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City Cast Philly

Siani Colón

We understand the preference to beat the heat indoors. But on summer days when there’s not a cloud in the sky and there’s a light breeze, we should enjoy the sunshine. Several Philly restaurants, cafes, and bars offer expanded seating options during the warmer months so you can enjoy the fresh air and people-watch while savoring a delicious meal. Here are some recommendations.

’s Korean fried chicken sausage sandwich or the Out West BLT — or build your own sammie. And kick back and relax out back on picnic tables and lounge chairs. The cafe just listed 

, including (for the matcha lovers) desert rose matcha and matcha à la cherry.

What better place to shuck oysters than right along the Delaware River? 

This new addition to Philly’s dining scene

, from the team behind Libertee Grounds, is providing the most scenic views of our waterfront and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Sit at either standard or high top tables and munch on chicken milanesa, tavern burgers, or duck bolognese. If you want an early meal, good news: Lucky Duck rolled out brunch options at the end of May.

This South Philly restaurant brings a taste of Southern Italy directly to your table. 

 has a large patio with strung lights, lush foliage, and a 

 that adds to the ambience. The menu changes seasonally, allowing guests an opportunity to try something new each visit. For now, check out the sformato, a savory flan-like dish; the pork involtini, for some protein; and a pistachio affogato at the end of your meal.

 — octopus on a blue corn tortilla with refried beans and pico de gallo. Or try some tlacoyos, traditional street food made of blue masa cakes filled with refried beans, salsa verde, nopales, queso fresco, and radish. Wash it all down with a paloma. Be sure to stop by for a social dance and lessons on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. If you’re driving in, don’t worry about parking. There’s 

Enjoy farm-to-table dining right across from Washington Square Park. 

 leans into its name with its leafy, cozy setting. Some menu highlights include ginger salmon, seared sea scallops and fresh Gulf shrimp, and handmade ricotta ravioli.

Relax in this green oasis while munching on some bar favorites. 

 host regular events to level up your gardening skills, whether you have a green thumb or not. And the best part? Your attendance supports PHS’s mission to use horticulture to improve the well-being of Philadelphians.

Feast on Mediterranean cuisine right in University City. Come by 

’s for brunch or dinner to enjoy lamb shank, a falafel rice bowl, or Turkish hummus. The restaurant is right next to the 

, so you can relax outside before or after your meal (and have easy access to your ride home).

🎧 Want even more recommendations? Check out 

more of our favorite places to eat outdoors

 Get a change of scenery while enjoying a delicious meal, whether it’s by the water or in a relaxing garden space. 

The Best Restaurants To Dine Out This Summer in Philly

Your Summer 2026 Guide to Outdoor Dining in Philly

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Philadelphia. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Philly Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Philly parks want you to go outside this summer, whether it’s to 

have some drinks at a rotating pop-up beer garden

. The good times don’t have to end once the sun goes down. But your neighborhood park is the destination to catch some flicks, whether it’s a family-friendly film or a romance perfect for a date night. So bring a blanket or lawn chair, some snacks, and relax at these upcoming screenings.

’s Under the Stars Festival brings together moviegoers in West Philly’s Clark Park on Friday nights, showcasing independent films. The remaining two screenings in this series are 

 on June 13, plus “TCB - The Toni Cade Bambera School of Organizing” and 

 on June 19. Outside of this series, cinéSPEAK has other pop-up screenings at The Lawn at UCity Square and at Freedom Greens & Garden later this summer.

If you missed the Under the Stars Festival, that isn’t your last chance to see movies at this beloved park. The 

University City District will screen movies

 on Fridays in August. With 2026 being the semiquincentennial, this year’s theme is “freedom.” Come and watch “A League of Their Own” and “The Matrix.”

Get a bird’s eye view of the city while watching your favorite movie. Located at Cira Green Rooftop, Sunset Social hosts 

 on Saturdays. Upcoming evening films include “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Jaws,” and “Iron Man,” and daytime screenings include “Encanto” and “Ponyo.”

At Independence Mall, you can retrace the steps of the country’s Founding Fathers, see where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and watch a movie about a group stealing said document. The 

 takes over Independence National Historical Park from June 19 through Oct. 19. On the lineup are “Harriet,” the “National Treasure” franchise, and “Hamilton.” Sign up in advance and come early for a pre-show.

