Pack a picnic basket and lay out a blanket at these beautiful outdoor spaces in Philadelphia.
When the warmer weather finally hits, it’s best practice to get outside as often as possible! That includes enjoying your meals outdoors, preferably on picnics.
We’ve put together a list of some of the best picnic spots in Philly, whether we’re talking about popular spaces with unrivaled scenic views or secret gardens in the middle of the most urban areas. Grab your picnic basket—or order takeout from your favorite local restaurant—and plan for a summer of picnics in the city.
James G. Kaskey Memorial Park – University City
An ecological wonder in the middle of the University of Pennsylvania campus, James G. Kaskey Memorial Park is a botanic garden that dates to 1894. The BioPond, the originally hand-dug pond that stands as the centerpiece of the research garden, is home to wildlife not typically seen in the middle of a city—turtles, frogs, and ducks—as well as the welcome shade of a native tree canopy.
You can enjoy a picnic while relaxing on the park’s lawns or at its benches and picnic tables.
Magnolia Garden – Old City
The Magnolia Garden may be in the middle of Philadelphia’s biggest tourist area, but it’s still a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. The garden is part of Independence National Historical Park, but many visitors likely bypass it entirely. Located on Locust Street between 4th and 5th Streets, it was inspired by George Washington’s interest in magnolia trees and was donated to the National Park Service by the Garden Club of America in 1959.
The small, grassy space is encircled by 13 magnolia trees, which symbolize the 13 original colonies and bloom pink in the spring. There is also a fountain and public benches, making this an ideal spot for picnics while exploring the historic district.
Thomas Mill Covered Bridge – Wissahickon Valley Park
Wissahickon Valley Park, a slice of forest in urban Philadelphia, is a natural retreat of more than 2,000 acres, with plenty of picnic areas and winding trails. It’s also home to the only remaining covered bridge in the city. The Thomas Mill Covered Bridge has spanned Wissahickon Creek for centuries, having originally been built in 1737 and restored in 1938.
Relaxing near the secluded, red covered bridge will make you feel like you’re picnicking in the countryside. The area features a handful of benches that offer a view of the covered bridge and are perfect for lounging and lunching.
Corinthian Gardens – Fairmount
Maintained by Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary Park, Corinthian Gardens only opened to the public in 2020, but in that short time, the area has become a thriving Philly gem that plays multiple roles in the neighborhood: community garden, edible forest, play area, and picnic locale. Berry bushes offer built-in snacking while picnic tables serve as gathering spots in the beautiful green space just beyond Eastern State Penitentiary.
Lardner’s Point Park – Tacony
Just south of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge along the Delaware River, Lardner’s Point Park is a riverfront picnic spot that’s an ecological restoration success story. Lardner’s Point was a polluted industrial waste zone before it was transformed into a haven for native plants and Philadelphians seeking respite.
Visitors can bring a picnic to enjoy on the water on one of the public benches or picnic tables before hopping on the nearby K&T Trail to continue admiring the river.
Washington Avenue Pier – South Philly
Some of Philadelphia’s best-kept secrets are the waterfront views accessible along the Delaware River, and the scenery at Washington Avenue Pier—the transformed Pier 53 at Washington Avenue Green—is no exception.
Washington Avenue Pier is the result of a multi-million dollar restoration of the Pier 53 site that bolsters the area’s wetland habitat while offering an elevated boardwalk for visitors to enjoy the riverfront. It’s also a historic site—here, at Philadelphia’s version of Ellis Island, more than a million people immigrated to the United States.
The pier is also home to a work of public art, Jody Pinto’s “Land Buoy,” that works double duty as a spiral staircase allowing visitors to catch panoramic views of the waterfront and as an artwork that calls to the pier’s history. “I want people to climb the spiral into a crows nest and take the place of what it meant to sight land for the first time,” the artist has said of the piece.
Pretzel Park – Manayunk
Manayunk’s much-loved Pretzel Park was originally named Manayunk Park, but locals were so used to calling it Pretzel Park (because a pretzel vendor used to frequent it, perhaps?) they petitioned for a name change in 2004. Today, it’s home to a playground, a seasonal farmers market, and neighborhood events—plus lovely, grassy areas perfect for laying out a blanket for a picnic.
You might pick up some food from one of the surrounding eateries, like a salad or sandwich from The Tomato Shack, or head to the park on a market Saturday to sample the goods of a food vendor like Waffles Philly or Taqueria Dos Hermanos.
Belmont Plateau – West Fairmount Park
Belmont Plateau is a popular picnic spot for good reason—it offers one of the best views of the Philadelphia skyline, and the wide open space rarely feels crowded. Commonly known as “the Plateau,” this area is perfect for family barbecuing, kite flying, throwing a frisbee, walking a trail, or lounging the day away with a picnic basket in tow.
Plus, the Plateau will host the traveling beer garden, Parks on Tap—which also serves a full menu of picnic-style eats—this summer, from Aug. 12 to 16.
Glendinning Rock Garden – East Fairmount Park
Glendinning Rock Garden is a hidden little park off Kelly Drive, located just under the West Girard Overpass in East Fairmount Park, with beautiful views of the Schuylkill River. The wooded area is home to a cool, graffiti-covered staircase, rock formations, and walking trails. There’s plenty of grassy space to relax in the shade and snack on picnic food.
