How to end your summer in Philly

The summer is almost over and boy did it go fast. As school and sweatshirt weather approach, Philly is a great place to end the season.

Stay in the area, forget the Shore, and soak in these local activities and events:

Jam to music outside
Save the indoor concerts for the winter—unless your favorite artist is playing of course. Warm weather opens up outdoor venues throughout Philly and hosts hundreds of performers. The Dell Music Center (2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr.), Festival Pier (601 N Christopher Columbus), The Mann Center (5201 Parkside Ave.), and the Susquehanna Bank Center (1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, NJ) all are ideal spots to catch a performance. If you want to experience the biggest music event of the summer, Made in America's 4th annual festival returns on Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 6 and will take place at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Celebrate summer on the Delaware River Waterfront
101 S. Columbus Blvd.
One of the hottest summer spots of the year is Penn's Landing. There's so many options to choose from, making it a great all-day spender. Start your day off by strapping on a pair of rollerblades at the Blue Cross's RiverRink. Cool off with a cold one next door at the lodge. And end your day at Spruce Street Harbor Park by soaking in the sun in a comfy hammock.

Catch a movie outside
Multiple locations
Outdoor movie screenings make a great (and cheap) date night. Grab your mate, a blanket, and snacks and soak in flicks from years ago as well as recent releases. Locations vary. The full roundup of outdoor screenings is here.

Hangout at Pop-Up Beer Gardens
Multiple locations
Adult outdoor summer hangouts were so hot this summer, almost every neighborhood in the city received a pop-up beer garden. Grab your pals, your sunglasses, and take a seat at one of these outdoor drinking joints.

Indulge in a tasty treat!
Yeah, we have cheesesteaks and soft pretzels, but we also have really good dessert establishments! When the sun is beating down on you and you need to cool off with a frozen snack, places all over the city are open to cater to your needs. For unusual, yet delicious flavors, try Little Baby's Ice Cream (2311 Frankford Ave.), (4903 Catharine St.). If you like your ice cream with a side a history, The Franklin Fountain (116 Market St.) is the place to be. If you want something that brings brand-new flavors to the city, Big Gay Ice Cream (521 S Broad St.) is for you. Click here for more frosty picks.

Meet new people at Center City District SIPS
Multiple locations
A yearly summer special, CCD SIPS features cheap drink deals on wine, beer, and cocktails from 5 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Although happy hours do happen typically Monday through Friday — Wednesdays is the day to go in the summer.

Visit the Horticulture Center
Fairmount Park Horticulture Center (100 N. Horticultural Dr.)
Need a place where you can just chill out and relax? This beautiful location in Fairmount Park is an outdoor and indoor facility and gives home to hundreds of plants. Best part about hanging out here — it's free! After you're done with the plants, take a walk over to Shofuso: The Japanese House and Garden and learn about Asian history that took place right here in Philadelphia!

Ride a bike along the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk
You don't need to go to a beach to stroll along the boardwalk, we have one right in Philly — and its right on the water! The 15-foot wide walkway is a perfect place to enjoy a pleasant bike ride. The trail runs from Locust Street to the South Street Bridge making it a great and lengthy ride. If you don't have a bike, Philly has you covered with Indego Bike Share.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.