The Top 10 Philadelphia Summer Activities
Don't listen to anyone who says you need to leave Philadelphia to enjoy the warm weather. Whether you want to cool off, get active or enjoy an evening watching a movie under the night sky, Philadelphia has plenty of summertime activities.
If beer is, as they say, proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy, then the several public swimming pools in Philadelphia are proof that the city loves us and wants us to enjoy summer. Between public pools, swim clubs and more, you can find somewhere to go swimming in Philadelphia city limits.More »
As opposed to the French style of ice cream that uses an egg custard base, Philadelphia-style ice cream is egg-free – and delicious. Discover where to find it or how to make it yourself.More »
Several parks throughout the city offer free movies and music. Liberty Lands has films on Tuesday nights, the Schuylkill Banks offers movies on Thursdays and Penn Treaty Park has a summer concert series.
Whether you're looking to explore the city or do some mountain biking, Philadelphia's bike paths are perfect for summertime rides. Don't have a bike? Check out this list of bike shops, listed by neighborhood.
At a street-side table or on a rooftop deck, there's not much better than enjoying food and drink outside on a warm Philadelphia summer evening.More »
With tickets starting at $17, it's easy to head down to Citizens Bank Park to cheer on the Phils.More »
Yes, the Philadelphia Zoo is open year-round, but it's best when the weather is warm. Look at the animals, enjoy rides like the Swan Boats and check out special summer events like kid-friendly concerts or more adult fare like the annual Summer Ale Festival.
Speaking of summer ale...Greater Philadelphia is filled with award-winning breweries, many of which make excellent, refreshing summertime beers. Check out spicy Monkey Knife Fight at Nodding Head in Center City, try the Farmhouse Summer Ale from Cherry Hill's Flying Fish or the saison from Yards.
Opportunities for picnics, hiking, biking, disc golf, rowing, golf and even horseback riding are available in Philadelphia's massive Fairmount Park System.
Don't worry if you don't have a grill (or even a backyard); parks like Liberty Lands and FDR are great places to barbecue. And if you need something to grill, just check out one of Philadelphia's many farmers markets.
If summer came to Philadelphia and you didn't visit the shore at least once, did the season really happen? While I firmly maintain that you don't need to leave city limits to enjoy the summer, going to the Jersey shore is pretty darn nice.
1. Go for a Swim
If beer is, as they say, proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy, then the several public swimming pools in Philadelphia are proof that the city loves us and wants us to enjoy summer. Between public pools, swim clubs and more, you can find somewhere to go swimming in Philadelphia city limits.More »
2. Eat Some Philadelphia-Style Ice Cream
As opposed to the French style of ice cream that uses an egg custard base, Philadelphia-style ice cream is egg-free – and delicious. Discover where to find it or how to make it yourself.More »
3. Catch a Free Outdoor Movie or Concert
Several parks throughout the city offer free movies and music. Liberty Lands has films on Tuesday nights, the Schuylkill Banks offers movies on Thursdays and Penn Treaty Park has a summer concert series.
4. Take a Bike Ride
Whether you're looking to explore the city or do some mountain biking, Philadelphia's bike paths are perfect for summertime rides. Don't have a bike? Check out this list of bike shops, listed by neighborhood.
5. Drink & Dine Outside
At a street-side table or on a rooftop deck, there's not much better than enjoying food and drink outside on a warm Philadelphia summer evening.More »
6. See a Phillies Game
With tickets starting at $17, it's easy to head down to Citizens Bank Park to cheer on the Phils.More »
7. Go to the Zoo
Yes, the Philadelphia Zoo is open year-round, but it's best when the weather is warm. Look at the animals, enjoy rides like the Swan Boats and check out special summer events like kid-friendly concerts or more adult fare like the annual Summer Ale Festival.
8. Enjoy a Summer Beer
Speaking of summer ale...Greater Philadelphia is filled with award-winning breweries, many of which make excellent, refreshing summertime beers. Check out spicy Monkey Knife Fight at Nodding Head in Center City, try the Farmhouse Summer Ale from Cherry Hill's Flying Fish or the saison from Yards.
9. Explore the Fairmount Park System
Opportunities for picnics, hiking, biking, disc golf, rowing, golf and even horseback riding are available in Philadelphia's massive Fairmount Park System.
10. Have a Barbecue
Don't worry if you don't have a grill (or even a backyard); parks like Liberty Lands and FDR are great places to barbecue. And if you need something to grill, just check out one of Philadelphia's many farmers markets.
11. Bonus: Head to the Shore
If summer came to Philadelphia and you didn't visit the shore at least once, did the season really happen? While I firmly maintain that you don't need to leave city limits to enjoy the summer, going to the Jersey shore is pretty darn nice.