3.5 Stars. Penn's Landing is fun gathering spot on the edge of the Delaware River. You can pay $7.00 to take the ferry over to the Jersey side if you're going to check out the aquarium, catch a ball game at Campbell's Field or jam out to your favorite band at the Susquehanna Bank Center.
However, they also host a number of varying events and concerts during the year, obviously concentrated around the nicer weather months. We had a ball viewing the crazies participating in the Redbull Flutag on the water last September. In the winter, you can enjoy testing out your leg muscles you forgot existed by skating around the seasonally constructed ice rink with friends/family.
So, check out the calendar and find a reason to stop by Philly's waterfront.
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.delawareriverwaterfront.com%2Fevents&s=e5bd379031c6aba4b9017d923212ff5cc321fc6b3dec232fe5e95dcc0d26c744" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.delawareriver…</a>
Come any time on a weekend and you are bound to find a concert or festival going on. I have gone to a foodie festival, Indian culture festival, and even saw Donna Summer in concert here years ago! My favorite time to come here is during the summer for the Independence Day fireworks. Yes, you can stay on the Jersey side and watch from Campbell's Field..but there's nothing like taking Patco into 8th & Market, walking and stopping for an ice cream at Franklin Fountain and then taking your ice cream to the river to watch fireworks.
Review Source:This is why I look forward to the Spring & Summer months. I have been coming to Penn's Landing ever since I was a child and it never seems to disappoint me. I love coming here in the mornings because it's such a relaxing spot to ease my mind. During the Summer, they have the various events like the festivals and concerts that draws the large crowds from different ethnic backgrounds. My Fiancé and I love coming down here just to take long walks looking over the Delaware River and New Jersey. Penn's Landing will always be a spot I will always enjoy coming to no doubt about it.
Review Source:For Philly, this area is pretty cool. Penn's Landing in a way is kind of vague to a lot of people. They have their own definitions of it. I'd consider the area to be between Moshulu and Race St. Pier.
You'll never know what you can run into down here. A random concert, a festivity, a dredging ship open for a tour, and more! There's ice skating in the winter as well. You'll find an all you can eat ice cream festival in the summer.
We like to chill by the water, sitting on those grungy benches. Sometimes it's cool to feed the ducks and birds. I like to observe the Ben Franklin Bridge, my favorite piece of Philly art. I love it.
The space is truly special to me. Many great memories down there. It's peaceful and relaxing.
It's a special part of east Philly.
i love this place because it reminds me of the riverfront in new orleans. (it's like having a piece of home while being in philly - which means a whole hell of a lot.) this is one of my favorite spots to come at any hour of a free day to read, listen to the waves, watch ships pass, and relax. Â i'm super intrigued but also grossed out by all the people who wade in the fountains despite the "no wading" signs. i've seen too many suspect individuals sticking their dirty feet in those fountains...
while it can get crowded and be rife with shenanigans, the chaos is somewhat refreshing. it's nice to see snapshots of all different types of philly residents hanging out by the river.
nota bene: hepatitis-grade bathrooms. enter at your own risk.
I came here during Memorial Day weekend to see an outdoor concert. Â For the most part, I thought that this was a wonderful venue, despite the hot, concrete jungle-type feel. Â The security was rather minimal, there were plenty of food and beverage vendors, and the prices were what you might expect (be prepared to drop some serious coin).
Beware, though, there is no re-entry once you step out.
"Screenings Under the Stars," like Monica O. says, is pretty fantastic. The screen isn't the best, some philly dude with a massive beard WILL blow smoke in your face, and bad kids will step on your toes but it's generally worth it to be outside (preferably with people you like) and be entertained for very cheap. While the movie is free, obviously parking is not but if you find somewhere on the street (which we were able to do very easily) it won't cost you more than $4.50. Bring quarters: the spots closest to the entrance don't have kiosks. You may also want to bring a cushion, and some snacks, and some alcohol. Enjoy ;)
Review Source:"Screenings Under the Stars" at the Great Plaza Stage review--Who wants to always pay $10 or more per person to go to the movies? No one. Who wants to watch a good movie outdoors on Penn's Landing for free? Everyone!
See, that's the beauty of the summer...and the beauty of ballin' on a budget. Bring your own snacks and drinks, a chair or blanket, and come and enjoy a great movie al fresco. This is happening every Thursday night until August 25th, 2011.
The next films to be shown are The Social Network (July 21st) and Eat, Pray, Love (July 28th).
Depending on the event, Penn's Landing can be very hit or miss. I had a fairly good time at the Hispanic Festival yesterday (Fiesta Fest I call it). The Colombian food was ROCKIN! Although they were famine or feast, there were lots of nice looking women out.
