Everything to Do, See, and Eat on the Delaware River Waterfront This Season
From free concerts to outdoor day-drinking to roller-skating and games, here’s what will keep you busy on the Delaware all spring and summer long.
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest on the Delaware River Waterfront / Photograph by Matt Stanley
When we can’t sneak off down the Shore, we grab a little slice of that boardwalk life much closer to home. Each year as the weather gets warmer, Philly flocks to the Delaware River Waterfront to play, eat, and explore — it’s become an all-ages oasis whether you’re looking for a family fun day, a picturesque date, or just day-drinking down by the river.
Things by the river are a bit complicated, due to the I-95 Cap Park construction. But rest assured, Summerfest and Spruce Street Harbor Park are back on May 22nd (just in time for Memorial Day weekend!), with fun events and activations planned all season long. And their cool boho friend Cherry Street Pier continues to hold it down up north, with art, shopping, and some food and drink options of its own.
Here’s everything planned on the Delaware River Waterfront this season.
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
The centerpiece of Penn’s Landing’s “Summerfest,” of course, is its massive outdoor roller-skating rink. You’ll get skate time, tunes, and views of the river all in one afternoon.
Skating admission is $5 (free for Independence Blue Cross cardholders), and skate rental is another $12 (save money by bringing your own). Tickets are available online. In person, you can also rent lockers and kids’ skate aids.
Of course, skating is only part of what’s happening at Summerfest. There’s also a midway with rides: a 60-foot-tall Ferris wheel offering a bird’s-eye view of the river, a bungee “moon bounce,” and a double-decker carousel.
Mini golf at Summerfest / Photograph by Matt Stanley
You’ll also find 18 holes of mini golf, and carnival games to win stuffed animals and random toys. Plus, there’s an indoor arcade with plenty of old-school games (two-player Space Invaders!) and new favorites. Rides and games are pay-as-you go — you’ll find a ticket booth on site for golf and rides.
Carnival games at Blue Cross RiverRink on the Delaware River Waterfront / Photograph by Matt Stanley
If you’re hungry, you can grab carnival-style concessions outside (think funnel cake, fried Oreos, cotton candy, and ice cream). Or head into the Lodge where you’ll find a bar, a taco stand, and a Chickie’s & Pete’s outpost serving their signature Crabfries, plus seafood, cheesesteaks, and wings.
Keep an eye out for rink events like Friday DJ sets and the Summer Sounds Concert Series. Don’t forget to grab a picture on the giant red Visit Philly chair — then head to a smaller rocking chair on the porch to relax.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Waterfront lounging at Spruce Street Harbor Park / Photograph by J. Fusco for Visit Philly
Arguably the waterfront attraction that started the whole area’s renaissance, Spruce Street Harbor Park got an overhaul with new food options and things to do a couple summers ago, and they’re taking full advantage of their upgrades with a full calendar of events.
The Lazy Hammock features a covered bar focusing on local brews, a stage and performance venue, and a 16-foot-high video wall to host watch parties. Expect concerts, including the Live & Local concert series on Thursdays, live jazz on Fridays, and the Summer Sounds series on Saturdays. And for a more relaxing event, they’re offering free tai chi sessions on the double-decker barge Saturdays throughout the summer.
Live music at Spruce Street Harbor Park / Photograph by BeauMonde Originals
While all these events are all-ages, Sunday afternoons are especially kid-friendly, with the return of Sundays with Pop-Up Play. Each week offers a new make-and-take activity, including boat building, puppet making, and catapult building.
A key feature of SSHP? The colorful hammocks. You might have to stake out a spot here on busy weekends, but this is a prime place for lazing about. If you really want to guarantee yourself and your friends a spot, you can reserve one of the park’s hammock lounges in advance. Looking to sip something on the hammocks? Head to the Lazy Hammock bar, offering seasonal cocktails and local beer on a floating barge.
If you’re hungry, there are separate stands offering tacos, burritos, and ice cream — go for a sundae, root beer float, or cone at the “Frozen Delights” stand. The stand also has fun-time snacks like fried Oreos, pretzels, and funnel cakes. And if you don’t feel like walking up to Summerfest, Spruce Street Harbor Park has its own Chickie’s & Pete’s, too. Check out all the menus here.
Finally, SSHP will be home to some bold new art installations and exhibits all summer, an initiative called Where Freedom Flows. First up is the flag installation “Roots of Resilience” at Spruce Street Harbor Park, displaying artists’ flag designs honoring Philadelphia’s immigrant roots.
“Sail Through This to That,” created by poet and artist indira allegra, honors the lives and legacies of two Philadelphia women: Ona Judge, who escaped enslavement by President George Washington in 1796, and Rem’mie Fells, a Black trans woman and fashion designer murdered in 2020. “At the heart of the experience is a vibrant triptych of hand-sewn sails displayed on a docked schooner at Spruce Street Harbor Park. The sails move with the wind and water, creating a living tribute to memory and resilience,” the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation explains. To go along with the exhibit, there will be a series of community events, including an opening celebration and procession on May 28th, a choral performance on June 6th, and poetry on June 12th and 18th.
