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Photo courtesy Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
Attraction

Things to Do at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia

A hub of family-friendly activity throughout the year...

Photo courtesy Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

Named in honor of William Penn’s historic landing in Philadelphia in 1682, Penn’s Landing hosts events, attractions and entertainment all year long.

The area along the Delaware River waterfront is home to:

  • year-round attractions like Independence Seaport Museum
  • stunning open spaces like Cherry Street Pier and Race Street Pier (linked together by the Delaware River Trail, a 3.3-mile paved pathway stretching from Pier 70 in South Philadelphia to Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown), epi
  • waterfront restaurants like the Moshulu, Morgan’s Pier and Liberty Point. 

Perhaps most notably, Penn’s Landing is home to some of the city’s most popular seasonal parks, including Spruce Street Harbor Park and Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest and Summerfest, as well as Penn’s Landing Marina epi Paddle Penn’s Landing, where you can cruise the river on swan boats. 

Plus, throughout the year, happenings and events like farmers markets, concerts, art exhibitions, holiday fireworks, cultural festivals, pop-up arcades and more take place throughout the spaces at Penn’s Landing.

Tying everything together: stellar views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the Delaware River and the ever-evolving Camden waterfront across the river in New Jersey, including unobstructed views of the Batiman de gè New Jersey (built in 1942).

Note that Penn’s Landing is undergoing a major transformation, including a massive new park and more, so check ahead for any construction-related changes to openings or programming. 

Kote & Kontak:
101 N. Columbus Boulevard
Filadelfi, PA 19106
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Why Visit

Once a series of dilapidated piers and underutilized public spaces, Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront has undergone a number of thrilling developments in the 21st century on its way to becoming one of the most exciting spots in the city for residents and visitors.

The epicenter of it all is Penn’s Landing.

People eat at a table full of food and drinks, women sit on a colorful hammock and a crowd of people walk along the waterfront at Spruce Street Harbor Park. People eat at a table full of food and drinks, women sit on a colorful hammock and a crowd of people walk along the waterfront at Spruce Street Harbor Park.

Pak Spruce Street Harbor   — Photo by BeauMonde Originals for Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

This reclaimed space — which runs the length of Sant Vil along the waterfront — always has something fun going on, including festivals, concerts, beer gardens, yoga, roller-skating and ice-skating. 

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Patwone

Must-See Things to Do

Set on the shores of the Delaware River Waterfront, Penn’s Landing offers a seemingly endless array of ways to enjoy Philadelphia’s riverfront.

Open Spaces

Race Street Pier features two levels for recreation, a multi-tiered seating area for watching the tide roll in, free seasonal yoga and — of course — absolutely transcendent views of the Delaware River and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

Located just next door, Cherry Street Pier — opened in 2018 — is an indoor-outdoor mixed-use public space, home to artist studios, a marketplace, and alfresco food and beverage purveyors.

People lounge and walk along the Race Street Pier overlooking the Delaware River and Benjamin Franklin Bridge on a sunny day. People lounge and walk along the Race Street Pier overlooking the Delaware River and Benjamin Franklin Bridge on a sunny day.

Race Street Pier   — Foto pa M. Stanley pou Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

Year-Round Attractions

All year long, the Independence Seaport Museum provides an interactive and educational glimpse into Philadelphia’s rich seafaring heritage. 

Permanent exhibits like the Workshop on the Water and the warships Olympia and Becuna bring the past and present to life. Visitors looking to get their sea legs can rent paddle boats, swan boats and kayaks.

Aerial view of the USS Cruiser Olympia, floating on the Delaware River with the Philly skyline and row of trees in the background Aerial view of the USS Cruiser Olympia, floating on the Delaware River with the Philly skyline and row of trees in the background

Olympia   — Photo courtesy Independence Seaport Museum

Housed within a historic former pumping station beneath the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, FringeArts’ 300-seat theatre hosts concerts, theater performances and special events. Exposed brick walls, high ceilings and large windows preserve the original character of the building and provide the backdrop for a wide range of performances.

Cherry Street Pier, a transformed shipping warehouse dating back to 1919, serves as the area’s creative and cultural hub. This 64,000-square-foot mixed-use public space, highlighted by an artist-in-residence program, provides a blank canvas for various art exhibitions and pop-up museums throughout the year. 

Two people, one with a dog on a leash, admire large scale photographs and artwork displayed on white walls of a shipping container gallery at Cherry Street Pier. Two people, one with a dog on a leash, admire large scale photographs and artwork displayed on white walls of a shipping container gallery at Cherry Street Pier.