Before this summer, I hadn't been down to Penn's Landing since I was a child. It's a shame to see how much it remains the same. When are they going to "do something" with this waterfront?
This review is also for the Great Plaza stage. Â Saw GBV here and pretty much agree with the good points the other guy mentioned. Â In nice weather, this place is great for music - fabulous sightlines, decent sound, the most laid-back security i've ever seen (maybe a little TOO laid back, as so many people were jumping on the stage it looked like a circus act for a while, but that's better than having security in your face every minute), a better beer selection than I would have expected for this type of show (Walt Whit as well as your usual Miller type brands), and an open backstage so you can see your favorite performers hanging out and maybe even wave over the little partition. Â
Only bad things were the beer prices - high, as expected (drop by the Khyber or Eulogy up the street to get your drink on before you head to the venue) and the weird will call setup, where people who are picking up tickets had to walk all the way around the venue to a different entrance - bit of a hike. Â Also, I don't know what one does if the skies start pouring while you're at one of these shows. Â The flimsy fabric shades over the amphitheater don't look like they'd catch the drops too well. Â Fortunately, I did not have that problem.
This is a review for the Great Plaza Stage. What a sick venue to see a spin or summer show! I saw My Morning Jacket here in August and it was such an intimate show. Its all GA, and its tiered so unless you are behind some behemoth, your sight lines will be great. The back drop of the stage is usually transparent which allows views of the water, and the beautiful Camden skyline.
The bad news is that I think the Great Plaza is short lived. Whatever plans the imbecile planners come up with next for Penn's Landing will surely end the life of the Great Plaza.
p.s. RIP Jam on the River
This review is specifically for "Screenings Under the Stars."
There's nothing like grabbing a cheesesteak and heading over to Penn's landing for an outdoor movie. Â Every Thursday in July and August , the Delaware Riverfront Water Corporation sponsors the screening of a different film for your enjoyment.
Why you need to come:
-Um, it's free? How many things in this world are really, truly 100% no-you-don't-need-to-reach-into-your-pocket GRATIS?! My point exactly. Sometimes, they even throw in some free samples from their sponsors (mm stonyfield honey mango yogurt)
-It's convenient. Â The el/bus 33,17,25,43/a nightly stroll. Whatever it is, Penn's landing is an easy place to meet up with friends living all over the city. SEPTA actually makes it kind of painless (gasp) to get here.
-It's an excuse to spend an entire evening outside. Â I don't know about you, but after working inside most of the day, I am more than ready for some fresh air! - Feel the breeze on your face, stretch out your legs and admire the orange-tinted moon as it climaxes (along with the movie!) above the Camden waterfront.
-Fantastic Mr. Fox. Love.
Quick recap for all my ADD friends out there: you + friends + cushion + Penn's landing = necessary. Go.
I went here in high school with my girlfriend for a 4th of July fireworks show. I wasn't sure if this place was it, so I pulled up to the lot and asked to turn around to see if there was something else. They asked for 5 dollars before I told them I just wanted to turn around and they did without a problem.
I drove up and down Columbus blvd for like 10 min and was like hey, that's it so best go there. We pulled up again and the ticket to park went up to like 25 (I don't have the exact price, but it jumped something stupid like that!) I thought that was absurd but paid anyways and parked.
My gf and I walked up and down the area for a bit and there was pretty much nothing there. The fireworks were amazing but all that was out were pretzel vendors and some nut vendors, no real places to sit and have a drink or relax.
I think if Philly would work on this area and add to tourist attractions and put some restaurants or something in there it would be much better.
I think they rely on south street or center city to attract people, but even those things have been lacking lately.
This is a review of the Festival Pier and the new River Stage. Both are great wheelchair accessible venues. With this matched with a beautiful night right off the Delaware they make for great venues.
Unfortunately, my first concert at Festival Pier left much to be desired. It was the Flaming Lips show last summer that ended in pouring rain and lightening. Aside from this, the service was great and the venue was very open and accessible. At the Festival Peir they let wheelchair users sit in the VIP area which is nice and there is nothing to obstruct your view. The staff is nice but they were kind of jerks about a few things like food. You pretty much have to purchase anything you consume there at the pier. Otherwise, it is nice so enjoy your night there.
