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Following a week of triple-digit temps and a sweaty Fourth of July, this summer is still heating up. Temps will still be up in the 80s and 90s in the coming weeks, which may make you reconsider your outdoor plans.
But fear not! Philly has plenty of indoor activities that will keep you cool and entertained this summer.
We put together a list of activities in and around the city sorted by your desired vibe. Hopefully, these are bound to make your summer fun (and less sweaty).
If you’re looking to be sporty or active
Indoor Golf
There is no shortage of putting spots in Philly if you’re looking to practice your swing or have fun with friends! Head over to Puttshack in Center City for a round of mini golf that is chock-full of mini-games, high-tech imagery and lighting, and a variety of cocktails and bites.
If you’re looking for a more serious practice experience, Five Iron Golf offers golf lessons with expert coaches and golf simulators to practice your swing. And if you’re still looking for a more casual vibe, you can lean into the sports bar vibe with friends, or combine it all with a team league. With three locations in Rittenhouse, Logan Square, and Fishtown, there’s also an opportunity to go in multiple places over the city.
Libertee Grounds is another option – combining the artsy vibe of local artist murals on its 9-hole mini golf courses with space for food, drink and sports in its main room. Its Fairmount location also has an outdoor space – if you feel like sticking your head out for a bit before getting back to the A/C.
If you’re looking for activities on the Main Line, Play-a-Round Golf has options for the whole family. Enjoy indoor golf solo or with friends with their golf simulators, bring your child in for lessons with experts or participate in a golf league with friends or on your own. They have two locations – Malvern and Ardmore.
And if you want to seriously improve your swing, The Golf Place in Langhorne and Fairway & Dreams in Conshohocken offer cutting-edge technology to help you improve your skills. Both locations offer leagues, coaching and events – and membership or non-membership options to come play.
Axe throwing
Whether you’re looking to blow off some steam, hang with friends or pitch a creative date night, axe-throwing is another option.
You can throw as a duo, a small group or a big corporate party or join a league at Chopper’s Hatchet House in South Philly. Play competition-based games or tournaments with friends or join a social league with other axe throwers at Bury The Hatchet (locations in Bensalem, Horsham and King of Prussia).
You can also cross the bridge over into Pennsauken, New Jersey to fine-tune your axe-throwing skills, play with a group, or compete with league members at Clutch Shot Axe.
Bowling
Philly has a variety of bowling alleys to meet your sports needs! Whether you want to rent lanes for your own event or enjoy time knocking down pins with friends, you have a few options.
Lucky Strike in Center City offers lane reservations for individuals, small and large groups, as well as games like giant Jenga, shuffleboard, and food and drink.
The retro North Bowl in Northern Liberties has your standard lanes for families and friends, but also offers everything from pool tables and arcade games to a full-size bar and lounge. Its counterpart, the South Bowl in South Philly, combines traditional lanes with a pizza cafe, billiard room, batting cages, bocce courts and more for a similar experience.
Brooklyn Bowl Philly mixes live music and events, a bowling alley and a restaurant to make for a perfect, indoor occasion for you, friends or your family. Bring your kids for “Family Bowl,” or catch a show for their all-ages concert series, bring your friends or date for a night of bowling or musical events and more! You can learn more about their events on their website.
The Fashion District’s Round1 Bowling & Arcade is a perfect mix of arcade games, bowling, billiards, party, food, bowling and more. You can enjoy mixed drinks with friends, book a party for your kid or kid-at-heart, or shoot some pool with a date all in this one space.
There’s also Thunderbird Lanes on Castor Avenue or Holme Avenue in North Philly, V&S Elmwood Lanes in West Philly, St Monica Bowling Lanes in South Philly, and Dave & Buster’s on Columbus Boulevard.
Dance classes
Head over to any of Philly’s dance studios for a fun way to stay active and learn new skills.
If you’re looking for a more in-depth experience, head over to the Philadelphia Dance Academy in Old City or Ardmore. They offer classes for younger children, teens and adults. If you’ve always wanted to learn ballet, or want to register your child to learn contemporary or theatre dance – there are many options!
