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{{Infobox LocalBusiness
{{Infobox Neighborhood
| name = Penn's Landing
| name = Penn's Landing
| type = Waterfront park
| type = Waterfront district
| address = Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street
| location = Center City
| neighborhood = Old City
| zip_codes = 19106
| website = https://delawareriverwaterfront.com
| established = 1967 (current development)
| established = 1967
| named_for = William Penn's landing site
| hours = Always open (attractions vary)
| boundaries = Delaware River waterfront from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
| public_transit = 2nd Street Station (MFL), RiverLink Ferry
| adjacent_neighborhoods = [[Old City, Philadelphia|Old City]], [[Society Hill]], [[Queen Village]]
| major_streets = Columbus Boulevard (Delaware Avenue)
| transit = Market-Frankford Line (2nd Street Station), Bus Routes
| notable_landmarks = Independence Seaport Museum, Spruce Street Harbor Park, RiverRink
}}
}}


'''Penn's Landing''' is a waterfront area on the Delaware River in [[Old City]], Philadelphia, commemorating the site where William Penn first landed in 1682. The area features seasonal attractions, festivals, the Independence Seaport Museum, and views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Camden waterfront.<ref name="pennslanding">{{cite web |url=https://delawareriverwaterfront.com |title=Penn's Landing |publisher=Delaware River Waterfront Corporation |access-date=December 23, 2025}}</ref>
'''Penn's Landing''' is the Delaware River waterfront area in [[Philadelphia]], named for the traditional site where William Penn first landed in 1682. The area has been developed as a public park and entertainment district, featuring seasonal attractions, the Independence Seaport Museum, and views of the Delaware River and Camden waterfront. Penn's Landing hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year.<ref name="visitphilly">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/penns-landing/ |title=Penn's Landing |publisher=Visit Philadelphia |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==


=== William Penn's Arrival ===
=== William Penn's Landing ===


William Penn arrived on the Delaware River on October 27, 1682, to claim his colony of Pennsylvania. The approximate landing site is commemorated at Penn's Landing, though the actual shoreline has shifted over centuries of development.
William Penn reputedly landed at this site on October 27, '''1682''', when he first arrived in his colony. A plaque marks the traditional landing spot, though the exact location is uncertain.


=== Modern Development ===
=== Industrial Era ===


* 1967: Penn's Landing dedicated as public space
For most of Philadelphia's history, the Delaware waterfront was a working port:
* Original design included concrete plazas
* Shipping wharves
* Criticized over decades for failing to connect city to river
* Industrial facilities
* Ongoing redevelopment plans to improve waterfront access
* Commerce and trade
* Limited public access
 
=== Urban Renewal ===
 
Penn's Landing was created as a public space in the 1960s and 1970s:
* I-95 construction separated the waterfront from Old City
* Public park development
* Festival site creation
* Ongoing redevelopment


== Attractions ==
== Attractions ==
Line 29: Line 41:
=== Independence Seaport Museum ===
=== Independence Seaport Museum ===


Maritime museum with historic ships:
The '''Independence Seaport Museum''' focuses on maritime history:
* Ship models and exhibits
* Historic vessels (USS Olympia, Submarine Becuna)
* Maritime art
* Educational programs


* USS Olympia (1892 cruiser)
=== Spruce Street Harbor Park ===
* USS Becuna (WWII submarine)
* Maritime exhibits


=== Seasonal Attractions ===
'''Spruce Street Harbor Park''' (seasonal, typically May-September):
* Hammocks along the waterfront
* Food vendors
* Beer garden
* Colorful lighting
* Floating barges


* '''Spruce Street Harbor Park*** (summer) — Hammocks, floating barges, beer garden
=== RiverRink and Winterfest ===
* '''Blue Cross RiverRink*** (winter) — Outdoor ice skating
* '''Summerfest concerts*** — Outdoor music events
* '''Tall ships visits*** — Periodic historic ship arrivals


=== RiverLink Ferry ===
'''RiverRink''' and '''Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest''' (seasonal):
* Outdoor ice skating (winter)
* Roller skating (summer)
* Fire pits and warming stations
* Holiday attractions


Seasonal ferry connection:
=== Race Street Pier ===


* Connects Philadelphia to Camden, NJ
'''Race Street Pier*** - Elevated public park:
* Access to Adventure Aquarium
* Views of the river
* Access to Battleship New Jersey
* Landscaped pier
* Scenic Delaware River crossing
* Seating areas
* Connection to Old City


