Saturday in the Park

(Photo credits: DRWC/Matt Stanley)

Returning for a second summer season, Spruce Street Harbor Park at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia (Columbus Blvd. and Spruce St., 215-922-2386) is open now through September 27, seven days a week. The park is free and open to the public, with pay-as-you-go gluten-free food, drinks and games.

What you can do at Spruce Street Harbor Park:

• Swing in a colorful hammock with a canopy of lights
• Play free giant games like chess, connect four and Jenga
• Bocce, shuffleboard and ping-pong all at the water's edge
• Hang out in the newly designed arcade 
• Listen to music and watch circus performers throughout the weekend
• Cool off in one of the fountains
• Sail a remote-controlled sail boat
• Rent a kayak, canoe or swan boat through the Paddle Penn's Landing program
• Take a scenic RiverLink Ferry ride to visit destinations on both sides of the river

What you can see at Spruce Street Harbor Park:

• Barges with beautiful seating and nets suspended over the water
• Floating gardens covered in native plants
• A new planted meadow with perennials donated by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, thoughtfully repurposing the materials from  Sol LeWitt’s award-winning temporary installation Lines in Four Directions in Flowers 
• A full boardwalk with arcades and concessions
• Tons of hammocks
• Nightly light shows
• Monthly music shows

What you can eat at Spruce Street Harbor Park: (thanks to reader Heather H. for the tip!)

• Sample fare from Jose Garces restaurant concepts Village Burger (gluten-free buns), Froman's (gluten-free hot dog buns) and Distrito Taco Truck (tacos) [allergen information]
• Try an Ice Cream Sundae at the S.S. Franklin Fountain, a cargo container modified to resemble a battleship [allergen information]
• Enjoy water ice at the boardwalk concession stand
• A rotating list of summer cocktails