At Society Hill Dance Academy, you can attend a group class or take lessons. If you’re looking to learn the country two-step, try salsa dancing or get wedding dance lessons – this may be the spot for you!
Philly Dance Fitness in Rittenhouse offers a variety of dance classes – including tap, zumba, cardio pop, contemporary and Bollywood.
The city has many other dance class options depending on your experience level, the age of the person signing up and what style of dance you’re looking for!
Other sports activities
The city offers many specialized sports leagues, events and activities as well.
You can learn archery or practice your existing skills at Philly Archery in Callowhill, throw darts and sip cocktails at The Flight Club in Center City, or try out a rock climbing class at Movement Gym in Callowhill.
Other activities include the F1 Arcade in Center City, which lets you emulate a drive in one of the high-powered race cars, Sandbox VR in Rittenhouse, which lets you test out your agility, teamwork and quick-thinking skills in an interactive environment and Beat the Bomb in Center City lets you and your team work through a series of games and missions to disarm a paint, foam and slime bomb before it explodes.
Leagues like Volo or Heyday mix in indoor activities – including bar games like skeeball or basketball and pickleball on indoor courts.
If you’re looking for nature (but indoors)
Caves
The Philly suburbs are full of natural caves to explore, giving you the option to see nature at a cooler temperature.
One place to visit is the Crystal Cave in Kutztown – it is known for its milky white formations and crystals, and it is over 145 years old. The underground wonder hosts tours that bring visitors 125 feet under the ground, with tour guides explaining the geology of caves and its history to guests. But, that’s not all! There is a museum, theater, gemstone panning, mini golf, an ice cream parlor and a gift shop to keep you entertained during your visit.
Another option is Lost River Caverns in Hellertown. The former limestone quarry near Bethlehem showcases large rocks and crystals and an underground river – and its adjoining “At The Cave” shop has gems, crystals, and tools for collecting, stone cutting and jewelry making.
The Indian Echo Caverns in Hummelstown were originally believed to have housed Native American settlers. Now, you can explore the caves near Hershey on a guided tour, or enjoy child-friendly activities on the premises like the playground, picnic areas and petting zoo.
Nature centers and museums
If you’re looking to stay inside but still appreciate nature – there are a few venues inside and outside of the city.
The Fairmount Park Horticulture Center is a popular event space that is surrounded by plants, succulents and grassy spots. It can accommodate private reservations, but is also a popular spot for events like kids activities and yoga classes. Also in Fairmount Park, the Discovery Center has a visitor center full of plant and animal information and views of nearby nature sites – as well as classes like nature journaling and nature poetry.
In Kennett Square, Longwood Gardens offers indoor and outdoor spaces to explore. If you’re looking to stay out of the heat, some of its indoor greenhouses offer a way to explore plants and nature without spending your entire visit outdoors.
Museums like The Academy of Natural Sciences and The Wagner Free Institute of Science mix nature, art, and education in an indoor space. You can enjoy seasonal exhibits, children and adult classes and summer events that allow you to be immersed in nature (but without the heat!)
If you’re feeling historical
There is no shortage of history in Philly – and also no shortage of places where you can learn about this history!
Revolutionary Museums
If you’re looking to learn more about the beginnings of America, several museums in the Old City area let you in on some Revolutionary history.
The Museum of the American Revolution offers seasonal exhibits, adult and kid-friendly events and historical re-enactors to help visitors and residents see into the time period that shaped our nation. The National Constitution Center has live programming, artifacts, exhibits and galleries surrounding the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
You can head over to the Benjamin Franklin Museum to learn more about the Founding Father’s life, accomplishments and role in creating the U.S., or visit the National Liberty Museum to learn more about how liberty has affected past and present leaders and national dynamics.
Other Historical Museums
There are also museums that focus on different periods in history and historical groups.
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History has exhibits, events and educational programs that explore the history of Jews in America. With a visit to the museum, you can explore how Judaism prevailed through American history with art, films, artifacts, and more.
