Enjoy delicious food, excellent brews and a wide selection of old-school arcade games at the aptly named Barcade. This unique venue combines the two passions of its owner: American craft beer and 1980s classic arcade games. Bring in a handful of quarters for a fun flashback to the past.
About and hour and half away from Philly is Bushkill Park, a smaller, family-friendly amusement park perfect for children. Historic Bushkill Park is famous for its antique rides, such as bumper cars, and has one of the oldest funhouses in the world. The park is currently undergoing some renovation but a revival is expected, especially after the park was featured on American Pickers.
Less than an hour and a half away from downtown Philadelphia, Allentown’s Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is a popular nearby amusement and water park. Ride on the eight roller coasters (including the ninth longest steel roller coaster in the world!), enjoy the dozens of carnival-themed rides and cool down as you slide down the 22 water slides into pools of water recreation fun.
Head to North Bowl for the ultimate leisurely hang out. Housed in a renovated former garage, this bowling alley is "strikingly different" because it doubles as a nightlife haven. With a retro 1950s vibe going on, North Bowl offers good, clean family recreation and fun before 9PM as well as two bars and a lounge area for the 21 and up crowd.
The Penn Quakers of the University of Pennsylvania never quake in the face of a challenge. UPenn’s athletic department encompasses 27 varsity sports including baseball, basketball, crew, lacrosse, soccer and football. This Ivy League school shows its talent for athletics as well as academics with three NCAA national championships in men’s fencing and one in women’s.
The Philadelphia 76ers were named in honor of the American Revolution, and this NBA team revolutionizes basketball in its own way. Founded in 1939, the 76ers have a rich history and have won numerous awards including three championships, 11 conference titles and 5 division titles. See the sports team tear up the court in the Wells Fargo Center at a home game.
NFL fans will want to head to the Lincoln Financial Field to see the Philadelphia Eagles soar above their rivals, especially the New York Giants (one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL) and the Dallas Cowboys. Show this hard-hitting sports team your support in the stand and cheer along to the fight song, "Fly, Eagles Fly."
See the Philly NHL team fly across the ice in the Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia Flyers won two Stanley Cups during the 1970s and continue to rake in conference and division titles. Wear orange, black and white when you join the crowd and root for the Flyers as they take on their opponents—especially their bitter cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins!
See the baseball team so close to the hearts of Philadelphians that they were named after the city itself. The Philadelphia Phillies have earned a large and extremely supportive fanbase, as well as two World Series championships and numerous other titles. Wear your patriotic red, white and blue and cheer for those Phightin’ Phillies!
Lace up your skates or rollerblades and head towards the Palace Roller Skating & Fun Center. This roller skating rink is fun for people of all ages and all skill levels. Public skating and skating classes are available most days of the week, although the facility does allow private rentals as well for birthday parties and group functions.
Get a workout on the water at the Princeton Canoe & Kayak Rental. Only 10 minutes from Princeton’s Dinky Train Station, this canoe and kayak water sports facility provides access to numerous local waterways from the dock at Princeton Turning Basin Park. Rent by the hour or for the day and explore the surrounding areas at your leisure.
You can bike, run, picnic or even skateboard along the Schuylkill Banks, or you can take to the serene Schuylkill River itself. The Schuylkill Banks provide excellent access to the river for recreation and watersports. Explore the city from a kayak, relax at this popular fishing spot or even take a motorized or large boat out for a spin.
You may need a day to explore the entire 130 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Or, you may choose to conquer sections of this multipurpose recreation trail one at a time. The Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia runs parallel to Kelly Drive for almost 10 miles, providing a smooth surface for walking, running, cycling and rollerblading.
Head out of the way a bit towards New Jersey to experience the thrill of a lifetime. Freefall Adventures offers skydiving adventures to people from all walks of life. Whether you are a diehard adrenaline junkie or an Average Joe looking for a once in a lifetime, extreme sports excursion, you will love the way Freefall Adventures takes skydiving from the extreme to the mainstream.
Take advantage of the University City Swim Club during the summer months. This private swim club is open to prospective members—application is easy! Enjoy water recreation and fun in the largest, cleanest pools in the city. Choose from four pools: a lap pool, a diving pool, a large, wide pool and a kiddie pool.
Spend time exploring Wissahickon Valley Park’s more than 50 miles of trails that crisscross throughout the Delaware Valley. The Wissahickon Valley Trail is one of the most popular recreation trails for hiking and running, although you will see bikers and horseback riders as you cover the seven mile greenway.