Most Popular Summer Destinations in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is also rightly named “City of Brotherly Love,” and in it, history, culture, and modern attractions all coexist. In summer, this historical city pulses with lots of outdoor activities and events, so exploring the city proves more than enjoyable.

Whether you’re a history addict or a staunch art lover; Philadelphia has a left turn to take toward any pursuit. Here is the guide to the best places an individual can always dream of traveling to in Philadelphia this summer.

Historical Sites

Independence National Historical Park

No visit to Philadelphia is complete without visiting Independence National Historical Park, home to many iconic landmarks that independently embody American and historic significance: Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States were both. debated and adopted. Just around the corner is the Liberty Bell, a timeless symbol of American freedom. More importantly, this park really enables people to take a deep dive into how the country was founded.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

While interesting in its own right, art enthusiasts will appreciate that it really is a monument, known as the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

This museum came to fame due to its iconic steps, used in the movie “Rocky”, with Sylvester Stallone.

Pessimistic visitors can impressively make that triumphant run to at the top of the steps before they see the great many collections of museum pieces along the way. The museum also organizes various summer events and exhibitions—making it a real cultural center during this season.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Get a sense of history second to none at Eastern State Penitentiary. Guided and self-guided tours explain the history of the prison and well-known prisoners, such as Al Capone. It also shows how the American penal system has changed through the decades. For additional intrigue, special summer events take the form of night tours, which can be scary at times.

The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute is actually one of the best science museums in the nation, named after the famous Philadelphia figure, Benjamin Franklin. It has tons of hands-on exhibits perfect for youths up to adults. The show-stoppers here are an exhibit where you can actually walk through a heart, the planetarium, and quite a few different interactive science displays. Special summer exhibits and events keep the Franklin Institute a hotbed of bustling daily activity with families and friends.

Philadelphia Zoo

America’s first zoo remains a special favorite with families and groups of all sizes. With over 1,300 animals of every description, many rare and endangered. There’s also a special added value of animal encounters during the summer months, adding an extra tick of excitement. Its animal travel-related trails help guests explore different areas around the park.

The Barnes Foundation

Art lovers will appreciate visiting The Barnes Foundation, the caretaker of the world’s largest collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modern paintings. Current for its unique display according to aesthetic similarities rather than chronology or style, The Barnes Foundation offers a wealth of educational programs and workshops as well as outdoor events in its renowned garden during the summer season.

Outdoor Activities

Fairmount Park

Spanning more than 2,000 acres, Fairmount Park is a green oasis within Philadelphia, along with a plethora of attractions, such as hiking and biking trails. Other sights of interest include Boathouse Row, the historic series of boathouses where one can see or join in themselves.

Spruce Street Harbor Park

Spruce Street Harbor Park perches on the edge of the Delaware River waterfront. It is set up seasonally, anchored down by dozens of hammocks crossed with continuous rows of rainbow-colored LED lights. Additionally, there’s river-friendly floating gardens pierced through with giant netted lounging areas, and concessions selling everything from local ice cream, iced coffee, and exotic bowls of veggie-laden goodness. It’s perfect for spending a day lounging around. Live music usually happens throughout the summer and the park frequently hosts festivals as well.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

The Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is an immersive mixed-media art environment created by artist Isaiah Zagar, which will dazzle your eyes, boggle your mind, and cast a magical spell of wonder and enchantment over you.

The garden is made of mosaics with ceramics, bottles, mirrors, and other things. The art had great appreciation whereby those visiting were given guided tours regarding the inspirations behind the artist and methods used or went through the creative workshops. It’s a really unique experience and a testament to Philadelphia’s vibrant arts scene.

Family-friendly Places

Please Touch Museum

The Please Touch Museum encompasses learning by playing, while also being committed to young children. The exhibits range from transportation to space exploration, and on top of that, family fun is offered in the summer with weeks of special guest appearances, and much to learn.

Adventure Aquarium

Located just across the river in Camden, New Jersey, is an adrenaline-filled experience for any marine life enthusiast. The experiences offered at this aquarium include the shark tunnel, touch tank, and live shows during every day. Events during the summer, say special exhibitions and feedings, make this an ever-adrenaline spot.

Sesame Place

Located in the outskirts of Philadelphia, in Langhorne, there exists a theme park whose theme is around the famous children’s TV show, Sesame Street. It’s majorly characterized by water rides, parades with characters, and live shows that just touch at the core of what a family means. Special summer events like fireworks and night parades only enhance this magic.

Food and Drink

Reading Terminal Market

Reading Terminal Market is a food haven with a variety of dishes from local to international. With its flurry of activity, it is the perfect location to try another two of Philadelphia’s favorites: the famous cheesesteak and soft pretzel. The summer festivals and food events liven up the area even more.

Brewery Tours

Philadelphia enters the big era of craft beer, represented by a number of local breweries that provide tours and tastings. Yards Brewing Co and Philadelphia Brewing Co both allow for tasting different brands of beers, among them—delightful summer brews. The tours take guests through the process of brewing, featuring tastings of finest craft beers one could find inside this city.

Festivals and Events

Wawa Welcome America Festival

The Wawa Welcome America Festival is a multi-day Celebration leading up to Independence Day. These concerts, fireworks, parades, kids’ activities, are all the classic makings of a great summertime happening in Philadelphia that celebrates the importance of the city and just how great the community is.

Philadelphia Folk Festival

The Philadelphia Folk Festival is the oldest outdoor music festival still running continuously in North America. This eclectic program of folk musicians gets paired with family workshops, crafts, and activities. It takes place just outside the city in a rural setting: relaxing and entertaining, pretty much the best way one can close out a summer.

The City of Philadelphia Has So Much History and Culture

This city has so much history, culture, and entertainment that opinions simply shared with each other should not be that tough to arrange, and summer is a grand time to take in the vast offerings.

While there’s so many things to do in Philadelphia during the summer, it’s important to stay mindful and be aware of any serious or catastrophic injuries that can occur while participating in these activities.

From historical landmarks to cultural institutions, from outdoor activities to family-friendly spots, there is quite something for everyone in this town. So pack your bags, bring along your sense of adventure, and get set for an enriching journey across the best places to travel in Philadelphia this summer.