== The Waterfront Today ==
== Events ==


=== Ongoing Development ===
Penn's Landing hosts numerous events:


Penn's Landing is undergoing transformation:
=== Major Events ===


* New park designs approved
* '''July 4th celebration*** - Fireworks, Wawa Welcome America
* Improved pedestrian connections
* '''New Year's Eve*** - Fireworks
* Cap over I-95 highway (planned)
* '''Tall Ships festivals*** (occasional)
* Mixed-use development
* Concerts and festivals throughout summer


=== Challenges ===
=== Regular Programming ===


* I-95 separates city from waterfront
* Summer movie series
* Original design now dated
* Fitness classes
* Limited year-round programming
* Cultural festivals
* Weather-dependent attractions
* Food festivals


== Visiting ==
== I-95 Cap Project ==


{| class="wikitable"
Philadelphia is planning to cap a section of I-95 to better connect Penn's Landing with Old City:
|-
* Remove barrier between waterfront and neighborhood
! Detail !! Information
* Create new park space
|-
* Improve pedestrian access
| '''Location''' || Delaware River waterfront at Walnut Street
* Major infrastructure project
|-
| '''Hours''' || Always open (attractions vary seasonally)
|-
| '''Admission''' || Free (attractions may charge)
|-
| '''Best season''' || Summer (Spruce Street Harbor Park)
|-
| '''Winter''' || RiverRink skating
|}


== Getting There ==
== Getting There ==


* '''SEPTA Subway''' — 2nd Street Station (Market-Frankford Line)
=== Public Transit ===
* '''Walking''' — From Old City, cross under I-95
* '''RiverLink Ferry*** — From Camden
* '''Parking''' — Garages at Columbus Boulevard


== Frequently Asked Questions ==
* '''Market-Frankford Line (The L):*** 2nd Street Station
* '''SEPTA Bus Routes:*** 21, 25, 42


{{FAQ
=== Walking ===
|q1=What is there to do at Penn's Landing?
|a1=Penn's Landing offers seasonal attractions: Spruce Street Harbor Park (summer hammocks and beer garden), Blue Cross RiverRink (winter ice skating), the Independence Seaport Museum, and views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. It's also a departure point for the RiverLink Ferry to Camden.


|q2=Where did William Penn land?
Penn's Landing is walkable from:
|a2=William Penn arrived on the Delaware River on October 27, 1682. Penn's Landing commemorates this approximate location, though the actual shoreline has changed significantly over 340 years of development.
* [[Old City]] (5 minutes, though crossing I-95)
* [[Society Hill]] (5-10 minutes)
* [[Center City]] (15-20 minutes)


|q3=Can you walk along the waterfront at Penn's Landing?
=== Ferries ===
|a3=Yes, there are walkways along the Delaware River with views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Camden. The area is always open for walking, though some attractions are seasonal. The connection from Old City requires crossing under I-95.


|q4=What is Spruce Street Harbor Park?
* '''RiverLink Ferry*** - Seasonal service to Camden waterfront attractions
|a4=Spruce Street Harbor Park is a popular summer attraction at Penn's Landing featuring colorful hammocks, floating barges, food vendors, a beer garden, and waterfront atmosphere. It's open seasonally (typically May-September) and is free to enter.
 
}}
== Camden Waterfront ==
 
Across the Delaware River, the Camden waterfront offers:
* Adventure Aquarium
* BB&T Pavilion (concert venue)
* Battleship New Jersey
* Connected by RiverLink Ferry


== See Also ==
== See Also ==


* [[Old City, Philadelphia|Old City]]
* [[Delaware River]]
* [[Independence Seaport Museum]]
* [[Independence Seaport Museum]]
* [[Delaware River]]
* [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]]
* [[Old City]]
* [[Benjamin Franklin Bridge]]


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
== External Links ==
* [https://delawareriverwaterfront.com Delaware River Waterfront Corporation]
* [https://www.riverrink.com Blue Cross RiverRink]


