Outdoors Old City, Center City & Penn's Landing
Race Street Pier
An outdoor spot in Old City, Center City & Penn's Landing, free to visit and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Before midnight.
Why go
Two-level park pier under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge with open views up and down the river.
It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Center City & Penn's Landing, alongside 3 places to eat, 2 activities and 1 place for a drink. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Elfreth's Alley and Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.
- Type
- Outdoors · Nature
- Neighborhood
- Old City
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 45 min
- Best time
- Before midnight
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 3 beyond Center City & Penn's Landing. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Elfreth's Alley
Narrow lane of 18th-century brick houses, often called the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the US.
Sight · Philadelphia · 0.2 mi straight-line - 2Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Seasonal rink and lodge on the waterfront; its ticketed New Year's Eve party has live music and heated cabins.
Activity · 0.4 mi straight-line - 3Amada
Jose Garces's Spanish tapas restaurant on Chestnut Street in Old City, open since 2005.
Food · 0.5 mi straight-line - 4Museum of the American Revolution
Story of the Revolution, including Washington's original war tent.
Sight · Philadelphia · 0.5 mi straight-line - 5Delaware 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.
Sight · 0.5 mi straight-line - 6Zahav
Michael Solomonov's Israeli restaurant, known for hummus and lamb shoulder.
Food · Philadelphia · 0.6 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Race Street Pier is a stop on our Philadelphia New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in Center City & Penn's Landing
Race Street Pier is our only outdoors pick in Center City & Penn's Landing; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Center City & Penn's Landing guide.
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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.
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Zahav
Michael Solomonov's Israeli restaurant in Society Hill, open since 2008 and known for its hummus and lamb shoulder.
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Parc
Stephen Starr's Paris-style brasserie on Rittenhouse Square, busy from breakfast to late dinner.
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McGillin's Olde Ale House
Tavern on Drury Street, open since 1860 and the oldest continuously operating in the city.
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Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia
Hotel on the top floors of the Comcast Technology Center, with a 60th-floor lobby looking over the city.
When to go: weather by month, based on Philadelphia
Our climate figures for Center City & Penn's Landing come from nearby Philadelphia. Average daily highs in Philadelphia run from 38°F in January to 86°F in July; July is usually the wettest month. For Race Street Pier itself, we suggest: Before midnight.
Modelled monthly averages for Philadelphia from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Philadelphia weather by month (covers Center City & Penn's Landing).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Race Street Pier, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 39.95310, -75.13866
- Destination
- Center City & Penn's Landing, Pennsylvania
Race Street Pier: quick answers
How much time do you need at Race Street Pier?
Plan on about 45 minutes at Race Street Pier. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Race Street Pier?
Our pick: Before midnight. Insider tip: A good free spot for the fireworks, though it fills quickly before midnight.
Is Race Street Pier free?
Yes, we list Race Street Pier as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Race Street Pier?
Race Street Pier appears on Philadelphia New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Race Street Pier to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Center City & Penn's Landing.
Plan Center City & Penn's Landing
- Center City & Penn's Landing travel guide 9 places
- Philadelphia weather (covers Center City & Penn's Landing) weather by month
Lists & regions
Also in Center City & Penn's Landing
- Parc Food
- Parkway New Year's Eve concert Activity
- McGillin's Olde Ale House Drinks
- Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia Stay
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.