Huzzah — this new Bethlehem pub tour lets you party like an American revolutionary.

Why it matters: Philadelphia gets most of the American democracy glory, but this hidden gem of colonial history makes a case for a boozy field trip up north.

The big picture: Bethlehem is adding Ales & Tales, a 90-minute walking pub tour tied to the nation's 250th birthday.

• It starts at the Goundie House Welcome Center and winds to the historic Hotel Bethlehem, with stops at the Lost Tavern, the Sun Inn and the Red Stag Pub.

What to expect: It's not a bar crawl; it's heavier on history and lighter on drinks, Ted Moyer, lead storyteller for Bethlehem Museum and Sites and the tour's architect, tells Axios.

• Yes, but: You won't go thirsty. There are opportunities to sample local spirits, including the cherry bounce — the go-to drink Martha Washington would make for her husband.

The intrigue: The Moravian founders of Bethlehem — pacifists who tried staying neutral in the American Revolution — were "pious" people, but they also liked to party, Moyer says.

• Alcohol was a staple of their culture, carried over from European traditions.

What they're saying: The tour aims to get you inside the minds of the Moravians.

• "Think about the conflicts that these people had to endure," Moyer says. "What it was like to be someone who was a pacifist at a time when people really were up in arms."

Zoom in: One stop on the tour is the historic Sun Inn, which the Moravians opened in 1760.

• At one point, 17 signers of the Declaration of Independence gathered there, Moyer says.

The bottom line: If you're looking for a hip, history-soaked escape from Philly crowds this summer, Bethlehem is worth a day trip.

Share this story

It's time to get the Rocky Steps fountains flowing again, our readers say.

The big picture: 89% of the more than 370 people who responded to our poll say they want to see the cascade fountains restored to their original glory and turned back on.

Catch up quick: The massive fountains spanning several basins that flank the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art were built in the 1920s.

• But they were drained in the 1970s because they became de facto swimming holes, and too many people were getting hurt.
• Maintenance issues in the 1990s permanently knocked them out of commission.

State of play: Mayor Parker's administration shut down rumors that the fountains might be revived, saying they're only for decorative purposes.

What you're saying: Here are some of our favorite responses:

💧 Pro flow:

• We should be able to have nice things and stop letting morons ruin them for the rest of us.
• It should be reactivated, but certain restrictions should be in place.
• A fountain that does not flow doesn't make sense.

🚫 No flow:

• The maintenance costs and the liability are just not worth it.
• Accidents waiting to happen.
• They'd be full of kids, which would look worse than being empty.

💭 Mike's thought bubble: Fountains sitting idle feel forgotten, and the trash and stagnant water don't help. So why not do something with them?

• 💡 For example: Readers suggested putting up an art installation, filling them with planters, or jazzing them up with fun lighting.

🥊 Philly's biggest sports year just got sportier: UFC is hosting a major championship event here this summer — its first in the city in 15 years. UFC 330 will take over Xfinity Mobile Arena on Aug. 15. (More info)

🏳️‍🌈 Philly's Pride Festival is set for June 7 with a new location on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Headliners and more deets will drop in the coming weeks.

• What's new: A $10 entrance fee to access the festival.

⚖️ UPenn is asking a court to pause the enforcement of a judge's ruling requiring the school to hand over lists of people affiliated with Jewish campus groups to the Trump administration.

• The university's lawyers argued that Penn would face "irreparable injury absent a stay." (The DP)

🎤 Bob Dylan is coming to town on July 14. He'll play the Mann Center with Jimmy Vaughn and the Tilt-A-Whirl Band, along with Britney Spencer.

• Presale tickets go on sale today at 10am. General sale: Friday, 10am.

Tax refunds are up this year — but still falling short of expectations for many Americans, despite new tax breaks meant to put more money in taxpayers' pockets.

The big picture: This is the first filing season reflecting changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including new deductions that were expected to boost refunds for millions.

By the numbers: The average check is about $3,462, up 11% from $3,116 last year, according to IRS filing season data through April 3.

• Total refunds have reached roughly $241.7 billion, a 14.5% increase from the same period last year.

Yes, but: Early forecasts — and new tax changes — had pointed to even bigger gains.

• The typical increase is closer to $300, not the $600–$700 many expected.

Go deeper

Win and you're in — but it won't be easy.

Why it matters: After a yearlong hiatus, the Sixers have a shot at a first-round playoff matchup with rival Boston. But first, they have to get past the Magic without star center Joel Embiid in today's play-in tournament.

The big picture: The teams are near mirror images, finishing with identical regular-season records (45-37) and dealing with similar injury misfortune.

• All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey is still managing a lingering finger tendon injury that sidelined him for 10 games.
• Embiid is out as he recovers from an emergency appendectomy.
• Orlando isn't at full strength either: Franz Wagner, who missed dozens of games with a high ankle sprain, was limited in the regular-season finale.

How it works: A loss against the Magic means a do-or-die game against the winner of Charlotte-Miami for the final playoff spot against top-seeded Detroit.

What we're watching