Free outdoor dates in Philly
Key facts
| Forbidden Drive | About 5.35 miles of wide, mostly flat gravel |
|---|---|
| Wissahickon Valley Park | 2,000 acres and more than 50 miles of trails |
| Manayunk Canal Towpath | About 2 miles behind Main Street |
| Schuylkill River Trail | About 10 miles along Philadelphia's waterfront |
Some of the best Philly dates cost nothing but a good pair of shoes. Walking side by side is easier than sitting across a table. These three trails are inside the city and easy to reach.
Forbidden Drive
Forbidden Drive is the main path through Wissahickon Valley Park, about 5.35 miles of wide, mostly flat gravel. Stop at the Valley Green Inn or the Paper Trail Bike Cafe for coffee. It is shady in summer and pretty in the fall.
Source: Lower Bucks Times: Discover Wissahickon Valley Park, checked 8 November 2026
The Manayunk Canal Towpath
The towpath runs about 2 miles from Lock Street behind Main Street to Shawmont, past old canal locks and mills. At Shawmont it joins the Schuylkill River Trail toward Valley Forge. Walk out, then come back for dinner.
Source: Manayunk Development Corporation: Trails and recreation, checked 8 November 2026
The Schuylkill River Trail and the Water Works
About 10 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail run along Philadelphia's waterfront. The Fairmount Water Works, a 19th-century pumping station with an environmental education center, sits just below the art museum. For the best view of Boathouse Row, look across from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Source: Visit Philadelphia: Can't-miss experiences on the Schuylkill River Trail, checked 8 November 2026
Questions
What are free date ideas in Philadelphia?
Walk Forbidden Drive, the Manayunk towpath or the Schuylkill Banks boardwalk. Christmas Village at LOVE Park is free to enter in late November and December.
Can you get to Forbidden Drive without a car?
Many people use Regional Rail to Chestnut Hill or walk in from Manayunk. Check SEPTA times before you go.
Are the trails safe after dark?
Stick to daylight for wooded trails like the Wissahickon. Save evening walks for busy, well-lit stretches like the Schuylkill Banks boardwalk.
Read next
Our sister site Smooch has more first date ideas. WhichDating, our sister review site, has a guide to dating in Philadelphia.