. Screenings will take place either at the Grays Ferry Crescent Esplanade or in a grassy area by Walnut Street. The film lineup features “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Dirty Dancing.” And before the movie take a stroll by the water or rent a kayak for a tour.

The city’s network of over 100 park friends groups is committed to keeping your parks clean and making them true gathering spaces

. More than 20 of those groups are hosting movie nights

 in neighborhood parks like Mifflin Square Park, Benson Park, and Harrowgate Park.

From now through September, residents can watch everything from cult classics to samurai 

. The series runs primarily on Saturdays. Attendees can come at 7 p.m. to hear music from D.J.s and shop at local vendors before the movie starts.

Grab some popcorn and your coziest blanket to watch movies with your neighbors at your local park. 

Your Guide to Outdoor Movies in Summer 2026 in Philly

Where To Watch Free Movies Outdoors This Summer

Find the best of everything that Philadelphia has to offer.

Philly’s Best

Philly's Best

Now that we’re officially in June, we’re just about ready to harvest the last of the spring crops and the beginning of summer produce. While you can find just about any fruits and veggies at the grocery store, buying seasonal produce from a local farm stand or farmers market means the food you grab is at its freshest (and tastiest). Plus, you’re directly supporting farmers 

If that all sounds great to you, here are some markets to shop at this season.

Historic Strawberry Mansion’s Strawberry Fest

 isn’t your only time to grab fresh berries in the neighborhood. The Fair Amount Food Forest, which promotes a gardening technique creating access to fresh food on public land, operates a 

. The market is open on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., perfect for shoppers who can’t make it to morning market hours.

 is different from the others: everything at its farm stand is free. You read that right. Every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon, the farm gives away fresh produce as part of its mission to address health disparities tied to systemic inequality.

Located in the driveway of the South Philly Older Adult Center, this farmers market has been operating for two decades. Every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., you can stock up on fresh veggies, meats, cheeses, and specialty foods.

Christ Church Neighborhood House Farmers Market

Another market you can visit after work is right in Old City. Just a block away from where Philly’s original farmers market was, the 

 invites vendors from the Philadelphia region to sell fresh fruit, baked goods, and even art. Some attend every other week, while others are only available on select days. Stop by on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

 operates its farm stand on Saturdays through October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s not just organic leafy greens you have access to. Stop by the farm stand and grab baked goods from Dead King Bread and Ursa Bakery, or find honey, syrups, and flowers.

 promotes healthy living through culturally relevant programs centering the Black community. Aside from its offerings of wellness workshops and weekly produce boxes, the group runs a farm stand in West Philly. The market is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month now through November.

community markets offering beyond just food here

It’s the time of year to start stocking up on summer favorites like berries. Find the freshest crops at your local market. 

farmers-market-spring-summer-2026-philly

Grab Summer Produce at These Farmers Markets

May is National Bike Month, when we’re reminded of cycling’s multiple benefits, from exercise to transportation. While biking can be a solitary activity, Philadelphia has a strong community of cyclists who host meetups throughout the city for riders to safely cycle together. If you’re looking for a group near you to explore with, here are a few local clubs.

Have you ever heard of a walking school bus, where a group of students walks to school with chaperones? Similar to that concept, bike trains consist of cyclists commuting together to jobs, school, or other destinations. 

 has six main routes around the city, with riders meeting up weekly.

Riding your bike at night can be intimidating due to lower visibility and other dangers. But just because it’s dark out doesn’t mean you can’t go out. 

 organizes biweekly social bike rides throughout the city. Interested cyclists can learn about an upcoming ride and the designated route on the organization’s website and social media channels. The miles vary with each ride, and routes will note their difficulty levels.

this group hosts evening social bike rides

 but focuses on Northwest Philadelphia. Riders meet up every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. Upcoming dates and routes are posted on Instagram and 

Sometimes, to get people out of the house, you need to come up with a good theme. 

 leans into its name by organizing monthly themed bike rides. Past themes have centered on Earth Day, the spring equinox, and Valentine’s Day. Riders meet at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps at 8 p.m. and head out at 8:30 p.m.

 promotes gender inclusivity and racial equity in biking and the great outdoors. The Philadelphia chapter has organized bike campouts, picnic rides, and “carb crawls” to local bakeries. The group also runs a gear library, sharing bike bags and camping equipment.

Want to join these groups but don’t know how to ride a bike? Adults and kids alike can practice biking in Hunting Park’s 

. And the Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition hosts two-hour adult learn-to-ride class every month at Lloyd Hall along Boathouse Row – 

Why bike solo when you can join a community that also loves exploring the city on two wheels?


Where To Ride a Bike With Others in Philly

Ride a Bike and Make a Friend at These Philly Biking Clubs

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 

 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. 

 are on May 16, June 6, July 18, and Aug. 15.

Over in Torresdale, you can boat along the Delaware River and Poquessing Creek. Rowboats, kayaks, and canoes are 

 on a first-come, first-served basis on select days through September.

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, 

 on Tuesday evenings from now through Sept. 15. Rods, tackle, bait, and instruction are provided.

 two weeks before your preferred event date to register.

 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 

 during the day or night, taking in the views of the harbor.

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.

You can learn how to fish every other Thursday until June 25. 

. There’s also a public boat launch at this site.

Located in Philly’s Kingsessing neighborhood, 

 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.

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 

 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.

 for upcoming fishing lessons, tours, and other activities.

Row merrily down Philly’s rivers or learn how to catch a fish at these seasonal programs. 


Where To Boat and Fish in Philly

Free and Low-Cost Aquatic Activities in Philly

Philly is a sports town, and that includes golf. Its history runs deep, producing top athletes like 

, the first American-born golfer to win the U.S. Open, and 

, the first Black golfer to win a PGA Tour event. Philly’s also home to the 

 in U.S. courses since 2020, a 21% increase, the sport’s popularity isn’t slowing down. In the Philadelphia area, amateur and professional golfers alike can choose from several local ranges and courses to play a round. Here’s where to golf in Philly, whether it’s your first or 100th time picking up a club.

’s range features 63 stalls to show off that swing. Need lessons before you start the game? 

 from local teaching professionals on-site. If you need something easier for the kiddos, the center is also home to an 18-hole mini golf course. The center is open daily. Clubs are available for rent.

 to allow men and women of all ethnicities to play. The site reopened in 2025 as a new and improved hub for golf and STEM education. Golfers can play on a 68-bay driving range and 

. Additional courses are expected to reopen in 2027 and 2028.

. Open to the public daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., reservations are only required on weekends and holidays.

 is located right in East Fairmount Park. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., prices start as low as $5 for a bucket of 25 golf balls. Golf clubs are complimentary to use on-site if you don’t own a pair. Lessons are also available.

. The club also has simulators, a practice facility, and a pro shop to stock up on golfing necessities. Players are required to bring their own set of clubs (rentals are available) and wear proper golfing attire. Want to become a regular? Walnut Lane offers different membership tiers.

 on today’s episode of City Cast Philly.

Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, test out your skills at these local golf ranges and courses. 

Where To Golf in Philly

, yet one particular park stands out as our most iconic. Fairmount Park is the jewel of our park system, with both east and west sides encompassing over 2,000 acres. Before it became home to important landmarks such as the Philadelphia Zoo, Please Touch Museum, and Boathouse Row, Philly’s oldest park was created for a practical purpose.

The park gets its name from “Faire Mount,” a hill overlooking the Schuylkill River where the Philadelphia Museum of Art exists today. The name and a sketch of the hillside are visible on the 

 designed by Surveyor General Thomas Holme. Its natural landscapes fit into William Penn’s vision for a “greene Country Towne” and attracted aristocrats to establish estates in the area.

As the city’s population grew, so did its risk for disease. Following the yellow fever epidemics in the 1790s, which were partially 

blamed on contaminated conditions in Philly’s water supply

, the city made it its duty to provide access to clean water. In 1812, the city purchased Faire Mount to establish the 

, Philadelphia’s sole pumping station. It was considered a marvel for its steam technology and Classical Revival exterior design. Gardens, walkways, and sculptures would later be added around the facility. The site quickly became a tourist attraction.

More needed to be done to protect the Schuylkill River as pollution from upriver mills and other growing industries put residents’ health and safety at risk. The city government continued to acquire more land in proximity to the river, 

starting with the Lemon Hill estate in 1843

, which would expand the city’s territory.

. The mayor at the time, Morton McMichael, advocated expanding the land to create a space that would rival New York’s Central Park. Philadelphia hosted a 

 to repurpose Lemon Hill and Sedgley to protect the city’s water supply.

