Philadelphia's Seasonal Parks and Beer Gardens

Play Video Spruce Street Harbor Park Photo courtesy of Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

Date January 10, 2024

Philadelphia's Seasonal Parks and Beer Gardens

Two young women are shown smiling and holding drinks in their hands while sitting in orange Adirondack chairs on a boardwalk overlooking water. The water below them is lit up by colorful lights. Across the water, there is another area where multiple people are shown in front of a bright yellow and blue hut that has a sign that reads Philly Tacos.

Green spaces come alive in the spring and summer with Philadelphia beer gardens and seasonal parks.

If you’re visiting Philadelphia this spring or summer, consider a stop at one of these spots to kick back and relax outside

Spruce Street Harbor Park

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 301 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
Dates: Annually starts in May

Spruce Street Harbor Park is a one-of-a-kind urban oasis located on Penn’s Landing along the Delaware River waterfront. This family-friendly park has over 50 colorful hammocks hung throughout, providing plenty of shaded areas to relax. Games like shuffleboard, beanbag toss, and life-sized chess line the boardwalk, as do several food and drink vendors. For beer or cocktails, check out the floating beer garden, where you can cool off with a beverage while suspended over the river on strong net lounges.

The park has a magical vibe in the evening thanks to hundreds of multicolor LED lights. Three riverside lounges — complete with their own set of hammocks — and the Barge Oasis are available to rent for groups.

It's nighttime. There are colorful lights illuminating trees. People are shown standing and sitting at tables enjoying food and drinks by the water. Large letters SSHP are shown across the water for Spruce Street Harbor Park.

Floating barges at Spruce Street Harbor Park. Photo by M. Stanley.

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 101 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
Dates: May 12, 2023 – September 24, 2023

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest is located just north of Spruce Street Harbor Park along the Delaware River waterfront. In addition to a roller-skating rink, the park offers games, amusement rides, and mini-golf. The Lodge offers ample indoor dining space and is home to several local food vendors. They also serve local craft beer and cocktails.

It is nighttime. A large Ferris Wheel is lit up in bright lights off to the left. People are shown roller skating to the right. some people are shown leaning over the perimeter of the rink, watching as people skate by them.

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest. Photo by M. Stanley.

The Garden at Cherry Street Pier

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd
Opening Date: Year-round

The seasonal experiences along the Delaware River continue at Cherry Street Pier. This former municipal pier has been transformed into a year-round riverside destination. The Garden is a pop-up dining room overlooking the river with breathtaking views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The menu features snacks and casual bites, with cocktails, draft beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

It is nighttime. The sky above is a dark blue. There are lights strung overhead, hanging from the roof of the pier. There are green plants spread throughout the space. Tables and chairs are stationed throughout. A few people are shown off in the back left, sitting around a table.

The Garden at Cherry Street Pier. Photo courtesy of Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

Rodin Garden Bar

Neighborhood: Fairmount
Address: 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Dates: Annually starts in May

Enjoy refreshing cocktails and small plates at the seasonal pop-up Garden Bar at the Rodin Museum. The museum houses one of the largest collections of sculptor Auguste Rodin’s works outside of Paris. Admission to the Garden Bar is free, while admission to the Rodin Museum is pay-what-you-wish.

Love City Gardens

Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 1023 Hamilton St
Opening Date: Seasonal

Love City Brewing Company welcomes guests to kick back and relax just steps from its taproom in the garden oasis, Love City Gardens. Tucked underneath the elevated rail line, this outdoor patio is covered by a pergola. Repurposed shipping containers offer shaded outdoor seating. The beer garden has craft beer, inventive cocktails, and a sophisticated wine selection. The space is also available to rent for private events.

Walnut Garden

Neighborhood: Rittenhouse
Address: 1708 Walnut St
Opening Date: April 4, 2024

Grab a drink at Walnut Garden and relax in its urban garden. You’ll find rows of picnic tables and a canopy tent providing shade. In addition to beer and cocktails, the restaurant serves Asian street food, as well as soft serve ice cream. Once a vacant lot, the family-friendly park is now full of colorful plants, trees, and flowers. You’ll also find a children’s play area where young visitors can pass the time.

An outdoor beer garden is set up with picnic tables surrounded by lush green plants. There are people shown sitting at the picnic tables. Some are eating, others are drinking. There are lights strung overhead, across the picnic table area.

Walnut Garden. Photo courtesy of FCM Hospitality.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Pop-Up Gardens

PHS Pop-Up Garden at South Street
Address: 1438 South Street
Opening Date: April 2024

PHS Pop-Up Garden at Manayunk
Address: 106 Jamestown Ave
Opening Date: April 2024

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s two Pop-Up Gardens transform vacant lots into lush outdoor spaces. At both gardens, expect botanical-themed cocktails and a rotating selection of food from local restaurants.

The PHS Pop-Up Garden at South Street features a beautiful pergola, with food and drink vendors and plenty of seating throughout. Their Manayunk location fills a spacious parcel of land with over 2,200 varieties of plants and trees. The Garden is home to a decades-old olive tree that was once featured in the Philadelphia Flower Show. This working garden is filled with vegetables, herbs, and an ample amount of outdoor seating.

An outdoor patio space is covered with an awning. Lights hang from its roof. Planters are also shown hanging from the awning. People are shown sitting down at tables.

PHS Pop-Up Garden Manayunk. Photo by R. Wisniewski, courtesy of PHS.

Sunset Social at Cira Green

Neighborhood: West Philadelphia
Address: 129 S 30^th St
Opening Date: April 15, 2024

Snack on summer favorites and sip on frozen beverages from Sunset Social, a seasonal restaurant found atop Cira Green. This 1.5-acre rooftop park offers unbeatable views of the Center City skyline and plenty of picnic-perfect lawns in University City. Enjoy a burger and a cocktail while admiring the panoramic views offered by this unique rooftop space.

An outdoor park is shown with benches and picnic tables set is to the left with orange drapes overhead covering them from the sun. To the right, there are hammocks lined up. People are shown sitting at the tables and lounging in the hammocks. Some are holding drinks in their hands. Skyscrapers are shown off in the distance to the left.

Parks on Tap. Photo by A. Yee.

The Lawn Beer Garden at City Square

Neighborhood: West Philadelphia
Address: 3675 Market St
Dates: Year-round

The Lawn at uCity Square is a playful pop-up space where visitors can enjoyindulge in its inviting beer garden, food trucks, and festivities. Throughout the week, The Lawn offers a variety of free events including live music, movies, fitness classes, craft fairs, and more. On the weekend, The Lawn opens its beer garden, serving Philadelphia favorites.

Parks on Tap

Neighborhood: Varies weekly
Address: Varies weekly
Dates: April 17 – September 29, 2024

Parks on Tap is Philadelphia’s popular traveling beer garden, which occupies different park spaces throughout the city. In addition to craft beers and wine, this family-friendly beer garden features snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Plus, they offer comfy chairs, hammocks, and games like Jenga and corn hole.

Sit back and relax while enjoying the natural beauty of the over 10,000+ acres of green space found throughout Philadelphia. A portion of the proceeds from Parks on Tap benefits the city’s parks.

Looking for more outdoor activities in the city? Check out these five ways to enjoy the outdoors in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia's Seasonal Parks and Beer Gardens