The first day of fall may be Sept. 22, but Labor Day is considered the unofficial end of summer. If you’re not ready just yet to say goodbye to the season, here’s how to enjoy what’s left of it in the Philly region.
Visit an Amusement Park
Chase the thrill of summer on a roller coaster. If you’re willing to take a trip outside the city, you can visit the region’s amusement parks at a discounted price. Several are offering discounts up to 50% off on tickets, as some parks remain open until Labor Day and others until Halloween. You can also grab season passes for next year at a lower rate. The sales are running through Labor Day, so secure them now. Here are some parks to add to your itinerary:
- Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA
- Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA
- Dorney Park in Allentown, PA
- Hersheypark in Hershey, PA
- Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, NJ
Hear Live Music
At Spruce Street Harbor Park, the Friday Night Jazz Series runs through Sept. 25, while Summer Sounds ends Sept. 26. Want to listen to other genres? FDR Park’s “Not Just Jazz” concert series is putting on shows through Sept. 22. And finally, Highmark Mann’s 2026 season doesn't wrap up until October, with several shows in the coming weeks featuring performances from Boyz II Men, Willie Nelson, and MUNA.
Go for a Splash
Most Philly pools have closed for the season, but it’s still hot! You could rent a pool for the day before hosts drain them. You could also go to an indoor water park like Sahara Sam’s in West Berlin, NJ. After Labor Day, most beaches at the Jersey Shore will no longer require beach tags until the following season. Lifeguards are usually no longer on duty after that weekend, however, so swim with caution. You can also still go fishing and boating in Philly if you’d like to be along and on the water, but not in it.
Refresh With a Water Ice
It isn’t a Philly summer without some scoops of water ice. John’s Water Ice, a South Philly staple, serves the sweet treat until the end of September before reopening in April.
Dine Outdoors
Speaking of eating, if you’d like to dine al fresco, several Philly restaurants still offer outdoor seating options.
See a Movie
Scribe Video Center’s Street Movies series continues at the Homies Helping Homies Garage tonight and wraps up at Sloan Street Community Garden on Sept. 12, so make sure to catch a film under the stars. Reel Nomadic is also screening movies at Penn Treaty Park throughout the month.
Watch America’s Favorite Pastime
The Phillies’ regular season ends on Sept. 27 against the Tampa Bay Rays, which also happens to be a home game. While we hope to get another Red October, we’re still waiting to see who lands in the playoffs. Head down to Citizens Bank Park before the end of the month (and hopefully you’ll be back for the postseason!).
