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Category: Things To Do

  • Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks in Philly, the suburbs, South Jersey, and the Shore

    Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks in Philly, the suburbs, South Jersey, and the Shore

    This Fourth of July will be unlike any in recent memory. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Philadelphia and the surrounding region are packed with celebrations — and fireworks displays. From the city and suburbs to South Jersey and the Shore, there are dozens of opportunities to catch a show.

    Whether you’re staying in Philadelphia, heading to the suburbs, or spending the holiday down the Shore, here’s where to find Fourth of July fireworks across the region.

    Fireworks in Philadelphia

    Fireworks after the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park on July 2, 2025.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    Fireworks in Bucks County

    Fireworks in Chester County

    Fireworks in Delaware County

    Fireworks in Montgomery County

    Fireworks in Allentown

    Fireworks in South Jersey

    A view of Atlantic City’s fireworks from the Marina. (Courtesy of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority)

    Fireworks at the Jersey Shore

  • The man, the myth, the bar crawl: Jenkintown goes all out for Nic Cage-themed night

    The man, the myth, the bar crawl: Jenkintown goes all out for Nic Cage-themed night

    In an unbearably massive oversight, the city of Philadelphia has left National Treasure Nicolas Cage completely out of its Semiquincentennial festivities, despite the fact that he’s the only known person to have stolen the Declaration of Independence and climbed Independence Hall free solo in the last 250 years.

    But fear not, for a group of suburban bars have mustered to pay homage to this chameleon king of cinema, this skin-shedding Snake Eyes of the silver screen with their revolutionary event: “Uncaged in Jenkintown: A Nic Cage cocktail crawl.”

    Nic nugget: Cage has portrayed twice as many people as there were members of the First Continental Congress.

    From 4 to 8 p.m. June 28, four Jenkintown bars within stumbling distance of each other — the Keep Easy, the Drake Tavern, Buckets Bar, and Kings Corner — will be featuring Cage-themed cocktails, showing Cage movies, and hosting “Cage matches.”

    Songs from Cage’s films will be performed live in an alley, the local movie theater is hosting a late-night screening of a Cage film, and, for the Wild at Heart, even a tattoo parlor is getting in on the festivities.

    Nic nugget: Cage has a tattoo of a lizard wearing a top hat.

    In an Adaptation of a typical bar crawl, participants who register for this event will receive a pretty Kick Ass “Uncaged Cocktail Crawl Kit” filled with goodies that would be a Dream Scenario for any Cage fan.

    Mel Hager — an owner of the Keep Easy who described her Cage fandom as “AhaHAhahAA [maniacal Cage laughter] OUTRAGEOUS OOooOO!!” — said the participating bars host a Festivus-themed crawl during the holidays and they wanted to create a summer-themed crawl too (luckily, there’s no chance of getting Snowden at this time of year).

    “Who doesn’t like Nic Cage?” she said. “It’s insane how he puts in the work. Every time I turn around I’m like ‘Is he a robot? How does he do so many movies?’ He’s an enigma but yet he does seem like all of us but also maybe he’s an alien? I don’t know, but it’s fantastic.”

    Nic nugget: Cage has never played an alien, but he was convinced he was one as a kid.

    The event is free to attend, but participants who want to compete for Cage-themed prizes will need to either preregister online for $15 or register in person the day of at the same price to receive their Uncaged kit. Each kit contains one of five random Cage masks to be worn during face-offs against opponents in “Cage matches.”

    Every bar will have its own Cage match competition that will pit two players in a tête-à-tête game based on a different Cage movie to determine who’s the Lord of War. The game at Buckets, for example, is called the “Flying Elvis” and it’s based on the scene in Honeymoon in Vegas where Cage goes skydiving with a group of Elvis impersonators. Contestants will have to throw toy parachute soldiers (hand-painted to look like Elvis) to see who can land them closest to a tiny mock-up of the Vegas strip.

    The games are designed to move quickly, with each Gone in 60 Seconds or so.

    Nic nugget: When Cage is gone he will be buried in a 9-foot-tall white stone pyramid he had built in a New Orleans cemetery.

    For every challenge won, participants will get a stamp in their Cage pub passport, which is included with the kit. At 7:30 p.m., an awards ceremony will be held and those with the most stamps will receive Cage-themed prizes. Hey, It Could Happen to You.

    Cage crawlers are also urged to get stamps in their passport for every Cage-themed beverage they consume. The Keep Easy will be serving “Mandy’s Electric Lemonade,” a reference to the surreal horror film, Mandy, that’s made with blue Curaçao, a libation just as colorful as Cage’s career.

    “We’re trying to bring out his spirit in our spirits,” Hager said.

    Also included in the kit is a photo scavenger hunt with challenges at every establishment, like snapping a picture with Picolas Cage, a life-size cut-out of Cage as a pickle (he’s kind of a big dill).

    “We had Picolas Cage already because we had a pickle crawl one year and I love Nic Cage…so he’s making a comeback,” Hager said, gherkin out.

    Those who preregister will also receive a piece of Cage cash, a very not legal form of tender with Cage’s face on it that will get you a specialty shot at one of the four participating bars, if you want to cash it in.

    Nic nugget: Cage once spent $276,000 on a dinosaur skull he later had to turn over to the Mongolian government.

    A Nic Cage-themed bar crawl? Just take our money now.

