Have you ever been to a park that was built on top of a parking garage? Yeah, me neither.
That is until I went to Sunset Social in Philadelphia this past weekend.
I found myself at Sunset Social on a cloudy, but still beautiful Saturday in late August. My boyfriend and I were in Philly for the weekend celebrating our 4th anniversary, and this was one of the activities that I wanted to do the most while in the City of Brotherly Love.
I had found Sunset Social on Instagram, as I’m always looking for new things to do in neighboring cities. Living in the suburbs can get a little mundane sometimes, and a quick city trip can give me the metropolitan rejuvenation that I crave at times.
I know that a park might not sound the most exciting- especially when I’m surrounded by hundreds of perfectly good parks in New Jersey. But, let me explain why Sunset Social is a little bit different than your average.
For starters, you can see the entire Philadelphia skyline from its location. There are very few activities that can give you a stunning view of Philly like this one, and even fewer activities that are totally free.
I’m a sucker for a good view, and even though it wasn’t the brightest of days- in preparation for Hurricane Henri passing through, the sights were incredible. If you can get there when the sun is setting, it could be even more magical!
Sunset Social has tons of open space since it’s traditionally a park. This means you could have a picnic, birthday party, or just hang around and enjoy the summer weather, like my boyfriend and I did.
They’re open from 12 pm until 11 pm most weekends, and 3 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, which is a great window of time to plan a quick trip to Sunset Social. Since COVID-19, I’m sure we all have a new appreciation for outdoor activities, which is why I think this park and event space is genius.
If you get hungry, some awesome food stands serve classic American comforts. Mouthwatering cheeseburgers and delicious chicken sandwiches are a few highlights from the menu, with tasty sides like fries and onion rings. If you’re not in the mood for any of these options, you can also bring your own food and drinks!
Sunset Social also sells alcohol and features some amazing original cocktails and beers. I tried their “Rise and Shine” cocktail while visiting, and it was delicious! It was a cucumber-infused vodka with lemonade- the perfect refreshing summer drink! Their beer menu is also extensive, and I recommend the Mango Cart for my fellow ale lovers.
It had the most exquisite fruity aroma and was very light- another awesome sip when it’s hot outside!
What Sunset Social is arguably the most noted for is its giant projector that hangs from a neighboring building. Every Wednesday this summer, they’ve done a Movie Night event, and are planning to continue this tradition into the early fall! They play tons of family-friendly movies like Jurassic Park and some Marvel favorites, which creates fun for the whole family.
While I was there, they were playing a few classic Cartoon Network shows like Dexter’s Laboratory and Teen Titans, which was a fun change to what I normally gravitate towards on TV. I haven’t watched cartoons in forever, so it was nice to sit back on the picnic blanket I brought and act like kids for a few hours.
They also have an adorable dog park for your beloved pooch! It was so sweet to see the dogs interacting with their owners and other pups at the park. I think I enjoy “dog watching” more than “people watching” at this point- it was so heartwarming to see all the animals running around and soaking in the gorgeous weather too.
If my cat somehow finds this blog, don’t worry, I’m not thinking about getting a dog anytime soon- I just love to see animals being, well, animals!
So, I think I’ve covered all the bases of Sunset Social. They have movies/TV, food, tons of open space to relax, and a place for families and doggies- all for free! Now, if you want to visit this hidden gem of a spot, it’s super easy. If you’re not a Philly resident, you can drive to Sunset Social, which is located near Drexel University.
Since they’re located on top of the Circa Green Parking Garage, finding a spot is simple and only costs $6. Just make sure you get a confirmation from one of the workers at Sunset Social before leaving, so you can get the discounted parking rate.
If you’re already in town or are a resident, you can take the SEPTA or walk, depending on how close you are! My boyfriend and I were staying in Rittenhouse Square, which was just across the water from Sunset Social, so we easily could have walked to the park. However, we chose to park in the garage since we had to check out of the hotel.
Sometimes when you’re living in a city, it’s nice to have something that makes you feel like you’re outside of the hustle and bustle. Coming from someone who went to school in New York City and was thankful for places like Central Park, that gives you a connection to nature and a breather from city life, I’m sure my Philly friends will love this spot!
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