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.