    During the crawl, local musician Gerard Regan will Rage in nearby Yorkway Alley, playing songs from Cage movies. Prior to the festivities, Nobleheart Tattoo Gallery will have a special on Cage-themed tats from 1 to 4 p.m. And following the crawl at 9:30 p.m., the Hiway Theater will show Cage’s 1988 film, Vampire’s Kiss, if you have Time to Kill.

    Costumes are encouraged and given that Cage has portrayed every kind of character from an angel to a vampire, the possibilities are endless. So get Primal with it, because you don’t want to be Left Behind.

    “It’s like the whole town is getting involved,” Hager said. “Like Nic Cage would, just come on out and have fun. You deserve it.”

    For more information on Uncaged in Jenkintown, visit the event’s Facebook page. To preregister for the crawl visit: uncagedinjenkintown.bigcartel.com.

  • A perfect summer weekend on Seven Mile Island | Field Trip

    A perfect summer weekend on Seven Mile Island | Field Trip

    Yes, Memorial Day weekend is the official start of summer, but there’s a pleasant lull down the Shore between then and when kids get out of school. These are the final moments to enjoy the excellent weather and relative serenity of the microseason, and Seven Mile Island — home to the bougie siblings of Stone Harbor and Avalon — has rolled out the white-sand carpet.

    These towns contain some of the most expensive real estate at the Jersey Shore, and in the height of the summer, staying anywhere nice is prohibitively expensive for anyone who is not on a Comcast C-suite salary or whose grandparents didn’t buy a house in 1975. This is another benefit of visiting before July 4. Rates are lower, reservations are easier, and the line at Springer’s is only slightly less insane.

    Start the car.

    Stay: ICONA Avalon

    Situated right in the center of Seven Mile, at the southern end of Avalon, beachfront ICONA has the location edge over the island’s other luxury hideout, the Reeds at Shelter Haven, which is convenient to Stone Harbor’s 96th Street shopping district. Both properties are expensive, but you can still find some lingering June rates under $400 a night. ICONA’s beach is beautiful and peaceful, with a breezy bar and lounge between the property and the shoreline, and Avalon Brew Pub is a popular canteen for locals and Shoobies alike.

    📍 7849 Dune Dr., Avalon, N.J. 08202

    Shop: Pete Smith’s Surf Shop

    The origins of Pete Smith’s Surf Shop lie in Virginia Beach, but the boutique has been part of the Jersey Shore for decades. The Stone Harbor location, spread across two storefronts, stocks men’s and women’s swimwear, woolly shackets for chilly nights, and enough Sun Bum for the entire summer. Pick up a branded T-shirt; Pete’s releases a new design every Christmas.

    📍 285 96th St., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

    Learn: The Wetlands Institute

    Whether you’re visiting the Shore with kids or simply marine-curious, the Wetlands Institute, located just before crossing the bridge into Stone Harbor, makes a perfect stop. Learn about the local terrapin turtles, pet a sea star in the touch tank, or walk along the marsh trail and elevated boardwalk for views of an integral Jersey ecosystem that most of us rarely see up close.

    📍 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

    Surf: Avalon Surf Camp

    Don’t be dissuaded by the multitude of kids on Avalon Surf Camp’s website. Their instructors teach wannabe surfers of all ages and experience levels through group and private lessons on 12th Street beach at the north end of Avalon. The camp provides everything you need: boards, wetsuits, and a working knowledge of the ocean’s mercurial temperament before ever getting in the water. With a little luck and a little wind, you’ll be up on a board by noon.

    📍 12th Street Beach, Avalon, N.J. 08202

    Relax: 7 Mile Island Massage

    Because surfing is a workout, and because you’re a good person who deserves nice things, book a treatment with 7 Mile Island Massage. This isn’t a spa but a mobile studio that comes to you. Owner and therapist Nik Pattantyus, who’s also a registered nurse and avid stand-up paddleboarder, will set up in your hotel suite, on the back porch of your rental house, or wherever else you happen to be staying. In addition to deep-tissue, reflexology, and other massage styles, he’s recently added manual lymphatic drainage to the menu.

    The fire wood grill cooking various meats at La Portena in Stone Harbor, N.J., on Thursday, June 12, 2025.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Dine: La Porteña

    Lucas Manteca has been cooking down the Shore for two decades, and La Porteña, a few blocks from his Quahog’s seafood tavern, is his most personal project yet. The menu and family-style format draw from the chef’s Argentine heritage. Every table receives a spread of snacks and salads to share, including Manteca’s famous empanadas, followed by each diner’s choice of entrée: New York strip, short ribs, Iberico pork secreto, and more. At the time of this writing, dessert is dulce de leche rice pudding with compressed rhubarb. Make reservations.

    📍 9426 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

    Indulge: Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream

    The line stretching from the white-sided front porch of Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream down Third Avenue is legendary. You might run into your college lacrosse coach, the kids you babysat who are now disconcertingly grown and lifeguarding on 88th Street, or the local girl you spent that one magical summer with in 10th grade. Springer’s has been scooping since the early 1900s, and the nostalgia it inspires is as much a part of the appeal as flavors like banana fudge, the slightly salty butterscotch brickle, and Cookies in My Coffee, crushed Oreos veined through dark coffee ice cream. Worth the wait, always.

    📍 9420 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

  • All-American Rejects and Micah Palace are coming to FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill

    All-American Rejects and Micah Palace are coming to FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill

    The 2000s pop-rock sensations the All-American Rejects are taking over the main stage at the FIFA Fan Festival next month.

    Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the organizers of FIFA Fan Festival, announced that Micah Palace, the East Coast Spanglish rapper; and All-American Rejects will be the next major concert series to take place at Lemon Hill this summer.

    Micah Palace, who launched his career with the single “No Sabo” in 2024, is finding even more popularity among soccer fans as he promotes his song “Rodeo” as a World Cup anthem on Instagram and TikTok. Palace will perform at Lemon Hill on Friday, June 26, at 6 p.m.

    All-American Rejects, a band whose songs “Move Along” and “Dirty Little Secret” couldn’t be escaped in 2005, is bringing their catchy earworms to Lemon Hill on Monday, July 13, at 7 p.m.

    Throughout the 39-day World Cup festival, music artists and performers will grace the stage. Already, global pop sensation Luis Fonsi headlined opening night on June 11, and Ecuadorian singer Johann Vera performed before the Ecuador vs. Ivory Coast match on June 14. More performances will continue to be announced as the festival progresses, organizers said.

  • Philly celebrates Juneteenth | Things to do

    Philly celebrates Juneteenth | Things to do

    Philadelphia is feeling a little more international than usual these days.

    World Cup watch parties are drawing crowds, fans from around the globe are filling bars and public spaces, and another big match arrives at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday when Brazil faces Haiti.

    Beyond the soccer spectacle, Wawa Welcome America gets underway with a Juneteenth celebration at the African American Museum in Philadelphia and free access to dozens of historic attractions. Father’s Day also brings plenty of excuses to get out of the house, from family-friendly festivals to sky-high adventures.

    Keep scrolling to see what’s happening this weekend.

    Also in this week’s edition:

    • A warm welcome: WaWa Welcome America is bringing free concerts, museum entry, and events to the region starting Friday.
    • Come out and float: The 18th annual Chester County Balloon Festival returns at a new location.
    • Meet the women of the colonial age: Learn about the women who shaped the nation at the Betsy Ross House.
    • Grab the wheel: Bordentown City’s 14th Annual Street of Dreams Car Show is back for another lap.

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    The Wawa Welcome America Festival is here

    A crowd of people watch Ludacris’s performance at the Wawa Welcome America Festival on July 4, 2023.Allie Ippolito / Staff Photographer

    The largest Independence Day celebration in the country kicks off this Friday.

    The festivities begin with the Juneteenth Jubilee at the African American Museum, hosted by Philadelphia’s Patty Jackson. Headliners include Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Leah Jenea, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

    The 16-day celebration will bring dozens of free concerts, six days of firework displays, and other attractions leading up to a commemorative concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on July 4, featuring Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, Will Smith, Seal, and other big-name artists.

    Read more about the celebration here.

    The best things to do this week

    Hot air balloon pilot Scott Saxton, looks out from the gondola as his ship rises in the morning sky over the New Garden Flying Field in Toughkenamon, PA, as part of the sunrise balloon flight at the 13th Annual Chester County Balloon Festival on June 23, 2019.MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer

    📽️ Film lovers rejoice: The fifth annual United We Heal Festival takes over Underground Arts to celebrate 11 Black and Brown filmmakers. See and hear from these visionaries at the two-day festival.

    🎶 High times at the Highmark: Grab last-minute tickets for the musical collaboration between the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Grammy Award-winning choir, The Crossing, at the Highmark Mann Center. It’s a celebration of 50 Years of Music, honoring luminaries like Beethoven, Maurice Ravel, and Gustav Holst.

    🪂 A Father’s Day in the air: Surprise your father with something that will make him float. This Saturday the 18th Chester County Hot Air Balloon Festival is offering picturesque rides across the region’s skies.

    🏎️ Rev your engines: Hop in your car and drive down to Bordentown City for the 14th Annual Street of Dreams Car Show. There will be a fleet of classic rides and your favorite childhood Hot Wheels in real life.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Ambler Arts & Music Festival, TFI Block Party at The Franklin Institute, Midsommarfest! at American Swedish Historical Museum, World Cup Watch Parties on East Passyunk.

    Free museum days and historical site access

    A total of 47 museums and history sites are opening their doors for incoming visitors for free.

    This offering is part of this year’s WaWa Welcome America Festival. Guests can enjoy no-cost admission to at least one site every day during the 16-day celebration. Some days also offer free entry to multiple sites.

    Participating locations include the African American Museum, Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, Historic Rittenhouse Town, and others.

    For all other locations, visit july4thphilly.com

    Early summer fun this week and beyond

    🎊 Pop up at the Plaza: Stop outside the doors of the Reading Terminal Market for additional seating, games, artisanal shops, and everything else that makes the site such a Philly essential. The Plaza at Reading Terminal Market runs now through Aug. 2.

    🎉 Juneteenth celebrations continue: For the 20th Juneteenth celebration at the Johnson House Historic Site, there will be music, food, re-enactments, and community engagement for all visitors to enjoy.

    💐 Stop and smell the roses: A Delco outdoor tradition is back with the return of the months-long, Rose Tree Summer Festival. Here is where you can freely enjoy a mix of live entertainment, from Motown to Broadway, classical to rock, and everything in between.

    🇺🇸 Women of the 18th century: Meet the women of Colonial Philadelphia at the Betsy Ross House’s courtyard. A new series that highlights the contributions of pioneers such as Susanna Cooke, Sarah Coltman, Hannah Till, Peggy Chew, and Ross herself.