The other/better venue on Penn's Landing is the new River Stage. I saw She & Him there last Friday and it was a great evening. When you walk in you have to take a right and go down a series of wide ramps that are fun to go down but be sure to go with someone or ask someone for help to get back up because it could take a while. The seating is set up as about 200 stairs going up and on the side of the stage. There are two levels of walkways about 50 and 100 feet from the stage. Between these and the ramps, they make for easy access. You can sit at the edge of the walkway facing the stage. Everyone stands when the concert starts so don't worry about being in someone's way. Also when they stand, the person in front of you will be blocking your view. It would be wise to sort this out and just ask if the person minds scooting over and making a gap. You might want to do this before the music starts. Then you will have a perfect view. My friend sat on a knee-high light post next to me and we had a great view. This place is nice and comfortable and I was able to scout out where I'm going to sit for My Morning Jacket in August! Enjoy guys.
It's a great place to run to from Center City in the morning... you see the sun rise and smell the water. Â It's a nicer scent than the Schuykill! Â There aren't too terribly many people around, and it can feel really good to have the new day's sunshine on your face first thing in the morning. Â You can do stretches to your heart's delight on the bars there, and just have a quiet moment.
It's also one of my favorite places to chill out and have a quick lunch picnic if I'm cycling home from IKEA. Â I love all the boats, and seeing the families and children have a time on the cute two-seater rentable Swan boats in the small marina. Â A great place to read a book, and a peaceful oasis from booming south st.
Place to chill, i am a big fan! Â Very open and just relaxed. Â Can't really compare it to waterfronts in other cities because there is not much "going on," however, that is what makes it kinda nice.
Concert venue, eh...quite large - so i'll have to say...depends on the artist. Â It is pretty dope to hear a great song in the evening with the moon out and having the bridge all lit up as a backdrop, and you can FEEL the energy of this amazing city!
Penn's Landing has always been a little disappointing to me, personally. Compared to other waterfront cities (Baltimore, D.C., NYC, etc.), this place is usually pretty dead when I go here unless there is an event going on that day. And just to echo what many other have said about the scenery, it's pretty lackluster. But every now and then it surprises me, look in a direction that you've never given a second glance before, you never know what you'll find!
Review Source:I need water. That's a major criteria when I consider where to live. It needs to be  more than a puddle. It can be polluted and shallow because I don't really intend to wade or swim in it. But I need to be able to get to it and enjoy it's beauty. I'm a land lover who likes the occasional affair with the sea.
That being said, like many cities, Philly's waterfront area is only mediocre because of limited access. I don't know about you scallywags but I like to be able to walk or ride my bike to see the water. But with 95 and Columbus Blvd. right there, I often feel unadventureous.
I think that because of this disconnect from the city, Penn's Landing often goes unnoticed, and thus has been under utilized. For instance, have you every gone to one of those ethnic heritage festivals held there? I went to an Hispanic one a few years back. Great food. Nice entertainment. And nearly zero attendance. I don't even think enough people go to the museum or the skating rink either. The only event that has had a respectable attendance is that all-you-can-eat ice cream thing they do (coming up in July this year, btw). That was amazing. I'm still trying to work of the layers of fat from that. Anyway, where are the joggers and sightseers and couples walking hand-in-hand?
I like Penn's Landing because I like access to water. But I think Philadelphia has dropped the ball on this one. But I guess they take after so many other cities. Or perhaps, like all the other stuff they tout (a crappy library system or a crappy bell), they had the first mediocre waterfront area.
There's a lot of concrete here.
Are those toilets or fountains? Â If they're fountains, why doesn't the water run?
Did they film Candyman in the bathrooms downstairs?
If you're here early to set up for an event, joggers who aren't allowed in will give you the stinkeye.
The screens around the stage look like IKEA flags. Where can I get Swedish meatballs?
View to the East: New Jersey.
View to the South: parking lot.
View to the West: highway.
View to the North: Walt Whitman Bridge, combining the best of the highway with New Jersey!
Thing I liked best about Penn's Landing: Coast Guard air rescue practice going on right past the fakey pirate ship.
Penn's Landing needs a major overhaul...FAST! Â It used to be such a great place to visit when I was younger but has become very rundown and neglected over the years. Â Penn's Landing Corporation should start doing some MAJOR fundraising efforts to completely renovate the concrete labyrinth that is the Great Plaza ampitheater. Â
And what's up with those fountains?!? Â I mean fountains are great and offer a good place to cool off during the hot summer months (especially at a venue like Penn's Landing) but this place puts all fountains to shame with gross tile finishes, broken fountain heads/unoperational fountains and murky brown water that I swear comes right out of the Delaware River!
It's really nice at night though.  The lights on the Moshulu and the nearby Chart House restaurant (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chart-house.com%2F&s=a2521c1370bfb0eec102f649332ee39185e9ccfdd140fb270823948b87b8d1a5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.chart-house.c…</a>) make it a romantic place for an evening stroll with a date or just walking with friends.  Very peaceful and serene.
