We love Philadelphia in the spring!
The trees are blossoming, the sun is shining, and so many fun activities start to pop up. It’s beautiful to walk around Fairmount Park and enjoy the views of the Schuylkill. And there is nothing like grabbing a hot dog at Citizens Bank Park and watching the Phillies play on a cool spring evening.
If you’re trying to enjoy the spring weather in Philadelphia, the guide below shares some of the best things to do. So, let’s dive in!
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10 Fun Things to Do in Philadelphia Spring 2024
1. Visit the Gardens
Did you know Philadelphia is the garden capital of the US? With over 30 public and private gardens, you won’t have trouble finding a place to meander through the spring blossoms.
Some of our favorite gardens in and near Philadelphia include the Morris Arboretum, Longwood Gardens, and Chaticleer. However, there also also FREE gardens like PHS Meadowbrook and Jenkins Arboretum.
2. Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival
Every year, the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia throws a big party to celebrate the beautiful Japanese sakura planted in Fairmount Park.
For 2024, the main festival takes place April 13th and 14th at the Fairmount Horticulture Center. The event is free and non-ticketed, but they’ll also be accepting donations.
If you can’t make the event that weekend, there will be other fun things going on during the month of April, like Japanese Restaurant Week, sushi classes, and more.
3. Ropes Courses
Ropes courses and ziplines are a lot of fun, and as the weather warms up, it’s the perfect spring activity. Luckily, there are plenty of places to enjoy climbing high near Philadelphia.
Treetop Quest in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park opens for the 2024 season on March 16th. TreeTrails in Feasterville is open on weekends until March 15th, when they open up more hours. Hellerick’s in Doylestown will open its aerial adventure course on March 24th. And Elmwood Park Zoo’s TreeTop Adventures typically open at the end of April.
Treehouse World in West Chester is perfect for families with young kids, with several ziplines and other fun obstacles. They open on March 2nd, weekends only until Memorial Day.
4. Go Hiking
When the weather starts to warm up, it’s the perfect time to get out on a hike! Luckily, there are several places in Philadelphia to get out among nature.
We love the trails at Wissahickon Valley Park. And the recently upgraded signage along the Trolley Trail makes it easy to enjoy West Fairmount.
For some easier trails, try John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge near the airport or Benjamin Rush State Park and Pennypack Park in the northeast.
5. Spruce Street Harbor Park
When the hammocks come out, you know spring has arrived! Spruce Street Harbor Park is a fun oasis in the city, offering a shady reprieve from the hustle and bustle.
Games, hammocks, food trucks, and more are available for you to indulge in, take in views of the Delaware River, and people-watch. The park opens on Mother’s Day weekend.
While you’re there, stop in at the Independence Seaport Museum, one of our favorites in the city. You can tour a historic ship and learn more about how Philadelphia capitalized on its location along the river.
6. Penn Relays
Every spring, over 15,000 participants from all over North America meet in Philadelphia to compete in over 100 events. The Penn Relays is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the US and draws in attendance of over 100,000 people.
The Penn Relays take place on the last Saturday in April, plus the two preceding days. It’s not always the last full weekend in April, but for 2024, that is the case, as they will be April 25th-27th this year.
Tickets are sold for each day of the event starting at the end of January. It’s a popular event that can sell out, so you’ll want to buy your tickets early.
7. Roller Skating at Dilworth Park
Ice skating at Dilworth Park at City Hall is a fun winter event in Philadelphia. But when spring rolls around, the ice comes out, and the color comes in!
At the end of April, Dilworth Park is transformed into a retro rink, with a black and white checkboard pattern on the ground and lots of color above.
Guests can roller skate seven days a week. You can purchase admission for $10 and bring your own skates or also rent skates for an additional $6. It’s definitely a fun and unique thing to do during spring in Philadelphia!
8. Boating at Bartram’s Garden
There are so many beautiful places to rent boats or kayaks near Philadelphia. But Bartram’s Garden is the only place that does it for FREE!
Starting Mother’s Day weekend, Bartram has FREE boating on Saturdays. Every Saturday, from 10 am until 2 pm, visitors can take a boat out from the community boathouse for a 30-minute float around the river. It’s such a fun way to enjoy a beautiful spring day in Philadelphia.
9. Philadelphia Phillies Baseball
It’s not officially spring in Philadelphia until baseball starts! There is no better way to enjoy the season than to catch a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park.
In 2024, the Phillies open their season on March 28th, but they have several home games to choose from throughout the spring. Choose a game with a promotion to get gear like a Phillies scarf, Phanatic mittens, or a bucket hat.
10. Playground Fun
There are so many fun playgrounds around Philadelphia that are perfect to visit on a sunny spring day.
Check out the Smith Memorial Playground in East Fairmount, an indoor and outdoor play area and a large wooden slide.
The newest addition to FDR Park will be hit with kids as they have a circle of swings, large climbing towers, and tall slides to enjoy.
Even More Things to Do Nearby in Spring
The counties surrounding Philadelphia also have so many fun things to do in spring.
We love climbing up Bowman’s Hill Tower and shopping around New Hope in Bucks County. Visiting Valley Forge and Elmwood Park Zoo are fun spring activities in Montgomery County. And hiking around Ridley Creek State Park in Delaware County is always a treat when the weather is nice.
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