Top Spring Activities in Philadelphia
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Cherry Blossoms, Kelly Drive. Photo by R. Rabena for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Date
November 5, 2024
Spring is making its presence felt around region. With trees and flowers in full bloom and warmer weather on the horizon, there plenty of spring activities in Philadelphia. Here are a few ways you can make the most of the season, including new exhibits, events, and plenty of things to do outdoors.
Parks & Gardens
When the seasons change, Philadelphia becomes a walkable garden of freshly bloomed beauty. By early April, cherry blossoms will reach peak bloom, joining beautiful magnolia blooms and other spring flowers.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. Photo by Sean Marshall Lin.
Some of the best locations to admire these seasonal blossoms include the Delaware River Waterfront, Fairmount Park Horticulture Center and the neighboring Shofuso Japanese House and Garden — operated by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia.
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Enjoy the blooms and warm weather by getting fresh air in Philadelphia’s expansive park system. Run, bike, or walk the trails in the 2,000+ acre Fairmount Park. Admire the historic homes and other landmarks on your journey. Navigate Forbidden Drive in the 1,800+ acre Wissahickon Valley Park, tucked in the northwestern corner of the city.
It’s to no surprise that spring blooms and outdoor experiences extend beyond Philadelphia’s city limits. The neighboring counties and gardens of the Countryside, make it “America’s Garden Capital.”
In Kennett Square, find ample spring hues covering the grounds of Longwood Gardens. They welcome the season with garden-wide Spring Blooms displays, featuring flowering trees, blooming bulbs, and other charming scenes throughout the over the 1,000-acre property.
Longwood Gardens. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB.
At Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum in nearby Bucks County visitors can explore the beautiful grounds of the 65-acre estate. The picturesque site rests along the Delaware River and features 18th-century gardens, over 800 trees, and the 19th-century Greek Revival home of the Biddle family. Spend time outdoors and admire over 8,000 tulips and some of the largest trees in the region on the lush grounds of the 92-acre Morris Arboretum.
Delaware River Waterfront Activities
Philadelphia’s popular Delaware River waterfront destinations allow visitors to enjoy the refreshing breeze — or a local brew — on a sunny day.
Race Street Pier. Photo by M. Stanley for Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.
Seasonal Spruce Street Harbor Park features mouthwatering food trucks and local cold beer. Perfect for lounging in a hammock beneath a canopy of multi-colored lights next to a floating barge oasis. Head to Race Street Pier to relax on benches or on the lower lawn as the Benjamin Franklin Bridge soars overhead. Then, make your way to neighboring Cherry Street Pier where more impressive views and equally amazing art from local artists await.
Cherry Street Pier also regularly hosts pop-up markets, food fairs, and art exhibitions. Be sure to check their event calendar before visiting. Check out The Garden Restaurant at Cherry Street Pier for quick bites, beer, wine, and cocktails.
The Independence Seaport Museum invites visitors to learn more about the Delaware River watershed and Philadelphia’s maritime history. Tour the museum or board the historic Cruiser Olympia docked nearby.
Head to Liberty Point, Philadelphia’s largest restaurant in modern history, to enjoy more bites and brews. The 28,000 square foot restaurant is next to and wrapped around the waterfront side of the Independence Seaport Museum. The giant indoor-outdoor space includes three main levels for food, drinks, live entertainment and breathtaking views of the water. Or grab a bite to eat on the waterfront deck at nearby seasonal bar and restaurant, Morgan’s Pier.
Want to see what’s across the Delaware River? Catch a ride on the RiverLink Ferry for a quick, 15-minute trip across the river. While in Camden, explore the Adventure Aquarium – home to more than 15,000 aquatic animals. Or tour the historic Battleship New Jersey, the country’s largest and most decorated battleship.
Special Spring Events in Philadelphia
2021 Dilworth Roller Rink Photography by BeauMonde Originals
Springtime means the skates are out at Dilworth Park. The Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink allows visitors to lace up their skates next to Philadelphia City Hall. The retro rink was designed and fabricated by Philadelphia’s Lucky Dog Studio. When not skating, visitors can enjoy sandwiches, beer, cocktails, and more at Air Grille Garden’s pop-up beer garden.
At the Museum of the American Revolution, “Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent,” delves into the multi-generational journey of preserving and transforming George Washington’s tent into a symbol of the American republic. The exhibit features an array of artworks, rare documents, and historical objects from various public and private collections across the United States, offering a comprehensive narrative of the tent’s significance and its passage through different historical periods, including the American Civil War and the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia.
To plan your trip to Philadelphia and learn more about all the exciting events happening in the city, visit our things to do page.
