Got weekend plans? Well now you do. Described as "your best five hours in Philly", College Fest is a free festival exclusively for Philadelphia college students and is kicking off this Saturday, September 8th.
Head over to Dilworth Park, next to City Hall, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Go for the live music, delicious food vendors, outdoor games and also stay for free admittance to over a dozen Philly museums. Campus Philly, the event host, will be providing free shuttle transportation between museums via the Philadelphia PHLASH Downtown Loop. Admission to the museums is free when you register, which you can do online or in person at the event.
Catch the main action at Dilworth Park by simultaneously taking a break from the stress of your impending adulthood. Play Nerf football, challenge your friends to a game of corn hole, and roll around in giant inflatable Bubbleballs. Explore the booths to spin prize wheels and snag merch and free drinks (courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts). IKEA will be offering a grand prize for one lucky winner, and Lyft will be giving out free rides. What more could you want?
“There is no better way to welcome college students to Philadelphia than with a massive all–day festival right in the middle of the city,” said Campus Philly President Deborah Diamond. “CollegeFest is the perfect introduction to what this city has to offer, and we’re thrilled to present another exciting welcome for the region’s college students.” Last year, College Fest attracted over 5,000 students from around the city.
Looking forward to the free museums? Here's a shortlist of some of our favorites and why you should take advantage of this opportunity to visit them free of charge:
• Philadelphia Museum of Art —Run up the famous Rocky Steps and admire the latest Pop Art exhibition.
• Rodin Museum—Gaze in wonder at the lifelike sculptures by Auguste Rodin.
• Franklin Institute—Unleash your inner scientist and explore the Virtual Reality Room.
• Museum of the American Revolution—Travel back to 1776 and witness the founding of the nation.
• Eastern State Penitentiary—Check out the prison that once held the infamous Al Capone.
• Betsy Ross House—Tour this Philadelphia landmark where Betsy sewed the first American flag.
• National Constitution Center—Head to this hands–on history museum dedicated to the four most powerful pages in American history.
• Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University—While their butterfly exhibit is unfortunately down for annual maintenance, their 42–foot–long T–Rex skeleton is a sight to behold in person.
• National Museum of American Jewish History—Take a walk through the history of the American Jewish community with interactive exhibits.
• Independence Seaport Museum—Relax at Penn's Landing and learn about American nautical history.
• Philadelphia Theatre Company—Scope out a production in this state–of–the–art theatre.
• The Fabric Workshop and Museum—Witness the foundations of fashion history.
• Mural Arts Philadelphia—Join the walking tour from Dilworth Park at 1 p.m. to learn more about the art that truly lives in the city.
