It’s warming up in Philly! Rising temps may have you eager to grab a swimsuit and head down to the Jersey Shore, but there are plenty of opportunities to splash around this spring and summer in the city itself. As we wait for the city to reopen our pools and spraygrounds (help them open quicker by becoming a lifeguard), here’s where to relax by the water.
FDR Park
1500 Pattison Avenue & S. Broad St.
Discovery Pathways offers free community boating on Saturdays now through Oct. 17. Rowboats, kayaks, and canoes are available for 30-minute rides. Instruction is provided, so beginners are welcome! No signup required. The organization also hosts free family fishing every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Fairmount Park Conservancy, in partnership with the Independence Seaport Museum, hosts community paddle boating at FDR Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Upcoming activities are on May 16, June 6, July 18, and Aug. 15.
Glen Foerd
5001 Grant Ave.
Over in Torresdale, you can boat along the Delaware River and Poquessing Creek. Rowboats, kayaks, and canoes are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis on select days through September.
Kleinheinz Pond
41 Tookany Creek Pkwy, Cheltenham, PA
Just outside of Philadelphia and a short walk from the Regional Rail’s Cheltenham Station, you can learn to fish. The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, which covers both Philadelphia and Montgomery counties, teaches fishing lessons on Tuesday evenings from now through Sept. 15. Rods, tackle, bait, and instruction are provided. Visit the site’s calendar two weeks before your preferred event date to register.
Penn’s Landing
211 S. Columbus Blvd.
The Independence Seaport Museum leads several kayak excursions along the Delaware River. This includes an introductory lesson ($25), a 2-3 mile excursion ($65), and a 6-mile excursion ($75). The museum also offers special events such as an ecotour, teaching about the river’s ecosystem and how to better the environment, and a morning paddle paired with coffee.
You can also head to Penn’s Landing Marina and rent a swan boat during the day or night, taking in the views of the harbor.
Lardner’s Point Park
5202 Levick St.
Riverfront North Partnership, in partnership with MidAtlantic Youth Anglers & Outdoor Partners, will teach you how to fish along the Delaware River, right by the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge. Lessons every other Thursday until June 18 are capped at 35 participants.
Pleasant Hill Park
8900 N. Delaware Avenue
You can learn how to fish every other Thursday until June 25. Register for a lesson here. There’s also a public boat launch at this site.
Bartram’s Garden
5400 Lindbergh Blvd.
Located in Philly’s Kingsessing neighborhood, Bartram’s Garden is not just home to the oldest surviving botanical garden in the U.S. Here, visitors can enjoy the water. Free boating is available on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., equipment and instruction provided. If you have your own boat, you can launch a non-motorized boat from Bartram’s dock. Free fishing occurs on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with weekly catch-and-release fishing on Wednesdays. Rods and tackle are available for free.
Schuylkill Banks
There are locations along the banks perfect for fishing near Center City, Grays Ferry, and Southwest Philly. Fishers must abide by state law and have a current, signed fishing license.
You can take a professional guided tour with Hidden River Outfitters along the Schuylkill River. Basic kayak tours are $40 per person, and sunset/moonlight tours are $45 per person. You can also catch a movie after you finish kayaking right along the riverbank.
Keep an eye on the community events page for upcoming fishing lessons, tours, and other activities.
