DAILY VACATIONER: Local Destination: Winterfest and Blue Cross RiverRink

Every year the Delaware River Waterfront hosts the Blue Cross RiverRink - a wonderful place to skate with a fantastic view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Delaware River. Last year, following the smashing success of the warm weather pop up Spruce Street Harbor Park, the Waterfront went above and beyond turning a fun Philadelphia tradition into an absolute must for everyone in the Greater Philly area by introducing Winterfest. With a lodge, bonfires, light shows, fantastic food, porches lined with rocking chairs, and the fun arcade, Winterfest can make anyone thrilled that it's winter in Philadelphia (and it's FREE!).

Winterfest is back again this year with some fun additions (including a fantastic menu from The Franklin Fountain and Chickie and Pete's), and Daily Vacationer headed down to experience it all again. The cheerful music had nothing on the mood of the holiday crowds. We could have stayed up on the Chestnut Street overpass and watched for hours just soaking in the festiveness of the whole view. And coming up on New Year's Eve, TWO fireworks shows (one at 6pm and one at midnight) hosted by Sugar Casino are scheduled. Always a fantastic show and a very well organized annual event on what can often be a chaotic night in other places. Even with the end of the holidays, Winterfest promises to be a shining light of pure fun during the dark, cold winter days.

Whether it's cheering someone on in the arcade, chatting around the outdoor fires, sharing blankets on the porches, skating along in the ice rink, or playing Jenga on the couches around the "fireplaces", every spot in Winterfest is the best place to make memories with friends and family. And the food - THE FOOD!! We were already of fan of Garces Group, but a taste of their menu at the Lodge made us love them even more (the fries are a favorite of ours too!). If burgers are not your thing (though with their selection of beef and veggie burgers, we don't know how you couldn't be), the Distrito Cantina Truck has a great menu of tacos, quesadillas, churros, and a fantastic Mexican hot dog. The Fireside Café is also on the premises offering winter favorites like warm drinks, baked goods, soft pretzels, and s'mores kits for the firepits in the winter garden. Enjoy Happy Hour from 5pm to 7pm Monday thru Friday on all seasonal beers. Be sure and check hours before you visit.

Thanks to the fun and excitement of just being at Winterfest this year (did we mention the light shows every half an hour in the evenings?), one doesn't have to even ice skate to have a good time. However, we highly recommend a spin around Blue Cross' RiverRink. It's only $3 for a session on the well taken care of rink and skates can be rented for $10 (sessions do sell out, so purchase tickets in advance). The lockers and benches are located right near the rink entrance making getting around easy. RiverRink is also a great place for beginners to give it a try as the skaters are not as "on display" as other rinks. Winterfest and RiverRink can be rented out for parties, events, and fundraisers with different packages available. They also host a ton of their own events open to the public on most weekends. Groups are also invited to register together to receive a discount.

Just like Spruce Street Harbor Park is during summer, Winterfest is THE PLACE to go during the cold months in Philadelphia this year. Only open until March 1st, don't miss out on your chance to experience what everyone is raving about. The Delaware River Waterfront has given the city a place to stay warm and have fun no matter how cold it gets.

DAILY VACATIONER JR SAYS: WINTERFEST IS A GREAT PLACE TO BRING THE KIDS! THEY WILL LOVE THE COIN OPERATED RIDES AND LIVELY GAMES IN THE ARCADE, MAKING S'MORES BY THE FIRE, AND TAKING A SPIN ON THE RIVERRINK. CHILDREN'S MENU ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE REFRESHMENT LOCATIONS AND KIDS 4 AND UNDER SKATE FOR FREE!