You can also head over to the African American Museum to explore African American heritage, learn more about the Civil Rights movement, and discover African American contributions to entertainment, sports, politics, law, technology and arts. The museum has many exhibits – everything from learning more about the Philadelphia Negro Baseball League to discovering Ona Judge, who was held in slavery by George Washington’s family before she escaped.
There’s also the Fireman’s Hall Museum, which showcases Philly fire history and promotes fire safety, the Penn Museum, which celebrates archaeology, anthropology and art from all over the world, and the Mütter Museum, a medical history museum.
The Eastern State Penitentiary – also America’s first penitentiary – has a museum that chronicles the history of criminal justice, The Independence Seaport Museum explores Philly history through the Delaware River, The Betsy Ross House celebrates and educates on the life of Betsy Ross – an iconic 18th-century American – and The Underground Railroad Museum allows you to step into the path some escaped slaves took toward freedom.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the Liberty Bell, which is technically indoors, but sometimes the line to see it stretches outside. Independence National Historical Park and the President’s House Site also offer a good look into Philly’s history and founding, but these exhibits are outdoors and may be best for a milder day.
If you’re wanting artsy or creative
Billy Penn has a series of guides to help you to explore Philly’s creative side – including a bookstore guide, a thrift shop guide, a comedy scene guide and a record store guide.
And that still doesn’t cover all the offerings! Here are some unique options to satisfy your creative side.
Live performances
Philly has live performances almost every day – and finding one that you want to attend depends on what you’re looking for. You can see a Broadway or Philly Orchestra Show at Ensemble Arts Philly, see a comedy or music show at City Winery, or enjoy student theatre and orchestra performances at the Curtis Institute of Music.
Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Center City is a great way to immerse yourself in the Philly jazz scene, while venues like Arden Theatre Company and the Academy of Music host seasonal performances throughout the year.
There are a variety of other performance, theatre, music and arts venues you can catch live shows at throughout the summer as well.
Art classes
Whether you want to create a new pot, enjoy a casual one-night class with friends or find your newest hobby, Philly has options for every medium.
Fleisher Art Memorial provides a full slate of adult art classes. You can find everything from drawing, portrait painting, jewelry, photo, mosaics and screenprinting classes to art history, animation and book-making workshops. They offer online and virtual classes – and they aim to keep classes affordable through lower rates and tuition assistance programs. You can check out their fall term classes here.
Philly Art Center is perfect for kids and adults – offering everything from art, music and a playgroup for younger students and drawing, painting, print, fibers and clay for adults. The studio has locations in Fairmount, Queen Village, Mt. Airy and Cherry Hill – and they offer evening and weekend classes to accommodate busy schedules. You can find some of their offerings here.
Vera Art Studio in Olde Kensington offers a welcoming space for workshop attendees to dive into the intricacies of Turkish art. Through their classes and workshops, you can make a mosaic lamp, learn about rug tufting, create wall art or a pressed flower display, and more.
The Arts League in West Philly offers a variety of plans to support open studio space, workshops and rentals for aspiring or current artists. The space aims to support artists of all backgrounds and offers everything from sewing workshops and junk journaling to summer camps and jewelry making.
If you’re looking for pottery, two big studios – The Clay Studio and Yay Clay – offer lots of recurring and one-time classes and workshops.
The Clay Studio in Olde Kensington offers classes in wheel throwing and handbuilding, and has workshops for couples, friends and individuals throughout the year. They also host kid-friendly, family workshops and host various artists and potters to showcase special skills.
Yay Clay in Port Richmond also has wheel throwing classes and hosts a signature “Clay Date Class.” The wheel-throwing class is perfect for date night, and allows beginners to make a piece of pottery on the wheel during the two-hour class. They also have several rooms in their studio – including the Philly Room (chock-full of Philly-imagery and artwork, a SEPTA train set, and six unique arcade games).
And, if you’re looking for a super laid-back class – there is always Painting with a Twist. The Philly studio offers a variety of events with different illustrations. Pick your art preference, bring your own alcohol (no hard liquor, please!) and pay the price to lock in your date night, friend hang or solo, relaxing time!
