Spruce Street Harbor Park

Spruce Street Harbor Park is the seasonal pop-up that transformed Philadelphia's relationship with its waterfront. Open from May through September on the Delaware River at Penn's Landing, it's a free park filled with hammocks, colorful LED string lights, floating barges, food vendors, and the kind of relaxed waterfront atmosphere that makes you forget you're in a major city.

The park's design is its magic. Hundreds of LED lights strung between trees and posts create a glowing canopy that intensifies as the sun sets. Dozens of hammocks hang throughout the space — the most coveted seating in the city on a summer evening. Floating barges on the river provide additional lounging areas that bob gently on the water.

For families, it works as a summer evening destination. Come after dinner, grab an ice cream from one of the vendors, claim a hammock, and let the kids explore the waterfront while the lights come on. The park isn't designed specifically for children (no playground equipment), but the hammocks, the water, the lights, and the open space give kids plenty to enjoy.

The broader Penn's Landing waterfront has expanded in recent years. Cherry Street Pier (5 minutes south) is a year-round market with food, art, and events. The Race Street Pier (5 minutes north) is a beautifully designed observation deck over the river.

The Ben Franklin Bridge pedestrian walkway connects Philadelphia to Camden, NJ and offers spectacular views. Spruce Street Harbor Park is the anchor of a waterfront that's becoming one of the best urban riverfronts in the country.