Living in Philadelphia means living with all four seasons. There’s something extra special about summertime though.

Whether you’re looking for a unique first date idea or simply just trying to make the most of living in the best city in America, these four local only-in-summer activities are bound to help make summer 2017 one of your best ones yet.

1. MLK Drive is closed to cars and open to bicyclists and pedestrians on the weekends.

One of Philadelphia’s charming seasonal features is the closure of parts of MLK Drive every weekend from April through October, allowing runners, walkers, and bicyclists to use the Drive. This pedestrian paradise starts early in the morning on Saturday and Sunday, the perfect time if you’re trying to start your weekend off with some outdoor exercise! On both Saturday and Sunday, the drive closes to cars:

  • 7:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. the entire MLK Drive from the Falls Bridge to the Art Museum. The portion of MLK Drive from Sweet Briar to the Art Museum reopens at noon to allow residents from West Philadelphia to access Center City as well as to accommodate zoo visitors.
  • 7:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. the portion of MLK Drive from Sweet Briar to Falls Road. This portion is closed to cars except for official vehicles and picnic permit holders. Park users may access this portion of MLK Drive in cars via Montgomery Drive only; there is no through traffic in either direction.

Follow the Department of Parks and Recreation on Twitter for additional information about trails and other city green spaces, too!

2. Parks on Tap brings family-friendly popup beer gardens to Philly parks.

Last year, Parks on Tap splashed onto the local beer scene with a novel concept: Bring the popup beer garden trend to Philadelphia’s parks system and make sure they’re fun for everyone! The inaugural year went so well that Parks on Tap is back again this year, happening now through September. You can find a full schedule of when and where the fun will be next on Parks on Tap’s website.

3. Spruce Street Harbor Park is back, hammocks and all, through September.

Free and open to Philadelphians and visitors every day all summer long, Spruce Street Harbor Park is a public initiative made possible thanks to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC), Univest Corporation, and Valley Green Bank. Bringing colorful hammocks, creative lounge spaces, amazing lights at night, a popup boardwalk, and frequent entertainment, food, and drink options, the park rests at Spruce Street and South Columbus Boulevard. You can learn more about the park’s amenities and schedule from the DRWC.

4. Mural Arts offers a digital guide for a free, self-guided tour of Philadelphia’s public art treasures.

Make a day appreciating one of Philadelphia’s crown jewels: the City of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts program! Known worldwide for its creative dedication to free art in public spaces, Mural Arts has the Mural Mile guide. With over three dozen murals along a mile walking route in Center City, the Mural Mile lets you take a tour on your own time at leisure! You can also use the Mobile Mural Finder app to find the nearest work near you across all of Philadelphia. If you’d rather have someone guide you through the Mural Mile, or other tour routes, there are guided tours available.

Celebrate summer safely! Check out these grilling, swimming, and summertime safety tips from the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. Stay updated on summer programs and events by following the City on Twitter, too.