Philadelphia's Waterfront Event Venues
Date
October 3, 2024
Philadelphia is positioned between two waterways – the Delaware River and the Schuylkill River. Both offer plenty of unique waterfront venues to consider for your next event.
Moshulu
Address: 401 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Neighborhood: Old City
Delaware River
Climb aboard the Moshulu, the world’s oldest and tallest square-rigged sailing vessel still afloat and one of Philadelphia’s waterfront venues. The ship is docked along the Delaware River and offers amazing views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Philadelphia skyline. Treat your guests to award-winning cuisine and cocktails on the water.
Photo by A. Guzy for Moshulu.
City Cruises Anchored by Hornblower
Address: 401 S Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Neighborhood: Old City
Delaware River
Host your event on the Delaware River by renting one of two private yachts operated by City Cruises Anchored by Hornblower. The larger vessel, the Spirit of Philadelphia, has three levels of event space with observation decks. The middle-tier Walt Whitman deck is complete with a dance floor and bar. The more intimate vessel, the Freedom Elite, has two levels:, a lounge deck with a bar and a partially open-air observation space.
Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing
Address: 201 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Neighborhood: Old City
Delaware River
The Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing is Philadelphia’s only waterfront hotel. The 350-room hotel features 24,000 square feet of event space, including ballrooms with large windows overlooking the Delaware River. Additionally, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Keating’s Rope & Anchor, features an exterior patio space that can be rented for private events.
The Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing sits on the Delaware River in Philadelphia with breathtaking views of the city skyline and steps from riverside outdoor activities. Photo courtesy of Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing.
Independence Seaport Museum
Address: 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Neighborhood: Old City
Delaware River
Philadelphia’s maritime museum, the Independence Seaport Museum, has a collection of waterfront venue options. The museum offers two floors of rentable, spacious galleries and a theater with over 400 seats. There is also the Riverview Lookout and a large ballroom on the fourth floor, both providing incredible views of the Delaware River. One of the museum’s most unique (and most historic) venue options is the Cruiser Olympia. The ship is the oldest steel warship still afloat and is available to rent for private events.
Host an event on the deck of the oldest steel warship afloat in the world, the Cruiser Olympia. Photo courtesy of Independence Seaport Museum.
Cherry Street Pier
Address: 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Neighborhood: Old City
Delaware River
Once a municipal pier, Cherry Street Pier is now a rentable mixed-used public space. The pier hosts pop-up markets and art exhibitions, in addition to its collection of artist studios. For events, the pier features two spaces: the 2,000-square-foot covered Garage and the 640-square-foot Terrace. The space also presents stunning views of the Delaware River and Benjamin Franklin Bridge in an industrial, open-air setting.
Cherry Street Pier’s open-air Garden space connects guests directly with the waterfront, offering picturesque views of the river and nearby Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Photo by K. Kelly.
Morgan’s Pier
Address: 221 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Neighborhood: Old City
Delaware River
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge soars overhead at Morgan’s Pier, which has several distinct dockside event spaces available for rent. Guests can enjoy plenty of patio seating in The Garden, the pier’s main open-air area, which is ideal for large networking events and receptions. For a more intimate experience, the Crow’s Nest fittingly sits above the pier, accessed via a private spiral staircase. The Craft Bar is a large private bar, with traditional high-top seating for cocktail sipping guests. For additional space, the Lounge Bar is situated between the water and the DJ booth. Renters have the option to combine or use multiple spaces for larger groups.
Morgan’s Pier. Photo courtesy of Morgan’s Pier, FCM Hospitality.
Battleship New Jersey
Address: 100 Clinton Street
City: Camden, NJ
Delaware River
Just a short drive from Center City is the Battleship New Jersey, docked along the New Jersey side of the Delaware River. It’s the U.S. Navy’s most decorated battleship and one of the largest ever built. The battleship can accommodate events in a variety of sizes and formats in one (or all) of its 11 event spaces. Both the Main Deck Portside and Forecastle present stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline from the other side of the river. The Forecastle features 16-inch gun turrets and the ship’s superstructure as the backdrop.
Adventure Aquarium
Address: 1 Riverside Drive
City: Camden, NJ
Delaware River
Home to the East Coast’s largest collection of sharks, Adventure Aquarium is a quick drive over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The spacious Currents ballroom offers views of its 550,000-gallon Shark Realm and the Philadelphia skyline. Consider the Ocean Realm Gallery for smaller gatherings, which presents similarly striking skyline views. Colorful fish, sea turtles, shark rays, and other sea creatures will surround your event.
Photo courtesy of Adventure Aquarium.
Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Address: 1 Harbour Blvd
Neighborhood: Camden, NJ
Delaware River
Across the river in Camden is the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion amphitheater. Set amidst a captivating outdoor landscape with breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline, this venue promises an unforgettable experience. The pavilion’s team offers state-of-the-art lighting, sound equipment, and the option for custom menus and mixology. Accommodating up to 25,000 guests, the outdoor 17,000-square-foot venue guarantees an impressive event.
Fringe Bar
Address: 140 North Christopher Columbus Blvd
Neighborhood: Old City
Delaware River
Located inside a historic riverfront pumping station, Fringe Bar is an experimental and inviting venue within FringeArts. The newly renovated bar and restaurant provide a highly versatile venue for unforgettable experiences year-round. Dining experiences are further accentuated by the soaring views of the Delaware River and Benjamin Franklin Bridge in the industrial-chic space directly adjacent to FringeArts’ 220 seat theater. Located outdoors, Haas Biergarten is a vibrant, beer garden available for rent in the warmer months.
Fairmount Water Works
Address: 640 Waterworks Drive
Neighborhood: Fairmount
Schuylkill River
Constructed in the 1800s, the Fairmount Water Works was the first water supply in the nation to use paddle wheels to pump water. Now, the National Historic Landmark is a stunning venue that offers views of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Boathouse Row. The venue features two elegant outdoor spaces — the Grand Pavilion and Mill House — in addition to the indoor Engine House.
Photo by S. Spitzer for PHLCVB.
Bartram’s Garden
Address: 2901 S 56th Street
Neighborhood: Southwest Philadelphia
Schuylkill River
Bartram’s Garden is the nation’s oldest surviving botanical garden and one of many Philadelphia waterfront venues. The National Historic Landmark serves as a unique outdoor setting for events. The venue can accommodate up to 350 guests, with a pavilion space with modern amenities overlooking the river.
Vesper Boat Club
Address: 10 Boathouse Row
Neighborhood: Fairmount
Schuylkill River
Housed on iconic Boathouse Row, Vesper Boat Club offers breathtaking views of the Schuylkill River and Philadelphia skyline. Established in 1865, it swiftly gained renown as a premier rowing club and since has been one of America’s storied boathouses. The clubhouse recently completed a thorough renovation, restoring much of the house to its original splendor. Inside, Vesper Boat Club can hold up to 150 guests for a cocktail reception and up to 100 for sit-down events.
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