Under $100: Philadelphia, the Winter Edition

Don’t let the colder months stop you from visiting the City of Brotherly Love; outdoor activities and delicious hot food and beverages abound in Philadelphia in winter. From ice-skating by the Delaware River to sipping brews next to a fire pit, here are a few budget-sensitive suggestions for cold-weather activities.

Escape the chill and snuggle by the fire over breakfast at Hawthorne Café in the city’s Bella Vista neighborhood. The wrought iron-covered fireplace keeps diners warm while they enjoy breakfast sandwiches starting from $7 and spicy Bloody Mary’s for about $10.

After properly fueling up, venture outdoors to go ice-skating. The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is a popular attraction through March, featuring an Olympic-sized skating rink overlooking the Delaware River and a winter garden boasting a heated tent, fire pits and comfortable seating. Admission to the winterized riverfront park is free, but ice-skating costs $3 and skate rentals are $10.

Franklin Fountain, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania © Mim | Flickr 8mb

Continue to take in incredible views of the Delaware and Benjamin Franklin Bridge while refueling and warming up inside The Lodge, an on-site restaurant with ski chalet-style heated tents, plenty of seating, indoor fireplaces and food from Garces Group. Chase away the chill with a hot cocoa float from nearby Franklin Fountain’s Confectionary Cabin for about $8.

If you’d rather take in views of incredible architecture while ice-skating, visit the Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park, located on the west side of City Hall in Center City. Admission is $5, while skate rentals cost $9.

Yard’s Brewing © Lynn F | Flickr

After spending a few hours outside, head to Yards Brewing Company, a local brewery serving delicious brews in a toasty, warm tasting room. Here, visitors can take a tour of the taproom free of charge on the weekends and enjoy flights in the tasting room for about $10 as well as food like homemade bison and beef chili for $8.

For those who want to spend as little time outside as possible, the renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art is an excellent attraction you can spend many hours enjoying. Admission costs $20 and gets you access for two consecutive days. Through Jan. 29, make sure to check out Robert Indiana’s AMOR sculpture on the Museum’s East Terrace. The colorful, six-foot-high sculpture was introduced in the area to honor Pope Francis on the occasion of his visit to the United States last year.

Philadelphia Art Museum © Gary Whitton | Dreamstime

Finish the day at Frankford Hall, a popular Fishtown beer garden that provides several heat lamps and a roaring fire pit during the winter season. With a pint (starting from $6) or mulled wine ($8) in hand, admire the fire from indoors while playing or cozy up right next to it outside. Sausages, burgers and snacks like warm Bavarian pretzels are offered starting from $4.50.