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Category: Things To Do

  • 🌸 The insider’s guide to the Flower Show | Things to do

    🌸 The insider’s guide to the Flower Show | Things to do

    I don’t know about you, but I’m counting the days until spring fully blooms in Philadelphia. I can’t wait to enjoy the cherry blossoms along Kelly Drive, take down some Hatfield Franks on BOGO Nights at the Phillies, and hang on the rooftop at Bok Bar.

    For now, I’m offering a list of spring-esque events happening around the region like the Philadelphia Flower Show (more on that below), a new Egyptian exhibition, and the return of our favorite soccer club this weekend.

    Kickstart your weekend plans, Philly style.

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

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

    Orchids adorn a Volkswagon Beetle as finishing touches are placed on the 12th annual Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Glencoe, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

    Your guide to the Philadelphia Flower Show

    The annual Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Philadelphia Flower Show, which is the oldest and largest horticultural event in the world, returns to the Convention Center on Saturday and runs through March 8.

    This year’s theme is “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening.”

    There will be floral displays, flower competitions, and more than 200 vendors offering a curated selection of live plants, florals, garden tools, decorative wares, and more. We have you covered with everything you need to know about attending, including schedule, tickets, parking, food, exhibits, and more.

    The best things to do this week

    🎭 A scene at-random: InterAct Theatre Company’s latest production, Plantation Black, directed by Kimille Howard, is an explorative Civil War era story with a twist. Each night, a cast member spins a drum bearing names of all the production’s scenes, and then the play begins at a different point in the timeline. The play runs through Sunday.

    🇲🇽 New eats in East Market: In the latest of Center City restaurant openings, East Market welcomes Mi Vida. The upscale Mexican player out of Washington D.C. opened next to Mom’s Organic Market on 1150 Ludlow St.

    🟦 Blue Men in motion: The Blue Man Group returns to Philly with a brand-new show featuring fresh music, immersive visuals, and audience interactions. Experience the Blue Man magic at Miller Theater through Sunday.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Bella Village Restaurant Week, “No Solace in the Shade” at Brandywine Museum of Art, The Harlem Globetrotters at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Cavan Sullivan on the ball during the Philadelphia Union’s Major League Soccer (MLS) game against D.C. United at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

    The thing of the week: Our favorite soccer club is back in the Philly area this week

    The Philadelphia Union returns to Subaru Park for the club’s first two home match-ups of the season.

    First, the Union goes head-to-head with Trinidad & Tobago’s Defence Force SC on Thursday to close out the second leg of the team’s first round series in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The winner of the series will play Liga MX’s Club América in the Round of 16.

    On Sunday, the Union faces New York City FC in the team’s Major League Soccer season home opener. The club will look to regain momentum after losing 0-1 to D.C. United last week.

    For updates on Philly’s premiere soccer club, read here.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🍺 Toast to state brews: The Philly Beer Fest will feature 30 of the state’s top breweries, including Triple Bottom Brewing, Urban Village Brewing Company, and Evil Genius Beer Company, at the 23rd Armory this Saturday.

    🎭 Fears, hopes, and secrets: The dark comedy, A Delicate Balance, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee, explores how long-time friends wrestle with an unexplained fear on an equally unexpected night. The production will run through March 29 at Walnut Street Theatre.

    🏳️‍🌈 A new hub for LGBTQ visitors: The Philly Pride Visitor Center is officially open in Midtown Village. The center, located next to Knock Bar & Restaurant, offers souvenirs, attraction ticketing, and itinerary planning with an emphasis on LGBTQ and ally businesses and destinations.

    🎨 Ancient Egypt in color: The new exhibition, “Ancient Egypt in Watercolors at the Penn Museum,” opens on Saturday. Visitors can peek inside the limited-time exhibition to see decorated funerary chapels of high-ranking Egyptian officials and priests, 100-year-old watercolors, 3,500-year-old bread loaves, and nearly 60 other rarely-seen artifacts.

    The take

    We sent two reporters to R&D to find out whether a cocktail menu inspired by Philly lore, from HitchBOT to the Crum Bum, actually works in a glass. The verdict: a lot of these drinks sound weird on paper, but they’re surprisingly balanced, thoughtful, and very Philly.

    What makes the menu land isn’t just the inside jokes or the J-A-W-N ingredient challenge. It’s that the bartenders treated the city’s stories like serious prompts and built drinks that taste good first, gimmick second. Go with friends, split a few, and don’t skip the pretzels.

    Staffer picks

    Pop music critic Dan DeLuca lists the top concerts this weekend.

    🎤 Thursday: Legendary singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples will take the stage at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville. The 86-year-old vocalist, who’s latest output Sad and Beautiful World offers a collection of soulful and deeply moving records, will be joined by Massachusetts singer-guitarist Kimaya Diggs as her opener.

    🎸 Friday: Singer-songwriter Matt Butler conducts two nights of improvised music from a cast of leading musicians from the jam band world, including Dave Matthews’ associate Tim Reynolds, Aron Magner of the Disco Biscuits, Rob Mercurio of Galactic, Camden trumpeter Arnetta Johnson, and others at Ardmore Music Hall starting Friday.

    🎸 Saturday: Sheer Mag, the mighty Philly foursome that recently dropped 2024’s Playing Favoritues, will top a four-band bill at Johnny Brenda’s.

    🎸 Tuesday: A double bill headlined by Ratboys, the Chicago quartet fronted by Julia Steiner, will be well-matched with Philly-bred, loose-limbed collective, Florry. The two bands will join forces at First Unitarian Church on Tuesday.

    Explore the PHS Flower Show’s lush landscapes, grab some Pennsylvania-made brews, or catch the Union score a win at Subaru Park.

    Whatever you do, be sure to take in the early spring air and events happening this weekend. And expect to see more spring-related suggestions in future newsletters, especially as the season fully blooms in the region.

    — Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Everything you need to know about the 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

    Everything you need to know about the 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

    The iconic Philadelphia Flower Show returns Feb. 28-March 8, bringing a massive, immersive garden world blooming to life within the Convention Center. And more than ever, it promises to be historic.

    Pennsylvania Horticultural officials have billed the 2026 Flower Show as Philly’s first major event of its yearlong festivities planned for the 250th anniversary of America — as a celebration of the history of American gardening.

    The show’s theme, “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening,” honors the people, places, and traditions that have shaped gardening — and invites visitors to consider where their own gardening stories began. The 2026 show will debut a reimagined Marketplace shopping destination and expanded Artisan Row.

    America’s oldest flower show, which began in 1829, the internationally renowned event draws thousands to Center City each year, and represents the Horticultural Society’s biggest fundraiser, supporting its greening efforts across the city.

    Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to attend.

    Location and schedule

    📍 Pennsylvania Convention Center: 1101 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19107

    📅 Feb. 28 to March 8

    ⏰ Hours:

    • Feb. 27: Noon — 4 p.m. Members only Preview
    • Feb. 28 — March 8, 2026
    • Open daily 10 a.m. — 8 p.m., until 6 p.m. on March 8
    A rendering of the 2026 Philadelphia Flower show is on display during a Jan. 14 news conference at Union Trust. The theme of this year’s flower show is called “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening.”

    Tickets and pricing

    Tickets are available online at tickets.phsonline.org and at the Convention Center. Online tickets are cheaper than those purchased at the door, and weekday tickets cost less than weekend tickets. Group discounts are offered to groups of 25 adults or more.

    Online pricing:

    • Adult:
    • Student (18-24 with valid student ID):
    • Children (5-17):
    • Twilight (after 4 p.m.):
    • Any-Day Flex Pass — $60, one-time, any day admission
    • Floral Fanatic Pass — $100 unlimited daily entry for entire run

    In-person pricing:

    • Adult:
    • Student (18-24 with valid student ID):
    • Children (5-17):
    • Twilight (after 4 p.m.):
    A participant creates pressed flower art following a Jan. 14 news conference at Union Trust for the unveiling of a first look at the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show, “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening.”

    Top exhibits and attractions

    For a full list of exhibitors at this year’s Show, please visit phsonline.org.

    The Forest Floor: Flower Show Entrance Garden

    A sprawling, misty forest floor creation drawing on the diverse inspirations of American gardens, and featuring mossy stonework, Zen-like sculptural plantings, water displays, and crowned with a towering, twisting root structure.

    The American Landscape Showcase: Special exhibition celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

    This year’s special exhibition celebrates the national milestone, also known as the Semiquincentennial, with four gardens highlighting how gardening has shaped communities and evolved over 250 years.

    First Bloom — Rooted in Memory

    Four acclaimed international florists — Gábor Nagy, Alex Segura, Chantal Post, and Conny van der Westerlaken — showcase the origin moments that sparked their passion for flowers.

    Design Gallery

    Presents floral arrangements crafted for themed challenges, highlighting skill, creativity, and artistic power.

    Hamilton Horticourt

    Each year, thousands of exhibitors compete in more than 900 classes or categories, ranging from horticulture and arrangement to design and photography. With no age limits, winners receive a “Blue Ribbon.” Competitive Class categories are on the show floor, including miniatures, pressed flowers, and specialty plants.

    Artisan Row

    The 2026 show features an expanded Artisan Row, where guests can work alongside nearly 40 vendors and craftspeople to create everything from fresh floral crowns to dried bouquets and terrariums and candles and jewelry and more.

    Marketplace

    A new highly visible, street-level Marketplace below the main exhibit halls, with more than 200 vendors offering a curated selection of live plants, florals, garden tools, decorative wares, and more.

    Potting Parties

    Create your own flower arrangements under the guidance of Tu Bloom, the official botanical artist for the Grammys. $20 per person (reserve at tickets.phsonline.org/events).

    Bloom Bar

    Visit the Bloom Bar or keep an eye out for the cart wandering the show floor to buy gorgeous premade floral crowns.

    Kids Cocoon

    Sponsored by Netflix House Philadelphia, a family-friendly space with reading nooks, craft and digging stations.

    Butterflies Live!

    Hundreds of native and exotic butterflies, including zebra longwings, morning cloaks, and bright blue morphos dance and paint the air with color in the iconic butterfly tent exhibit. Many are happy to land on visitors’ feeding sticks for nectar and sugar water.

    Know to Grow

    Speaker series featuring horticultural experts exploring topics including heirloom and early American gardens, native bees and pollinator habits, resilient ecological design, and the cultural histories that have shaped American gardening traditions.

    Plant People Place

    Interactive area where guests can connect with expert gardeners and industry specialists for advice and insight.

    Early Morning Tours

    Daily early-hour tours offer behind-the-scenes peeks and insights from exhibitors. Early morning photography sessions are also available.

    Family Frolic

    • March 1:10 a.m. — 3 p.m.

    Buy tickets for the March 1 show for a day designed for young families, with educational experiences, playful floral design, coloring, and more. Free with admission, recommended for all ages.

    Blossom & Breathe

    • March 4: 4 — 8 p.m.

    A celebration of beauty, well, and natural healing, including yoga classes, opportunities to work with wellness experts, and mediation. Purchase required for yoga class, all other activities are free with admission. Recommended for all ages.

    Fido Friday

    • March 6: 5 — 8 p.m.

    Bring your best four-legged friend to explore the florals. Proof of current rabies vaccination required.

    Flowers After Hours

    Folklore of the Forest

    • March 7: 8:30 — 11:30 p.m.

    The Flowers After Hours dance party transforms the show into an enchanted, fairytale forest setting with themed cocktails and dancing. Guests are encouraged to wear “fantasy-inspired attire,” planners said. Purchase required. Must be 21.

    A young woman falls asleep during the lunch rush at Reading Terminal Market on June 11, 2025, in Philadelphia.

    Food & drinks

    In addition to the convention center’s Saxby’s Coffee and the Overlook Cafe, there are concession areas managed by Aramark serving light bites, snacks, and drinks on the show floor.

    Guests are encouraged to get their hand stamped before exiting the building, if they decide to take a short walk to some of Philadelphia’s famous food destinations.

    How to get to the Flower Show

    • 🚴 Bike: 19 minutes from South Philly, about 30 minutes from North or West Philadelphia.
    • 🚌 Bus: Take lines 4, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 21, 23, 27, 33, 34, 36, 38, 42, 44, 45, 47, 48, 61, 78, 124, and 125.
    • 🚇 Subway:
    • 🚉 Regional Rail:
    • SEPTA is running extra trains on these Regional Rail lines on Saturdays and Sundays during the show — March 1-2 and March 8-9:

    Where to park for the Philadelphia Flower Show

    The Convention Center recommends parking at one of the lots closest to the show that are run by ABM Parking, E-Z Park, iParkit Philadelphia, Park America, Parking Facility, Parkway Corp., or SP+ Parking.

    You can also park at a Philadelphia Parking Authority garage:

    • The Autopark at the Fashion District: 📍45 N. Ninth St., 💰 $35 for 24 hours, ⌚ 6 a.m. to midnight, 🚶‍♀️ three minutes.
    • The Autopark at Jefferson: 📍10th and Ludlow Streets, 💰 $36 for 24 hours, ⌚ 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., 🚶‍♀️ 10 minutes.
    • Parkade on Eighth: 📍801 Filbert St., 💰$32 for 24 hours, ⌚ 24/7, 🚶‍♀️ six minutes.
    • Gateway Parking Garage: 📍1540 Vine St., 💰 $16 for 1 hour, $30 for 24 hours, ⌚ 24/7, 🚶‍♀️ five minutes

    Where does the money for the PHS Flower Show go?

    Proceeds from the Flower Show go directly to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to disburse among its regional programming. This includes neighborhood programs, city tree-tending, low-cost gardening programs, water conservation, designing and maintaining public gardens, and more.

    For more information, visit phsonline.org/the-flower-show.

  • Spring blossoms, biscuits, and Blue Ridge views in Charlottesville, Va. | Field Trip

    Spring blossoms, biscuits, and Blue Ridge views in Charlottesville, Va. | Field Trip

    Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is ready for spring. The season there comes a little earlier than ours — cherry blossoms popping, birds trilling — so those planning a March getaway should consider the Virginian city, where the weather is often mild enough to spend serious time outside. Rails and walking paths wind like shoelaces through downtown and into the surrounding countryside. As a university town, C’ville is also packed with arts, music, shopping, and dining, and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate sits just on the outskirts of town, high on a hill.

    Get your history, get your biscuits. Start the car.

    Fuel: Oakhurst Cafe

    The first stop in town, Oakhurst Cafe, announces you’ve arrived in the South with a house-baked buttermilk biscuits layered with country ham, apple butter and mustard. There’s also strawberry shortcake French toast, sweet potato hash with chorizo and fresh-fried beignets, served in a sunny room whose generous windows make the tangerine walls and hardwood floors gleam.

    📍 1616 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, Va. 22903

    Stay: Graduate Charlottesville

    Charlottesville is a college town, with the University of Virginia’s idyllic and historic campus right downtown. Lean into it and stay at the Graduate, a newer property from the collegiate-themed brand under the Hilton umbrella. Opened in 2015, the hotel is still super fresh, with a game room, scenic rooftop, and rooms dressed in soothing blue walls, Cavalier-print curtains, and bolster pillows embroidered with “Wah-hoo-wa,” the university’s sports cheer.

    📍 1309 W. Main St., Charlottesville, Va. 22903

    Stroll: Downtown Mall

    A short walk from the Graduate, Charlottesville’s pedestrian Downtown Mall offers a solid orientation to the city’s commercial core. Visit shops like C’Ville Arts, a co-op gallery representing over 50 Virginia artists, or catch a show at the historic Paramount Theater, which opened in 1931, closed in 1974, and reopened after a $17-million restoration in 2004. When the biscuit craving returns, hit Miller’s Downtown for lunch. It’s famous for the Charlottesville Nasty chicken biscuit, but the pimento-cheese BLT is the actual move.

    📍 East Main Street, between Second Street NW and Ninth Street NE, Charlottesville, Va.

    Visit: Monticello

    Whether you think history is a snooze or can quote Hamilton from memory — “Thomas Jefferson’s coming home!”— Monticello is must-visit. Set on 2,500 bucolic acres, the estate features multiple exhibits inside, outside, and even beneath the mansion, with thoughtful attention paid to the enslaved people who worked Jefferson’s plantation, including Sally Hemings, with whom he fathered six children.

    📍 1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, Va. 22902

    Walk: Saunders-Monticello Trail

    Beyond the landscaped gardens of Monticello proper, the fairytale woods and meadows of the estate beg for exploring. The Saunders-Monticello Trail is an easy lift for all activity levels, with a maximum 5% incline and two miles of wheelchair-accessible paved paths and boardwalks winding through forest and over ravines. Stop at Carter Overlook for panoramic views of Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

    📍 Parking: 503 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy., Charlottesville, Va. 22902

    Drink: Blenheim Vineyards

    Dave Matthews Band got its start in Charlottesville, gigging at Miller’s on the mall and other stages around town. Though the singer now lives in Seattle, he maintains a strong connection to Virginia. One touchpoint is his winery, Blenheim Vineyards, situated on 32 acres of rolling chartreuse hills stitched with sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and albarino vines. Giant windows in the wood-clad A-frame frame the landscape during guided tastings of five wines (just $25). Consider this your predinner drinks.

    📍 31 Blenheim Farm, Charlottesville, Va. 22902

    Dine: Smyrna

    Back downtown, Smyrna’s oysters with ramp mignonette, hamachi crudo with anise-compressed melon, and manti dumplings dabbed with garlic yogurt earned chef Tarik Sengul a semifinalist nod from the James Beard Foundation this year. You’ll have to wait till April to find out if he advances to the finalist round of the awards — making right now an ideal time to check this sharp Aegean restaurant out for yourself.

    📍 707 W. Main St., Charlottesville, Va. 22903

  • 🐉 Celebrate the Year of the Horse | Things to do

    🐉 Celebrate the Year of the Horse | Things to do

    Last week was for the lovers. This week, well, it’s for the culture. The region will be booming with celebrations all weekend.

    Fashion lovers can catch the latest from local and international designers at Philly Fashion Week runways. Home improvement-obsessives and amateur DIYers can stop by the annual Philly Home + Garden Show for gardening and landscaping tips.

    Then there’s Lunar New Year, which marks the arrival of spring, and another year of good fortune. Dozens of parades, tai chi demonstrations, dance performances, and other celebrations will continue throughout the region.

    And I can’t forget about the Barnes Foundation’s new exhibition, celebrating the work of famed post-Impressionist painter Henri Rousseau, running through Sunday.

    Read on to find more exciting celebrations happening this weekend.

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

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

    An overhead shot of the beach in Atlantic City during Phish’s three night concert run in August 2021.

    Beach concerts are finally coming back to Atlantic City

    Once again, there will be music on the beach in Atlantic City this summer, thanks to a new collaboration between Visit Atlantic City and Live Nation.

    Electronic dance music trio RĂźfĂźs Du Sol will kick-off a wave of ocean-side shows after their Aug. 29 concert at the A.C. boardwalk this summer.

    Their performance will mark a return to the tradition of A.C. beach shows, which have included ocean-side concerts that have included Pink in 2017, the Vans Warped Tour in 2019, the pop-punk Adjacent Music Festival in 2023, and others.

    For the last two years, there’s been an absence of large-scale A.C. beach shows, though Philly impresario Dave P.’s Making Waves festival drew a crowd last year.

    The collaboration between Visit Atlantic City and Live Natioon means more shows at the shore, and not just in the summer.

    Read more of my colleague Dan Deluca’s story here. And don’t miss out on some of his concert picks for this weekend below.

    The best things to do this week

    🖼️ Make-it-POP!: Join InLiquid from Thursday to Saturday at Crane Arts for an inside look at Make-it-POP!, a vibrant group exhibition showcasing InLiquid members’ bold portfolios, cultural commentary, and playful imagery.

    🎨 Meet me at the Barnes: Explore the work of artist Henri Rousseau, which will fill the Barnes Foundation as part of a collaboration between the Benjamin Franklin Parkway museum and the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris.

    🎶 Musical down the Shore: Compassion Cafe in Beach haven is a nonprofit that employs neurodivergent adults. It is launching its sixth season with Be Our Guest, performed by its employees and inspired by the evergreen Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast.

    🧵 Step into your best: Join thousands of fashion lovers for Philly Fashion Week, now in its 20th year. From now through Saturday, there will be runway shows, design competitions, pop-up shops and more throughout the city.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Black History Month Family Fun Night at the Constitution Center and Punk Rock Flea Market at 23rd Street Armory.

    Community organizers hold a “No Arena” block party near the Friendship Gate in Chinatown Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, as the neighborhood celebrates the Lunar New Year nearby with a parade, lion dancers and fireworks.

    Lunar New Year at Dilworth Park

    The Year of the Horse is charging its way into Center City this weekend.

    Head to Dilworth Park to celebrate the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, signifying the start of spring and the ushering of good fortune.

    The celebration includes a red envelope giveaway to the first 100 guests, a Kun-Yang Lin/Dancer performance, Chinese opera by Jiaye Xu of Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance.

    The celebration closes out with the Philadelphia Suns performance at 6:30 p.m.

    Check out some more Lunar Year celebrations happening this weekend.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🏡 A little home improvement: Nearly 300 exhibitors will be at Montgomery County’s Greater Philadelphia Expo Center for the annual Philly Home + Garden Show. Specialists will offer tips on everything from gardening to landscaping, architecture, construction, electronics, interior design, and more.

    ⛸️ The Winter at Dilworth wrap-up: The Winter at Dilworth Park will wrap up select attractions starting this Sunday. The Rothman Orthopedics ice Rink and Cabin will pack things up this week, so bundle up and put on your best ice skates for a final lap this weekend.

    🐉 Lunar New Year festivities: Among the most popular Lunar Year celebrations is at Rail Park. Head there to see live lion dances, tai chi performances, K-pop workshop, and an appearance from the Fletcher Urban Riding Club on Saturday from 1-4 p.m.

    🎡 A festival of multiple traditions: Stop by the Mummers Museum for the Festival of Many Colors. The new multiweek event series highlights the Mummers Parade, Philly Caribbean Carnival and Carnaval de Puebla. There will be hands-on workshops to design garments, forge tools, and learn traditional dance that run through May 17.

    Staffer picks

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

    🎸 Thursday: After playing in Philly for his solo tour last year, songwriter Alejandro Escovedo is back, plugged in, and ready to rock with his band Electric Saints at Sellersville Theater on Thursday.

    🎸 Friday: Philly songwriter Ben Arnold is home to promote his new solo album, XL. He will perform at WXPN’s Free At Noon with the 48 Hour Orchestra on Friday.

    🎤 Saturday: R&B superstar Miguel, who’s played multiple times at the Made in America festival, returns to Philly for a headlining show at the Met Philly for his 2025 album, CAOS.

    🎤 Tuesday: Mariah the Scientist, who’s enraptured fans with her sultry vocals and chilling love songs since her major label debut Master in 2019, will headline the Met Philly on Tuesday.

    — Earl Hopkins

    Enjoy everything the region has to offer this weekend. And per Lunar New Year tradition, avoid wearing black and white if you can. Trust me, nobody likes a killjoy.

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Industrial bones and big flavors in Easton, Pa. | Field Trip

    Industrial bones and big flavors in Easton, Pa. | Field Trip

    Nestled in the crook of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, Easton’s manufacturing might was powered by its waterways during the Industrial Revolution in the early 20th century. Tanneries, flour and silk mills, distilleries, breweries — these were the big businesses in town.

    Now, those old industrial shells and the former mansions of tycoons house cafĂŠs and galleries, boutique hotels, and French-inspired markets.

    Easton sits just 90 minutes from Philly, making it an easy weekend getaway. Take the Turnpike north, hook a right at Allentown, and head toward the river.

    Start the car.

    Stay: Townley House Hotel

    In dining, shopping, and arts, Easton way overdelivers. Hotels are still catching up. Fortunately, the popular Gusto Hospitality Group (see Dine, below) opened the Townley House Hotel several years ago, and the 16-room boutique remains the best place to stay in town. An original mahogany staircase links the levels of this restored brick townhouse on Easton’s historic Millionaire’s Row. There’s a sun-dappled courtyard, Mercer-tiled fireplaces, maximalist wallpapers and custom headboards — a different one for each room.

    📍 130 N. 3rd St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Stroll: Karl Stirner Arts Trail

    Running nearly two miles along scenic Bushkill Creek to Lafayette College’s William Visual Arts Building, the Karl Stirner Arts Trail weaves through 27 works of public art. The trail is named for the German-born sculptor and metalsmith largely credited for making Easton an arts destination in the 1980s. You’ll find his untitled steel arch, painted an unmissable scarlet, about two-thirds of the way down the path.

    📍 Parking at 521 N. 13th St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Snack: Pie + Tart

    In this world, there are people who love pie, and then there are monsters. Don’t be a monster. On Northampton Street, Easton’s main drag, Pie + Tart is charming spot with exposed brick walls and Shaker-style chairs from bakers Lisa Yelagin and Anne Gerr. Savory pies (coq au vin) and sweet ones (Mexican chocolate chess, cherry cheesecake) rotate weekly, alongside soups, quiches, and other cozy blackboard specials.

    📍 349 Northampton St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Create: Crayola Experience

    If you’re bringing kids — or you simply have strong feelings about Burnt Sienna and Tickle-Me-Pink — meet the Crayola Experience. The king of crayons was born — and still manufactured — right here in Easton. The four-floor experience mixes analog crafts and digital diversions, including an 85-foot water table and a photo booth that generates a coloring-book selfie. Great opportunity to see what you’d look like as a Mango Tango redhead.

    📍 30 Centre Square, Easton, Pa. 18042

    Shop: Belleville Market

    Men’s shearling-lined shackets, watercolor paint-by-numbers journals, irreverent incense (“Chai-Scented Laziness,” “Burn Away the BS”), and more fill Belleville Market, a three-level department store inspired by the marketplaces the owners fell for in France. Keep an eye on their events page to see whether your Easton trip lines up with the shop’s happenings, like the upcoming Moka pot demonstration and tasting and floral-filled spring open house.

    📍 20 S. 3rd St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Drink: Kabinett

    We don’t need to tell you: The PLCB does not make sourcing great wine easy. Which makes Kabinett, a Bavarian-inspired refuge furnished with warm woods, wishbone chairs, and framed botanical prints all the more impressive. A grandly antlered stag skull presides over the bar. The Wine Spectator-recognized list ranges from whole-cluster Santa Barbara Sangiovese and South Australian Riesling from 175-year-old vines. It’s deep but playful, organized under headings like:“Reds ~ OK, Boomer. Safe Cabernet & oak space for full-throttle bottles.”

    📍 125 Northampton St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Dine: Albanesi Restaurant & Bar

    Italian restaurants run by Albanians form their own industry sub-genre. At Albanesi Restaurant & Bar, Gusto Group’s Mick Gjevukaj, who grew up in the war-torn former Yugoslavia, is putting his heritage center stage with dishes like harissa-spiced rib-eye qofte (kofte), veal goulash, and braised lamb shoulder lacquered in pomegranate. Climb into one of the camel-colored clamshell banquettes, order some samuna bread and hummus swirled with ajvar, a Balkan condiment of roasted peppers and tomatoes, and settle in for culinary geography lesson. Who knew you’d learn it in Easton?

    📍 235 Ferry St., Easton, Pa. 18042

  • 💖 A weekend for lovers and the Galentine’s Day girlies| Things to do

    💖 A weekend for lovers and the Galentine’s Day girlies| Things to do

    Love is in the air, so this week’s newsletter is for the region’s friends and lovers.

    If you’re still scrambling to lock down your Valentine’s Day plans, or looking for Galentine’s Day excursions for you and your friends, I have a gift for you to unwrap this weekend.

    I’m talking Galentine’s Day parties, romantic train rides through Bucks County’s foothills, and a dinner date at a new double-decker restaurant in Midtown Village.

    These aren’t only events for the love-obsessed. There’s a theme park-inspired exhibition opening at the Franklin Institute, as well as a century-old celebration of the international surrealist movement and Presidents Day activities.

    Read below to finish carving out your weekend plans.

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

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

    Irene Levy Baker and Chris Mullins Jr. lead a toast at McGillin’s on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 in Philadelphia. Attendees gathered for a book talk on “Cheers to McGillin’s: Philly’s Oldest Tavern” on Tuesday.

    Forget the dating apps, people. Find love at this 166-year-old bar.

    McGillin’s Olde Ale House, the 166-year-old pub in Center City long owned by the same family, has mastered the art of match making.

    Along with serving draft beer, wings, cheesesteaks, and an especially good french onion soup, McGillin’s is the place for future couples to meet.

    This month, the bar held a reunion for couples who struck romance at the long-beloved ale house.

    They came together, like alumni of the same beloved college club, wearing red and white name tags with the year their McGillin’s romantic meeting took place. They drank from frosted glasses and sat under tinsel hearts, clapping especially hard for the long married couples seated among them.

    Read my colleague Zoe Greenberg’s piece about this bar’s mating magic.

    The best things to do this week

    🚂 All aboard the love train: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a luxurious and romantic train ride through Bucks County’s picturesque foothills. The hourlong trip comes with savory crudités and charcuterie, plus a glass of bubbly champagne to wash it all down.

    🖼️ In a Dreamworld: It’s the last weekend to catch “Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100” at the Phialdelphia Museum of Art. It’s a traveling exhibition that features 200 works that celebrate a century of the international surrealist movement.

    🇺🇸 Presidents Day Weekend fun: At the Museum of the American Revolution, the extended weekend will be layered with special programing. There will be sea chest unpacking, Revolution Place playtime, and a deep dive into how Abraham Lincoln interpreted the founding document.

    💞 A night for the girlies: Among all the Valentine’s Day events happening this weekend, there’s a little something for the girls, too. This Friday, Fishtown’s Evil Genius is hosting a Galentine’s Party featuring DJ Louie P, who will spin pop anthems as patrons enjoy pints of craft brew and V-Day themed cocktails.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Valentine’s Day at the Museum of Illusions, Valen-Tide’s at Adventure Aquarium, and Make Love Market at LOVE Park.

    Universal Theme Parks makes world premiere at Franklin Institute

    The Franklin Institute hosts a world premiere exhibit this weekend that turns movie magic into hands-on discovery.

    The new theme park-inspired exhibit gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at Universal’s biggest franchises. There will be immersive sets and interactive displays inspired by franchises such as Minions, The Secret Life of Pets and Sing, Super Nintendo World, Jurassic World, and more.

    Tickets are now available for the world premiere on Saturday. The exhibition will be on display through Sept. 7.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🎪 The Greatest Show on Earth: The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey traveling circus will bring high-flying acrobatics and extreme cycling to Xfinity Mobile Arena starting Friday. The non-stop party in South Philly continues through Monday.

    🍲 A Midtown Village eatery: The team behind Philly’s cheesesteak bar, Taste, opened a chic NYC and Miami-inspired eatery, Savú. The seasonal menu features items like Maryland crab-stuff egg rolls, jumbo crab cakes, caviar bumps, and other New American bites.

    🎭 A Disney fairytale opening: The musical adaption of the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast, brings this magical fairytale to the Academy of Music. The beloved story runs through Feb. 22.

    Staffer picks

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

    🎸 Thursday: Local songwriter Josh Owens’ dreamy indie pop band Lazyacres is playing at the South Street nightclub Nikki Lopez with Attic Posture, Bowling Alley Oop, and Dante Robinson.

    🎸 Friday: The Knee-Hi’s, self-described as a “female fronted garage glam rock band existing as a living love letter to rock and roll,” will takeover Ortlieb’s alongside Ione, Star Moles, and Thank You Thank You on Friday.

    🎤 Saturday: A year after releasing his latest album, The Co-Star and a holiday collection, R&B heartthrob Eric Benet will grace the City Winery stage on Saturday.

    🎤 Also on Saturday: Philly cumbia klezmer punk band Mariposas Galacticas join forces with Baltimore-based cumbia ska outfit Soroche and DJ Pdrto Criolla to celebrate “radical love in all its forms” at Johnny Brenda’s.

    🎸 Sunday: Closing out Valentine’s Day weekend is folk-goth guitarist Marissa Nadler, who will bring her noir-ish soundscapes that have won over folkies and metal heads to Milkboy Philly on Sunday.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    Alright, lovers and Galentine’s Day diners, I hope this week’s newsletters was a proper gift to you.

    — Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • A snowy New England escape in Manchester, Vt. | Field Trip

    A snowy New England escape in Manchester, Vt. | Field Trip

    A tiny state, more than a third of which represents conserved land, Vermont has done things its own way since the colonial era. Its Green Mountain Boys militia once fended off land claims from New York and New Hampshire, and for a brief moment, Vermont even functioned as its own republic. That don’t-tread-on-me energy still lingers today, blended with a deep respect for the arts, outdoors, history, and small business. In southern Vermont, less than five hours from Philly, the village of Manchester is a microcosm of that personality. Slung between the Green Mountains, the glowing town looks like something straight out of a Hallmark movie — especially in winter, when snow this time of year is nearly guaranteed.

    Start the car.

    Stay: Kimpton Taconic

    Stone fireplaces, leather chairs, plaid wallpaper, draft-blocking drapes, a grand front porch … Kimpton Taconic hits the winter-in-New-England vibes hard. The 86-room boutique hotel sits right on Main Street, close to everything in town, and has a solid on-site tavern, the Copper Grouse (think cider-brined chicken and maple crème brulée). The hotel also offers seamless equipment rentals through a Ski Butlers partnership. Bookings also include two free adult tickets to Hildene.

    📍 3835 Main St., Manchester, Vt. 05254

    Visit: Hildene

    Just south of town, surrounded by woods and snow, Hildene was built at the turn of the 20th century by Mary and Robert Lincoln, the only son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Run as a museum nonprofit since 1978, the Georgian Revival estate, gardens, and 12 miles of trails are open to visitors, making it a must-stop whether you’re into history, architecture, design, or horticulture. Train buffs will love Sunbeam, the restored Pullman carriage from Robert Lincoln’s tenure as president of the Pullman Co. from 1897 to 1911.

    📍 1005 Hildene Rd., Manchester, Vt. 05254

    View: Southern Vermont Arts Center

    Take a short detour off Main Street into the forest and you’ll find Southern Vermont Arts Center. This estate includes classrooms, museum galleries, performance space, a yoga studio, and a café. Originally built in 1917 as a summer estate for an Ohio socialite and philanthropist, the property was acquired by the arts center in 1950. Grab a coffee at the café and walk — or snowshoe, or cross-country ski — through their epic sculpture park.

    📍 860 Southern Vermont Arts Center Dr., Manchester, Vt. 05254

    Shop: Northshire Bookstore

    Northshire Bookstore is almost a caricature of Vermont: a rambling country house riddled with cozy alcoves. Opened in 1976 and now run by three sisters who grew up shopping there, the store leans hard into its indie roots — staff bios list genre specialties and years of service. They’ve got the bestsellers, sure, but it’s their rare-books collection that’s really special. A signed Jimmy Carter autobiography, for example, or an alternatively illustrated British edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

    📍 4869 Main St., Manchester Center, Vt. 05255

    Ski: Bromley Mountain

    Located only 10 minutes from town, Bromley Mountain’s 47 trails represent a solid mix of expertise levels. If you’re skiing experience begins and ends with the Poconos, maybe start with a few runs on the family-friendly Chase-It trail before leveling up to the Lord’s Prayer, the Plunge, and Havoc.

    📍 124 Bromley Lodge Rd., Peru, Vt. 05152

    Relax: Spa at the Equinox

    After a day on the slopes, soothe those boot-bound feet and sore hammies at the Spa at the Equinox. Deep-tissue massage, Ayurveda treatments, cupping therapy, maple sugar scrubs — get one, get them all. You won’t want to leave the spa. It’s got cozy relaxation lounges, a huge indoor pool stretching out beneath an open-beam ceiling, and an outdoor hot tub perpetually cloaked in steam.

    📍 3567 Main St., Manchester, Vt. 05254

    Dine: The Reluctant Panther

    Points for the name alone. The Reluctant Panther, whose moniker nods to Vermont’s resistance to outside rule in the late 1700s, has been operating as a bed-and-breakfast since the 1960s — but its restaurant is open to the public. The food is exactly what you want to eat in the winter here: a Vermont cheese board, thick pork chops with German potato salad and smoked maple gastrique, venison osso buco, all served in a fireplace-warmed dining room. The wine list has earned Wine Spectator recognition four years straight. Meow.

    📍 39 West Rd., Manchester, Vt. 05254

  • 📺 Super Bowl watch parties, bare knuckle brawling, and a taste of Nola | Things to do

    📺 Super Bowl watch parties, bare knuckle brawling, and a taste of Nola | Things to do

    After a week of moderate winter temps, we’re back to single digit chills and snow-packed streets this weekend.

    At this point, we’re used to the bone-numbing winds, so nothing will stop us from enjoying fun, brutally-entertaining, and dog-friendly events happening this weekend. Am I right?

    While our beloved Birds didn’t make it to the Super Bowl this year, there’s plenty of watch parties for disheartened fans in need of support, and others looking forward to Bad Bunny’s electrifying half-time show.

    Plus, a brutal bare knuckle brawl will take place in South Philly. Craftsman Row’s annual Mardi Gras pop-up experience will transport patrons to New Orleans’ French Quarter. And a reimagined Shakespearean classic will open at the Philadelphia Contemporary Theatre.

    Whatever you choose, just please avoid ice fishing on the frozen Schuylkill. There’s enough events to go around before you need to risk your warmth (and life) on the river’s ice-solid surface.

    Just look below, and you’ll find plenty of events worth reeling into your weekend plans.

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

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

    Schuylkill River as seen from former railroad bridge in Manayunk section, Philadelphia on snowy and cold Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

    The Schuylkill is frozen, so that means you can ice fish on it. Right? No!

    With the surface of the Schuylkill frozen solid, a reader asked through Curious Philly if ice fishing is allowed on the grand tributary.

    Short answer: no.

    While fishing along the Schuylkill is accepted and celebrated in warmer temperatures, those dreaming of an Arctic lifestyle should be reconsider their plans.

    Read more of my colleague Nate File’s story here.

    The best things to do this week

    ⚜️ A taste of NOLA: Stop by Craftsman Row Saloon for a taste of New Orleans. The bar’s annual Fat Tuesday pop-up experience will feature Mardi Gras-inspired dishes and southern favorites like jambalaya, crawfish mac and cheese, and po boys.

    🍷 The formula of love: Learn the science of romance at the Science History Institute’s event on Friday. Wine chemist André Isaacs, master chocolatier Jim St. John, essential oil specialist Kim Bleimann, and others will dive into the history of your favorite Valentine’s Day staples for “Wine, Roses, and Chocolate: How Romance and Science Work Together.”

    🐶 The return of Bark Bowl: The fifth annual Bark Bowl returns to Craft Hall on Saturday. While their furry, four-legged friends are enjoying the indoor turf and doggie toys, pet-parents can enjoy a special menu of drinks, crafty-style pizza, BBQ platters, and other offerings.

    🏈 Super Bowl Watch Parties: While our beloved Eagles didn’t make it to the biggest night in sports, it doesn’t mean you can’t stop by watch parties at Fringe Bar, Taller Puertorriqueño, Stateside Live!, and other venues and dive bars.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Step Afrika! at Miller Theater, First Friday in Chestnut Hill, Restaurant Week in Center City

    Kiera Duffy (left) and Justin Vivian Bond perform in “Complications in Sue” during the final dress rehearsal at the Academy of Music in Center City Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. The original libretto is based on an idea by Bond, and is playwright Michael R. Jackson’s operatic debut. 

    Opera Philadelphia’s ‘strange little roller coaster ride’ is rolling into town

    Created to commemorate the Opera Philadelphia’s 50th anniversary, Complications in Sue opened on Wednesday with 10 composers commissioned to write eight-minute scenes. (Here’s our review!)

    The scenes encompass the century-long life of a mythical everywoman named Sue, who does everything from saving Santa Clause from an existential crisis in a nonbelieving world, to fending off aggressive shopping algorithms. Impressive, right?

    Complications in Sue plays through Sunday at the Academy of Music. All tickets are Pick Your Price, starting at $11.

    Read more in writer David Patrick Stearns’ story here.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🏎️ One final lap: Stop by the Philadelphia Auto Show, and take a spin around the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the annual ends on Sunday. Hundreds of vehicles will be displayed throughout the exhibition, including some you can test drive in and outside the building.

    🤜🏽 Put your dukes up: The biggest night in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns to Philly for KnuckleMania VI at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Show-stoppers like heavyweight champion Ben Rothwell will defend his title against former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski in a main event clash.

    🎭 A reimagined theater classic: A modern, fast-paced, and thrilling reimagining of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar will take center stage at the Philadelphia Theatre Company on Froday. The show runs through Feb. 22.

    🧗🏼‍♂️ Come Baa-aaa-ack to Please Touch Museum: Shaun the Sheep, Bitzer, and your kid’s other farmyard friends will guide them through a series of fun problem-solving activities at the Please Touch Museum. Kids can scale small climbing walls, form their own stop-motion animations, and test their agility on balance boards. The exhibit runs from Saturday to May 10.

    Staffer picks

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

    🎸 Thursday: Off the heels of the Oklahoma band’s seventh album, the Turnpike Troubadours bring their brand of Red Dirt country at the Met Philly. The band will be joined by wry Texas songwriter Robert Earl Keen.

    🎤 Friday: Soulful Alabama singer Kashus Culpepper, whose new album, Act I, features guest appearances from Sierra Ferrell and Marcus King, will play World Cafe Live’s Free at Noon. Then, he’s headed to the Foundry at the Fillmore for a second gig that night.

    🎤 Saturday: As part of the Fallser Club’s Black History Month Celebration of Black Excellence, spoken word poet Ursula Rocker will be joined on stage by DJ Sylo, dance music diva Lady Alma, and singer Carla Gamble.

    🎤 Tuesday: Two days after singing “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Brandi Carlile will kick off her “Human Tour” at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Tuesday.

    Assuming the roads are clear, and the snow isn’t too brutal this weekend, make your way to these stellar events.

    Besides, I’m sure it helps to keep Eagles fans’ minds off Sunday’s game. And I’ll say it again — avoid any ice fishing, please.

    — Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Offseason eats, arcades, and live music in Asbury Park | Field Trip

    Offseason eats, arcades, and live music in Asbury Park | Field Trip

    Would you believe it if we told you Asbury Park is the same distance from Philly as Sea Isle? For many Philadelphians, the north end of the Shore might as well exist on another planet. Fortunately, the offseason is the perfect time to broaden one’s horizons — so that come summer, you might break out of the tribal nature that governs which sands you plant your umbrella in.

    As one of the larger towns on the coast, with a healthy year-round population, Asbury Park makes an ideal entrĂŠe. Things are open in the winter.

    Not everything — but enough to keep you busy for a weekend of city-level food, idiosyncratic shopping, and live music. Start the car.

    Fuel: Hey Peach

    Make your first stop just to the south of Asbury, at Hey Peach in Bradley Beach. This inviting granny-core café-bakery from Erin “Peach” Kilker lines its wooden sideboard and pastry case with holey olive fougasses, crackling croissants, Scottish shortbread, fat cream puffs, and more. If the weather cooperates, grab one of the bistro tables out front and enjoy your pastry (or three) with a Counter Culture coffee.

    📍 126 Main St., Bradley Beach, N.J. 07720

    Stay: Asbury Ocean Club

    It might not be beach weather, but the glittering sea views from the 11-foot windows at Asbury Ocean Club are just as dramatic in winter. The soothing dune-and-khaki suites in this luxurious 54-room high-rise — which opened in 2019 — feel especially indulgent in the offseason. Winter rates hover in the mid-$300s; that same room can top $1,000 on a summer weekend.

    📍 1101 Ocean Ave. N., Asbury Park, N.J. 07712

    Play: Silverball Retro Arcade

    Cosplay your favorite Stranger Things kid (minus the Vecna creepy-crawlies) at Silverball Retro Arcade. Gamer or not, it’s impossible not to light up like the 1992 Addams Family pinball machine when you step inside this clanging, jangling boardwalk fixture. And because it’s not summer, the chances are good you’ll have no trouble finding an empty Skee-Ball lane. (Fun fact: Skee-Ball was invented in Vineland in 1907, with early alleys manufactured in Philly.)

    📍 1000 Ocean Ave. N., Asbury Park, N.J. 07712

    Shop: Asbury Park Bazaar

    Right in the middle of the boardwalk, where you can shop for travel-inspired hoodies at Promised Land Apparel and thrifted art supplies at Asbury Park Art Club, Asbury Park Bazaar pops up through the year inside the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall. More than 50 vendors will fill the space on Valentine’s Day weekend, selling everything from patch-customized beanies and travel-inspired hoodies to candles that melt into massage oil.

    📍 1300 Ocean Ave. N., Unit C-4, Asbury Park, N.J. 07712

    Read: Paranormal Books & Curiosities

    Ghost ships, Victorian murders, haunted houses — in Asbury Park, spooky season never really ends. Paranormal Books & Curiosities anchors the city’s supernatural streak, selling horror novels, spellbooks, and oddities, while also running ghost tours and curating a small paranormal museum. Whether you’re looking for Grady Hendrix, Paul Tremblay, or something to summon the corners, you’ll find it here.

    📍 621 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, N.J. 07712

    Dine: Judy & Harry’s

    Named for owner Neilly Robinson’s parents, Judy & Harry’s in the St. Laurent Hotel is a two-in-one restaurant and cocktail bar with butterscotch leather barstools, frosted globe lights, and framed family photos. The menu, by Robinson’s partner and James Beard semifinalist David Viana, blends her Italian and Jewish heritage with dishes like limoncello-splashed hamachi crudo, ricotta-matzo ball soup, schmaltzy potatoes, and chicken and eggplant parm. If you’re visiting Asbury on a Sunday, swing in for their $38 Sunday Sauce prix fixe supper.

    📍 408 Seventh Ave., Asbury Park, N.J. 07712

    Jam: The Stone Pony

    What’s the opposite of a sleeper pick? First opened in 1974, Stone Pony is so deeply and inextricably tethered to Asbury Park. Everyone knows it. The bar and venue runs shows every weekend through the offseason, and the variety is pretty astounding: a Dave Matthews tribute band, country singer Hunter Hayes, a student showcase from Red Bank’s School of Rock, bassist and Phish cofounder Mike Gordon. Tourists go. Summer people go. Locals go. You should go.

    📍 913 Ocean Ave. N., Asbury Park, N.J. 07712

  • 🏀 The best hoopers in the world show Philly how to ball|Things to do

    🏀 The best hoopers in the world show Philly how to ball|Things to do

    After a foot of snow hit the region last weekend, there hasn’t been much movement in Philadelphia (or so it seems).

    The snow and slush has been as stubborn as Ben Simmons’ fans during his Sixers days. No matter how much sun has peeked out from under the winter clouds, the roads are still covered with mounds of snow, and cars are still boxed in from the plowed piles.

    But that hasn’t stopped Philadelphians from their weekly commute, and certainly won’t stop them from enjoying the many events happening this weekend.

    That includes the Philadelphia Auto Show, the celebration of Asian cultures for CultureFest!, and a clam chowder crawl in Manayunk. The best WNBA players in the world are also going head-to-head at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday for Philly is Unrivaled.

    And if the city still looks like the inside of a snow globe this weekend, maybe we all head to another impromptu sledding fest at the Rocky Steps.

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

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

    Brooke Piazza prepares to takeoff sledding on a piece of cardboard at the Philadelphia Art Museum in Philadelphia, Pa., on January 29, 2022.

    The best sledding hills in the region

    Forecasts indicate another weekend of freezing temps is likely in the cards, giving Philly sledders plenty of terrain to enjoy the city’s winter wonderment.

    Along with the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, my colleagues Nick Vadala and Dugan Arnett suggest bundling up and taking a trip to places like Lemon Hill, Water Tower Recreation Center, Clark Park, and other nearby sledding havens.

    Read the rest of their suggestions here.

    The best things to do this week

    🏀 Show Philly how to ball: Philly Is Unrivaled, an offseason professional women’s basketball league, is coming to Xfinity Mobile Arena this Friday. The event will feature 3-on-3 games between four clubs, with the WNBA’s best players duking it out in playoff-style.

    🍺 A taste of international brew: On Saturday, craft beers from Japan, Mexico, Spain, and other distant lands will be front and center at Ardmore Passport: World Pours at Ardmore Music Hall. The event will include international menu items, music, and other activities for the one-day event.

    🇺🇸 Philly history is back, baby: After four months of closure, due to a government shut down and planned repairs, Independence Hall reopens to the public on Thursday.

    ❄️ Bundle up for a Freeze-Out: Manayunk’s signature Founders Philly Freeze-Out returns to Main Street, offering some winter fun. The day also includes a three-mile Founders Freeze Out Fun Run and the Manayunk Chowder Crawl.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Jessie J at Theatre of the Living Arts and the Mummers String Band Competition at the Linc.

    Attendees hold up signs during an announcement about the Unrivaled Women’s Basketball League 2026 Philly tour stop at LOVE Park on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 in Philadelphia. Xfinity Mobile Arena was announced as Unrivaled’s first tour stop, with two games to be played here on Jan. 30.

    Unrivaled kicks off its tour in Philly Friday night

    Not to be confused with the WNBA, which begins its 30th season in May, Unrivaled is a three-on-three professional women’s basketball league that lands in Philly to kicks off its second season.

    Four of the eight teams will head to Xfinity Mobile Arena for a doubleheader on Friday. It will be a homecoming for North Philly native Kahleah Copper, and an ultimate win for fans of women’s hoops.

    Read more of my colleague Brooke Ackerman‘s story here.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🪭 Year of the fire horse: Learn more about Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tibetan and other Asian cultural traditions at the 45th annual Lunar New Year celebration for Penn Museum’s signature CultureFest! series.

    🍜 NoLibs bites: Two dozen bars and eateries will offer special prix fixe menus for this year’s Northern Liberties Restaurant Week, which runs through Feb. 8.

    🏎️ Rev your engines: The Philadelphia Auto Show is a can’t miss annual winter classic. Hundreds of hot rides will be on display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center through Feb. 8, offering guests test drive opportunities in and outside the venue.

    📜 An ode to Black history: This Sunday, Black History Month programming kicks off at the National Constitution Center. The monthlong celebration will feature daily crafts, scavenger hunts, trivia, and discussions about some of the most influential figures in American history.

    Staffer picks

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

    🎸 Thursday: 1990s Seattle emo band Sunny Day Real Estate take the stage at Brooklyn Bowl with a lineup that includes original members Jeremy Enigk, Dan Horne, and William Goldsmith.

    🕺🏽 Friday: Former NPR host Ari Shapiro stars in a cabaret show, “Thank You for Listening,” which is adapted from his memoir, The Best Strangers in the World. He will flex his musical muscles at City Winery this Friday.

    🎸 Saturday: The Brooklyn indie rock band Wild Pink, still touring from the group’s 2024 album Dulling the Horns, stop by for a back-to-back show at MilkBoy Philly.

    🎤 Sunday: West Philly emcee Reef the Lost Cauze kicks of the first of the series, “A Month of Black Excellence at the Fallser Club.” The afternoon event will feature a mix of vendors, food, art, and community-centered activities.

    🎤 Monday: While Irish music season doesn’t fully kick off until March, brothers Brian and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn of Ye Vagabonds will bring their hauntingly modern jams to Johnny Brenda’s. Local bluegrass songwriter Daphne Ellen opens.

    Put your snow shovel to good use, so you can free yourself out of snow jail, and enjoy what’s in store this weekend. You won’t regret it.

    — Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com