    Staffer picks

    DJ Jazzy Jeff performing at the Plateau Stage at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Tyger Williams

    Here’s pop music critic Dan Deluca’s list of the top concerts this weekend.

    Thursday: Experimental art-rock sibling band Fiery Furnaces are stopping by the Philadelphia Ethical Society as part of the group’s six-date tour.

    Friday: Hurray for the Riff Raff, fronted by Puerto Rican songwriter Alynda Lee Segarra, is headed to King of Prussia to perform at Concerts Under the Stars.

    Saturday: Father’s Day weekend will be booming at the Shore. North Philly’s own Meek Mill will headline a star-studded lineup, featuring T.I., Eve, Shyne, Havoc of Mob Deep, and Ms. Jade, at the Boardwalk Hall on Saturday.

    Monday: Prolific country artist Charley Crockett, whose released 17 albums since 2015, is headed to Met Philly on Monday for a night of Americana tunes and outlaw ballads.

    ❓Pop quiz

    Where was the nation’s first Father’s Day celebration?

    a) Here in Philly (duh)

    b) Burlington, VT

    c) Abilene, TX

    d) Spokane, WA

    Ask Earl anything

    I’m starting something new for the newsletter, and I want your participation.

    Many of you have questions about each week’s listings, and others about Philly’s arts, culture, and entertainment scene.

    I have you covered. Any questions you have now and in the future, email me for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

    World Cup matches and watch parties aren’t the only thing taking over the city this weekend. There’s so much to do and celebrate, and this week’s Things To Do edition is proof.

    – Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.comCourtesy of Giphy.com
  • A perfect weekend in Princeton, N.J., from record stores to ice cream and ivy-covered quads | Field Trip

    A perfect weekend in Princeton, N.J., from record stores to ice cream and ivy-covered quads | Field Trip

    A college campus in Central New Jersey might not sound like the ideal getaway, but Princeton has a Ph.D. in historic charm, boutique shops, eateries, and museums. As a lifelong New Jerseyan, I keep forgetting how much I love it there.

    Even the Wawa is a work of art.

    “Princeton is just a beautiful little town and, in my opinion, there are only a few places like it in all of New Jersey,” said John Lambert, owner of the iconic Princeton Record Exchange.

    Strolling through Princeton University’s ivy-covered campus, as Albert Einstein used to, is almost worth the trip alone, particularly if you go on a bustling fall weekend. The campus is teeming with sculptures, massive churches, and historic school buildings. The town is only 50 miles northeast of Philadelphia and is even accessible by Amtrak at 30th Street Station.

    Winberie’s is a Princeton staple.Jason Nark

    Fuel

    I’m a sucker for a downstairs pub, and I’ve been to Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar a handful of times. It’s dark and bedecked in stained glass and brick, and images of Princeton icons, like author John McPhee and basketball legend Bill Bradley, line the walls.

    It’s not the only bar in town, but Winberie’s seems like the ideal place to grab a craft beer or wine before or after a Tiger football or basketball game. It sits right on Palmer Square in the middle of town.

    Princeton legends like John McPhee line the walls at Winberie’s.Jason Nark

    Winberie’s has full entrees, including pan-roasted, crispy skin salmon, and braised, beef short ribs, but I also get one of their burgers. On a recent weekday in June, I ordered the smash burger on rye bread with mustard.

    Afterward, while walking off the meal around Palmer Square, I made a note to try Teresa’s Pizza & Wine Bar next time. Princeton’s Triumph Brewing is an elevated brewing experience with duck, lamb, and oysters on the menu. It was named a 2025 Diners’ Choice by OpenTable.

    📍 Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar, 1 Palmer Square E., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍Teresa’s Pizza & Wine Bar, 23 Palmer Square E., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍Triumph Brewing Company, 20 Palmer Sq. E, Princeton, N.J. 08542

    The Nassau Inn has been in operation in Princeton since 1775.Jason Nark

    Stay

    Princeton can be an easy day trip for anyone in Philadelphia. That’s a great option too, because overnights can be expensive, particularly when school is in session, and there are large events on campus.

    The Nassau Inn, on Palmer Square, is Princeton’s most iconic hotel, and it offers summer getaway deals starting at $175 a night. Rooms jump to $325 a night come mid-September. The Nassau, established in 1775, offers 16 craft beers, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner at its Yankee Doodle Tap Room.

    The Graduate Hotel, by Hilton, has a breathtaking lobby, but the prices are breathtaking too. There are some simple and relatively affordable Airbnbs downtown, too, but expect the prices to double during the school year.

    📍 Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square E., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍 Graduate Princeton, 10 Chambers St., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    The Princeton Record Exchange is considered one of the country’s best places to get vinyl.Jason Nark

    Shop

    There are almost too many options to choose from, but the Princeton Record Exchange, or PREX, is a must-see. As the sign in the window attests, it’s one of the nation’s, even the world’s, best record stores with over 100,000 albums, cassettes, and CDs spread out over 4,500 square feet.

    James Murphy, of LCD Soundsystem, said PREX “saved his life.”

    Owner Jon Lambert said he has visitors from all over the world, and he’s found the average customer spends over an hour in the store. Sometimes they’re simply browsing and reminiscing, and Lambert said that’s just fine.

    “We want you to feel comfortable here, to have a tactile, sensorial experience,” he said. “We know you’ll probably be back.”

