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Uwishunu published on January 19, 2023

35 New Things to Do in Greater Philadelphia for 2023

World-premiere exhibitions, immersive art installations, new hotels and more...

Otherworld Philadelphia Rendering courtesy Otherworld Philadelphia

In 2023, the attractions, restaurants and businesses in Greater Philadelphia are set to do what they do best: innovate and stay refreshingly relevant to evolving culture and history, with an exciting slate of openings and special exhibitions offering both big fun and food for thought.

This year, Philly’s new offerings are as broad, inclusive and eclectic as the city itself, from the female, BIPOC recasting of the musical 1776 to the Museum of the American Revolution’s re-examination of the nation’s founding through the story of a prominent Black family in its Black Founders exhibit. And the Rising Sun exhibition brings the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The African American Museum in Philadelphia and 20 contemporary artists together to answer a critical question: Is the sun rising or setting on American democracy?

For all-ages fun, visit the blockbuster Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute, with its vast collection of rarely seen treasures from the vault. Later in the year, return for the opening of the new, permanent SPACE exhibit. Meanwhile, Sesame Place debuts a water attraction, Splashy Shores , and FDR Park opens its new welcome center and nature-inspired playground.

There are new amusements on deck, too, including conveyor-belt sushi at Kura , boozy, high-tech minigolf at the Puttshack and the opening of Otherworld Philadelphia , a 55-room experiential art exhibit of light and sound. Like to hang out with your dog? New social spots in Fairmount and Manayunk welcome you and your furry best friend.

Intriguing art shows, tempting new restaurants and food halls, brewery openings, and theater and hotel premieres offer even more reasons and ways to spend time in Philadelphia this year. Read on for new things to do in the Philadelphia region in 2023. (Looking for recurring events and fests in Philly in 2023? Head right this way .)

Note: This article is arranged chronologically by section.

Special & Permanent Exhibitions

01

Andrew Wyeth: Home Places at the Brandywine Museum of Art

The realist painter Andrew Wyeth is considered an American master, and his story and work are intimately intertwined with his Brandywine Valley home and community. In this exhibition , visitors explore nearly 50 paintings and drawings of the local buildings and vistas that inspired Wyeth over his 70-year career. Enjoy a glimpse of his inspiration and a time capsule of the region over the course of his artistic life.

Where: Brandywine Museum of Art, 1 Hoffmans Mill Road, Chadds Ford

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02

Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia at the Museum of the American Revolution

James Forten, born a free man of African descent, fought in the war for American independence in 1781, then returned to Philadelphia and became a successful businessman, philanthropist and stalwart abolitionist. This new exhibition chronicles Forten and his descendants’ story from the American Revolution through the lead up to the Civil War and women’s suffrage movement (1776 to 1876).

Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street

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03

Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute

A rendering of people exploring an exhibit at Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia A rendering of people exploring an exhibit at Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia
— Rendering courtesy Disney

The Walt Disney Company turns 100 this year, and the whole world will celebrate a legacy of stories, characters and imagination — but only Philly’s Franklin Institute will house the official Disney100: The Exhibition . Making its world premiere right here in Philadelphia, the exhibition offers 10 galleries that cover the history of Disney from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Strange World , highlighting rarely seen original artworks, costumes, props and behind-the-scenes memorabilia from Disney and its companies, including Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel and National Geographic.

Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street

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04

The Year of Biodiversity at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

A wood duck glides over a calm body of water A wood duck glides over a calm body of water
— Photo by A. Abdul-Qawi

Dates vary by event

America’s oldest natural history museum turns its focus to the importance of biodiversity this year with two big-name exhibitions. Conversations With Birds (February 18 – May 21, 2023) explores the complex world of our feathered friends, including their important role in ecosystems and their epic migration journeys. Summer brings the opening of Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity (June 24, 2023 – January 21, 2024), which invites visitors to reconsider the shape-shifting, color-changing and ever-evolving nature of this complex organ.

Where: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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05

Nothing Change, Nothing Strange at The Fabric Workshop and Museum

Meet notable Black artist Henry Taylor , whose work has been shown at the Whitney, the Venice Biennale and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. During his residency at The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Henry Taylor has turned found objects into assemblages, tapestries and textiles. His show takes over the second floor, where Taylor merges his favored medium of painting with sculpture to disassemble and recreate forms and art itself.

Where: The Fabric Workshop and Museum, 1214 Arch Street

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06

Mid-Century to Manga: The Modern Japanese Print in America at the James A. Michener Art Museum

Bucks County author James Michener took an active interest in Japanese art and printmaking, as his collection reflects. This special exhibit in his intimate Bucks County art museum spotlights Japanese printmaking in the post-war period and celebrates contemporary Japanese and Japanese-American illustration and print-making.

