Philadelphia can feel serious at first glance with its revolutionary history and marble monuments, but spend a day wandering and you quickly find the playful side of the city. Between riverside hammocks, storybook carousels, kid-powered museums, and late-night comedy, there are plenty of places where locals and visitors go simply to have fun.
This guide highlights four spots that keep things light: Franklin Square’s mini-golf and carousel, Spruce Street Harbor Park along the Delaware River, the beloved Please Touch Museum, and laugh-filled nights at Punch Line Philly. None of these are giant national chains. They are very Philly, very local, and very good at squeezing joy into a day in the city.
Franklin Square: Mini Golf, Carousel Rides, and City Views
Best for: Families, date nights, low-key groups
Neighborhood: Between Old City and Chinatown
Franklin Square is one of William Penn’s original five squares, but these days it feels more like a compact amusement park in the middle of the city. There is a Philly themed mini-golf course, a classic carousel, playgrounds, a big fountain, and casual food, all wrapped into a green square that feels like a little oasis in the middle of busy streets. For an overview of what is on offer, check the official description from Visit Philadelphia.
Philly Mini Golf is the star. Each hole is modeled after a local landmark, so you might putt around miniature versions of Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell. Editors at Condé Nast Traveler describe Franklin Square as “especially beloved by kids” and “a nice city oasis” where families can take a break from sightseeing, and U.S. News Travel includes playing mini golf here among the notable things to do in the city.
Visitors echo that vibe. On TripAdvisor, one local calls Franklin Square a “really fun place good for kids” with “a cool philly themed mini-golf course, and a fun carousel” in their review. On Yelp, another guest loves that “there’s a really cute Philly themed mini-golf” and that “the carousel feels so romantic,” which helps explain why both families and couples keep returning to the park year after year. Reviewers who book through Expedia even mention planning to bring more family members next time after falling in love with the mini-golf.
Tips for visiting Franklin Square
- Combine a stop here with Old City attractions like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell since they are a short walk away.
- Mini golf and the carousel have separate fees, but the park itself is free to enter.
- Even if you are not playing, it is a nice place to sit with a drink or a snack and watch the city swirl around you.
Spruce Street Harbor Park: Hammocks, Lights, and Waterfront Fun
Best for: Friends, couples, families with older kids
Neighborhood: Penn’s Landing / Delaware River waterfront
Seasonal: Typically late spring through early fall
If you want to see Philly relaxed and playful, head to Spruce Street Harbor Park. This seasonal pop-up park along the Delaware River waterfront has become a summer favorite, often described as a “fun waterfront oasis” with floating gardens, hammocks, food stalls, and colorful lights that turn the trees into a glowing canopy at night. Travel writers at Guide to Philly call it one of the best places to go in the city on a nice day, with great views, plenty of lounge space, and lots of good food and drinks.
A U.S. News Travel review highlights hammocks, Adirondack chairs, lawn games, a beer garden, and a boardwalk feel. Visit Philly’s own guide points out features like the Lazy Hammock stage, the Blue Anchor bar with local craft beers, and the floating barges of the Oasis, all of which help make this one of the city’s must-see summertime spots along the waterfront.
Visitors consistently rave about three things:
- The hammocks under the trees. A TripAdvisor reviewer calls them “a perfect place to relax” with “so many fun games and food options to enjoy,” and says the whole area feels “magical at night” during summer.
- The lighting and design. A local blogger on Jawnville describes the park as “a visual oasis” with lights that can feel “mesmerizing,” plus giant Connect Four and chess games, shuffleboard, live music, an arcade, snacks, and beer.
- The waterfront energy. Review summaries on Wanderlog pull together Google comments calling it a “very nice riverfront park” with small rides, roller skating, food trucks, bars, and “great shaded area with room for kids to run around.”
Tips for visiting Spruce Street Harbor Park
- Check seasonal dates and weather before going, especially if storms are in the forecast, since the park can close.