    Toys from floor to ceiling at jaZams in Princeton.Jason Nark

    Other must-sees are jaZams, arguably the greatest toy story ever (I managed to spend just $14) and Labyrinth Books, which specializes in rare and academic titles.

    📍 Princeton Record Exchange, 20 S. Tulane St., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍 jaZams, 25 Palmer Square E., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍 Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau St., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    The Princeton University Art Museum is free to the public.Jason Nark

    See

    The Princeton University Art Museum was the biggest surprise of my visit, a vast, modern building full of pieces, large and small, that touch on, well, everything. My daughter, just 4 years old, was captivated.

    There’s a Warhol, Monet, some German expressionism, gold-ground paintings from the 1400s, and massive, modern pieces by sculptor Nick Cave.

    In honor of America’s 250th celebration, the museum has an exhibit titled “What Is an American?” running through November.

    Even better: It’s free.

    📍 45 Elm Dr., Princeton, N.J. 08544

    The author’s daughter stands by a Nick Cave piece at The Princeton University Art Museum.Jason Nark

    Sweets

    The Bent Spoon, an artisan ice cream shop on Palmer Square, has crafted hundreds of flavors since it opened in 2004. The small shop, which is open year-round, redefines “farm to spoon,” which means you have to grab flavors like blueberry and strawberry when they’re available.

    “We really try to celebrate the seasons, for real,” said co-owner Gabrielle Carbone. “We get our strawberries from South Jersey, and they’re only available until the strawberries run out.”

    The Bent Spoon has been making artisanal ice cream on Palmer Square since 2004.Jason Nark

    I ordered vanilla bean — sourced from Madagascar. My daughter had a vegan vanilla with organic rainbow sprinkles. We swapped.

    Carbone says blueberry ice cream and blueberry-lemonade sorbet will be in around July, but not for long. Princeton is bustling come winter, too, she said.

    “We’re known for our hot chocolate,” she said.

    📍 35 Palmer Square W., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    The Princeton Wawa was designed by architect Rick Joy.Jason Nark

    Wawa

    You know Wawas. You’ve seen hundreds of them and, for the most part, they all look the same.

    The Wawa at the Princeton Station train stop was designed by architect Rick Joy, though, and features exterior walls with sharp angles and columns made of blackened steel panels. Inside, above the cash register, is a large skylight.

    The Wawa even has a green roof, along with the ubiquitous shorties and hot coffee.

    📍 152 Alexander St., Princeton, N.J. 08540

    The cash register at the Princeton Wawa is bathed in sunlight.Jason Nark

  • 🥕 Farmers markets to try | Outdoorsy Newsletter

    Sunscreen? Check. Water? Check. Your lineup? Check.

    🥵 It’s very hot. Storms are likely Friday, but the air will be drier Saturday and Sunday.

    📮 How do you cope with the heat? Got a favorite spot to cool off? Let me know.

    — Paola Pérez (outdoorsy@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Get it fresh

    The Philly region is home to a plethora of farmers markets, so we compiled a list of 25 that are well worth checking out. Some operate through the fall, while others are available year-round.

    Here’s a sampling:

    🥬 Explore the Media Farmers Market which highlights vendors within a 150-mile radius (runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

    🍑 Check out 4th & Lehigh Farmers Market and try the plump peaches and crates of juicy strawberries (opens in July; runs on Tuesdays from 11 a.m to 3 p.m.)

    🧀 Try artisanal cheese at Clark Park Farmers Market in West Philly (open all year long every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

    Whether you’re new to this or true to this, we have something for you. Use our exclusive map to discover the top farmers markets, in Philadelphia and the suburbs.

    News worth knowing

    • New Jersey secured a federal disaster declaration for the crops damaged in April’s rare heat-freeze sequence. Pennsylvania counties got a similar designation last month.
    • Philadelphia will begin opening pools on a rolling basis across the city Friday, but details are scarce.
    • FloatLab, a public art feature that will offer an eye-level view of the Schuylkill, finished its voyage up the East Coast and arrived at Bartram’s Garden on Wednesday.
    • FDR Park’s Anna C. Verna Playground will remain closed for at least another few weeks, after an inspection found that slide equipment did not meet safety standards.

    🌳 Your outdoorsy experience

    I’m on the hunt for new stories to share here. Tell me: Where do you go for a moment of calm? What sight takes your breath away? If you have photos, we’d love to see them — you might even be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

    Suitable running attire

    Courtesy of Alim Wallace

    🎤 Now I’m passing the mic to arts and culture reporter Earl Hopkins.

    The image of a long-distance runner is usually a combination of heavy-duty sneakers, compression shorts, and sweat-absorbing tops. But that’s not the picture Alim Wallace paints on a race day.

    That’s because the North Philly native shows up in a tailored suit, with a pocket square and a suede briefcase stuffed with hydration packs and electrolyte gels. Yes, to a race.

    Since his first race in 2025, Wallace has competed in the Philadelphia Marathon, the Broad Street Run, and others like the Life Time Miami Marathon and the Publix Atlanta Marathon. He’s racked up medals and thousands of social media followers who follow him not just to see him run past the finishing line, but to see what he wears crossing it.

    “It was about having an idea, and being bold enough to do it,” Wallace, 31, said. “Some people will let an idea stop them. They say, ‘People are going to look at me funny. People are going to think this way.’ I really don’t care.” — Earl Hopkins

    Learn how Wallace became the “The Suit Guy,” and how he hopes to motivate others.

