Local attractions open on New Year’s Day

If New Year's Eve partying didn't get the best of you and you're looking for a way to spend the first day of 2015, look no further. Here's where to keep it real come Thursday, Jan. 1.

The Kimmel Center (Broad and Spruce Streets) rings in the New Year with a day full of programming from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Not only will there be DJs and musicians, but a magician, face painting and kids activities. Make your resolution public by signing the resolution wall and sipping on some free hot chocolate.

Over the river at the Garden State Discovery Museum (2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, N.J.), their venue of interactive splendor will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Before it closes on Jan. 11, be sure to check out "A Longwood Christmas" at Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, Pa.) to see the sprawling garden in all its holiday glory. Also occurring throughout the day are open-air theatre fountain shows and the garden railway will be running during garden hours, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Take a dive into the deep sea from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Adventure Aquarium (1 Riverside Dr., Camden, N.J.). Besides the aquarium's exhibits like Hippo Haven and Shark Realm, Scuba Santa will take a dip at 10:45 a.m.

So what if the only exercise you do on New Year's Day is climbing the stairs to the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway)? The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with tours offered throughout the day. Peruse the exhibits on your own if you so desire — there's great work to see like Paul Strand's retrospective and new works from Puerto Rico–based artists Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla.

Another local art establishment open for business is the Barnes Foundation (2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway), where from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors will be able to enjoy the work of William Glackens and more.

Maybe your New Year's Resolution is to brush up on our nation's history. Get started promptly at the Liberty Bell Center (501 Market St.) and Independence Hall (5th and Chestnut Streets): They'll both be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you missed the Countdown to Noon celebration on New Year's Eve, swing by the Please Touch Museum (4231 Avenue of the Republic) for a hands-on day at the museum. Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., see an Alice in Wonderland-themed exhibit, take a trip to the rainforest and more.

Skate through the first of the year at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest (Market St. and Columbus Blvd.) where the ice rink, Lodge restaurant and bar, Distrito Cantina food truck and fireside café will all be open for special holiday hours. The rink itself is open from 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., the Lodge restaurant and Distrito truck will serve up bites from 11 a.m. until midnight, the fireside café will also be open from 11 a.m. until midnight and the bar will be open from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m.

Also operating on a holiday schedule, Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (Broad and Market Streets) will be open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., giving you a full 12 hours to practice that triple axel.

Get into the Mummers spirit with an art activity at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens (1020 South St.). Open from noon until 5 p.m., the mosaiceked space will hold Mummers mask-making activities until 4:30 p.m.