Top ten free things to do in Philadelphia

By Lisa Angelucci
Collegian Staff
April 12, 2006

Money’s always tight at the end of the school year because, as we all know, it’s hard to keep the cash coming in as the semester winds down. Don’t let a lack of funds prevent you from taking advantage of springtime in the city. Here are the top 10 free events, places or attractions in the Philadelphia area.

1. Photographs by Zoe Strauss: Under I-95—In case you’ve always wanted to hang out under one of Philadelphia’s lovely interstate highways, photographer Zoe Strauss will exhibit her work beneath the I-95 overpass at Front and Mifflin Streets. Over 200 photos will be on display on May 6, and hopefully, the photography is a bit more attractive than the venue.

2. The Curtis Institute of Music’s Free Recital Series—Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m., Curtis students perform for the public as soloists and as part of an ensemble. Admission is much cheaper than the orchestra, but the artists are still very talented and the seats are a lot more comfortable.

3. Reels on Wheels— If you weren’t able to catch any of the Philadelphia Film Festival, there’s an encore showing at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute. Six of the films from the festival will replay, including documentaries and narratives, and admission is free for students.

4. United States Mint—Philadelphia is home to one of six mints in the country, and tours are given for free on weekdays during normal business hours. Keep in mind that there’s no candy on this tour, its only coins.

5. Earth Day Fun Festival—What’s not to love about a fun festival? With that name, it has to be a good time. On April 22, Whole Foods Market in Jenkintown will celebrate Earth Day with food, fun and recycling for people of all ages. Vendors will be present from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help attendants learn how to help the earth every day, not just on Earth Day.

6. Evening Lectures at the University of Pennsylvania—The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at Penn is holding several free evening lectures. Upcoming are April 18’s lecture on wall paintings found on the Isle of Crete, and April 20’s lecture about writing and art in Ancient Iraq.

7. Second Annual Chili Challenge—The Food Bank of South Jersey is hosting this event on April 23 in Wiggins Park in Camden. Teams can create their own chili to be judged in one of five categories: beef, vegetarian, pork, five-alarm or turkey. The event is free to participate or to watch, but if you’re interested in taste-testing the chili, it’ll cost you $5. Proceeds benefit the Food Bank, so it’s OK to come hungry.

8. Love Thyself—This program at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Sunday, April 30 is a health and wellness fair full of information sessions, workshops and exhibits. The celebration is free for participants, but the afternoon entertainment requires the purchase of a ticket. It sounds like it might be a little bit creepy, but free stuff is usually worth it.

9. Parkway Funday—Like the Earth Day fun festival, this Funday sounds like a great time, at least based on the name. It’s intended for families, but there’s nothing wrong with regressing a little before the pressure of finals week hits hard. On April 29, the Parkway Council Foundation will feature ongoing entertainment in addition to the crafts and events sponsored by the Parkway museums, colleges and other institutions.

10. Coffee Connection—This smoke-free coffeehouse in Northeast Philly features free entertainment with karaoke on Wednesday nights and trivia contests on Sunday nights. Although you’ll still have to pay for your coffee, you can make a fool of yourself free of charge.

angeluccil1@lasalle.edu