Best Philly Experience Gifts for the 2021 Holidays
It’s the most wonderful season of all! Truly, the winter holidays – regardless if you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or something else – are a time to gather with friends and family to create memories. Often, some of the memories relate to physical gifts but sometimes the best presents are experiences.
With that said, we’ve decided to create a list of the best Philadelphia experience gifts out there: weekend excursions, day trips and more, compiled from the best of what Philadelphia has to offer. What’s even better, is each of these experience gifts supports small, locally owned businesses or educational programs, and vary in cost from free to not so expensive. So sit back, and don’t stress over what to get your loved one this December – the answer might just be right below.
Make History
Philadelphia has been the birthplace of America since 1776 and since then, so much has happened here – the construction of a palatial museum; the creation of the world’s foremost prison system; our founding fathers gathering together to unite against tyranny; and we could of course, go on – but we won’t! Rather, check out the list below of how you can experience history this holiday season.
Location: Spend the Day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Website: https://philamuseum.org/
Duration: 2 hours – all day
Cost: $25 per gift ticket
Location: Take a Night tour of Eastern State Penitentiary
Website: https://www.easternstate.org/
Duration: 2 -3 hours
Cost: $13-$20 per ticket
Location: Visit Independence Mall (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Independence Beer Garden)
Website: https://bit.ly/3EGOiBY, https://bit.ly/3mEwul8, https://www.phlbeergarden.com/
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes, 1.5 hours
Cost: $1.00 per ticket, FREE, Cost varies from $7 to $20
Location: Learn from the Franklin Institute
Website: https://www.fi.edu/
Duration: 2 hours – all day
Cost: $19-$23 per ticket
Location: Splurge at Reading Terminal Market
Website: https://readingterminalmarket.org/
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Cost: Free to visit (cost depends on what’s purchased)
Location: Discover dark curiosities at the Mutter Museum
Website: http://muttermuseum.org/
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Cost: $15 – $20 per ticket
Location: Walk Kelly Drive
Website: https://bit.ly/3EBNv5j
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Cost: FREE
Peculiar Purchases
Sometimes, a unique experience can be derived from an eclectic gift. Check out these special jawns – they’re 100% Philadelphian!
Gift: Mummer’s Umbrella
Description: The mummer parade is held every New Year’s in Philadelphia. These elaborately costumed musicians are symbols of the city, and the umbrella reflects their quirkiness – in style!
Website: www.mummermuseum.com
Cost: $18
Gift: Duross & Langel Candles
Description: These handcrafted, all-natural candles burn for 30 hours!
Website: https://www.durossandlangel.com/
Cost: $18
Gift: Shoofly Pie
Description: Sweets define the holidays, even for the healthy minded. You can pick one up from Reading Terminal Market or travel to Lancaster to pick one up from the Amish – trust us, it’s seriously worth it.
Website: n/a
Cost: Varies from $13 to $40
Gift: A 6-Pack of Yard’s Pale Ale
Description: Yard’s Brewery based in Philly (of course) has become renowned nation-wide for its distinct taste. Plus, you won’t have to store it when you have relatives around!
Website: https://bit.ly/3q0EW04
Cost: $20
Gift: Books about and/or written by Philadelphians
Description: You can never have too many books! And in a city where people are known for being fanatical about being from this city, a book written about Philadelphia, by a Philadelphian is too perfect to pass up.
Website: https://bit.ly/3EAtdt9
Cost: Varies from $10 to $20
