Hajrah Khan

Between finals and the Spring semester, there’s so much a student can do to decompress.  

One great thing about Philadelphia is that it is home to so many famous historic sites. Learning about history is fun here. A few places I would recommend for students include Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia Art Museum, The Blue Cross RiverRink, and Painting with a Twist. 

1. Reading Terminal Market 

Photo Credit: Hajrah Khan

Location: 12th and Arch, Philadelphia, PA 19107 

Reading Terminal Market opened on February 22, 1893. This market has many small stalls where over 800 merchants from all over the city sell many different goods from fresh farmed veggies and fruits, to flowers, hot meals, ice cream, baked goods, art, crafts, and juice bars. Also inside the 78,000 square feet building are gift shops to supply your holiday needs. There is plenty of fun to be had in walking around and seeing all the stalls and goods. It is a great place to try new foods or get into new things like books, oils, or art. The best part–it’s free to enter. It doesn’t cost anything to look!

2. Philadelphia Art Museum

Location: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130-2302

The Philadelphia Art Museum opened in 1876 and it is a great place to visit with family and friends to see artwork and learn more about American history. This museum is famous for having vast collections of art from around the world from core periods like the Renaissance and Impressionist times, as well as works from East and South Asia. Last but not least, contemporary masterpieces are on display too. The price for a ticket for students with an ID is $14, which is an excellent deal. 

3. Painting with a Twist 

Location: 611 South St Philadelphia, PA 19147 

Painting with a Twist is a place to both enjoy art and create paintings and sketches. Many types of people use the large, well-kept studio to paint with others. This activity is perfect for students who want to relax and catch up with friends or family as they paint. According to Pinot’s Palette painting is therapeutic and can help students release stress while helping them understand their emotions very artistically. The price for the painting with a twist varies on what kind of event you attend like a girl’s night, pop-in and paint, or in-studio events. The cost for Girl’s night is $40 at the studio or you can do a twist at home which is $34 where you can get together with friends at home order a kit and watch a video on how to paint the different pieces. 

4. Blue Cross RiverRink 

Location: 101 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106

The Blue Cross RiverRink is a very popular place to visit during winter break. Festively decorated with Christmas decorations such as trees and lights, this is a great spot for those interested in spreading some holiday spirit. Skating with your friends and family here during the winter is wonderful, but the liveliness of this location really can eat anyone into the spirit of the holidays. According to Visit Philly “A seasonal tradition for more than 25 years, the RiverRink brings skating to Penn’s Landing with spectacular views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Delaware River. ” The view of the river and the bridge is beautiful during this time of the year, especially during the evening hours with the lights on. The price for skating is $5 and if you need to rent skates it is $12.