WHAT TO DO. WHEN TO DO IT.
Seasonal things to do in and around Philadelphia, including day trips within 250 km (155 miles): explore activities, festivals and outings by season, distance and type, with sources and dates on Chronopin.
Oct 30 · Fall. Seasonal windows; check the organizer for opening hours and exact dates.
48 activities within 155 mi (250 km) of the city center · straight-line distances
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Center City· Family· 0.1 mi / 0.1 km from Philadelphia
A plaza fountain beside City Hall where kids and adults cool off in warm months.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Dilworth Park · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Center City· Food & drink· 0.3 mi / 0.5 km from Philadelphia
A historic indoor market where Amish bakers, deli counters and roast-pork sandwich stands let you graze your way through lunch in any weather.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Reading Terminal Market · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Avenue of the Arts· Arts & culture· 0.4 mi / 0.6 km from Philadelphia
One of America's major orchestras plays its subscription season in the Center City concert hall, from classics to film-score evenings.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center · Sep – May · until May 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Logan Square· Family· 0.6 mi / 0.9 km from Philadelphia
Hands-on science exhibits, a giant walk-through heart and a planetarium make this a dependable rainy-day outing for families.
Suggested trip: 1 day
The Franklin Institute · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Center City· Arts & culture· 0.6 mi / 1 km from Philadelphia
A museum of medical history displaying anatomical specimens, antique instruments and pathology collections.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Mutter Museum, College of Physicians of Philadelphia · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Fairmount· Holidays· 1.1 mi / 1.8 km from Philadelphia
A Halloween haunted-attraction experience inside the historic prison, with multiple themed attractions.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Eastern State Penitentiary · Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· South Philadelphia Sports Complex· Sports· 3.6 mi / 5.8 km from Philadelphia
NFL home games draw a famously loud green-clad crowd to the stadium from September through the regular season's end.
Lincoln Financial Field · Sep – Jan · until Jan 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Germantown· Arts & culture· 6.7 mi / 11 km from Philadelphia
A cluster of colonial and Revolutionary-era house museums in northwest Philadelphia, including the site of the 1777 Battle of Germantown.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Historic Germantown · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Chestnut Hill· Outdoors· 9.8 mi / 16 km from Philadelphia
The official state arboretum of Pennsylvania offers a canopy walk, a fernery and blooming collections across Chestnut Hill's hillside grounds.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Morris Arboretum · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Chester, 15 mi southwest· Sports· 14 mi / 23 km from Philadelphia
MLS soccer on the Delaware River waterfront, with a supporters section known for drums and chants.
Subaru Park · Mar – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· King of Prussia, 20 mi northwest· Outdoors· 17 mi / 28 km from Philadelphia
Rolling parkland preserving the 1777-78 Continental Army winter camp, popular for cycling, hiking and kite flying.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Valley Forge National Historical Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Chadds Ford, 30 mi southwest· Arts & culture· 23 mi / 38 km from Philadelphia
A converted grist mill beside the creek holds works by three generations of the Wyeth family and American illustrators, with riverside trails outside.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Brandywine Museum of Art · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Winterthur, DE, 35 mi southwest· Outdoors· 25 mi / 40 km from Philadelphia
The former du Pont estate pairs a 1,000-acre naturalistic garden with a vast collection of American decorative arts.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Winterthur · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Lahaska, Bucks County, 35 mi north· Festivals· 28 mi / 45 km from Philadelphia
A Bucks County shopping village with themed gardens and a year-round calendar of seasonal weekend festivals, from spring blooms to a lit holiday display.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Peddler's Village · Mar – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Millville, NJ, 45 mi southeast· Arts & culture· 38 mi / 62 km from Philadelphia
A South Jersey arts campus with a glass museum and live glassblowing demonstrations in a working studio.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
WheatonArts and Cultural Center · Apr – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Strasburg, Lancaster County, 65 mi west· Family· 53 mi / 85 km from Philadelphia
A vintage steam locomotive pulls wooden coaches through Amish farmland on a short scenic run, with seasonal themed trains through the year.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Strasburg Rail Road · Mar – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Lancaster, 65 mi west· Food & drink· 61 mi / 98 km from Philadelphia