Opening June 26th, PrismaPhonik by artists William Simard and Anthony Gagnon Boisvert is described as “a magical stroll through music and light.” The artists created a glowing labyrinth of 12 colorful prisms, each representing a different orchestra musician. As you walk through it, each prism will respond, lighting up and playing symphonic music. To create the soundscape, the artists collaborated with local musicians Snacktime and Orchestra 2001.
Paddle Penn’s Landing
New swan boats at Penn’s Landing / Photograph courtesy of Delaware River Waterfront
Get on the water! This year, the waterfront’s fleet got a massive upgrade. First up, they have bigger swan boats fitting up to five people. And they stay up later: They’re now offering Glow Night Rides. But wait, there’s more! New this year, Chiliboats offer an experience that kind of feels like biking across the water.
Chiliboats
Of course, you can also still kayak on the Delaware River, too — that hasn’t changed. Grab your ticket (and a dedicated guide) from Independence Seaport Museum.
Independence Seaport Museum
Climb aboard one of the historic ships docked on the Delaware Waterfront / Photograph by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Philly is the birthplace of the U.S. Navy, so what better place to learn about maritime history?
Be sure to check out boatbuilders at work in the on-site boat shop: The exhibit Pirates & Patriots lets you climb aboard a replica of the Schooner Diligence, an 18th-century ship that would have served in the early United States Navy, built right in that boat shop! (Plus, you get to learn the origin story of the Navy and the “little-known conflict they had with the pirates that plagued them” in the 18th and 19th centuries.)
Then, head outside and grab tickets to tour two meticulously restored historic war vessels: the World War I cruiser Olympia and World War II submarine Becuna.
For adults looking for a unique night out, the museum is planning a pair of evenings aboard the Olympia. The first one will be on June 12th, and the theme “draws inspiration from ‘Crossing the Line’ ceremonies onboard naval vessels to initiate new sailors (or pollywogs)” and hints at a visit from King Neptune. (Is this literal or figurative? Stay tuned!) Then on October 16th, it’s Speakeasy Night, in keeping with the historic warship’s Prohibition-era context. (And, yes, 1920s costumes are encouraged.)
Cherry Street Pier
Cherry Street Pier / Photograph by Maria Young
This one’s open year-round, but there’s even more to do (and eat) in the warmer months. Since 2018, this open-air, mixed-use space — formerly Municipal Pier 9 — has combined workspace and public space in a way that enhances both. Stroll through the pier past two levels of artists’ studios (with windows so you can see them at work), check out the art installations on view, and attend pop-up events.
If you’re looking to pick up some one-of-a-kind finds this summer, check out their artisan markets and El Mercado. And First Fridays bring performances, art activities, and open studio tours, so be sure to check out what they’ve got planned each month.
Start your visit off with a sweet treat from the Irv’s Ice Cream trolley, located right near the entrance. And like the other waterfront locations, there’s a bar with cocktails, plus local beer and wine from Yards, Hale & True, Love City Brewing, and Mural City Cellars.
More Waterfront Bars
Cocktails and waterfront views at Liberty Point / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Aside from the official DWRC spots, there are some other riverside spots where you can grab a drink and some views.
Liberty Point, a massive, three-level restaurant, opened on Independence Seaport Museum’s outdoor decks a few years ago and remains a behemoth. It contains five bars, a stage featuring live entertainment, and even a little rowboat play area for the kids. At the bar? A full menu of beer, cocktails and frozen boozy delights that you can enjoy while taking in panoramic views of the river.
The spring and summertime favorite Morgan’s Pier overlooks the Delaware River with views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the marina below. Multiple outdoor bars serve up beer, specialty cocktails, and slushy drinks. Yet it’s also kid-friendly: On weekend afternoons you’ll typically see multiple strollers and live music. Morgan’s Pier accommodates this audience with a kids’ menu, sippy cups and a changing table. (While Morgan’s Pier’s closing time is 2 a.m., kids have to be out of there by 9 p.m.) They’re also welcoming to dogs, and host monthly Yappy Hours — usually on the first Monday of the month, from 4 to 8 p.m. — with proceeds going to the PSPCA.
Morgan’s Pier serves up waterfront views and beer garden vibes / Photograph courtesy of Morgan’s Pier
And Fringe Bar flows into the outdoor Haas Biergarten, offering views of the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge. They’ve got Pumphouse Pizza on weekends, and a brunch menu that pairs perfectly with the views. And they’re a great alternative to those other waterfront bars that can get a little bro-y at times.
Admission is free for all locations along the waterfront; attractions and food are pay-as-you-go.
