A couple summers back, the city of Philadelphia gave a great gift to its citizens in the form of Spruce Street Harbor Park. This summer the pop up park has returned in spades, and keeps expanding on almost all its attractions.
Situated on a grassy area along the Delaware River and surrounded by historic ships, Spruce Street Harbor Park is an ideal place for anyone to relax, get some food, and enjoy a magical summer getaway.
A makeshift boardwalk is lined with shipping containers full of carnival games and arcades. Life sized chess boards and Jenga towers provide additional free entertainment and anchor the tree filled park. Hanging from the trees, the park is overflowing with hammocks and color changing lights.
Food trucks, Italian ice, and beer stands also abound in the park, but the Iron Chef run restaurant and bar is a particularly neat summer venue. The restaurant hosts a floating lounge area decorated with fun rainbow illuminated lilypads.
The outer sea wall holds a spot to rent swan boats and kayaks to paddle about the marina. Free games such as Bocce, ping pong, tether ball, and shuffleboard are also available.
Arriving a little before sunset provides a perfect opportunity to avoid most of the crowds and allows me to enjoy the dusk colors and the lighting of the tree lights. Every second Saturday (until September) the park plays a classic TV show followed by a movie. Philadelphia's ode to summer takes place at the Spruce Street Harbor Park.
Find your way with 157 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
When you see it for the first time you are struck by its size.
by
"Contrafuerte" in Philadelphia is Miguel Antonio Horn's latest sculpture which comprises of eight entangled nude bodies holding a small concrete bridge...
by
Beer lovers have lots to celebrate in Philadelphia! Enter "ARS Brewery", a South Philly Garage Brewery (complete in an old garage and visible distillery).
by
These old farm ruins outside Northern Philadelphia are covered in graffiti and belong to a now-abandoned prison...
by
"Two Persons Coffee" in Philadelphia is in a building that used to be a public vocational school, and its furniture was salvaged to complement the cafe...
by
My favorite building in Philadelphia is the Merchant Exchange, conveniently located across the street from my favorite movie theater...
by
"Sally" in Philadelphia is a casual and friendly restaurant that's also been named the Best New Restaurant of 2021...
by
"Chris Jazz Cafe" in Philadelphia has been keeping the jazz flames alive in Center City for over 30 years. A night here is an absolute event...
by
"Herman’s Coffee" is in a former auto repair and car wash garage in Philadelphia. It's much more than just a coffee shop with espresso & yummy pastries...
by
The "Rosenbach Museum" in Philadelphia will almost make you expect the residents to saunter out in Victorian garb! A must for literature lovers...
by
"St. Marks Episcopal Church" in Philadelphia is just beautiful. Even though I'm not religious, I have enjoyed many free classical music concerts here...
by
When I tasted one of "Function Coffee Labs" buttery flaky sourdough-based croissants in Philadelphia, I knew I'd found pastry bliss...
by
157 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 157 Insider Tips