The country's oldest continuously operating public farmers market sells local produce, baked goods and Pennsylvania Dutch fare on set market days.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Lancaster Central Market · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Cape May, NJ, 85 mi south· Outdoors· 71 mi / 115 km from Philadelphia
Climb the 199-step 1859 lighthouse for views over the Atlantic and Delaware Bay, then wander the Victorian streets and beaches nearby.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Cape May Lighthouse · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Coney Island, Brooklyn· Family· 76 mi / 122 km from Philadelphia
Seaside amusement park beside the Cyclone roller coaster, the boardwalk and the beach. Rides and games run on a published calendar through the warm months.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Luna Park · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Tannersville, Poconos, 95 mi north· Outdoors· 76 mi / 123 km from Philadelphia
A Poconos mountain resort offering a waterpark and aerial adventure in summer and skiing and snow tubing in winter.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Camelback Resort · Jun – Mar · until Mar 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Lower New York Harbor· Outdoors· 79 mi / 127 km from Philadelphia
A car-free island a short ferry ride from Manhattan with parks, hammocks, art and harbor views. The island's historic houses open to the public on weekends in the warmer months.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Governors Island · May – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Fort Greene· Arts & culture· 81 mi / 130 km from Philadelphia
Brooklyn Academy of Music's autumn season of new dance, theater and music from artists around the world. The 2026 lineup includes an anniversary concert of Einstein on the Beach.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House · Oct – Dec · until Dec 31
IN SEASON NOWPhiladelphia· Hershey, 95 mi west· Family· 82 mi / 132 km from Philadelphia
A chocolate-themed amusement park with coasters and a water-park section, which also runs fall and holiday events later in the year.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Hersheypark · May – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Williamsburg, Brooklyn· Food & drink· 83 mi / 133 km from Philadelphia
An open-air market of dozens of independent food vendors beside the East River with a skyline backdrop. Run weekly in the warm months.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Marsha P. Johnson State Park · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Midtown· Holidays· 83 mi / 134 km from Philadelphia
A free-to-enter holiday village with a large ice rink and a market of small shops beside the New York Public Library. Skaters can bring their own skates or rent a pair.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Bryant Park · Oct 28 – Feb 28 · until Feb 28
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Midtown· Outdoors· 84 mi / 135 km from Philadelphia
Skate on the sunken plaza beneath the Rockefeller Center tree and golden Prometheus statue. One of Manhattan's best-known cold-weather outings since 1936.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Rockefeller Center · Oct – Mar · until Mar 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Flushing· Outdoors· 90 mi / 144 km from Philadelphia
A compact Flushing garden open Tuesday to Sunday through the year, with seasonal plantings and art installations. Admission is free in the winter months.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Queens Botanical Garden · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Elmont, Long Island, 18 mi east· Sports· 92 mi / 148 km from Philadelphia
Historic racetrack and home of the Belmont Stakes, with a grandstand and family-friendly infield days. The venue reopened after renovation.
Belmont Park · Sep 18 – Dec 6 · until Dec 6 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Riverdale, Bronx· Wellness· 93 mi / 149 km from Philadelphia
A quiet Hudson River estate with gardens, greenhouses and Palisades views. Open daily with seasonal plantings and art and nature programs.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Wave Hill · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Oyster Bay, Long Island, 30 mi east· Arts & culture· 109 mi / 175 km from Philadelphia
Theodore Roosevelt's family home, now preserved with period furnishings and grounds above Oyster Bay. Guided house tours and a trail to the shore are on offer.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Sagamore Hill · Apr – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Hudson Highlands, 45 mi north· Outdoors· 112 mi / 181 km from Philadelphia
Hudson Highlands hiking with a summit tower, lake boating and fall color, plus a seasonal ice rink. Reachable by train from the city with a short transfer.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Bear Mountain State Park · Apr – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Fire Island, Long Island, 55 mi east· Outdoors· 113 mi / 182 km from Philadelphia
Climb the 1858 lighthouse and walk the boardwalk through the Sunken Forest on a car-free barrier island. Beaches and ferry-reached villages round out the day.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Fire Island National Seashore · May – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Landover, MD, 10 mi east· Sports· 116 mi / 187 km from Philadelphia
NFL Sunday football at the Commanders' home stadium just outside the Beltway.
