Philadelphia Penn’s Landing 4th of July Fireworks
 

We are lucky enough to be in Philly for its 4th of July fireworks on 7/1. It will be at Great Plaza in Penn’s Landing from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Any Philly local who can give me some idea on how crowded will this concert/fireworks? Do we have to go early to secure a spot? Is one spot better than the other; e.g. towards the BF Bridge?

Glad you're coming to Philly for the fireworks! In answer to your question, it will be insanely crowded! You don't really need to secure a spot cause unless you go down hours early, you'll pretty much just be standing with the rest of the crowd. As for the view, where you are won't matter too much cause as long as you are along the waterfront you'll have a good view. If you want to avoid crowds and still have an awesome view, two years ago my friends and I went to the Moshulu to watch the fireworks and it was great. The Moshulu is a an old ship that is now a restaurant with a bar up on the deck. It's towards the end of Penn's Landing next to the submarine. It cost $10 to go up to the deck (usually free, just $10 for firework events). It had a decent sized crowd, but you could still find a seat and when you looked down at the crowd on Penn's Landing, you'll be very glad to be there. The ship is on the water so the view is spectacular and since it's a bar, you can drink:) The only issue we ever had with visibility was a few years ago we were right in the middle of Penn's Landing and by the end there was so much smoke from the fireworks that you couldn't make out the colors so well, so if you are on Penn's Landing I would recommend standing to one of the ends. Have a great time!

Hi philly4life,

Thanks for your info. I did considered dining at Moshulu but when I checked out their web site, the pictures show canopy over the deck so it seems like it will block the fireworks. Perhaps I'm wrong?

So do they close the restaurant and only do this $10 fireworks special?

We're staying at the Westin by City Hall. Do you have any favorite bakeries, bistros or restaurants in this neighborhood? We will visit the Reading Market.

Thanks again for your info.

2 excellent Italian restaurants we love are between your hotel & Penns Landing:

Valentino's - 12th & Pine (they have a pasta dish that sounds strange but is absolutely delicious, with pine nuts, raisins, and fennel)

Sfizzio - in the plaza behind Society Hill Towers, between Walnut & Spruce and between 2nd & 3rd Streets - in fact you can probably see the fireworks from inside because it's a little hill right above Penns Landing

Also:
Philadelphia Fish & Company is on Chestnut between 3rd & 4th - top notch seafood, very non-stuffy atmosphere

Metropolitan Bakery in Reading Terminal is one of the best, if not the best, in Philly.

Also right in Reading Terminal is the Down Home Diner - they close early but might stay open for an early dinner. It's much better than the typical diner food, definitely worth a visit.

You also have Chinatown between your hotel and the river. Shiao Lan Kung is one of those places where other Chinese restaurant owners like to eat. They're on Race between 9th & 10th

Re the fireworks -- good places to stand are the Chestnut St or South Street bridges right along the river because they're elevated. Have a great time!!

Don't know if you left yet and are still checking this site, but I just checked back. The restaurant part of Moshulu is open (it's downstairs in the ship). The canopy on the deck doesn't block your view at all because you're either sitting on the side of the boat or you go up to one of the three different levels. One other place that would be a great location to see the fireworks is if you like minor league baseball, the Camden Riversharks are right across the bridge and have a game that night (starts 7:05pm). From the side of the stadium you get an awazing view of the fireworks with none of the crowd. We did this about 3-4 years ago and had a great time. To get to the stadium you can either drive over the bridge (if you have a car I would suggest doing this) or you can take the ferry across and back. Just make sure the ferry is running due to the fireworks. Also, pick up a Philadelphia Weekly (it's free and in yellow boxes around the city). We got it last night and there is a whole page with all the free happenings around the city for the next few days from fireworks to outdoor movies to concerts. Have fun!