Winter can feel long and endless, but in Philly we know how to make the most of the chilly season. So grab your sleds and skates, and get ready to enjoy what will (hopefully) be a snowy season in Philly.
🛷 Sledding Through Philly
Clark Park in West Philly, with its giant bowl-like center, has plenty of space to set off on a sled and crash into your friends at the bottom. Over at the Art Museum, sledding down the steps is a Philly winter right of passage. The steps at the back of the museum are great, too, and for more traditional action head across the street to the hill next to the playground at 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Further north is Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park, and over in Southwest Philly Bartram’s Garden is a beautiful place to rip some hills on your sled.
🥾 Take a Hike
Maybe you’re in need of a scenic winter hike. Pennypack Park is the spot to go with well-kept trails, making it easy to get outside even when it’s cold and snowy. If you’re willing to venture out of the city, with over 2,600 acres and rushing waterfalls Ridley Creek State Park is an ideal spot for a winter trek. There's little tree cover at John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, so you can find some sun for a short winter walk along the marshland and amidst birds that don’t seem to fly anywhere else in Philly.
🏂 Stoked on the Slopes
Calling all skiing and snowboarding junkies … some wonderful hills are waiting to be carved up. While Philly itself doesn’t have ski resorts, you’re less than 90 minutes away from Bear Creek Mountain Resort, which is essentially a miniature resort with a hotel, restaurants, bar, and epic tubing hill. Newbies should try Spring Mountain Adventures, just about 35 miles outside of Philly in Montgomery County.
🎿 Cross-Philly Skiing
So you’re more interested in cross-country skiing than going downhill fast. Well Philly has you covered. Wissahickon Valley Park, with its scenic trails and parking options, is a beautiful spot to glide through a winter wonderland. Pennypack Park and Tacony Creek Park are also great for trying out cross-country skiing.
⛸️ Let’s Skate
Lace up your ice skates and hit the rink. A classic destination is Independence Blue Cross RiverRink along the Delaware River. Whether you’re on a skate date or teaching the kids the basics, this rink is a blast and also offers fire pits for to warm up. If a wintry mix makes it nasty to be outside, check out the indoor Penn Ice Rink in University City.
🍺 Cozy Up With a Drink
Now this isn’t necessarily an outdoor activity, but it’s sure to keep you warm this winter. Nothing beats the warmth of a dive bar on a snowy evening – and nothing warms you up like a few Citywide Specials.
