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If Memorial Day Weekend is any indication, Penn’s Landing is shaping up to be the place to be, and be seen for the Summer of 2015. With great weather and tons of major events happening over the weekend there were record crowds all weekend. Spruce Street Harbor Park’s (#SSHP) expansion was well thought out and the crowds loved the new layout. By turning the BlueCross River Rink into a Summer Fest Skating Park there was a great flow between the two pop ups. So if you are heading to Penn’s Landing this summer here are our top tips!

Patriot Harbor Lines

Patriot Harbor Lines proudly highlights Philadelphia’s premiere waterfront, and showcases its two majestic rivers with intimate and personalized tours. We run harbor tours all summer and offer a variety of themes including Sunset Wine Cruises, Harbor Tours and Booze Cruises. Our cruises will leave you with lasting memories and a new perspective of Philadelphia as a great river city. Our unique tours and special events are perfect for locals that want to explore Philadelphia’s hidden rivers, or to introduce out-of-town guests to an incredible Philadelphia-themed, educational and entertaining experience. For schedule and tickets – www.zerve.com/phillybyboat

We highly recommend a Patriot charter or cruise to start your night at Penn’s Landing. This will give you a chance to catch up with your own private party space before heading out to mingle with the masses. We are a great option for signature birthday parties, bachelotette and bachelor parties. We will get your party started!

Independence Seaport Museum

Explore Philadelphia’s only maritime museum, the Independence Seaport Museum! See nautical art, interactive exhibits, the Workshop on the Water, and two historic ships – the cruiser Olympia, the oldest steel warship still afloat in the world and the WWII-era submarine Becuna. Throughout the summer the Seaport Museum offers incredible programing along with special featured exhibits. They also offer the opportunity to take a ghost tour aboard the Olympia and offer over night stays. The museum is great for kids and they offer water actives through their management of Paddle Penn’s Landing.

Spruce Street Harbor Park – “The perfect place to hang out before our after your harbor cruise!”

#SSHP is a waterfront oasis where Philadelphia congregates on summer evenings to lounge along the river. In its second season the pop-up park features more hammocks for lounging, new food concepts and locations and more ways to celebrate the summer on the waterfront. Developed to remind the city of the waterfront’s incredible maritime history and potential as a great waterfront, the park includes a beer garden, incredibly cool lighting, adirondack chairs, fire pits, a boardwalk and urban beach.

The floating pop-up restaurant, “The Oasis” includes water gardens, colorful seating, and nets for lounging above the water,. The Oasis is managed by the great staff of the Garces Group. Programming throughout the summer will create even more reasons to visit the park and to stay at the nearby hotels.

Our new favorite food option is Federal Donughts and their chicken sandwich.

Tall Ships Festival -June 25th to 28th

The waterfronts of Philadelphia and Camden join forces to host a great festival featuring dozens of historically significant tall ships. Many historically significant ships are slated to participate including the US Coast Guard vessel Barque Eagle, the French vessel L’Hermione, from Brasilia the Cisne Branco, the Canadian Barque Picton Castle, and the Gazela – Philadelphia’s official Tall Ship. The festival will include entertainment stations that will include several giant movie screens, live music stages, cannon demonstrations, and even sword fighting.

We will be cruising every day during TallShips Fest and we offer a great way to see the entire fleet of ships from the comforts of Philadelphia’s most intimate yacht.

Summer Fest – Skating Rink – “We Head Back to the 70s with this Great Addition”

For the first time this year, the Blue Cross RiverRink and Winterfest will be re-programed for a summer of fun. The ice rink has been repurposed into an incredible roller rink oasis and the Winter Lodge has been turned into a Boathouse themed beer and food pop up. The rink is set against a summer landscape – think summer camp on the Delaware River. Skating is a ticketed activity and features brand-new skates, and a hockey grade flooring system. The Boathouse will include a play area for kids, food and drink options and summer events throughout the season. We imagine there will be a great line up of local DJs playing tunes.

Keatings River Grill

The River Grill’s terrace overlooks the Patriot and the marina and is a perfect spot for people watching. The terrace offers shade in the afternoons and on those very hot days you can sit inside and enjoy the air-conditioning before the sun sets. The River Grill offers several signature dishes including rosemary seared sea scallops or peppercorn crusted filet mignon, or classic American fare, such as Philly cheese steaks, burgers and more. The bar offers happy hour pricing throughout the season and  a variety of specialty beer and drink offerings. This is a perfect location if you arrive early for your cruise and don’t want to fight the crowds at Spruce Street Harbor Park or would prefer air conditioning.

The Moshulu

The Moshulu offers fine dining on the waterfront and in the evening its decks are transformed into a lively night club. The “legendary” Moshulu is the world’s oldest and largest square rigged sailing vessel still afloat. She is in fact the one and only restaurant venue on a Tall Ship today in the World. Built by William Hamilton & Co., Port of Glasgow, Scotland in 1904 for the G.J.H Siemers Co. of Hamburg, Germany as the four-masted barque Kurt. This “state-of-the-art” sailing ship was the finest and latest of man’s achievement in the world’s shipbuilding industry for the construction of bulk or packaged cargo sailing ships. The Moshulu offers unsurpassed views for intimate to extraordinary dining aboard this Philadelphia landmark.

The Chart House

A favorite for decades, the Chart House offers an excellent selection of steaks and seafood, as well as a waterfront location overlooking the Delaware River. The dining room offers stunning views, contemporary decor, and—for those not looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows—an exhibition kitchen. The classic menu offers classic dishes which never fail to satisfy such as Lobster Bisque, Shrimp Scampi and Filet Mignon.

Parking

Despite the large crowds there was adequate parking all weekend. However, be prepared to pay $20 at Penn’s Landing and at peak times there may not be availability. Public transportation is always a great option or you can park at the Independence Hall Visitor’s Center and take the Philly Phlash for $2.00