    Kickoff the party

    A 39-day festival for the World Cup is officially underway on Lemon Hill in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, with thousands expected to join in on the free, open-air fun.

    The city’s official watch party will let fans watch matches on a stage-size screen, play a bit of “futebol,” and explore vendor and food markets.

    Here are a few things to know before you go:

    ⚽ To get there: There is no parking on-site. Consider SEPTA, the Philly PHLASH shuttle, cycling, or rideshare.

    ⚽ To get in: Fans must first register via an online form.

    See our full FIFA Fan Fest guide for details on everything from road closures to ADA-accessible features and prohibited items.

    Paola’s picks

    🍓 A guide: How to properly wash your summer berries.

    🩰 A performance: BalletX’s colorful love letter to Mother Nature.

    ☀️ A song: “i’ll kiss the sun” by Asal.

    🕹️ A game: “Stroll” along the Wildwood boardwalk and meet the unsung heroes keeping the Shore alive.

    🛶 An activity: The Schuylkill River Sojourn, a 112-mile guided trip, runs June 13-19 (pay per day or the entire weeklong journey).

    A calming view

    Breathe in…and breathe out.Paola Pérez

    Bon voyage to this kayaker, whom I spotted paddling away under the Strawberry Mansion Bridge on Sunday.

    👋🏽 This newsletter is taking a break in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Rest assured, we will be back June 26. Until then, take care out there!

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • ⚽ The FIFA World Cup is here | Things to do

    ⚽ The FIFA World Cup is here | Things to do

    This weekend, the opening World Cup match between the Ivory Coast and Ecuador, and the 39-day FIFA Fan Festival is taking over Philadelphia — 100-degree heat and humidity, notwithstanding.

    After months of talking about the much-hyped international sports event and festival, we’re finally living it. I am excited to see how it all unfurls after literal years in the making, and you should be too.

    Not the sporty type? There’s Sunday’s Odunde Festival, which typically draws around 500,000 visitors to the Graduate Hospital neighborhood in celebration of the African Diaspora.

    Also, for lovers of city nightlife, Thursday marks day one under the extended 4 a.m. curfew. It marks the first time Philly bars can stay open past the state’s 2 a.m. cutoff since the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

    There’s a lot more that’s in store this weekend. Read on!

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    The FIFA Fan Festival is taking over Lemon Hill

    A rendering of the Philadelphia FIFA Fan Festival’s “vendor village” at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park. From June 11 to July 19, the festival will serve as the official fan experience for the 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia.(Courtesy of Philadelphia Soccer 2026)

    Starting Thursday, the Fan Festival opens to 15,000 fans to the festival grounds at Lemon Hill, which has been transformed into an extravaganza of global soccer, writes reporters Henry Savage and Isabel Maney.

    The free daily festival is intended for fans of all ages and promises to be a kid and family friendly affair.

    The main draw will be a 60-foot screen that takes over the main stage.

    What happens when all that cheering gets you hungry? There will be more than 80 local food trucks, serving dishes from the many cultures across Philadelphia, including local faves like cheesesteaks, pretzels, and more.

    More than 50 live acts will take the stage at Lemon Hill, including the opening night concert with headliner Luis Fonsi of “Despacito” fame.

    You can even get some shopping done. The Philadelphia Festival Marketplace will showcase artisans and makers in the region, offering soccer swag, accessories, jewelry, original artwork, and more.

    For a full FIFA Fan Festival guide, read here.

    The best things to do this week

    Scenes from the opening night of Bok Bar — initially called Le Bok Fin — in 2015.Michelle Gustafson

    🌭 Eating good: The most iconic dishes in Philly! Check out The 76 list for must-try bites around the city. Our top 10 drops tomorrow!

    💃🏽 Enjoy Ballers After Dark: A new sports social club in Fishtown is transforming into a nightlife destination this Friday. Stop by to enjoy cocktails and sounds by DJs Quino, TJ Groover, and Shaka Sounds.

    🎉 Meet me at the Bok party: The 10th annual B[L]OK Party is celebrating a decade of Bok and the South Philly creative community. There will be a bouncy castle, live music, face painting, food trucks, art demos, and other family-friendly happenings on Saturday.

    🖼️ An affordable art fair: InLiquid’s annual Art for the Cash Poor returns to South Kensington on Saturday. More than 120 local artists will be at Crane Arts, offering original artwork priced at $250 or less.

    🏳️‍🌈 Karaoke brunch and drag magic: Among the many phenomenal Pride Month events in the region includes Pride on Passyunk. Join the fun this Sunday. There will be food and drink specials, karaoke brunch, drag performances, Pilates sessions, and other fun activities all day.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Sounds of the World at Records Forever, A Lady Gaga Pride Party at Warehouse on Watts, Northeast Philly Beer and Drink Festival.

    North America’s largest African American street festival has returned

    An image of past iterations of Philly’s Odunde Festival. The free public festival is the largest African American street festival in North America, drawing up to 500,000 attendees each year. This year’s event marks the 50th anniversary of its founding.Courtesy of ODUNDE Festival

    The Odunde Festival, founded in 1975 by Lois Fernandez, makes its welcomed return.

    The weeklong cultural celebration culminates with a daylong celebration on Sunday.

    It begins with a spiritual procession that starts at 23rd and South Streets, and moves toward the Schuylkill, where participants make traditional offerings to Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of the river.

    Participants then return to South Street, where they can enjoy an array of foods, arts and crafts, and musical performances celebrating the African diaspora.

