We did it fam. We survived another northeast winter and now summer is finally (almost) here. Okay, while it might not officially be summer yet, MDW is coming up fast and it’s never too early to start planning out activities for the warmer months of the year.
Living in a major metropolitan area like Philadelphia can definitely be tough on the wallet sometimes, so we’re gonna look at some of the cheapest ways to entertain yourself in the city this summer. Let’s talk options:
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest– Starting this weekend and going through until September, this is the premiere location to get in some skating in the city. Adjacent to the rink, a boathouse lodge offers a full food and drink menu with a great view of the river. If you bring your own skates, admission is a mere $3.
Race Street Pier Yoga– I challenge you to find something more relaxing than waterfront yoga on a beautiful summer morning. The classes welcome all skill levels and are completely free! Their summer schedule is Monday – Friday: 7:00am, Monday – Thursday: 6:00pm, and Saturday – Sunday: 9:30am.
Spruce Street Harbor Park– Another great spot on the Delaware River, this park is an awesome way to kill an afternoon. The park is free to enter and features a reasonably priced floating beer garden and an array of tasty snack foods. The rainbow colored hammocks hanging amongst the trees are to die for, but will definitely take a combination of patience and vigilance to secure.
Philadelphia Museum of Art– While this museum is certainly worth your time any day of the week, they offer “Pay What You Wish” entry on the first Sunday of the month and every Wednesday after 5pm. The museum maintains an excellent variety of collections at all times and it’s certainly possible to spend an entire day here if art is your thing.
Monday Jazz Jams– Whether you’re a casual fan or a full-blown jazz fanatic, every Monday night, World Cafe Live is the place to be. From 5:30-7pm the house band will perform free of charge and the venue also welcomes musicians to sign up beforehand to jam with the band.
Jersey Shore– Living in Philly, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds. Residents get the hustle and bustle of the city, as well as the proximity to some of New Jersey’s best beach destinations. There are some great free beaches in New Jersey and the closest beach to Philly (Atlantic City) just so happens to be one of them. Might we suggest putting this one off until after MDW though, the traffic is just not worth it.
Philadelphia’s Historic District– Everyone who lives in Philadelphia would be foolish to not check out the historic Center City at least once. Yes, we’re all allowed one pass on being super touristy. Plus, the sheer amount of history here is simply too deep to ignore. Visitphilly.com has compiled a helpful guide of Historic District locales, many of which are free to visit.
Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk– Interested in some cardio with a breathtaking view? The boardwalk, completed in 2014, offers a scenic route along the river for anyone looking for a nice run/bike route.
Five Dollar Comedy Week– Hosted by the Good Good Comedy Theatre in Chinatown, the comedy festival premiers 30 new shows and hosts immersive comedic workshops. All shows are only $5 a piece! The festival is going on right now and running until May 27th.
Go out tonight, and any night. Jukely is a concert subscription that gives members guestlist access to hundreds of music events – for one price. Whenever you want to go out, you’ll always have something to do. Learn more and sign up at jukely.com.
