Schuylkill River Park
Sarah Fox
Where is it?: 26th St between Spruce St and Walnut St (just over the bridge).
Surroundings: Skyline views of the city and trains passing through 30th Street Station.
Landmark: The Schuylkill River.
People-Watching: Frisbee tossers, afternoon snoozers, skateboarders and bikers. Most importantly, the dog park is delightful.
Nearest Food Option: World Cafe Live. While at night it is a vibrant music venue, during the day it serves a delicious variety of burgers, seafood and quick bites.
Final Verdict:
The benches along the river provide an ideal spot to relax with friends. The park glows at sunset, so bring your significant other (or your platonically significant BFF) and you’re guaranteed a romantic movie moment. Even when the weather outside gets frightfully cold, take a scenic detour through the park on your way to the Ice Skating Rink.
Dilworth Park
Nicole Malick
Where is it?: 15th St and Market streets
Surroundings: Skyscrapers and a steady rush of traffic, in the very center of Center City. Center-ception.
Landmark: City Hall—the park sits at the base of the 100+ year old structure.
People-Watching: Young kids giggling and running through the water spouts, and people of all ages lounging at the colorful table and chair sets.
Nearest Food Option: Rosa Blanca, the Garces restaurant, has a cafe outpost on–site at Dilworth offering Cuban sandwiches and salads and a variety of coffee options.
Final Verdict: When Dilworth is fully completed, it will be a unique urban park space. However, while it’s still under construction (the lawn is “coming soon”), it seems best suited for a pause during a busy day downtown. Your best bet? Check out their events info [dilworthpark.org] and go for a movie screening, a DJ performance or the upcoming Octoberfest to make your visit worth the trip.
Washington Square
Pallavi Wakharkar
Where is it?: 6th and Walnut streets
Surroundings: Independence National Historical Park, the St. James skyscraper and Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were adopted.
Landmark: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: a statue of George Washington keeps vigil for the thousands of unknown Revolutionary War soldiers said to be buried in the square itself.
People-Watching: Hordes of tourists walking around with cameras hanging from their necks, and cute couples pushing babies around in strollers. Look out for the tortured artists as well—they can be seen perched on park benches, furiously sketching tree branches.
Nearest Food Option: Head to Talula’s Daily (208 W Washington Square) for delicious, wholesome, local food like chicken croquettes or spinach pie. Talula’s also has an extensive coffee bar with pastries and various freshly–squeezed juices.
Final verdict: If you’re looking for a beautiful, calm park with lots of frolicking puppies, laughing children and some greenery—or if you’re just tired of SABSing around campus—visit Washington Square. Be sure to check out the clone of Philly’s only Moon Tree—its seed traveled to the moon and back.
College Green:
Where is it?: The center of campus, duh.
Surroundings: 270˚of collegiate splendor, 90˚ of Van Pelt.
People-Watching: Stressed students, smoke breaks, maybe even a professor.
Landmark: The Button.
Nearest Food Option: Mark's Cafe (avoid the sushi past 8 p.m.).
Final verdict: If you’re looking for a 10–minute filler between classes, this is obviously your best choice. But when midterms become overwhelming and you dread being anywhere near Van Pelt, you won’t get much R&R here.
