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5 Fun Ways to Avoid Tourists in Philly on Thanksgiving Weekend

So you stuck around these parts for Thanksgiving weekend, eh? Lucky you—although that probably means you've been assigned the daunting task of taking your out-of-town relatives on a tour of Philly. You already know the givens: Holiday festivals like the Christmas Village in LOVE Park, or ice skating at Dilworth Park's Rothman Ice Rink. But, frantic friends, there are other less-crowded spots in Philly, too. We rounded up five non-touristy spots in and around the city to take your family and friends after Thanksgiving (assuming you're still on speaking terms with them at that point). Got more ideas? Leave your suggestions in the comment section—we'd love to hear them.

Catch a Free Concert at World Cafe Live
Every Friday WXPN hosts a Free At Noon concert at World Cafe Live in University City. This week local folk band Hezekiah Jones takes the stage. RSVP here. For more places to see live music in Philly, consult our map.

Hit the Ice
Sure, you could head to Dilworth Park, but for smaller crowds you can check out any of the other indoor rinks in Philly (for free!). Check out our map of ice rinks here.

Take a Hike
Make it your mission to walk off all those calories consumed at Thanksgiving and take your family on a nearby hike. The nearby John Heinz National Refuge opens up again on Friday, and there's always good ol' Wissahickon. You can find more family-friendly trails here.

Enjoy the Views at Cira Green
One Liberty Observation Deck celebrates its opening this weekend. But if 56 stories sounds too high, then head over to Cira Green's rooftop park, which sits at the top of a 10-story parking garage in University City. You'll still manage some impressive views of the city—and it's free.

A photo posted by Eater Philly (@eater_philly) on

Drink and Eat Yourself Silly
Who says you can't indulge yourself all Thanksgiving weekend? Our friends at Eater Philly have a delicious map of the hottest restaurants in the city you can check out. Chances are you'll actually be able to snag a table while other folks are out of town.