Its that time of the year again when we are all in denial about the weather cooling down and summer being over. Here are the five best things to do in Philadelphia to make summer feel like its never leaving.
First Friday in Old CityIf you love music and/or art, First Friday is the place for you. Every first Friday of the month, the art galleries in Old City open their doors for free to anyone willing to come in, you get a close up view of gorgeous art pieces and are able to speak to those who painted the pieces or own the gallery. Since so many people travel down to that area, the sidewalk becomes littered with street vendors selling anything from handmade goods to vintage pieces all at a good price. My best memory of First Friday was from my freshman year here at Temple and buying a painting that was both meaningful and inexpensive. It has followed me from Temple to home and back again, and every month I go back hoping to find a similar piece to build a collection. Travel Needs: Two subway tokens (One to get there and one to get home), take the Broad Street line Southbound to City Hall and transfer to Market-Frankford line East to 2nd street, and you’re in Old City.
Rittenhouse SquareRittenhouse Square is perfectly located in Center City a few blocks from the train and is a bundle of joy that I didn’t discover until last year. The park is full of life during the warmer weeks, perfect for a picnic or a quick place to relax at during some fun shopping tricks. Travel Needs: Two subway tokens (One to get there and one to get home), take the Broad Street line Southbound to City Hall, exit the station and walk down 15th street towards Walnut St. If there’s any confusion and the map on your phone is no help, there are signs placed on different street corners, just follow the arrows to the Walnut shopping district.
South StreetFood! South Street houses one of the best Philly cheesesteak places in Philadelphia, perfectly named Jim’s Steaks South Street. The place is always busy so be prepared for long lines but if cheesesteaks aren’t your thing there are dozens of other eateries on the street. However, South Street has a lot more to offer than just food, they have some of the cleanest tattoo and piercing parlors around, as well as an awesome consignment store that you can sell and buy clothes, shoes and practically whatever you want. Travel Needs: Two subway tokens (One to get there and one to get home) take the Broad Street line Southbound to South and Lombard (past the City Hall stop) and walk down South Street.
Benjamin Franklin ParkwayWalking down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is one of my favorite pastimes, when it’s warm, of course. There is always something new to see or do on the parkway. This summer, the parkway was closed on the 4th of July for one of the largest free concerts in the country. It was perfect! But since everyday can’t be the 4th of July you can walk down the parkway and visit LOVE Park, Logan Circle, The Franklin Institute, Barnes Foundation, and finally The Philadelphia Art Museum, mostly known for the Rocky steps and statue. All of that is on one parkway that you can either walk down, or ride your bike on and be in complete and utter bliss. Travel Needs: Two subway tokens (One to get there and one to get home) take the subway to City Hall and walk on 15th street towards Arch St. turn left onto Arch Street and you are on Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Beury BeachPerfectly located in the middle of campus across from the Bell Tower, Beury Beach is the one place you will take for granted when it’s warm and miss when it’s cold. Perfect for people watching, doing work in between class or waiting out that awkward break in between classes. Beury Beach is perfect and with the addition of more beach chairs don’t miss the opportunity to sit down and enjoy the last few days of summer. Travel Needs: Whatever you want