Fun on the waterfront: Schuylkill and Delaware rivers offer lots of leisure

Who said you need to go down the shore to experience some fun along the water? Here in Philly we have two rivers (Delaware and Schuylkill) that offer more than enough entertainment.

Hop aboard the Summer Wind for a cruise tour of the Delaware. The daily trips leave from American Sailing Tours, start at 10:30 a.m. and are 90 minutes long. Seafaring folks can gain some knowledge on a history cruise, get groovy on a tropical trip or cozy up to the one they love on a romantic sail.

The largest collegiate regatta in the United States brings athletes from over 100 schools from around the country and Canada to Kelly Drive for the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta. Held on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10, spectators can watch any of the nearly 200 races taking place over the weekend.

Starting Saturday, May 10 paddle or kayak on the Delaware on the weekends in May. Leave your car Penn's Landing Marina and spend the afternoon on the river. May weekend hours are noon until 5 p.m.

Kites and food aren't exactly the most notable pair, but they come together at the Pie in the Sky festival on Saturday, May 10. Watch the sky at Penn Treaty Park fill up with kites starting at noon and grab a bite to eat at any of the food trucks, including the Tot Cart, Spot Burger and Mary's Mobile Diner.

The Schuylkill was named Pennsylvania's 2014 River of the Year, and author Chari Towne will be at the Penn State Schuylkill Campus at 7 p.m. to discuss her book River Again and the environmental cleanup of the area during the 1940s and 1950s as a part of a book signing and lecture on Wednesday, May 14.

How about an evening picnic for a Friday night date? Pack up your dinner, or feast on the free fare at Race Street Pier on Friday, May 16. The pier will be transformed into a cozy dining spot, complete with blankets, pillows, music and lawn games beginning at 6 p.m.

Selected artists will create art over a three-day period starting Friday, May 16 for Art in the Open. See the works evolve over the weekend at the Schuylkill River Banks as each artist works off of river inspirations.

Race along the waterfront in Camden for this year's Graffiti Run on Sunday, May 18. Wear your most pristine white active wear and join other runners at Campbell's Field in Camden at 9 a.m. for this 5k race. Be prepared to be covered in color—they don't call it the Graffiti Run for nothing!

Saturday, May 24 is Maritime Day in Philadelphia and Penn's Landing will be welcoming SUNY Maritime College's training ships, the Empire State VI and the Kings Pointer. Tour the ships, watch competitive boat races and learn about the economy along the river. It all starts at 10 a.m.

Back by popular demand: Penn's Landing hosts a Memorial Day Weekend music event, Jam on the River on Sunday, May 25. Get your jam on to Lotus, GRiZ, Papadosio, Conspirator, Zoogma and Grimace Federation, who are all on the bill. Doors open at 2 p.m.

Independence Seaport Museum offers a unique day of riverfront events on Saturday, May 31 at their Walnut to Walnut event. Rowers can bring their boat or rent one of the museum's for a 15-mile regatta starting on the Schuylkill end of Walnut Street and ending on the Delaware, starting at 9:30 a.m. An intense river-to-river, 21-and-over scavenger hunt and walk along Walnut to the Seaport Museum will also be held that day, with start times of 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively.