The best things to do in Philly this summer when it’s sweltering outside.
News flash : it ’s a screamer of a summer in Philadelphia .
After a relatively soft June , July greeted us with the usual warmth and humidity . And since it looks like the mugginess and temps will be bear down on the urban center for a while , it ’s time to turn these dog 24-hour interval into some splashy salutary times instead . Between sweet treat and hospitable emplacement in which to bask in the AC , we ’ve get all the details on how to stay coolheaded this season and enjoy a respite from the oppressive heat .
After you ’ve planned out yourweekend itinerary , here ’s everything fun to do when it ’s red-hot outside in Philly this summer . Just call back your SPF and to stay hydrated .
Scanlon Pool|Photo by Ellen C Miller, courtesy of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Make happy hour a chill experience
Various locationsIf you prefer your cold treats to have a bit of alcohol in them , Philly ’s bars deliver with seasonal frozen cocktails . No summer would be complete without frosé , which you’re able to find atThe Love , Parc , and both the Fishtown and East Passyunk location ofGarage . For a little spiciness , adjudicate The Mango One ( tequila , threefold sec and chili salt ) atLMNO . Perhaps you skew sweet : the Frozen Astronaut ( peach vodka , triple sec and orgeat ) atContinental Midtownhas you cover . Or spoil inEl Vez’smost popular cocktail , the fixed blood orange margarita .
Eat your way through one of the country’s oldest public markets
Market EastWith over 130 year of history and more than 80 vendor , Reading Terminal Market is a one - stop shop for international discretion , wise produce , domestic fowl , sweets , and more . Come with a group and attempt a little bit from as many merchants as possible , likeSaami Somi , which help Georgian cheeseflower boats known as Khachapuri ; Roast Pork sandwich atDiNic’s(a classic ) , donuts fromBeiler ’s ; and traditional Filipino transportation atTambayan .
Take a dip in a public pool
Various locationsAll of Philly’s61 public pools have opened this class , offering resident physician in all neighborhood a probability to take a angle of dip for loose . Fairmount Park ’s Olympic - sized Kelly Pool boasts views of the Please Touch Museum while Fishtown ’s Lederer Pool ( aka Swimmo ) is always pop for swimmers of all ages . Outside of the city , residential district pools inHaddon Township , New JerseyandBucks County offerday passes for a tokenish fee . Ca n’t make it to a pool ? tiddler ( and kids at spirit ) can cool off at one of over90 spraygroundsfeaturing lively sprinkler and other water features in ballpark context .
Get outta town and go down the shore
Jersey ShoreUp for a road trip ? The Jersey shore is rife with pristine beach to plant an umbrella to cross off your place while you splash in the sea . BYO snack ( just watch out for seagulls ) or bulge out into a fudge shop for some afters and you ’re fix . For a more family - well-disposed vibe , test Ocean City or Cape May . desire the daytime fun to lead into nighttime ? Wildwood and Asbury Park have plenty of after - dark goings - on .
Take advantage of the AC at Philly’s best museums
Various locationsIf you ca n’t support the heat … get into some air conditioning . Along with that cold , cold air , take reward of the city ’s top showing , like the massive Disney retrospective , " Disney 100 : The Exhibition " at The Franklin Institute and a cool collaboration between PAFA and the African American Museum in Philadelphia , " Rising Sun : Artists in an Uncertain America , " where new study from 20 artists examining republic is shown in both museum .
Chill in a lazy river at a water park
Various locationsIf you want to make a whole day of it , take a little road tripper to a nearby urine park . With everything from usurious plunges and wave pool to voluminous slides and high - speed tube attractor , they provide both flush and gelidity . Six Flags Hurricane Harboris just under an hour away in Jackson Township , New Jersey , whileDorney Park ’s Wildwater Kingdomclocks in at just over an hour . Down the shoring , two water system parks are located on Morey ’s Pierson the Wildwood boardwalk and in Ocean City has theirown set of slidesoverlooking the boards and beach .
Cool off with some retail therapy and food court eats
Various locationsIt ’s never too early for back to schoolhouse shopping ( and you ’re never too old to still patronise for back - to - schooltime turnout ) . Spend that heavily - earned cash without breaking a sweat at any of the area ’s center . If you do n’t need to allow for the confines of the city , Fashion Districthas you handle . For an all - day shopping experience , the expansiveKing of Prussia Mallwasrecently nominate the best shopping mall in America . Over in Jersey , theCherry Hill Mallhas your all standards like Nordstrom , Banana Republic , and Zara .
Indulge your sweet tooth with cold treats
Various locationsThere are few things more quintessentially summertime thanwooder iceon a hot daytime . Stop by Bella Vista faveJohn ’s Water Icefor classic flavors like Lemon and Cherry . Or taste the flavor atSiddiq ’s Real Fruit Water Icewhich , as the name suggest , utilizes fresh fruits in their Strawberry Daiquiri and Mango Berry Varieties . If you ’re bet for something a lilliputian creamier , go all out on extravagant sundae atSomerset Splits . Do n’t drop the Carrot Cake ice emollient atHarper ’s . And for an older timey ice cream / soda fountain vibe , get yourself toFranklin Fountainfor cones , sundaes , shakes , and sodas .
Snap a stunning selfie
food market EastPut yourself into the art at Wonderspaces , Philly ’s only immersive artwork show ( with a full bar , we might add ) . locate inside the Fashion District , the experience feature 16 installations crop from a room of string luminousness , a menage where each way is made of rainbow furniture , and 3D - printed sculptures design to animate when spun under a strobe brightness . Grab a beer or a cocktail afterwards and scroll through all your motion picture .
Be entertained by live-action theater
Various locationsCushioned chairwoman , an abundance of snacks , and chilly AC all contribute to the prime conditions at Philly ’s theaters for some live entertainment . While summer is n’t the exact season for prime show going , it definitely beats the heat . At the Academy of Music , check outThe Lion Kingwhile Red Rūm Theater lay you right into the action at law with their interactional whodunnits , likeMurder at the Moulin .
The Mango One at LMNO|Photo courtesy of LMNO
Scanlon Pool|Photo by Ellen C Miller, courtesy of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Raging Waters at Morey’s Piers
Submergence by Squidsoup