- Go earlier in the afternoon for a quieter vibe, or after dark if you want the full effect of the lights.
- Bring a light jacket if you plan to stay near the water at night, especially when the breeze picks up off the river.
Please Touch Museum: Hands-On Fun for Kids (And Grown-Ups)
Best for: Families with kids about 1 to 7 years old
Neighborhood: Fairmount Park / Memorial Hall
Few places capture “play” as well as the Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia’s famous children’s museum. Located in the historic Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, it is designed around learning through play, with six interactive exhibit zones, a restored 1908 carousel, and spaces specifically for toddlers as well as older kids, all highlighted in the museum’s official overview and in the attraction guide on Visit Philadelphia.
The guiding principle is simple: teach through play. According to tour descriptions from Viator and attraction write-ups on Expedia, it is a place where “children can play, learn and make noise as much as they want,” and a museum “even the youngest children will love.” Travel writer Marla Cimini calls it a space that encourages kids to “be curious, ask questions, and learn by touching, exploring, climbing, and building” in her complete guide.
Families regularly use words like “magical,” “must-visit,” and “incredibly engaging” to describe their time here. A review summary on Airial notes that visitors praise the “incredibly engaging and interactive exhibits that delight children of all ages,” from the grocery store to the carousel. Another write-up calls it “fun-filled, totally hands-on, and so delightful that adults are entertained, too” for families. One Yelp reviewer even jokes that their family “killed 5 hrs” enjoying the hands-on activities in the museum.
Tips for visiting the Please Touch Museum
- Buy tickets ahead of time, especially on weekends or during school holidays.
- Consider combining your visit with a walk around Fairmount Park or a picnic outside Memorial Hall.
- Keep a few dollars handy for the historic carousel, which is a highlight for many kids.
Punch Line Philly: Comedy, Drinks, and Late-Night Laughs
Best for: Adults, friend groups, couples
Neighborhood: Fishtown / Northern Liberties area
To round out a fun-focused day with actual laughter, book a show at Punch Line Philly, a popular comedy club near the Fillmore in the Fishtown/Northern Liberties corridor. The club hosts stand-up, themed shows, and a well-known drag brunch, plus a full bar and food menu, all promoted on its official site and Facebook page.
Punch Line bills itself as “Philly’s premier stop for comedy in the heart of the city” and offers everything from touring headliners to local comics and special events like drag performances. Guests who have a good night tend to talk about the energy and service. One TripAdvisor review says the venue is “awesome,” with “an awesome show, great service, and tasty food” during their visits to Punch Line. Another guest on VenueBear reports they “had a great time,” with “good seats and the food was the bomb,” and that it “won’t be the last” time they attend a show.
Not every review is perfect. Some people comment on the two-drink minimum and mention that seats can feel a little cramped, but even those reviewers often admit they “enjoyed ourselves” and that the food and drinks were good in their recaps or on Yelp. Taken together, the feedback paints a picture of a lively, social space where the main goal is a fun night out rather than a quiet, formal performance.
Punch Line also hosts special events like drag brunches that mix comedy, performances, and a midday party atmosphere. If you enjoy a bit of spectacle with your breakfast, it is worth checking the calendar before your trip.
Tips for visiting Punch Line Philly
- Look up the show lineup in advance so you can pick a night that matches your sense of humor.
- Plan for the drink minimum when you budget for the night and check age restrictions.
- Make a full evening of it by exploring nearby bars and restaurants in Fishtown and Northern Liberties before or after the show.
Bringing It All Together
The lighter side of Philly is easy to find if you know where to look. Spend the afternoon putting through miniature versions of city landmarks at Franklin Square, grab a hammock and some fries by the water at Spruce Street Harbor Park, let the kids lead the way at the Please Touch Museum, then end your day laughing at Punch Line Philly.
You do not have to hit all four in one day, of course, but mixing these spots into your Philadelphia itinerary will balance the serious historic stops with pure play.