Spruce Street Harbor Park is back. Here’s what to expect this year.
Spruce Street Harbor Park is back with technicolor lights, a floating barge, hammocks, and many activities for everyone in Philadelphia.
Spruce Street Harbor Park is back for the season. Officially opening May 6, the park brings in technicolor lights, a floating barge, hammocks, activities for all Philadelphians (including dogs), and a brand new light show.
Here is what you can expect:
Hours
The park is open from May to September, and hours change throughout the season. All activities close 30 minutes before the park closes.
For May, the hours are:
Monday to Thursday: 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m.-midnight
Saturday: 11 a.m.-midnight
Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
The park will be open Memorial Day (11 a.m.-11 p.m.), Juneteenth (11 a.m.-midnight), Independence Day (11 a.m.-5 p.m.), and Labor Day (11 a.m.-11 p.m.).
Food and drinks
Spruce Street Harbor Park has stands along the boardwalk offering crab fries, funnel cakes, French toast, tacos, and more. Vendors include Chickie’s and Pete’s, Philly Taco, French Toast Bites, and Funnel Cake by Frozen Delights. Although most vendors open at 5 p.m., there will be food stands that open earlier.
If you are over 21, the park’s beer garden (open Friday to Sunday) and Barge Bar Oasis (open Monday to Sunday) are good spots to drink.
Activities
It doesn’t cost anything to play or hang out in the park, but the games and arcade are pay-as-you-go. Dogs are welcome but are not allowed in the hammocks or the barge.
Hammocks
The park is known for its colorful hammocks hanging among the trees. You can relax in them for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you’re coming with up to 10 people and want a guaranteed spot, you can book a lounge, with hammocks, chairs, and other seating. The reservations are $75 for 90 minutes, plus a $3.70 service fee. Book a lounge online.
Games and activities
The park has free giant versions of classic games including chess, Connect-4, and Jenga, as well as bocce ball courts. Additionally, you can visit the park’s arcade; prices depend on the game.
This season, the park will hold family activities in partnership with local organizations on Sunday afternoons.
The Barge Bar Oasis
In the mood for local brews or frozen cocktails? Enjoy them in the flat-bottomed net lounge or while sitting in an Adirondack chair with a view of Penn’s Landing Marina.
Makers Market
From Memorial Day until Labor Day, you can find all sorts of handmade goods at the park. Every Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m., a rotating pool of primarily local vendors will be selling candles, art, clothing, bath and body products, and other items.
Getting there
The park is at 301 S. Columbus Blvd.
SEPTA: You can hop on the subway, take the Market-Frankford line, get off at the Market and Second Street station, and walk about 11 minutes until you reach the park. If you are looking for more of a straight shot, bus route 12 stops at the park (Columbus-Dock), and bus 42 stops at Penn’s Landing.
Parking
If you prefer to drive, there are three main parking lots at the waterfront, for a $20 daily flat rate. The Lombard Street Parking Lot is the closest to Spruce Street Harbor Park.
Lombard Street Parking Lot: Lombard Street and Columbus Boulevard
Market Street Parking Lot: Market Street and Columbus Boulevard
Walnut Street Parking Lot (next to the Independence Seaport Museum): Walnut Street and Columbus Boulevard