Get the app

Pennsylvania, United States

Center City & Penn's Landing

Two nights for waterfront fireworks, Old City dinners and old taverns. Below: 1 sight, 2 activities and 1 outdoor spot, plus how Center City & Penn's Landing fits into a longer trip.

Plan Center City & Penn's Landing with friendsBrowse 9 places
Center City & Penn's Landing, Pennsylvania, United States
Places
9

1 See · 2 Do · 1 Outdoors · 3 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Philadelphia New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

30°C / 86°F avg high

Coolest month
January

4°C / 38°F avg high

Wettest month
July

about 124 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Philadelphia, the nearest city we track.

Things to do in Center City & Penn's Landing

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Center City & Penn's Landing in Penn's Landing.

  • See

    Delaware River New Year's Eve fireworks

    Two free fireworks shows over the Delaware at 6 p.m. and midnight; in 2025 they launched from three river barges.

    Tip The 6 p.m. show is easier with kids; for midnight, get to the river's edge by 11 p.m.

    • Penn's Landing
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • 6 p.m. and midnight

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Center City & Penn's Landing across Penn's Landing and Fairmount.

  • Do

    Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

    Seasonal rink and lodge on the waterfront; its ticketed New Year's Eve party has live music and heated cabins.

    Tip Rent a cozy cabin if you want a guaranteed warm spot for the midnight show.

    • Penn's Landing
    • $$
    • 3 hr
    • Dec 31 evening
  • Parkway New Year's Eve concert in Center City & Penn's LandingPhoto: Chuck Homler d/b/a Focus On Wildlife · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Do

    Parkway New Year's Eve concert

    Free 2025 concert at Eakins Oval below the Art Museum steps, with LL Cool J and its own midnight fireworks.

    Tip Entry is first come, first served through security at 22nd Street; check whether it returns.

    • Fairmount
    • Free
    • 4 hr
    • 8 p.m. to midnight

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Center City & Penn's Landing.

  • Race Street Pier in Center City & Penn's LandingPhoto: Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Outdoors

    Race Street Pier

    Two-level park pier under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge with open views up and down the river.

    Tip A good free spot for the fireworks, though it fills quickly before midnight.

    • Old City
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Before midnight

Eat

3 places to eat across Society Hill, Old City and Rittenhouse Square, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Zahav in Center City & Penn's LandingPhoto: Aaaahitsrach · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Eat

    Zahav

    Michael Solomonov's Israeli restaurant in Society Hill, open since 2008 and known for its hummus and lamb shoulder.

    Tip Reservations open weeks ahead; the bar holds a few walk-in seats.

    • Society Hill
    • $$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner
  • Eat

    Amada

    Jose Garces's Spanish tapas restaurant on Chestnut Street in Old City, open since 2005.

    • Old City
    • $$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner
  • Eat

    Parc

    Stephen Starr's Paris-style brasserie on Rittenhouse Square, busy from breakfast to late dinner.

    Tip Ask for a window table facing the square.

    • Rittenhouse Square
    • $$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in Center City for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • McGillin's Olde Ale House in Center City & Penn's LandingPhoto: IBLB · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Drink

    McGillin's Olde Ale House

    Tavern on Drury Street, open since 1860 and the oldest continuously operating in the city.

    Tip It gets packed on Dec 30 and 31; arrive early evening.

    • Center City
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening

Stay

Places to stay in Center City & Penn's Landing in Center City.

  • Stay

    Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

    Hotel on the top floors of the Comcast Technology Center, with a 60th-floor lobby looking over the city.

    Tip Rooms facing east look toward the river and the fireworks.

    • Center City
    • $$$$

How to fit Center City & Penn's Landing into a trip

Center City & Penn's Landing is stop 1 of 2 on our Philadelphia New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Center City & Penn's Landing into your own plan.

Weather by month, based on Philadelphia

Our climate figures for Center City & Penn's Landing come from Philadelphia, about 2 km (1 mi) away. Average daily highs run from 4°C / 38°F in January to 30°C / 86°F in July. July is the wettest month, with about 124 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Philadelphia. Philadelphia weather (covers Center City & Penn's Landing) →

Near Center City & Penn's Landing

8 other destinations from our guides within about 150 km (93 mi), measured in a straight line.

Center City & Penn's Landing questions, answered

How many days do you need in Center City & Penn's Landing?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Center City & Penn's Landing. On our Philadelphia New Year's Eve route it is stop 1 of 2 in a 3-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 16 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Center City & Penn's Landing best known for?

Two nights for waterfront fireworks, Old City dinners and old taverns. Standouts on our list: Delaware River New Year's Eve fireworks (Two free fireworks shows over the Delaware at 6 p.m. and midnight; in 2025 they launched from three river barges); Race Street Pier (Two-level park pier under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge with open views up and down the river); Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest (Seasonal rink and lodge on the waterfront; its ticketed New Year's Eve party has live music and heated cabins).

When is the best time to visit Center City & Penn's Landing?

Our Philadelphia New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for nearby Philadelphia put the warmest highs in July (30°C / 86°F), the coolest in January (4°C / 38°F) and the most rain in July (about 124 mm).

What are the best things to do in Center City & Penn's Landing?

Start with Delaware River New Year's Eve fireworks, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, Race Street Pier and Parkway New Year's Eve concert. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 1 sight, 2 activities, 1 outdoor spot, 3 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 place to stay.

Where should a group eat in Center City & Penn's Landing?

Our picks: Zahav (Society Hill); Amada (Old City); Parc (Rittenhouse Square). Reservations open weeks ahead; the bar holds a few walk-in seats (Zahav).

What is near Center City & Penn's Landing?

The closest destinations in our guides are Broad Street & South Philly (about 2 km / 1 mi), Philadelphia (about 2 km / 1 mi) and Kennett Square (about 50 km / 31 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Center City & Penn's Landing with your crew

Open the Philadelphia New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

Get TripsCircle

Plan around Center City & Penn's Landing

More in Pennsylvania

More in United States

Plan it together

Plan Center City & Penn's Landing