Game day (or night)
One of the most iconic spots for a game day (or night) is Queen & Rook Game Cafe – a combined board game library and restaurant. You can enjoy pizza, fries, nachos or an ice cream float (and pair your meal with an alcoholic or nonalcoholic cocktail) while playing familiar or new games with friends. The store also hosts weekly leagues and events – including Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and youth board game tournaments and camps. Enjoy games on their main level, or scope out their basement arcade to get your fun fix in!
The Board and Brew is a West Philly store that also offers an extensive food menu and lots of games! Enjoy a breakfast bowl or platter, or enjoy one of their dinner bowls, sandwiches or entrees while playing one of their many games (think everything from Monopoly to Rummikub).
If you’re looking to take things virtual, you also have some options. TAP ESports Center, which has locations in Chinatown and University City, offers a selection of PCs equipped with virtual games for visitors to play. Localhost in Callowhill is similar – and they offer leagues, kids esports camps and tournaments. Both venues offer by-the-hour or all-day pricing.
Candle-making
Whether you want to create your signature scent or find something unique to do with a date or a friend, candle-making can be a great option.
Cork and Candles in Center City allows you to either create your own signature scent or create the store’s candle of the month (this month’s is ice cream sundae!) The experience is $62 per person, and there are various date and time options based on your party size.
Wax + Wine in Old City is a BYOB candle-making shop that lets you and your friends, partner or family member pick from a set of fragrances and create a signature scent. You can book for a party of up to 15, and those groups that have more people can book a private event space in the store.
State of Being Candle Store in South Philly uses aromatherapy and affirmations to personalize your candle. They offer BYOB candle-making classes, perfume-making workshops, vision board workshops and more. Waxery in Kensington also offers candle-making classes and events – including collabs with other local breweries.
Honorable mentions
We also have a few other recommendations that don’t fit neatly into a category!
Spa day
If you’re looking for a relaxing way to unwind indoors – there are tons of options in Philly.
In Rittenhouse, you can head over to The Rittenhouse Spa & Club for a soothing massage, hydrafacial, hair styling, aquatic fitness class or pool day, or book an appointment at the Underground Spa & Wellness at The Logan for a facial, infused oil treatment or stress relieving massage. The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel also provides a luxurious experience – including poolside pilates classes, sound baths, collagen-infused facials and more.
Formation Sauna + Wellness in Northern Liberties is a great spot for sauna time, cold plunges, meditation and massage with add-ons like aromatherapy. Urban Oasis in Center City combines aromatherapy, therapeutic sound and an end-of-session tea to create an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Spa Hygge in Old City creates the ultimate comfort experience – with tea, books, soft linens and snack to compliment your experience.
If you’re looking to escape the city completely for the spa experience, Southampton Spa mixes hot and cold pools, salt and infrared saunas, and access to a swimming pool with a restaurant and bar for a full day of relaxation. And Chung Dam Spa & Fitness in Elkins Park offers traditional massages and adds in hot clay, charcoal rooms and body scrubs.
Restaurants
There are too many delicious Philly restaurants to list them all – but, you can find much of our food reporting and restaurant recs in our city guides and through reporting from Julia Binswanger, our food and culture expert!
Bars/Distilliers/Wineries
Philly has no shortage of breweries – Victory Brewing on the Parkway, Yards Brewing Company in Callowhill/Northern Liberties and Evil Genius in Fishtown are a few city favorites. All offer indoor seating for you to cool off!
There are also wineries in the area! If you want to stay in the city, you can check out Mural City Cellars in Fishtown or City Winery in Center City. If you’re up for a short drive, Saddlehill Winery in Voorhees, New Jersey, Chaddsford Winery in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania and Evansburg Vineyards in Collegeville are all great options.
There are also a few distilleries around if that is more your speed – Philadelphia Distilling in Fishtown, the Stateside Vodka Distillery in West Kensington, City Distilling in Northeast Philly and Pennsylvania Distilling Company in Malvern to name a few.
Finally, if you’re looking for kid-friendly activities – check out our summer activity guide for kids, which includes indoor and outdoor options!