    Legendary band Bel Biv DeVoe is slated to headline this year’s festival. A variety of additional acts will perform across two stages. For more information about this year’s Odunde celebration, read my colleague Dugan Arnett’s story here.

    Spring fun this week and beyond

    🎶 An early Juneteenth celebration: Bartram’s Garden is hosting the Juneteenth Jubilee on Sunday. The event, recognizing the true emancipation of enslaved African Americans, will be a free, family-friendly event at Eastwick Pavilion filled with poetry readings, biking, music, and more.

    🇺🇸 Raise your flags: Flag Day Weekend 2026 is happening at the Museum of the American Revolution. The two-day celebration includes presentations of the original “suit of colors” set to a first-person theater performance.

    🎨 ArtPhilly What Now: An assortment of arts-centered events are taking place for ArtPhilly. Among the dozens of performances, exhibitions, and other events happening during the five-week-long celebration includes John Coltrane En Motion at FringeArts, the Say Yes, Philly! — American Street Dance Battle at the Sedgwick Theater, and more.

    🎭 The key to a new production: Pig Iron Theatre has a new production opening at Plays & Players Theatre this Saturday. It’s the Barrymore Award-winning production, Franklin’s Key, which explores what it would be like to discover Benjamin Franklin’s secret ability to change the weather during the War of Independence.

    Staffer picks

    Here’s pop music critic Dan Deluca’s list of the top concerts this weekend.

    🎸 Thursday: Stereo League, the Philly band that Alex Savoth leads with Dan King, will take the stage at Johnny Brenda’s on Thursday. The group will be joined by openers Max Davey and James Clark.

    🎤 Friday: Surrealist British songwriter Robyn Hitchcock, who mixes psychedelia with garage rock, is touring with an electric band that includes Philadelphia drummer Patrick Berkery. Hitchcock performs at Ardmore Music Hall on Friday.

    🎸 Saturday: Jack Antonoff is producer to the stars, but the New Jersey singer-guitarist also fronts Bleachers. The Antonoff-led band will hit the stage at the TD Pavilion at Highmark Mann this weekend.

    🎤 Also Saturday: Multi-talent Nick Jonas stops into Atlantic City to finish off his “A Night with Nick” tour at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena.

    Look, even if fútbol isn’t you’re thing, there’s plenty of places to kick it this weekend.

    Don’t miss out on all the festivities, and keep an open mind — you may just score a new find.

    — Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.comCourtesy of Giphy.com
  • Take a look inside the now-complete FIFA Fan Festival opening Thursday

    Take a look inside the now-complete FIFA Fan Festival opening Thursday

    A crowd packed with thousands of cheering fans, the 60-foot-wide screen playing the latest fiery matchup, and dozens upon dozens of food vendors await the FIFA Fan Festival, the cheapest and most immersive way to enjoy the 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia.

    Starting Thursday, the Fan Festival opens daily to 15,000 fans, for free, to roam the million square feet of festival grounds that have transformed quaint Lemon Hill into an almost unrecognizable extravaganza of global soccer.

    Here’s what you need to know before you go:

    Watching the game

    The main spectacle is the 60-foot screen that takes over the main stage in Lemon Hill, where the majority of fans will congregate to watch the match. But, throughout the festival are multiple smaller screens playing the game, so fans don’t miss a moment when they roam for food, fun, or the bathroom.

    “Even if you’re not a soccer fan, you can still come out and have a great time,” said Michael DelBene, executive producer of FIFA Fan Festival for Philadelphia Soccer 2026. “You can come and listen to music or eat delicious food, or shop.”

    The festival is intended for fans of all ages and promises to be kid and family friendly.

    Amenities

    Crew members make final preparations, including work on a 60-foot-wide screen, for a FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 10, 2026.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    The Fan Festival delivers what many large-scale music festivals offer, with ways to enjoy the main attraction while also having side activities to keep you busy during a lull.

    Food and drink

    More than 80 local food trucks will serve up meals based on dishes from the many cultures across Philadelphia and, of course, the city’s very own, like cheesesteaks, pretzels, and more.

    Outside of food trucks, there will also be vendors selling beverage basics, such as water, soda, and beer, to the small bites like tacos and sandwiches. Pricing varies. Some vendors have beer and beverage prices at $10 or less. Many will also sell food menu items in the $15 to $25 range.

    A Michelob Ultra beer garden will welcome those 21 and over to a variety of brews, and the Coca-Cola corner has all the tasty carbonated beverages a fan could ask for.

    No outside food or beverage are permitted besides a reusable water bottle that can be filled at hydration stations. For a full list of what you can’t bring, visit phillyfwc26.com/fifa-fan-fest.

    Live music

    Throughout the festival, more than 50 live acts will grace the stage at Lemon Hill, including the opening night concert with headliner Luis Fonsi of Despacito fame. Festival showrunner DelBene said that while they’ll kick off the event with one of the biggest global artists, many local Philadelphia musicians and acts will rotate through the 39-day event.

    “It’s a really cool juxtaposition of global talent and the juxtaposition of local talent and culture,” DelBene said.

    Crew members make final preparations, including work on a 60-foot-wide screen, for a FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 10, 2026.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Shopping and giveaways

    The Philadelphia Festival Marketplace will showcase the best artisans and makers the region has to offer with distinctive soccer swag, accessories, jewelry, original artwork, and more.

