Spruce Street Harbor Park

Why Visit

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.

Dozens of colorful hammocks offer shady spots to kick back and relax.

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-serve, 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 (update for 2022) strung through trees, creating a brilliant evening spectacle. Each year, enhancements make the park-going experience even better than its previous iteration, with new ways to enjoy the warm weather against the backdrop of the Delaware River Waterfront.

Lauded as one of the best urban beaches in America, Spruce Street Harbor Park has served as a Philadelphia waterfront oasis since the summer of 2014. — Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

Food & Drink

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 and a piña colada served in a coconut (!), Chickie’s and Pete’s Crabfries®, cheesesteaks and more.

The free seasonal park at Penn’s Landing serves as a warm-weather must-do in Philadelphia. — Photo courtesy Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

For dessert, French Toast Bites are back with their signature bites, 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.

Events & 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 art markets, Taco Tuesdays and live music.

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation can provide even more information on Spruce Street Harbor Park and its schedule.

The beloved pop-up park hosts special events throughout the season, including weekend art markets, Taco Tuesdays and live music. — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Getting There

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.

Guests on the floating barge can even hang out on hammocks suspended above the Delaware River. — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

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.

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