By Allana Vanin

With finals week rapidly approaching, summer is right around the corner waiting to be enjoyed after that stressful week. If you are in Philadelphia at this time, here are some fun and affordable activities to look out for.

1- Night Nation Run

The city of Philadelphia is hosting its first ever Running Music Festival to take place on July 20th at 6pm. The event consists of a 5K run starting and ending at XFINITY Live!, passing through the Lincoln Financial Stadium and Wells Fargo Center.

The event is perfect experienced and non-experienced runners alike. According to the event website, “You will find multiple party zones with live DJ’s, Dancers, Light-shows, Selfie-Stations, and Glow Gear giveaways! We encourage you to dance and party as long as you like.”

Tickets are on sale now starting at $34.99.

2- Otherworld Philadelphia

This summer immerse yourself in a whole other world filled with bright colors and fantastical landscapes that break the wall between fantasy and reality at Otherworld Philadelphia. Opening its doors in 2019, Otherworld is an interaction art installation with the aim to bring out the best our imagination has to offer.

According to their website, “Imagine a world where anything is possible. A place with no rules, only your imagination to guide you through countless rooms of large-scale interactive art, mixed reality playgrounds, and secret passageways await you in our surreal landscape of science fiction and fantasy.”

Ticket prices for adults are $34.99 and children under 3 have free admission. 

3- Philadelphia Renaissance Faire

For fans of the Medieval and Renaissance periods in history, the Philadelphia Renaissance Faire is returning to the city on the weekend of May 25th-27th. Whether you are interested in eating medieval food, stocking up on your crystal collection, or throwing axes and shooting arrows like the ancients did, this event is guaranteed to have an attraction to keep you and your friends entertained.

This year, the Faire has confirmed the presence of a birds of prey show, magicians, master storytelling, live combat and much more. Tickets for adults start are $18, children ages 5-9 cost $9, and ages 4 and under get in for free.

4- Vampa Vampire & Paranormal Museum

First opening its doors in October 2023 in Doylestown, the museum highlights beliefs, myths, and folklore from different cultures from around the world and how that influenced art and artifacts through the ages. They strive to create a learning environment open to everyone.

According to the museum’s website, “Visitors can look forward to a wide array of art, antiques, and artifacts that date back to the 1700s and beyond. Sourced from over 40 years of exploration, our collection is diverse and eclectic.” If you are interested in learning more about different cultures and how they viewed the supernatural, visiting Vampa is a must.

The museum is open exclusively on weekends with adult tickets priced at $15. 

5- Mutter Museum

The Mutter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia is one of the finest museums in the United States dedicated to medical history. The establishment “displays its beautifully preserved collections of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments in a 19th-century “cabinet museum” setting.”

According to their website, the museum sees about 130,000 visitors annually and works in conjunction with local schools to bring awareness and expose students who may be interested in health related fields. Whether you are interested in learning more about 19th century medical technology or outdated medical techniques that helped shape the future of medicine, the Mutter Museum has something for history buffs and science enthusiasts alike.

The museum is open Wednesdays-Mondays from 10am to 5pm with tickets for students with ID priced at $15.