The Penn’s Landing area represents the spot where William
Penn’s boat landed back in 1682, and where he first set foot on
the land that would soon be named after him. These days, Penn’s
Landing is the edge of a large park area that extends from Market
to Lombard Streets, along the waterfront. Restaurateurs have
jumped on the prospect for big business, and as a result, there
are tons of delicious places waiting for you.
There’s also the Great Plaza, where the Riverblues and
Jambalaya Jam festivals are held each year. This area also hosts
concerts and children’s events, among other things. The Blue
Cross River Rink is the spot to be in winter, with its outdoor
ice-skating facility up and running. If you’re feeling
inspired by the maritime theme, be sure to check out the
Independence Seaport Museum or see two ships docked at Penn's
landing the Gazela or the USS
Olympia
As you can see, Penn’s Landing is more of a quiet,
go-at-your-own-pace attraction, and therefore we leave our
recommendation entirely to your discretion. It’s a very pretty,
very safe section of Philadelphia, and the restaurants are second
to none. Consider adding it as a branch of your walking tour of
the historic district.
