Where has the summer gone? If you have that same question on your mind, don’t worry, because there is still plenty to see and do in the City of Brotherly Love before this season ends, and we’ve got it all laid out here for you.
Philly River Stroll
One of the best parts of the summertime in Philadelphia is the Delaware River Waterfront. On top of all the bars, cultural institutions and restaurants that call the area home, Spruce Street Harbor Park and Summerfest act as staples in terms of sunny-season pop-ups. And the Philly River Stroll activations make it that much more entertaining.
Happening on Thursdays until Aug. 31, from 5 to 9 p.m., the indoor and outdoor variety of offerings along the water-side walkway will span a fresh lineup of food and beverage specials from Morgan’s Pier, Moshulu, Spruce Street Harbor Park and Cherry Street Pier, plus discounted attractions, and free live entertainment.
Currently, Thursday night specials include things like $1 off Hibiscus Lemonade and Summer Sangria and buy one, get one free French Toast Bites from the Garden Restaurant at Cherry Street Pier. Other unique offerings include $5 ferry tickets for adults, seniors, students, and children (from 4 to 6 p.m.) for the RiverLink Ferry, a free lock to place on the Philadelphia Hope Fence with the purchase of the“Hope-Tini Cocktail” at Keating’s Rope and Anchor Bar + Kitchen, and a slew of activations from Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest (like buy one get one ferris wheel rides.)
Morris Arboretum
This scenic escape located in Chestnut Hill is offering a few different cant-miss summer activations to finish out the season. For one, a new exhibit titled ‘Exuberant Blooms: A Pop-Up Garden’ will be on display through the end of September, and it showcases more than 11,000 plants of varying color, form, height, and shape while “paying homage to the grandeur of the Victorian floral carpet while infusing it with a modern, informal design.”
‘Garden Railway: Public Gardens’ on the other hand is marking 25 years of Morris with 300 feet of additional track, making it one of the largest outdoor model train displays in the country at one-third of a mile, a release states. Philadelphians can see it for themselves while it remains on display until Oct. 9. A full list of seasonal activations can be found online.
100 E Northwestern Ave., morrisarboretum.org
Rodin Garden Bar
It’s the last Friday (Aug. 25) to check out this pop-up, which offers beer, wine, craft cocktails and tasty small plates, with the venue’s scenic garden acting as the backdrop to it all.
Hours for this seasonal activation run from 4 to 8:30 p.m. And what’s on the menu? As the release states, food items by Constellation Culinary Group include a Roasted Turkey Baguette, Whipped Ricotta, Tofu Bahn Mi, Chilled Citrus Marinated Shrimp, a Mezze Platter, Plantain Chips, Curry House Pickles, and more. Cocktails include a Paloma made with tequila, fever-tree grapefruit soda, and lime, and a Red Rosé cocktail made with gin, sorrel syrup, fever-tree elderflower tonic.
As an extra bonus, admission to the Rodin Museum will be pay-what-you-wish during Garden Bar hours.
2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, rodinmuseum.org
Movie Nights at Sunset Social
Sky-high cinema nights while overlooking the city and enjoying some food and drinks? Sign us up. As a release states, Sunset Social will be offering annual specials for this Weekly Movie Night, which are free and open to the public. Philadelphians can arrive early to grab the best view of the 60-foot screen (and as a bonus, dogs are always welcome.) Films will be showed through Sept. 7 and a full list can be found online.
129 S. 30th St., sunsetsocialphl.com
Summer Swigs
This weekly happy hour rotates offerings from various top-tier restaurants and bars on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. where one business acts as the host to the event. And there are only two weeks left to enjoy this seasonal sipping spree with The Dutch’s turn to host being on Sept. 6, and Flannel will close out the series with Sept. 14.
And as the release states, one constant Wednesday-only happy hour is Chef Nicholas Elmi’s Laurel, with its menu encompassing $2 oysters, $6 wines, $6 beers, and $12 cocktails. In addition to Summer Swigs, a variety of local restaurants and bars are following suit with happy hours to experience throughout the week, and even some on the weekends. Philadelphians can find a full list of offerings from different area spots (like Barcelona Wine Bar, Cantina Los Cabollitos, Stateside and more) online.
