening of a Tony Award-winning musical, and some David Bowie-loving festivities happening throughout the week.

    Read below to find an event (or three) that catches your eye.

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    First lady Abigail Adams, portrayed by Johanna Dunphy, introduces city officials and historical and cultural leaders to start a news conference at the National Constitution Center, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, announcing 52 Weeks of Firsts. In honor of the Semiquincentennial. The Philadelphia Historic District will celebrate 52 weeks of Philly firsts in 2026. Each week throughout the year, the citywide celebration will honor everything from the first African American Methodist Episcopal Church, first Flower Show, first American flag, first zoo, first Children’s Hospital, first penitentiary, first Thanksgiving parade and first Slinky.

    Philly ranked the top travel destination for 2026

    Of course, we Philadelphians already know our city is a great tourist attraction. But with everything planned in 2026, even more folks are taking notice.

    The New York Times named Philadelphia the number one travel destination in the world this year. Along with the Semiquincentennial, Philly will be home to the MLB All-Star Game, top-end World Cup matches, a pumped Fourth of July concert, and other notable happenings.

    The Times editors and reporters noted that other original colonies, like Massachusetts, Virginia, New York, and New Jersey, will also have stacked Semiquincentennial calendars. But Philly stands above the rest.

    Read the rest of my colleague Mike Newall’s story here.

    The best things to do this week

    🦅 Eagles Night at the Rink!: Kick off The Birds’ postseason with a celebratory prep rally, featuring a drum line performance and appearances from Eagles cheerleaders at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest on Friday.

    🕺 Some Prince and more Bowie, please: The entire week is filled with Bowie-themed parties and musical jams, but the curators at Underground Arts are adding some Prince to the mix. The venue is hosting a Bowie and Prince dance party with DJ George Purkins on Friday.

    🩺 “When the Day Comes” at Theatre Exile: What happens when a documentary filmmaker collaborates with a physician diagnosed with cancer to make a film? Find out in this limited-run production written and directed by Philadelphia native, Mikel Java. Jan. 10,11.

    🎭 “Suffs” at the Academy of Music: Suffs, the Tony award-winning musical about the brave and resilient women who fought for the right to vote, is running at the Academy of Music through Jan. 18.

    🌳 A Longwood Christmas continues: Just when you thought the Christmas magic was over, Longwood Gardens is extending the joy of the whimsical holiday at its magnificent conservatory. All ages are welcome to see the glimmering fountains and towering wildlife.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Fire & Frost Fun at Peddler’s Village, Le Cirque de Monsieur at Fabrika, Dr. Sketchy’s Tribute to Nosferatu at Arch Enemy Arts.

    David Bowie performs with backup singer Carlos Alomar at Veterans Stadium during his Glass Spider tour July, 30, 1987.
    G. Loie Grossmann / Philadelphia Daily News

    The thing of the week: It’s all about Bowie

    In celebration of the magnetic star, who was born on Jan. 8, 1947, and died 10 years ago on Jan. 10, 48 Record Bar kicked off a Bowie-themed week with its third annual free Philly Loves Bowie Week listening party.

    But the Bowie-loving didn’t stop there, Starman. On Thursday, Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar hosts Bowie Quizzo, with DJ Robert Drake spinning and John Stanley of John’s Dollar Bin fame serving drinks.

    Then, Sara Sherr’s Sing Your Life Karaoke goes all Bowie at MilkBoy. Two more Bowie-themed dance parties are happening at the Trestle Inn and Underground Arts, before the closing celebration returns to Union Transfer on Saturday.

    The party will feature 30 Bowie songs performed by 14 vocalists, including Richard Bush, Johnny Showcase, and Olivia Rubini.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🍿 “A Wrinkle in Time”: Madeleine L’Engle’s sci-fi classic, A Wrinkle in Time, comes to life at Old City’s Arden Theatre. The musical journey through time and space runs through Jan. 25.

    ❄️ Winter at Dilworth Park: The winter fun continues at Dilworth Park, with the reopening of the ice rink, winter garden, and holiday market. Stop by for some hot cocoa and a whimsical evening beneath the glimmering lights through March 14.

    🎨 A new installation at Cherry Street Pier: Photographic artist Jackie Neale reveals her bold reimagining of Cherry Street Pier at the waterfront on Friday. Titled Wide Awake In Blue, the museum-scale installation incorporates stories of immigration, human rights, and collective identity through striking portraits, textiles, and sound. It runs through March 1.

    Staffer picks

    Pop music critic Dan DeLuca lists the top concerts this weekend and a few holiday pop-up jams happening this month.

