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Spruce Street Harbor Park
Spruce Street Harbor Park — immediately lauded as one of the best urban beaches in America — has served as a Delaware River Waterfront oasis since the summer of 2014.
The beloved seasonal park offers visitors the chance to lounge on colorful hammocks, enjoy Philly-inspired eats on floating barges, cool off with craft brews in the beer garden and play arcade games along its waterfront boardwalk.
The seasonal waterfront park is free and open to the public from May 12 through September 24, 2023. Concessions and activities are pay-as-you-go.
Developed by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, the free seasonal park at Penn’s Landing serves as a warm-weather must-do in Philadelphia thanks to its floating restaurant, beer garden, hammocks, boardwalk, colorful LED lights and entertainment schedule.
The park is known for its dozens of colorful hammocks, now a sure sign of the lazy days of summer in Philly. The shady spots are free to all, first-come, first-served, but if you’re looking to relax with a crowd, groups of up to 10 can book a private, riverside hammock lounge with guaranteed seating online.
Day or night, Spruce Street Harbor Park offers excellent options for outdoor recreation. While kicking back in a hammock or lounging by the water are reasons enough to visit, the park also has plenty of seating and lawn games, as well as boat rentals — think kayaks and swan boats — available through the Independence Seaport Museum just next door.
Once the sun sets, the park lights up with hundreds of multi-colored LEDs strung through trees, creating a brilliant evening spectacle.
— Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
Food and drink options abound at Spruce Street Harbor Park, and they’re largely served from cool converted shipping containers that line the boardwalk.
Some of the city’s most celebrated chefs and restaurants have set up outposts at this warm-weather attraction, making the dining options quintessentially Philly. Items include classic Boardwalk-inspired fare like burgers and funnel cake, as well as locally hatched goods like Philly Taco burritos, Chickie’s and Pete’s Crabfries®, cheesesteaks and more.
For dessert, French Toast Bites are back with their signature snacks, and Frozen Delights brings … well, frozen delights and carnival-style fried Tastykakes (yep, fried Tastykakes).
The park’s beer garden is open on weekends, serving a rotating selection of beers, while the Barge Bar Oasis is open every day and offers beer, wine, frozen cocktails and more.
Not only is Spruce Street Harbor Park home to food, drinks, games and open space for lounging, but it also hosts special events throughout the season, including weekend makers markets, outdoor dance parties and family fun days.
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation can provide even more information on Spruce Street Harbor Park and its schedule.
— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
All of the Delaware River Waterfront and Penn’s Landing is accessible via public transportation, by bike (try Indego!) and by foot.
If you’re walking, head to Columbus Boulevard at Spruce Street (just past the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial), and you’ve arrived.
By SEPTA, take the Market-Frankford Line to 2nd Street or hop on one of the numerous SEPTA buses that stop at or near Penn’s Landing.
By car, look for parking lots located at Lombard Circle, Walnut and Market Streets at Columbus Boulevard.
For more information on Spruce Street Harbor Park, click the button below.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.
Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.
Which will you choose?
Seafaring vessels, bustling markets, waterfront dining and more await...