Part night club, part beer garden, the waterfront location of Cavanaugh’s is a Philly rite of passage. Cocktails, mules, and, of course, party buckets and fishbowls are at the bar, along with a fairly standard beer collection and a few summery seltzers. If you’re there to eat, wraps, sandwiches, and burgers make up most of the menu. The top reason to come, however, is to stay out late—you can drink and dance al fresco by the Delaware River, and even take a try at the waterslide.

For quite possibly the most immersive riverview experience, the Moshulu is a historic ship outfitted with plenty of space to eat and drink on the open-air Wheelhouse Deck. Soak in views of the Delaware River, whether you’re here just for drinks in the lounge area, light bites, or a full dinner. Specialties include seafood, sushi, and seasonal cocktails—all very appropriate for the warm-weather deck. If you’re feeling extra fancy, stop by for brunch and order the Seafood Plateau and a cocktail party shaker to share with friends.

With warm weather comes The Garden, a new addition to Cherry Street Pier for relaxed bites, cocktails, and Taco Tuesday, when you can fill up on $2 tacos, including a veggie-friendly option made with avocado salsa. The rest of the week, sandwiches and snacks are your companions in this quieter riverside destination. Tables and bistro lights scattered across the massive reimagined pier offer a perfect balance for quintessential Philadelphia ambiance.
 

The Hilton hotel on Columbus Boulevard offers stunning harbor views, especially at Rope & Anchor, which offers a more upscale waterfront dining option either on the deck or in the dining room with large floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu focuses on sustainable seafood and locally sourced cuisine, with highlights including the Old Bay crab cake and vegan-friendly BBQ cauliflower. The restaurant puts you right in the thick of the Delaware River waterfront, just a stone’s throw from Spruce Street Harbor Park and Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest.