Visit the Most Historic City in the Northeast: Philadelphia!

The holiday season is in full swing, which means there's no better place to immerse yourself in the spirit of celebration than the historic city of Philadelphia. Nestled between the shimmering lights of skyscrapers, the City of Brotherly Love transforms into a winter wonderland, blending rich traditions with contemporary flair. Let us begin this joyous journey and give you some tips on how to make the most of your time in this wonderful city.

Our first activity recommendation is calling all wildlife lovers who want to experience some true magic. Watch the Philadelphia Zoo come to life at LumiNature, which has more than a million twinkling lights across 16 illuminated zones. Sadly, the zoo’s animals will be sleeping, but feel free to check them out during the daytime and marvel at America's first zoo with over 1,900 rare and endangered animals!

Following that, we have Winter at Dilworth Park. Here, you can skate on the picturesque ice skating rink and shop around the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market to view pieces from local artisans. There is also a beautiful light show that takes place from November 3 to March 17, which has beautiful lights and reindeer topiaries. Once you are all tired out, you can have a nice drink and chat in a ski-chalet-type setting at the Rothman Orthopedics Cabin, which is open until February 25.

Next, it wouldn’t be Christmas without seeing “The Nutcracker” by the Philadelphia Ballet. This is one of the highest-rated performances and is a magical way to spend your evening. The choreography is truly captivating, and the costumes are beautiful to look at. The show opens in December, and tickets are as low as $10. This is a must-hit activity to truly embrace the snow season.

Now, we are sure you are getting hungry after all of these activities, so a must-hit spot in Philadelphia is Suraya, which is a Lebanese cafe, market and restaurant with a beautiful bar and outdoor garden (if it isn’t too cold). The service is wonderful, and the food is truly one of a kind. We recommend getting the Lamb Kebabs or their arnabeet mekleh, which is crispy cauliflower.

Lastly, if you need a sweet treat to end your night, we recommend South Jazz Kitchen, which offers amazing bourbon vanilla creme brulée and amazing dessert drinks such as a sweet limoncello. This is the perfect spot to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings and listen to some calm jazzy music on a cold winter night.

These are just a few of the wonderful experiences Philadelphia has to offer. It has a ton of options to escape from the cold while still exploring all the city has to offer. So, when planning your next trip to the Northeast, check out the City of Brotherly Love!

Stay safe, and happy holidays!

Xo, @theedgemag.