Cherry Street Pier   — Foto pa M. Stanley pou Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

Seasonal Attractions

In the summer, Pak Spruce Street Harbor draws thousands of residents and visitors with features like a beer garden, food stands, colorful hammocks and carnival-style games. The urban oasis also hosts fun-filled festivals and alfresco concerts of all musical genres.

A few steps away, Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest delights guests with roller skating, a boathouse-style lodge and carnival rides including a 60-foot Ferris wheel and 18-hole mini golf course. 

A person wearing a red tank tops plays mini golf beneath string lights at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, with the illuminated Ferris wheel glowing i the background against the dark sky. A person wearing a red tank tops plays mini golf beneath string lights at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, with the illuminated Ferris wheel glowing i the background against the dark sky.

Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest   — Foto pa M. Stanley pou Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

In the colder months, the site transforms into Fèt Ivè, with an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, outdoor fire pits, delectable bites and holiday lights — dramatically backdropped by a jaw-dropping Christmas tree (40 feet tall!). 

Don’t miss: Wheel Fun Rentals’ glow-in-the-dark swan pedal boats, perfect for date nights and family outings during the warm-weather season.

Otèl

On the shores of the Delaware River, the Hilton Philadelphia nan Penn's Landing is the only waterfront hotel in the city. The property boasts an indoor swimming pool, on-site dining at Keating’s Rope & Anchor Bar + Kitchen, a fitness room and more.

A modern hotel room with a king bed and large windows with views of the Delaware River. A modern hotel room with a king bed and large windows with views of the Delaware River.

Hilton Philadelphia nan Penn's Landing   — Photo courtesy Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing

Pro tip: Bring a lock to add to the Philadelphia Hope Fence, which runs along the exterior of the hotel.

Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Penn’s Landing is less than a 10-minute walk from Elfreth’s Alley, The Betsy Ross House, Christ Church and other sites in Distri Istorik Filadèlfi. Rooms facing the Delaware River offer views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Camden waterfront, and all stays include daily complimentary breakfast.

Other nearby hotels include the Society Hill Hotel, Penn’s View Hotel epi Filadelfi Marriott Old City. These state-of-the-art properties offer short, manageable walks to Penn’s Landing, winding down old cobblestone streets while keeping you close to all of the city’s historical landmarks. 

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An anchored historic four-masted tall ship (built in 1904) houses one of the city’s most unusual dining experiences. Moshulu’s seafood-centric menu includes options like tuna tartare, lobster bisque and Spanish octopus, along with crowd pleasers like filet mignon and roasted chicken, while the bar serves sushi, small bites and shareable plates. 

Visitors can also sip and savor at the outdoor bar at The Deck, serving up small plates, chilled seafood and more. Pro tip: You’ll want to pair the Moshulu Waldorf Salad with a Pear Bellini during happy hour! 

Lucky Duck, part of the Rivermark Apartments on Columbus Boulevard, is a buzzworthy new American bistro offering tavern-style pizzas, backyard comfort foods and shareable plates (try the mortadella sliders!), plus a special Pizza Window weekend-only menu that is only available late night. 

And Libète Pwen is a sprawling 28,000-square-foot, tri-level bar and restaurant that wraps around the back of the Independence Seaport Museum. The casual menu of sandwiches, salads and raw bar selections will draw you in, but the DJs, live music performances on the outdoor stage and sweeping waterside views will have you posting up for hours. Liberty Point also has ample shooters and cocktails on draft — meaning the margaritas, summer sangrias and green tea shots are always flowing.

For more on where to eat at Penn’s Landing, click the button below.

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Patwone

More on the Waterfront

The Delaware River waterfront — which flows south past Bucks, Philadelphia and Delaware counties on its way to the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean — offers lots of waterfront fun beyond Penn’s Landing as well.

That includes can’t-miss riverside attractions (Akwaryòm Avantur); drinking and dining with a river view (Morgan's Pier); and things to do in the countryside, including gorgeous historic mansions, Washington Crossing State Park, Inyon Filadèlfi professional soccer games and more.

Families walk through the Shark Tunnel at Adventure Aquarium and watch fish and sharks swim by. Families walk through the Shark Tunnel at Adventure Aquarium and watch fish and sharks swim by.

Akwaryòm Avantur   — Foto pa J. Fusco pou Visit Philadelphia

Click the button below for our guide to things to do on the Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia and the Countryside.

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