    🎸 Friday: Alabama-born, Texas-based country singer Dale Watson kicks off the weekend with a performance at the Sellersville Theater on Friday, and another at Elkton Music Hall in Elkton, Md. on Saturday.

    🎤 Saturday: Philly rapper Reef the Lost Cauze and DJ Sat One will be featured, along with pioneering graffiti artist Cornbread, at a street art and hip-hop event at Vizion Gallery in Kensington on Saturday.

    🎤 Sunday: Johnny Brenda’s will host a one-night-only concert in support of former World Cafe Live workers still reeling from the venue’s mismanagement. The show will feature Philly acts Carsie Blanton, Ray Dreznor, Izzy True, and Sad13.

    The year is just getting started, but all signs are pointing to another strong year of events. And I’m the one lucky enough to compile them all for you. Stay tuned.

    — Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Charm City eats, museums, and waterfront stays in Baltimore | Field Trip

    Charm City eats, museums, and waterfront stays in Baltimore | Field Trip

    Sometimes you take a road trip to experience something totally different from the world you inhabit — the absolute silence of a state forest, the carnivalesque majesty of the shore in full swing. A weekend in Baltimore is not that kind of trip.

    Charm City is the most Philly of the cities on the Acela corridor: smaller in size, but equally quirky, proud, and shaped by blue-collar roots. (Our accents are even passably close.) It’s also stacked with restaurants, museums, and cultural institutions that compete on a national level, all with a distinctly Baltimorean flavor, less than two hours away.

    Here’s how to spend a long weekend in Charm City.

    Snack: Café Los Sueños

    Once arriving in Baltimore proper, take I-83 up to the Remington neighborhood on the north side of the city, where Café Los Sueños roasts and brews its own beans in a peaceful, light-washed space a couple blocks off the highway exit. (The name translates to “Café of Dreams,” fitting for owner Carlos Payes, who came to the U.S. from the coffee plantations of El Salvador.) A horchata latte and croissant make for a perfectly calming start to the trip.

    📍 2740 Huntingdon Ave., Unit B, Baltimore, Md. 21211

    Sniff: Rawlings Conservatory

    If it’s not too cold — and you’re up for a walk — Los Sueños sits near the eastern edge of Druid Hill Park, the third-oldest urban park in the country and, for millennials, the namesake of Dru Hill. Follow the path along Druid Lake toward the Rawlings Conservatory, a circa-1888 botanical garden with five greenhouses. Even when it’s frosty outside, the impressive Victorian conservatories filled with tropical orchids, ceiling-skimming palms, and citrus blossoms deliver full-on summer music-video energy.

    📍 3100 Swann Dr., Baltimore, Md. 21217

    Stay: The Pendry Baltimore

    Check into the Pendry Baltimore, a moody, stylish 127-room hotel housed in a grand 1914 building on the former Recreation Pier. The Fell’s Point location is both charming and convenient, putting you within walking distance of many of Baltimore’s marquee attractions. Many of the wood-and-leather-clad rooms overlook the waterfront. The huge pool, which seems to float in the Inner Harbor, will have you booking a return visit for summer.

    📍 1715 Thames St., Baltimore, Md. 21231

    Explore: National Aquarium

    No curveball here. The National Aquarium is Baltimore’s claim to fame, and if the last time you were here was on an eighth-grade field trip, you should come back as an adult, with or without your own kids. The sprawling complex houses 2.2 million gallons of water and residents ranging from reef sharks and puffins to otters and moray eels. Don’t miss the Harbor Wetland exhibit, which opened in 2024 along a series of floating docks in the Inner Harbor and be sure to book tickets in advance. Aim for off-hours to beat the crowds.

    📍 501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, Md. 21202

    View: American Visionary Art Museum

    The title Cap Bathing Moligator With Angelic Visitation (Dickens 44) tells you just about everything you need to know about the boundary-pushing work housed at the American Visionary Art Museum. This brick-and-mirror-clad institution in Federal Hill celebrates outsider art in all its surreal glory from landscapes to cosmological oil paintings to sculptures of a mosaic-winged Icarus and Baltimore icon Divine. The collection embodies the city’s DIY spirit and unbreakable creative streak.

    📍 800 Key Hwy., Baltimore, Md. 21230

    Drink: Charleston

    With its deep pedigree and polished service, Charleston in Harbor East possesses a sense of occasion that few restaurants have anymore. Even if you’re just passing through for drinks in its swanky little lounge, where local power brokers and big-night-out suburbanites mingle with tourists, those drinks are crafted with gravitas and élan as much as sparkling wine, passionfruit and honey (the Ipanema Fizz), or blanco tequila, Strega, and ginger (the Arandas Monk). The wine list is famously deep, which helps explain why Charleston won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.

