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Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, PA

Photo: Jeffrey M. Vinocur, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingIconicFreeDate Night

Boathouse Row

Kelly Drive, east bank of the Schuylkill River · Philadelphia, PA

Why you should go…

Boathouse Row is a line of fifteen boathouses on the east bank of the Schuylkill River along Kelly Drive, just north of the Fairmount Water Works and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. All are at least a century old, most belong to the Schuylkill Navy, founded in 1858, and the row is a National Historic Landmark. Lights added in 1979 trace the outline of each building at night. You can watch regattas from the riverbank for free, including the Stotesbury Cup each May.

  • #rowing
  • #historic landmark
  • #schuylkill river
  • #night lights
  • #regattas

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Boathouse Row, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    $25–$50

    Run the Rocky Steps, then wander one of America's greatest art collections behind that famous neoclassical facade.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Philadelphia Zoo

    $25–$50

    America's first zoo, where the Zoo360 trail system lets big cats and primates travel right over your head.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Eastern State Penitentiary

    Under $25

    Wander the eerie, crumbling cellblocks of the world's first true penitentiary, Al Capone's surprisingly posh cell included.

    0.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
    Foodie Favorite

    Pennsylvania Wine Country

    Free

    A statewide guide to Pennsylvania's wine trails, tasting rooms and vineyard events.

    1.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    LOVE Park

    Free

    Pose with Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture and watch the fountain in a small plaza facing Philadelphia City Hall.

    1.6 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Philadelphia

    Free

    The birthplace of American independence, packed with Revolutionary War history, world-class museums, and a legendary food scene.

    1.7 mi awayMore like this