Northwest Stadium · Sep – Jan · until Jan 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Northwest DC· Outdoors· 121 mi / 195 km from Philadelphia
Hiking, biking and leaf viewing along Rock Creek.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Rock Creek Park · Oct – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Capitol Hill· Food & drink· 122 mi / 197 km from Philadelphia
Historic Capitol Hill market hall with weekend flea market, farmers' stalls, prepared foods and local makers.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Eastern Market · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Penn Quarter· Sports· 123 mi / 198 km from Philadelphia
NHL hockey in Chinatown-Penn Quarter, easy to reach by Metro.
Capital One Arena · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Thurmont, MD, 65 mi northwest· Outdoors· 123 mi / 198 km from Philadelphia
Rocky overlooks like Chimney Rock and Hog Rock reward short hikes, with strong fall color in October.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center · Apr – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Buzzard Point· Sports· 124 mi / 199 km from Philadelphia
MLS soccer at a riverside stadium near the Wharf and Navy Yard.
Audi Field · Feb – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Lusby, MD, 55 mi southeast· Family· 127 mi / 205 km from Philadelphia
Hike a wooded trail to a Chesapeake Bay beach where visitors hunt for Miocene shark teeth and other fossils.
Calvert Cliffs State Park · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Hopewell Junction, Hudson Valley, 68 mi north· Food & drink· 129 mi / 208 km from Philadelphia
A family farm with apple, peach and berry picking in season and a farm store. Picking is by reservation only.
Fishkill Farms · Aug – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Potomac, MD, 14 mi northwest· Outdoors· 129 mi / 208 km from Philadelphia
Walk or bike the flat historic towpath past locks and the Potomac falls, with seasonal mule-drawn boat rides run by the park.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Great Falls, VA, 15 mi northwest· Outdoors· 130 mi / 208 km from Philadelphia
Watch the Potomac plunge through Mather Gorge from overlooks, then hike or rock-watch along the river trails.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Great Falls Park (NPS) · Mar – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Kerhonkson, Catskills edge, 95 mi north· Outdoors· 132 mi / 212 km from Philadelphia
Clifftop lakes, waterfalls and white quartz carriage roads on the Shawangunk Ridge, with swimming and hiking in season. Snowshoeing and skiing are possible in winter.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Minnewaska State Park Preserve · May – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Gardiner, Hudson Valley, 85 mi north· Outdoors· 135 mi / 217 km from Philadelphia
Seventy miles of carriage roads and trails across cliffs and ridge views, popular for hiking, biking and climbing. Cross-country skiing is possible in snow.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Mohonk Preserve · Apr – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWNew York· Poughkeepsie, Hudson Valley, 75 mi north· Outdoors· 137 mi / 221 km from Philadelphia
A converted railroad bridge 212 feet above the river, one of the longest elevated pedestrian bridges in the world. Fall foliage views are a draw.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Walkway Over the Hudson · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Harpers Ferry, WV, 65 mi northwest· Outdoors· 145 mi / 233 km from Philadelphia
Explore a historic river town at the Potomac-Shenandoah confluence, with Appalachian Trail access and Maryland Heights hikes.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center · Apr – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Manassas, VA, 30 mi southwest· Outdoors· 148 mi / 239 km from Philadelphia
Rolling Civil War battlefield with walking trails, historic Henry Hill and seasonal ranger programs.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Manassas National Battlefield Park · Apr – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWWashington, DC· Bluemont, VA, 55 mi west· Family· 153 mi / 247 km from Philadelphia
A Loudoun County farm for u-pick berries, pumpkins, animals and playgrounds, with seasonal events and a holiday run in Nov-Dec.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Great Country Farms · May – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season