Over the 19th century, Philadelphia would 

 associated with today’s Fairmount Park. Fairmount Park was 

 to be forever “an open public place and a park for the health and enjoyment of the people of said city, and the preservation of the purity of the city’s water supply.”

 in West Fairmount Park, which established new landmarks associated with the park today. Although many structures from the event no longer exist, 

 are still standing. Memorial Hall currently serves as the home for the Please Touch Museum.

So when you visit Fairmount Park today, remember that it was designed with public health, recreation, and natural beauty in mind.

Starting with just a large hill that left William Penn in awe, Fairmount Park is now the largest landscaped urban park in the world.

How Philly’s Fairmount Park Came To Be

People, places, and scenes from Philadelphia's past.

Philly History

Philadelphia is responsible for maintaining over 

 and highways, helping get commuters to their next destination by foot or vehicle. While many of these roadways are bordered by sidewalks, some streets lack them entirely, leaving pedestrians stranded or 

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s 

 tracks walkability in the Philadelphia area. Residents can plan trips by using its tools, such as 

 of the region’s sidewalks. The commission estimates 

230 miles of Philly streets have no sidewalks

The map uses a key to identify gaps in sidewalk coverage. Red indicates streets missing sidewalks on either side. Yellow indicates streets that are missing sidewalks on one side. Green indicates streets that have sidewalks on both sides.

Compared to surrounding counties, Philadelphia is fairly covered with sidewalks (their conditions, however, are another conversation). Most of Philly’s streets have sidewalks on both sides. 

Neighborhoods at the edges of the city appear to have fewer sidewalks, such as in Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast Philly. Streets lacking sidewalks are either located in industrial areas, adjacent to parkland, have expanded yard space, once had sidewalks that deteriorated over time, or were never designed with sidewalks in mind.

intersection of Bryn Mawr Avenue and Parkside Avenue North

, one side of Parkside has sidewalks while the other side, connected to Fairmount Park, remains grassy. On Bryn Mawr Avenue both sides of the street have sidewalks until one side becomes grass-covered past the bridge.

With facility improvements over the years, some infrastructure changes may not yet be reflected on the map. You can 

 to help keep the sidewalk inventory up to date.

 of City Cast Philly to learn how Philly can improve its sidewalks.

Neighborhood Sidewalks

How are the sidewalks in your neighborhood? 

A tool from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission can help you track gaps in the Philly area’s sidewalk network. 

Philly Sidewalks Are in Poor Condition. Some Streets Don’t Even Have One.

Which Philly Neighborhoods Suffer From a Sidewalk Gap?

What Philadelphians have been wondering. We break down why things in Philadelphia are the way they are and how they work.

Philly, Explained

At a city budget hearing on April 1, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation informed City Council that it has a 

backlog of close to 30,000 trees to address

. With so many hazardous trees in need of pruning and removal, that list may never reach zero.

The loss of trees throws a wrench in the 

 to increase the tree canopy and protect existing coverage.

Philadelphians can help with this by growing Philly’s urban forest in their immediate communities. Here’s how.

Tree Tenders are groups of volunteers trained to plant trees and maintain them in their communities. The initiative is a collaboration with the 

 and community partners like nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and watershed groups.

Throughout the year, PHS hosts training in-person and 

Philadelphia’s trees are in major need of maintenance. Tree Tenders can help their neighborhood’s tree canopy thrive. 

outdoors

Your Summer 2026 Guide to Outdoor Dining in Philly

Where To Watch Free Movies Outdoors This Summer

Grab Summer Produce at These Farmers Markets

Latest articles

Your Summer 2026 Guide to Outdoor Dining in Philly

Where To Watch Free Movies Outdoors This Summer

Grab Summer Produce at These Farmers Markets

Ride a Bike and Make a Friend at These Philly Biking Clubs

Free and Low-Cost Aquatic Activities in Philly

Where To Golf in Philly

How Philly’s Fairmount Park Came To Be

Latest articles

Ride a Bike and Make a Friend at These Philly Biking Clubs

Free and Low-Cost Aquatic Activities in Philly

Where To Golf in Philly

How Philly’s Fairmount Park Came To Be

Which Philly Neighborhoods Suffer From a Sidewalk Gap?

Here’s How You Can Help Grow Philly’s Tree Canopy

Get Your Steps In With These Philly Walking Groups