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Penn's Landing - Philadelphia's Delaware River Waterfront
|title=Penn's Landing Philadelphia - Delaware River Waterfront Guide
|description=Penn's Landing is Philadelphia's Delaware waterfront featuring Spruce Street Harbor Park, RiverRink ice skating, the Seaport Museum, and the spot where William Penn landed in 1682.
|description=Guide to Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront. Spruce Street Harbor Park, RiverRink, Independence Seaport Museum, and seasonal attractions.
|keywords=Penn's Landing, Philadelphia waterfront, Spruce Street Harbor Park, RiverRink, Delaware River, William Penn, Old City
|keywords=Penn's Landing Philadelphia, Philadelphia waterfront, Spruce Street Harbor Park, RiverRink, Independence Seaport Museum, Delaware River Philadelphia
|type=Article
|type=Article
}}
}}


[[Category:Landmarks]]
[[Category:Neighborhoods]]
[[Category:Parks]]
[[Category:Center City]]
[[Category:Old City]]
[[Category:Waterfront Districts]]
[[Category:Waterfront]]
[[Category:Attractions]]

Revision as of 22:38, 29 December 2025

Penn's Landing
TypeWaterfront district
LocationCenter City
ZIP code(s)19106
Established1967 (current development)
Named forWilliam Penn's landing site
BoundariesDelaware River waterfront from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
AdjacentOld City, Society Hill, Queen Village
Major streetsColumbus Boulevard (Delaware Avenue)
TransitMarket-Frankford Line (2nd Street Station), Bus Routes
LandmarksIndependence Seaport Museum, Spruce Street Harbor Park, RiverRink

Penn's Landing is the Delaware River waterfront area in Philadelphia, named for the traditional site where William Penn first landed in 1682. The area has been developed as a public park and entertainment district, featuring seasonal attractions, the Independence Seaport Museum, and views of the Delaware River and Camden waterfront. Penn's Landing hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year.[1]

History

William Penn's Landing

William Penn reputedly landed at this site on October 27, 1682, when he first arrived in his colony. A plaque marks the traditional landing spot, though the exact location is uncertain.

Industrial Era

For most of Philadelphia's history, the Delaware waterfront was a working port:

  • Shipping wharves
  • Industrial facilities
  • Commerce and trade
  • Limited public access

Urban Renewal

Penn's Landing was created as a public space in the 1960s and 1970s:

  • I-95 construction separated the waterfront from Old City
  • Public park development
  • Festival site creation
  • Ongoing redevelopment

Attractions

Independence Seaport Museum

The Independence Seaport Museum focuses on maritime history:

  • Ship models and exhibits
  • Historic vessels (USS Olympia, Submarine Becuna)
  • Maritime art
  • Educational programs

Spruce Street Harbor Park

Spruce Street Harbor Park (seasonal, typically May-September):

  • Hammocks along the waterfront
  • Food vendors
  • Beer garden
  • Colorful lighting
  • Floating barges

RiverRink and Winterfest

RiverRink and Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest (seasonal):

  • Outdoor ice skating (winter)
  • Roller skating (summer)
  • Fire pits and warming stations
  • Holiday attractions

Race Street Pier

Race Street Pier*** - Elevated public park:

  • Views of the river
  • Landscaped pier
  • Seating areas
  • Connection to Old City

Events

Penn's Landing hosts numerous events:

Major Events

  • July 4th celebration*** - Fireworks, Wawa Welcome America
  • New Year's Eve*** - Fireworks
  • Tall Ships festivals*** (occasional)
  • Concerts and festivals throughout summer

Regular Programming

  • Summer movie series
  • Fitness classes
  • Cultural festivals
  • Food festivals

I-95 Cap Project

Philadelphia is planning to cap a section of I-95 to better connect Penn's Landing with Old City:

  • Remove barrier between waterfront and neighborhood
  • Create new park space
  • Improve pedestrian access
  • Major infrastructure project

Getting There

Public Transit

  • Market-Frankford Line (The L):*** 2nd Street Station
  • SEPTA Bus Routes:*** 21, 25, 42

Walking

Penn's Landing is walkable from:

Ferries

  • RiverLink Ferry*** - Seasonal service to Camden waterfront attractions

Camden Waterfront

Across the Delaware River, the Camden waterfront offers:

  • Adventure Aquarium
  • BB&T Pavilion (concert venue)
  • Battleship New Jersey
  • Connected by RiverLink Ferry

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "Penn's Landing". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025
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