This is a guest blog written by Irene Levy Baker, author of 100 Things To Do In Philadelphia Before You Die.

Don’t let the summer slip away without visiting some of the great outdoor urban spaces that make Philadelphia so special. 1213 Walnut Street is conveniently located in the heart of the city, within walking distance of these awesome warm-weather destinations.

Seasonal Beer Gardens

One reason Philadelphia regularly makes lists of the nation’s best beer cities is its seasonal beer gardens. New beer gardens spring up all the time, including this summer’s additions at the Free Library of Philadelphia, complete with its view of The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which showcases the bright lights of the Avenue of the Arts.

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Independence Beer Garden, with dozens of craft beers on tap, adirondack chairs, picnic tables, ping pong tables and board games under strings of twinkle lights is always a sure bet, as is Spruce Street Harbor Park. The park, located along the Delaware River, has inviting striped hammocks under color-changing lights, floating food and drink barges, cozy seating and oversized games such as Connect Four. Huffington Post called it one of the “world’s best urban beaches.”

Public Spaces

Photo by Rachel Baker

Walk off all those beers along the Schuylkill Banks, which runs along the Schuylkill River and makes up the city’s western border. The trail takes cyclists, runners, walkers and skaters along the river and through Fairmount Park, providing lovely views of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Boathouse Row. You’ll find yoga classes and movie nights there, too. The banks are a part of the Schuylkill River Trail, which winds its way from Center City to Valley Forge National Historical Park and was named “Best Urban Trail” by USA Today.

After being renovated, the west side of Philadelphia City Hall is once again a gathering place. Dilworth Park is a welcoming space with an interactive fountain, café and frequent nightly activities including happy hours, live music, art installations, yoga, outdoor movies and more.

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Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is mosaic mural that takes up half of a block on South Street. The outdoor labyrinth is composed of broken tiles, bicycle parts, folk art statues, colorful glass bottles, mirrors and found objects on the walls, ceiling and floor. Walking up, down and around the massive outdoor art installation, built by Isaiah Zagar, is indeed magical. You’ll find more of Zagar’s murals on walls throughout the neighborhood. Guided and self-guided tours are available.

Outdoor Dining

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Food just seems to taste better outside, right? There are now more than 365 dining establishments with outdoor dining sprinkled throughout the city. The largest number of outdoors seats can be found in Old City, Rittenhouse Square and along 13th Street in 1213 Walnut’s own neighborhood of Midtown Village.

Philadelphia’s wonderful outdoor spaces are one of the many features the continue to dazzle both visitors and residents of the City of Brotherly Love. As a new resident of 1213 Walnut, you may feel like you never want to leave home, but when you do, the area’s many offerings are right at your doorstep.

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