Happy Memorial Day!

Living in Philadelphia every day, it’s easy to forget – or to become pretty damn complacent – about the absolute mass of Americana ’round these parts. This is the birthplace of liberty, and the cradle of freedom! It makes sense that we go all out and get our full patriot on for national holidays, and Memorial Day is no exception.

Celebrate the memory of America’s fallen heroes – and the kickoff of summertime! – in one of the country’s most historic cities this weekend.

This holiday is a bit of a paradox, as it’s both a solemn event and the U.S.’s unofficial Get Your First Hangover of the Summer! weekend. Plenty of Philly residents will be heading down to Atlantic City, Ocean City, or the Shore (go in peace, brave souls!) to slather on insufficient amounts of SPF 50 and spit-roast their pasty winter flesh, but some of us will be hanging out locally. Luckily, Center City is serving both sides of Memorial Day celebration in spades.

Old City’s Historic District will be bursting with themed activities this weekend, and going forward as the warm weather rolls in. At each of ten “Once Upon a Nation” Storytelling Benches, visitors can plop a spot and hear a five-minute story (from trained volunteers) on the nation’s history, from the viewpoint of where it actually happened! As of right now, Independence After Dark is sold out for this weekend, but tix for Liberty 360, the Franklin Square tour, and admission to the Betsy Ross House are still available. If you are doing your own touring on foot, consider stopping by the Historic Philadelphia Center and renting the kids a “Colonial For a Day” costume. Toy muskets and “Don’t Tread On Me!” signs – useful for the small fry scooting around underfoot on a crowded Saturday – aren’t included, unfortunately.

If you venture slightly outside town, Laurel Hill Cemetery (the second-oldest in America) will hold a parade and re-dedication ceremony Sunday for the Silent Sentry statue. The Morris Arboretum’s Summer Garden Railway chugs its first rounds of the warm months this weekend as well!

The weather’s supposed to be beautiful, so get out there and have an amazing weekend!