Where: James A. Michener Art Museum, 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown

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07

Sue Williamson & Lebohang Kganye: Tell Me What You Remember at the Barnes Foundation

The Barnes Foundation hosts this groundbreaking, cross-generational exhibition examining the legacy and memory of apartheid in South Africa from the perspective of two of the nation’s most notable contemporary artists. Spinning personal and oral histories into photography, film, textiles and installations, the artists reflect on history and the role of the narrator in shaping common memory and telling the story of the past.

Where: Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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08

Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America

“Is the sun rising or setting on the experiment of American democracy?” Nearly two dozen artists interpret that question in new artworks that appear in this collaborative exhibition at both the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and The African American Museum in Philadelphia. This landmark exhibit invites visitors to consider complex issues from multiple viewpoints.

Where: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad Street

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The African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street

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09

SPACE at The Franklin Institute

A rendering of the new SPACE exhibition set to opena t The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia A rendering of the new SPACE exhibition set to opena t The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia
— Rendering courtesy The Franklin Institute

Fall 2023

The sky is not the limit at The Franklin Institute’s SPACE exhibit . The massive expansion project triples the size of the museum’s permanent space exhibit, with two floors of displays built to stimulate excitement for space travel and share new tech advances. An interactive component allows guests to experience space phenomena and explore what it takes to live and play in outer space. The project is due for completion ahead of the museum’s 100-year anniversary in 2024.

Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street

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Performing Arts

10

Red Rum Theater

Now open

Whodunnit fans have a new favorite spot in Philly with the opening of the city’s first theater dedicated to the murder mystery genre. Without A Clue Productions has found a permanent home — after touring its shows nationally for 20 years — at the interactive, cabaret-style Red Rum Theater, where guests join the search for clues, interact with players and get their mug shots taken. The first show: A Golden Girls Mystery , which runs through April 29, 2023.

Where: Red Rum Theater, 601 Walnut Street

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11

1776 at the Forrest Theatre

The cast of the Broadway show 1776 performs, singing into the camera The cast of the Broadway show 1776 performs, singing into the camera
— Photo by J. Marcus

This popular Tony Award-winning musical about the American Revolution got a Broadway reboot last summer, replacing the white male Founding Fathers with women of color and a racially and ethnically diverse ensemble, adding new resonance to the play’s ideas and anthems. It’s only fitting that the Broadway show’s 16-city national tour starts in Philly. Bonus: Enter our Valentine’s Day Weekend of Indulgence in Philly Sweepstakes through February 6, 2023 for a chance to win $1,034 in prizes, including two tickets to the show.

Where: Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut Street

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More Fun Stuff

12

Bark Social and The Boozy Mutt

A rendering of Bark SOcial in Philly. On a clear blue day, families and people and dogs sit out side on the ground or at picnic tables in front of a colorful building A rendering of Bark SOcial in Philly. On a clear blue day, families and people and dogs sit out side on the ground or at picnic tables in front of a colorful building
— Rendering courtesy Bark Social

Dates vary

Drink with your dog! Really? Really. The social zeitgeist has moved to embrace canine companions in restaurants and bars, and Philly welcomes two new spots for creatures on both two and four legs this year. Bark Social , opening in Manayunk in February, is a dog-friendly sports bar and cafe, complete with craft beer (for humans) and self-serve baths (for dogs). Later in the year, The Boozy Mutt sets up in Fairmount, featuring a restaurant and bar, as well as a dog park and pet boutique.

Where: Bark Social, 3720 Main Street

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Boozy Mutt, 2639 Poplar Street

13

Reopening: Carpenters' Hall and Second National Bank of the United States

Exterior of Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia Exterior of Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia
— Photo courtesy Carpenters' Hall

Spring 2023

History buffs, take note: Two of the city’s (many) important historic landmarks reopen this spring. Explore the building where the First Continental Congress met in 1774 when Carpenters’ Hall opens after a yearlong restoration. Also reopening: the historic Second Bank of the United States , home to the People of Independence exhibit that’s a veritable who’s who of history, featuring 18th- and 19th-century portraits, with over 100 paintings by Charles Willson Peale.

Where: Carpenters' Hall, 320 Chestnut Street

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Second Bank of the United States, 420 Chestnut Street

14

Puttshack at The Shops at Liberty Place

A rendering of Puttshack Philadelphia, including mini-golf holes, air hockey table and more A rendering of Puttshack Philadelphia, including mini-golf holes, air hockey table and more
— Rendering courtesy Puttshack

Summer 2023

A Philadelphia outpost of this popular adult mini-golfing amusement chain comes to the Shops at Liberty Place this summer. Billed as “the only upscale tech-infused mini-golf experience with global food and drink” — plus all the lights and music of a nightclub — this is clearly not your mother’s putt-putt. The coolest part: There’s no need to keep score, as a patented system codes each ball to its player and logs points as you play, so you can focus on drinking and throwing shade.

Where: The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut Street

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15

Bert & Ernie’s Splashy Shores at Sesame Place

Summer 2023

The nation’s first Sesame Street theme park adds yet another reason to bring the family this summer with the opening of an all-new water attraction, Bert & Ernie’s Splashy Shores. This water adventure area on Sesame Island invites visitors to splash, spray and play in water umbrellas, spraying jets, tipping buckets and a water tower. There’s no better way to beat the heat on “ sunny days .”

Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne

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16

FDR Park Gateway

Fall 2023

This fall, South Philly’s beloved FDR Park opens a new Welcome Center at Broad and Pattison, as well as an adjacent playground. The renovated 5,500-square-foot guardhouse includes a staffed information center, restrooms, food vendors, equipment rentals and an open-air community courtyard gathering space. The Pattison Playground offers nature-based play equipment like spinners, landscape slides and treehouses. And the new picnic area pavilions offer the perfect spot for a family lunch.

Where: FDR Park, Pattison Avenue & South Broad Street

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17

Otherworld Philadelphia

A rendering of an art installation at Otherworld Philly. Pink strands stick up out of the floor in the dark A rendering of an art installation at Otherworld Philly. Pink strands stick up out of the floor in the dark
— Rendering courtesy Otherworld Philly

Late 2023

This next entry into the region’s pantheon of interactive, immersive, Instagram-ready art spaces opens in the Northeast later this year. Otherworld Philadelphia will be immense (40,000 square feet), encouraging guests to roam through a cinematic experience that is equal parts art installation and escape room. Experience dramatic sound and expansive lighting effects and look for iridescent creatures, crawl tubes and other surprises in room after colorful room.

Where: Otherworld Philly, 2500 Grant Avenue

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18

New Hotel Openings

Dates vary by hotel

Philadelphia is best when you sleep over, and 2023 offers the debut of three new places for visitors to do just that. Stay in the heart of Queen Village at Yowie Hotel, a small, independent hotel brought to you by Shannon Maldonado of the uber-hip Yowie design and lifestyle brand. The inn, featuring 11 rooms at 226 South Street with a ground-floor cafe and curated merch shop, is set to open in spring 2023.

Due in December: a couple larger hotels being developed by Choice Hotels International. The new Comfort Inn in Chinatown offers 220 rooms, occupying the first six floors of 932 Arch Street. Quality Hotel is slated to open at 4155 Lancaster Avenue in University City, featuring 110 rooms and easy access to West Philadelphia’s museums and restaurants.

Where: YOWIE, 226 South Street

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Comfort Inn, 932 Arch Street

Quality Hotel, 4155 Lancaster Avenue

19

New Food & Drink Openings

Dates vary

The city’s lauded dining scene continues to top itself. Here’s a sampling of what’s on the dining docket for this year:

  • Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is now open on Chestnut Street, with a server robot and a conveyor belt delivering tasty treats.
  • Reading Terminal Market celebrates its 130th birthday this year. Get tickets for this year’s Time After Time party at the market on February 25.
  • Gilda , a Portuguese cafe and market, opens in late February in Fishtown.
  • The Arsenal Taproom of Artillery Brewing Company opens in Drexel Hill in March.
  • Bake’N Bacon opens in March in South Philly with a real restaurant version of the popular food truck.
  • Alice, a new bistro from chef Dave Conn (of El Vez), is set for a spring opening in the Italian Market, at the former site of Butcher’s Cafe.
  • Cloud Cups artisanal gelato plans to open a scoop shop on Frankford Avenue in Kensington this spring.
  • Two Locals Brewing Co. , Philadelphia’s first Black-owned brewery, is slated to open a taproom at uCity Square in University City this summer.
  • Tapster , a self-service bar and tasting room with a broad beer selection, will open a Philly location this summer.
  • Chotto Matte opens later this year in Midtown Village’s Jessup House with a Japanese-Peruvian food fine-dining concept.
  • Blue Elephant, from the Win Signature Restaurant Group, opens a new location in downtown Wayne later this year.
  • Rosalie, the popular Italian restaurant in Wayne, opens a second location in Glen Mills later this year.
  • Urbanspace Philadelphia — a four-story, 16-vendor food market in Schuylkill Yards — opens in fall of 2023.

Where: Various locations including Kura Sushi Philadelphia, 1721 Chestnut Street

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Special & Permanent Exhibitions

Andrew Wyeth: Home Places at the Brandywine Museum of Art
Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia at the Museum of the American Revolution
Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute
The Year of Biodiversity at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Nothing Change, Nothing Strange at The Fabric Workshop and Museum
Mid-Century to Manga: The Modern Japanese Print in America at the James A. Michener Art Museum
Sue Williamson & Lebohang Kganye: Tell Me What You Remember at the Barnes Foundation
Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America
SPACE at The Franklin Institute

Performing Arts

Red Rum Theater
1776 at the Forrest Theatre

More Fun Stuff

Bark Social and The Boozy Mutt
Reopening: Carpenters' Hall and Second National Bank of the United States
Puttshack at The Shops at Liberty Place
Bert & Ernie’s Splashy Shores at Sesame Place
FDR Park Gateway
Otherworld Philadelphia
New Hotel Openings
New Food & Drink Openings
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