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


== History ==
== History ==


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


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.
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.


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


For most of Philadelphia's history, the Delaware waterfront was a working port:
* 1967: Penn's Landing dedicated as public space
* Shipping wharves
* Original design included concrete plazas
* Industrial facilities
* Criticized over decades for failing to connect city to river
* Commerce and trade
* Ongoing redevelopment plans to improve waterfront access
* 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 41: Line 29:
=== Independence Seaport Museum ===
=== Independence Seaport Museum ===


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Philadelphia is planning to cap a section of I-95 to better connect Penn's Landing with Old City:
{| class="wikitable"
* Remove barrier between waterfront and neighborhood
|-
* Create new park space
! Detail !! Information
* Improve pedestrian access
|-
* Major infrastructure project
| '''Location''' || Delaware River waterfront at Walnut Street
|-
| '''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 ==


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


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


=== Walking ===
{{FAQ
|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.


Penn's Landing is walkable from:
|q2=Where did William Penn land?
* [[Old City]] (5 minutes, though crossing I-95)
|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.
* [[Society Hill]] (5-10 minutes)
* [[Center City]] (15-20 minutes)


=== Ferries ===
|q3=Can you walk along the waterfront at Penn's Landing?
|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.


* '''RiverLink Ferry*** - Seasonal service to Camden waterfront attractions
|q4=What is Spruce Street Harbor Park?
 
|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]]
* [[Independence Seaport Museum]]
* [[Delaware River]]
* [[Delaware River]]
* [[Independence Seaport Museum]]
* [[Old City]]
* [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center 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 - Delaware River Waterfront Guide
|title=Penn's Landing - Philadelphia's Delaware River Waterfront
|description=Guide to Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's Delaware River waterfront. Spruce Street Harbor Park, RiverRink, Independence Seaport Museum, and seasonal attractions.
|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.
|keywords=Penn's Landing Philadelphia, Philadelphia waterfront, Spruce Street Harbor Park, RiverRink, Independence Seaport Museum, Delaware River Philadelphia
|keywords=Penn's Landing, Philadelphia waterfront, Spruce Street Harbor Park, RiverRink, Delaware River, William Penn, Old City
|type=Article
|type=Article
}}
}}


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

Revision as of 03:57, 24 December 2025

Penn's Landing



TypeWaterfront park
AddressColumbus Boulevard at Walnut Street
MapView on Google Maps
NeighborhoodOld City
WebsiteOfficial site
Established1967
HoursAlways open (attractions vary)
Penn's LandingColumbus Boulevard at Walnut StreetPhiladelphiaPAUS

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.[1]

History

William Penn's Arrival

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.

Modern Development

  • 1967: Penn's Landing dedicated as public space
  • Original design included concrete plazas
  • Criticized over decades for failing to connect city to river
  • Ongoing redevelopment plans to improve waterfront access

Attractions

Independence Seaport Museum

Maritime museum with historic ships:

  • USS Olympia (1892 cruiser)
  • USS Becuna (WWII submarine)
  • Maritime exhibits

Seasonal Attractions

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

Seasonal ferry connection:

  • Connects Philadelphia to Camden, NJ
  • Access to Adventure Aquarium
  • Access to Battleship New Jersey
  • Scenic Delaware River crossing

The Waterfront Today

Ongoing Development

Penn's Landing is undergoing transformation:

  • New park designs approved
  • Improved pedestrian connections
  • Cap over I-95 highway (planned)
  • Mixed-use development

Challenges

  • I-95 separates city from waterfront
  • Original design now dated
  • Limited year-round programming
  • Weather-dependent attractions

Visiting

Detail Information
Location Delaware River waterfront at Walnut Street
Hours Always open (attractions vary seasonally)
Admission Free (attractions may charge)
Best season Summer (Spruce Street Harbor Park)
Winter RiverRink skating

Getting There

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Template:FAQ

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "Penn's Landing". Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. Retrieved December 23, 2025
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