P.S. Â Less parking, more entertainment!! Â Build a parking garage for cryin out loud!! Â And bring in more entertainment/hold events on a more consistent basis - maybe instead of holding so many free events start charging, say, $5 or something affordable for events to raise money for a renovation/maintenance of Penn's Landing. Â I mean free is great and all and you really can't beat that but I'd rather pay an affordable price for an event to be held at a nice venue rather than see a free concert in completely deplorable conditions! Â In addition, there are plenty of other ways that I can think of off the top of my head to raise money without charging guests a high admission fee.
Penn's Landing has great potential...it just hasn't been discovered (rediscovered?) yet!
I'm probably a little biased because I live at one of the piers on Penn's Landing. Â Sure, the water's a little brown and the riverview overlooks Camden, but the waterfront and the view of the Ben Franklin Bridge are still worth checking out. Â Penn's Landing is also one of the greatest places to check out 4th of July Fireworks and the people who plan the events for Penn's Landing put together some pretty great stuff -- including occasional free Summer concerts and Jam on the River (where the Flaming Lips will be headlining this month.) Â Basically, I think you should look past the murky waters and check out some of the other stuff that Penn's Landing offers.
Review Source:Nice place to drop off your 19 year-old soon to be discovered a tramp "girl friend" while you're out working to make the money she is going to mooch from you. She'll be entertained sitting by the water, reading, and talking to strangers while contemplating how she'll get you to fly her to NYC where her "weekend" stayover was at frat orgies in Staten Island where she was the star. Remember if she leaves with x condoms and returns with (x minus y) condoms, she's a tramp.
Review Source:I'm kind of mixed on Penn's Landing. I've been to some real fun things here like Irish Festivals, and Concerts (Saw Yeah Yeah Yeahs for free way back when and it was freaking awesome). The Moshulu is a good boat restaurant and it has some good historic boats that are worth checking out. you also can't go wrong with Jam On The River, and it's one of the best places to watch fireworks on 4th of July.
But the brown water can be pretty unattractive to the eye. And for a riverfront pier side view it doesn't really give you a whole lot to look at. The Christopher Columbus memorial that's here can be another turn off.
As a native of Philly, it's hard for me to evaluate Penn's Landing objectively. Â It's just always been there, so I never thought about it much. Â It's a great place for free concerts, festivals, etc., like Jam on the River for Memorial Day. Â I'm a huge fan of Sippin' By the River, a beer and wine tasting event that they have every September. Â The River Rink is a great place to ice skate outdoors in the winter. Â Penn's Landing is on the water and is easily accessible from Olde City (by foot) or 95 (by car). Â There's parking. Â But it's not spectacular. Â It could be cleaner, it can be sketchy at night if there's no event going on, and the Delaware is seriously polluted. Â Â I'm also a little annoyed with the effulsive praise for Christopher Columbus on the Columbus memorial statue thing that they put up not that long ago. Â I mean, the man accidentally discovered some islands (but was not the first European in the Western Continent, thank you, Lief Eriksson), brutally murdered some of the inhabitants, killed a lot of other natives by bringing over European diseases, kidnapped others to take them back to Europe, and treated his men so badly they nearly mutineed (more than once, I think). Â Why give the man a monument? Â And what's worse, they renamed Delaware Ave. "Columbus Boulevard." Â That's great - change the name from the native inhabitants to that of the invader. Â Lovely. Â And why that location for Columbus Ave. and a Columbus monument? Â The guy never set foot in Philly. Â Why not name it William Penn Boulevard or something more appropriate? Or how about "landing spot for lots and lots of poor Irish folk" boulevard? Â Just a thought. Â Oh yeah, that reminds me, a HUGE monument to the Irish famine/Irish immigration is also near Penn's Landing, since Philly has the largest Irish-American population of any city in the country (nope, it's not Boston).
Anyway, my little rant aside, Penn's Landing is a cool place, but it's not the most spectacular waterfront on earth. Â And I have no problem with Billy Penn. Â Go Quakers.
Every major city has a peir/harbor and Philadelphia has Penn's Landing... being from Philly, lots of history, for one, did you know Penn's Landing is where William Penn, Philadelphia's founder, first touched ground in his "greene country towne." Â PL runs off the west bank of the Delaware River. Â
This is a prime area for festivals, concerts, fireworks, dining, partying, dancing, skating, strolling around with friends and/or dates... an area worth checking out for out of towners. Â Just remember, it gets HOT in the summers and COLD in the winters!
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