Spring in Philadelphia brings blooming cherry blossoms and vibrant outdoor festivals celebrating the city’s cultural diversity. Springtime offers the perfect opportunity to immerse in the city’s outdoor beauty and rich cultural heritage while fresh blossoms and cosy temperatures set the stage for exploration. Philadelphia welcomes visitors to explore its easily walkable cityscape, inviting all to embrace unforgettable spring experiences.
Witness WrestleMania 40
This spring, Philadelphia will be “The Grandest Stage of Them All” as the city welcomes WrestleMania 40. A week-long celebration of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) will take over the city, with the main event at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, 2024. The Wells Fargo Center will host Friday Night SmackDown®, the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony®, and Monday Night Raw® during WrestleMania® week. Additionally, massive fan events are scheduled at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Parks and Gardens
Philadelphia becomes a walkable garden of freshly bloomed beauty in spring. By early April, cherry blossoms, magnolia, and other spring flowers reach peak bloom. Some of the best locations to admire these seasonal blossoms include the Delaware River Waterfront, Fairmount Park Horticulture Center and the neighbouring Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, operated by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia.
Philadelphia’s expansive parks are also a great place to admire the spring blooms and feel the warm weather. Run, bike, or walk the trails in the 2,000+ acre Fairmount Park. Admire the historic homes and other landmarks on your journey. Navigate Forbidden Drive in the 1,800+ acre Wissahickon Valley Park, tucked in the northwestern corner of the city.
It is no surprise that spring blooms and outdoor experiences extend beyond Philadelphia’s city limits. The neighbouring counties and gardens of the Countryside, make it “America’s Garden Capital.” In Kennett Square, find vibrant spring colours covering the grounds of Longwood Gardens. They welcome the season with garden-wide Spring Blooms displays, featuring flowering trees, blooming bulbs, and other charming scenes throughout the over the 1,000-acre property.
At Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum in nearby Bucks County visitors can explore the beautiful grounds of the 65-acre estate. The picturesque site rests along the Delaware River and features 18th-century gardens, over 800 trees, and the 19th-century Greek Revival home of the Biddle family. Spend time outdoors and admire over 8,000 tulips and some of the largest trees in the region on the lush grounds of the 92-acre Morris Arboretum.
Delaware River Waterfront Activities
Philadelphia’s popular Delaware River waterfront destinations allow visitors to enjoy the refreshing breeze or a local brew on a sunny day. Seasonal Spruce Street Harbor Park features mouthwatering food trucks and local cold beer and is perfect for lounging in a hammock beneath a canopy of multi-coloured lights next to a floating barge oasis. Head to Race Street Pier to relax on benches or on the lower lawn with the Benjamin Franklin Bridge above you. Then, make your way to neighbouring Cherry Street Pier where more impressive views and equally amazing art from local artists await. Cherry Street Pier also regularly hosts pop-up markets, food fairs, and art exhibitions. The Garden Restaurant at Cherry Street Pier is an ideal place for quick bites, beer, wine, and cocktails.
The Independence Seaport Museum invites visitors to learn more about the Delaware River watershed and Philadelphia’s maritime history. Tour the museum or board the historic Cruiser Olympia docked nearby. Head to the 28,000-square-foot Liberty Point, Philadelphia’s largest restaurant in modern history, to enjoy more bites and brews. The giant indoor-outdoor space includes three main levels for food, drinks, live entertainment, and breathtaking views of the water. Grab a bite to eat on the waterfront deck at a nearby seasonal bar and restaurant, Morgan’s Pier.
To see what is across the Delaware River, catch a ride on the RiverLink Ferry for a quick, 15-minute trip across the river. While in Camden, explore the Adventure Aquarium, home to more than 15,000 aquatic animals or tour the historic Battleship New Jersey, the country’s largest and most decorated battleship.
Special Spring Events
Springtime means the skates are out at Dilworth Park. The Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink allows visitors to lace up their skates next to Philadelphia City Hall. The retro rink was designed and fabricated by Philadelphia’s Lucky Dog Studio. When not skating, visitors can enjoy sandwiches, beer, cocktails, and more at Air Grille Garden’s pop-up beer garden.
Many of Philadelphia’s museums have new exhibits on view this spring. The world’s most extensive exhibition of LEGO art, “The Art of the Brick” at The Franklin Institute will showcase 100 remarkable artworks crafted from millions of vibrant LEGO bricks by artist Nathan Sawaya. The exhibition, which features a Philadelphia-exclusive creation and a spacious 9,000-square-foot brick play area, promises an immersive experience for visitors.
Exciting new art exhibitions are coming to Philadelphia’s art museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art showcases “Mary Cassatt at Work,” the first major exhibition of the artist’s work in the U.S. in 25 years, featuring over 130 of her vibrant pieces that focus on the social and working lives of women. At the Barnes Foundation, “Alexey Brodovitch: Astonish Me” explores the influential legacy of the Russian designer and photographer, highlighting his role as the art director of Harper’s Bazaar and emphasizing his impact on shaping the magazine’s visual identity.
At the Museum of the American Revolution, “Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent,” delves into the multi-generational journey of preserving and transforming George Washington’s tent into a symbol of the American Republic. The exhibit features an array of artworks, rare documents, and historical objects from various public and private collections across the United States, offering a comprehensive narrative of the tent’s significance and its passage through different historical periods, including the American Civil War and the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia.