Sustainable Experiences in Philadelphia

Sustainable Experiences in Philadelphia

Reduce your impact on the environment with sustainable activities perfect for adding onto any Philadelphia itinerary.

Philadelphia’s dedication to sustainability serves as a driving force in shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for residents and visitors of Philadelphia alike.

Get around emission-free

Philadelphia is consistently honored as the most walkable city in the United States. Visitors don’t need to rent a car or take an Uber to get around. Most of the city’s renowned hotels are in the Center City neighborhood, and steps away from block-to-block experiences from fine dining to historical attractions to art museums.

Rent a bike from one of more than 200 Indego bike share stations around the city. Pedal through neighborhoods or along the Schuylkill River Trail, stopping for plenty of open-air photo ops along the way. Other transportation options include SEPTA, Philadelphia’s public transit system operating buses, subways, and trains.

Eat eco-friendly

Start your day with a cup of coffee from La Colombe’s flagship Fishtown café. The Philadelphia-founded and community-focused coffee company has a strong emphasis on environmentally friendly practices, including direct sourcing and sustainable packaging.

Many local restaurants, such as Talula’s Garden near Washington Square, prioritize farm-to-table menus. They responsibly source from regional farms and purveyors to deliver unforgettable, only-in-Philadelphia meals. Restaurateur Ellen Yin was an early adopter of local and responsible sourcing for her restaurants, which include Fork and High Street Philly. Yin also utilizes a bio-digester that transforms food scraps into potable water.

Those who prefer a vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based menu will find no shortage of options around Philadelphia, including HipCityVeg, Bar Bombón and Charlie Was a Sinner. Other plant-based options include vegan breakfast staples served at the intimate South Philadelphia diner, Tasty. Or falafel sandwiches, salads, and tahini shakes at Goldie. At the classic monster movie-themed restaurant, Monster Vegan, diners are delighted by scary good vegan cheesesteaks. For dessert, order 100% dairy-free soft serve from Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, located along 13th Street in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood.

For sustainable libations, enjoy craft beer from Pennsylvania’s first Certified B Corporation brewery, Triple Bottom Brewing Company. The brewery is powered by renewable energy and is a fair chance employer, providing job opportunities to those who have overcome incarceration or homelessness. Triple Bottom also sends spent grain from their brews to local composters and cows.

For more craft beer with a sustainable spin, visit Yards Brewing Company. Philadelphia’s original craft brewery was also the first brewery in Pennsylvania to be 100% wind-powered. Yards has also implemented solar panels on the roof of their 70,000-square-foot brewery and taproom.

Sustainable experiences

The preservation of natural resources is a priority in Philadelphia, which is home to over 10,000 acres of parks, squares, and recreation sites. The city’s urban park system is one of the world’s largest. Fairmount Park, which lines the banks of the Schuylkill River, has 2000+ acres of land for biking, walking, and hiking trails and dozens of picnic-perfect lawns.

Continue to northwest Philadelphia to navigate over 50 miles (80 km) of rustic trails by foot or by bike in the 1,800-acre Wissahickon Valley Park. Refuel at the historic Valley Green Inn, whose seasonal menu can be enjoyed within the heart of the park along Wissahickon Creek.

Or head south to FDR Park, an expansive 348-acre green space that offers a tranquil setting for bird-watching, fishing, and picnicking. This serene park also features ponds, lagoons, and streams that are part of a complex estuary system.

Catch a Philadelphia Sixers or Flyers game or see a concert at the Wells Fargo Center, named Green Sports Alliance’s first-ever “Net Zero Energy Champion.” The building is recognized for its sustainability efforts, including using renewable energy to power 100% of the facility’s electricity usage. Across the street, Lincoln Financial Field, where the Philadelphia Eagles play, currently operates at 100% clean energy and is Gold LEED certified.

Stay sustainably

Philadelphia is home to many hotels leading the way in sustainability with their innovative green initiatives. The Four Seasons at Comcast Center boasts a LEED Platinum certification. The hotel takes significant steps in waste reduction by recycling oyster shells and eliminating single-use plastic food containers. Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is another certified LEED Gold hotel. They are equipped with low-flow water systems, in-room recycling, and energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the property.

The Element emphasizes sustainability with 100% recycled carpeting, low-VOC paints, oversized windows for natural lighting, and a comprehensive property-wide recycling program. These hotels are among the many that prioritize eco-friendly practices, making Philadelphia a top destination for environmentally-conscious travelers.

An Element Suite.

Discover more things to do and add unique experiences to your Philadelphia adventure on our itineraries page.