Outdoor Activities in Philly: The Ultimate Outdoors Cheat Sheet for Summer
Belmont Plateau, a perfect picnic and running spot | Photo by Flickr user Rich Lee
Trust us: We know how easy it is to get stuck watching Grey’s Anatomy episode after Grey’s Anatomy episode while sprawled out in front of the air conditioner on a hot summer day. So to make sure you have no excuses for wasting your summer stuck indoors, we’ve put together this cheat sheet full of outdoor activities in and around Philly, from outdoor yoga options to waterfall-filled hikes to Shore runs to picnic spots. The goal? To give you endless hours of outdoor fun right at your fingertips. Print it out, paste it on your fridge with a big sign that screams “SAY NO TO NETFLIX!” and squeeze the most out of your summer in Philly.
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST PRODUCE
Why do your weekly shopping in an over air-conditioned grocery store when you can head to an outdoor farmers’ market (some, like Greensgrow, complete with pigs and chickens, too)? Yeah, there is no reason. Here, where to find farmers’ markets in Philly, the ‘burbs and New Jersey.
There is nothing better than getting your downward dog on in the sunshine and ending class with a few minutes of Savasana spent starting up at the clouds. So soak it up while you can!
WHERE TO GO ON WATERFALL-FILLED HIKES
You know what so beats staring at the TV? Staring at a freakin’ 25-foot waterfall you hiked to find. Here, eight Philly-area spots to find hikes with waterfalls and great views.
Go camping by the lake | Photograph by Tom Bean/The Image Bank/Getty Images
We got the scoop from local camping pros on the best places to pitch a tent around Philly. Here, their top five picks for a weekend getaway.
Honestly, nothing beats spreading out a blanket with friends and wasting a summer day away on the grass. Here, 10 picturesque picnic spots around Philly to do just that.
It’s no longer 18 degrees and your running routine isn’t confined to three-mile out-and-back runs anymore. Take advantage of the weather and head to one (or all!) of these 15 sweet trails around the region.
If you plan on taking your running shoes to the sandy shores this summer, here are the best routes to try (complete with maps!).
WHERE TO RUN IN THE WISSAHICKON
Around here, we like to say that a Sunday spent running the Wissahickon brings a week of content. Go ahead and fact-check that statement for yourself with these runner-approved routes.
For when your only plans for the day are to sit back and relax with a cup o’ joe: These are the best spots to people watch (and eavesdrop) around Philly.
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST ART MUSEUM WORKOUTS
There’s no better time than summer to embrace Philly’s unofficial outdoor gym: The Art Museum steps. These are our favorite must-try classes at the iconic spot.
Here, fitness trainer Jordan Hankins dishes on his favorite outdoor workout spots in Philly, from the elevated Cira Green to Race Street Pier. And if you don’t know what to do once you get there, not to fear: He provides a workout for each spot.
WHERE TO DO FLOATING FITNESS ON A RIVER
If you’ve yet to try your hand at downward dogging on a stand-up paddleboard, you’re going to want to cross that off your bucket list this summer. Here’s where to do yoga, floating boot camps (!) and more, all on the Delaware River.
WHERE TO FIND TRAILS YOU’VE NEVER HIKED BEFORE
Did you know you can hike the Wawa Preserve? Cool, right? Here’s how to find out about all the trails you never knew existed around the city.
WHERE TO FIND CARLESS DIRECTIONS
If you want to get the most out of the outdoors but aren’t quite sure how to get around the city without a car, fear not: This super-useful online mapping tool will help you to find awesome places to go around Philly and give you multimodal directions for how to get there walking, using public transportation and biking. Great outdoors, here you come.
Get out of the gym already! We got Philly personal trainer Gina Mancuso to dish on the best places to do stairs workout around Philly, and trust us, the views from these spots totally beat the view from any StairMaster machine.
Here, five gorgeous spots to take a dip, whether you prefer tubing or tuck-jumping off a diving board.
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