    Philly’s fan festival will also host the largest World Cup retail space across all 11 U.S. host cities. Sitting at 10,000 square feet, the Fanatics World Cup shop has everything a soccer fan needs for official tournament gear.

    Outside of shopping, many sponsors have built elaborate exhibits with interactive games and chances to win giveaways. Some of those sponsors include Kia, Bank of America, and The Home Depot.

    Accessibility

    ADA-accessible ramps are located throughout the festival and accessible public transportation is available entering and departing the venue. A golf-cart shuttle will also be available from the welcome center.

    Attendees have access to nursing stations, sensory booths, prayer booths, and meditation booths. ASL interpreters will be present throughout the event. Any questions can be directed to the welcome center booth or to staff with shirts.

    Inclement weather

    The festival will run rain or shine and will be canceled in case of any dangerous weather (thunder, lightning, high winds, or very high temperatures.)

    Getting around

    Crew members make final preparations, including work on a 60-foot-wide screen, for a FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 10, 2026.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Location: East Fairmount Park’s Lemon Hill

    To enter the venue, go to the secured entry point at Kelly and Sedgley Drives.

  • Mystic, Conn., is much more than pizza and a movie title | Field Trip

    Mystic, Conn., is much more than pizza and a movie title | Field Trip

    Consider yourself warned: This weekend itinerary in Mystic, Conn., contains no pizza. Not that you can’t find a great slice in this New England seaport town, but Mystic offers so much more than nostalgia from the 1980s cult movie classic. Eccentric boutiques, hearty breakfasts, and stylish inns pile onto the nautical charm of the village, which is divided between Groton and Stonington by the Mystic River.

    It’s pretty much a straight shot up 95, clocking a little over four hours from Center City. Start the car.

    Fuel: Kitchen Little

    Start the trip with a Mystic tradition: breakfast at Kitchen Little, the second-floor cafe at the Mystic River Marina on Mason’s Island. The huge menu features blueberry-jeweled buttermilk pancakes, omelets stuffed with corned beef hash, and nine different types of eggs Benedict, including one piled with hunks of fresh lobster. Ask for a table on the deck for views of the boats drifting through the harbor.

    📍 36 Quarry Rd., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Stay: The Whaler’s Inn

    Composed of a series of historic buildings constructed between 1865 and 1920, the Whaler’s Inn sits at the end of Mystic’s famous Main Street Bridge, an ideal location for exploring the town. The property fits the weekend’s nautical theme with its whitewashed facade, navy shutters, slate woodwork, and two seafood restaurants. Room categories are spread across multiple buildings, from adults-only luxury suites with buttercream sofas and sleek integrated kitchenettes to family rooms with built-in bunks and a children’s library. The experience is super customizable depending whether you’re traveling solo or with children.

    📍 20 E. Main St., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Shop: Olde Mistick Village

    More than 40 boutiques comprise Olde Mistick Village, a model colonial-era New England town originally opened in 1973. The shops, arranged around a meetinghouse, run the gamut, from Salt Life-type souvenirs to rare manga volumes (Arisu), Murano glass jewelry (Gineva), and eerie Victorian oddities (Alice’s Little Haunted Book Shop). And if the weather isn’t cooperating during your visit, the village also hosts Mystic Luxury Cinemas, where the recliners are heated and the popcorn comes topped with real butter.

    📍 27 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Sun: Bluff Point Beach

    Just west of Mystic, the Poquonnock River meanders down into Long Island Sound, shimmying around the tip of Bluff Point Beach. This tranquil, undeveloped stretch of sand at the end of Bluff Point State Park arcs into the water like a slingshot, making it a relaxing place to sunbathe, stroll, and plane-spot the occasional jet taking off at Groton-New London Airport just across the river. Park in the state park lot; the beach is the end of the marked trial, a little over a mile south.

    📍 55 Depot Rd., Groton, Conn. 06340

    See: Mystic Museum of Art

    Lobster is not Southern Connecticut’s only historic industry. The region was also a leading producer of velvet in the 1800s. That craft takes center stage this summer in “Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways,” opening June 26 at Mystic Museum of Art. If painting is more your medium, the museum’s white farmhouse-style building houses a stunning collection of American impressionist and tonalist works from the early 1900s to the early 2000s, including Henry Ward Ranger’s Connecticut landscapes.

    📍 9 Water St., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Learn: Mystic Seaport Museum

    Also on the weekend of June 26, the Mystic Seaport Museum’s 34th annual WoodenBoat Show goes down with more than a hundred styles of wooden vessels on display at the riverfront institution’s wharf. Besides the show, this is the place to learn about Mystic’s maritime culture, home to four national historic landmark vessels you can board and explore, as well as the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard, the nation’s first preservation yard dedicated to wooden ships. If you love boats, or better yet, have kids that love boats, you should not miss it.

    📍 75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Dine: Red 36

    Perched along the river, Red 36 glows as bright as a lantern once the sun goes down in Mystic. Heading here for dinner means shorts and a T-shirt and a table on the wide waterfront deck or under the barnlike wood-beam ceiling inside — extremely chill. Order a spicy marg made with jalapeño-infused tequila and mezcal or an ice-cold Allagash, along with one of two types of clam chowder; we say the creamy over the clear. Entrees include fish and chips splashed with malt vinegar, seafood paella, and the mac-daddy whole steamed lobster served with Mexican street corn, coleslaw, and Old Bay fries.

    📍 2 Washington St., Mystic, Conn. 06355