Kick off your summer the right way by spending Memorial Day weekend (May 25-28) in Philadelphia. The celebration to honor those who served in the military for our country is spread all throughout the city between various events, programs, and entertainment. Special holiday fireworks shows can also be found in various spots along the Delaware River waterfront and at Longwood Gardens.
To learn more about how to make the most out of your Memorial Day weekend in Philly, here’s a quick guide to some of the city’s best celebrations.
Sail Philadelphia: From Thursday, May 24 through Monday, May 28, nearly a dozen ships will dock along the historic Delaware River Waterfront for a five-day festival that includes public tours, say sails, and much more.
Longwood Gardens: Located in Kennett Square in nearby Chester County, Longwood Gardens continues its annual celebration of Memorial Day by showcasing its new fountain during incredible fountain shows. Longwood’s Festival of Fountains included illuminated fountain performances that features music from The Beatles and Broadway. On Saturday, May 26, the Gardens will hold the first Fireworks & Fountain Show of the summer.
Phillies Game: The Toronto Blue Jays will be in town to take on the Philadelphia Phillies this Memorial Day weekend, and spending time at Citizens Bank Park is always fun. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Phillies’ loss to the Blue Jays in the 1993 World Series, so go to the ballpark and let them know how you’ve felt about that for the last quarter-century. The three-game series starts Friday, May 25.
Waterfront Fireworks
If you’re already down by the Delaware River waterfront for the Sail Philadelphia festival on Saturday, why not stay for the waterfront fireworks that start at 9 p.m. that night. This event is free and open to the public, so it is wise to show up as early as you can to get a good view.
National Constitution Center
Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center will hold special programming throughout Memorial Day weekend to honor the brave men and women who served our country. This is the place to go to learn about the birth of our country, as well as more about the history of our national anthem, flag, and our nation’s famous memorials.
While taking part in the various Memorial Day activities throughout Philadelphia, it’s easy to work up an appetite. But you don’t want to ruin an otherwise perfect holiday weekend by eating subpar food from just anywhere.
Get in the Philly spirit and get yourself one of the best cheesesteaks in Philly. And of course, those can only be found at Geno’s Steaks, a staple of the Philadelphia community for more than 50 years. Located at 1219 South 9th Street in Philadelphia, Geno’s Steaks will give you a true taste of Philly and provide you with a meal that will keep you satisfied as you explore the City of Brotherly Love.