    📍 1000 Lancaster St., Baltimore, Md. 21202

    Dine: The Wren

    From one medalist to another, the Wren, one of Bon Appetit’s best new restaurants of 2025, sits less than a 10-minute walk from Charleston in Fell’s Point. The location is an ideal spot for drink or dinner, with a much more casual silhouette with its wood paneling, pressed-tin ceilings, and no-reservations policy. It’s a pub essentially, and like the very best pubs in Ireland and the U.K. (partner Millie Powell hails from Dublin), the cooking comforts and satisfies on a cellular level. Think glazed ham, golden onion pie, sharp cheeses, honey-roasted apple cake, and the like. (Your Philly analog is Meetinghouse.) As expected, the bartenders pour a precise pint of Guinness, the perfect finale to a Baltimore weekend.

    📍 1712 Aliceanna St., Baltimore, Md. 21231

  • What’s open and closed in the Philly area on New Year’s Day 2026: Grocery stores, liquor stores, trash pickup, and more

    What’s open and closed in the Philly area on New Year’s Day 2026: Grocery stores, liquor stores, trash pickup, and more

    As Philadelphia rings in 2026 on Thursday, Jan. 1, knowing what’s open and closed can help you plan your day. From city services and trash collection (delayed one day) to grocery stores, pharmacies, and retailers, many places will operate on modified hours or be closed.

    Whether you’re knocking out errands, grabbing last-minute essentials, or easing into the new year, here’s what to know about New Year’s Day across the region.

    City government offices

    ❌ City of Philadelphia government offices will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1.

    Free Library of Philadelphia

    ❌ The Free Library will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1.

    Food sites

    ✅ / ❌ Holidays may impact hours of operation. Visit phila.gov/food to view specific site schedules and call ahead before visiting.

    Trash collection

    ❌ No trash or recycling collection on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Collection will be picked up one day behind the regular schedule all week. To find your trash and recycling collection day, go to phila.gov.

    Grocery stores

    Acme Markets

    ✅ Open from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

    Aldi

    ❌ Aldi will be closed New Year’s Day.

    Giant Food Stores

    ✅ Open regular hours on New Year’s Day.

    Reading Terminal Market

    ❌ Closed New Year’s Day.

    ShopRite

    ✅ Stores will be open at modified hours. Check your local store listing for details: shoprite.com/holiday-store-hours.

    South Philly Food Co-op

    ✅ Open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. New Year’s Day.

    Sprouts Farmers Market

    ✅ Open regular hours New Year’s Day.

    Trader Joe’s

    ❌ Closed New Year’s Day.

    Wegmans

    ✅ Open normal hours New Year’s Day.

    Whole Foods

    ✅ Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

    Liquor stores

    Fine Wine & Good Spirits

    ❌ Closed New Year’s Day.

    Mail and packages

    U.S. Postal Service

    ❌ On New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, local post offices will be closed and there will be no regular mail delivery.

    UPS, FedEx, and DHL

    UPS, FedEx, and DHL will be closed New Year’s Day. There will be no delivery or pickup services, except for critical services.

    Banks

    ❌ Most, if not all, banks, including TD Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase Bank, and PNC Bank, will be closed on New Year’s Day.

    Pharmacies

    CVS

    ✅ CVS locations will be open for regular business hours on New Year’s Day. View hours at cvs.com/store-locator/landing.

    Walgreens

    ❌ Closed New Year’s Day.

    Shopping malls

    ✅ The Fashion District, Philadelphia Mills, King of Prussia Mall, and Cherry Hill Mall will be operating on modified business hours New Year’s Day.

    ❌ The Shops at Liberty Place will be closed New Year’s Day.

    Big-box retailers

    The big-box retailers that will be open and closed New Year’s Day:

    Target

    ✅ Open normal hours New Year’s Day.

    Walmart

    ✅ Open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. New Year’s Day.

    Home Depot

    ✅ Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. New Year’s Day.

    Lowe’s

    ✅ Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. New Year’s Day.

    Costco

    ❌ Costco will be closed New Year’s Day.

    IKEA

    ✅ Open normal hours New Year’s Day.

    Dollar Tree

    ✅ Open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. New Year’s Day.

    Sam’s Club

    ❌ Sam’s Club will be closed New Year’s Day.