clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Curbed's Top Picks for Philadelphia's Best Cool Down Jawns

View as Map

We've made it to Day Three of Curbed Philly's Outdoors Week! You explored some of the most criminally underrated parks in the city and checked in on (read: gawked at) some listings with ridiculous outdoor spaces. Today, let's navigate Philly's Cool Down Jawns. We're talkin' a whole category that finally describes those crazy ways people from Philly beat the heat. There will be pools galore, fun-filled spraygrounds and even some of your favorite fountains to take a dip in on those hot and humid Philly summer days. So, stop blowing up that inflatable pool and cork up that fire hydrant, we've got you covered when it come to them Cool Down Jawns!



· Outdoors Week 2014 [Curbed Philly]
· Beat the heat wave: Pools, spraygrounds and splash pads [Plan Philly]

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Roberto Clemente Playground

Copy Link

This sprayground is incredible. Not only does it have water-shooting tropical trees, it also has this amazing view of the Philly skyline. (Image: Zora Plays)

Sister Cities Park

Copy Link

Sister Cities has two areas to relax and cool your jets. There is a "stream" fed pool to dip your feet in and there is the playful fountain at the main entrance. (Image: Center City District)

Mount Airy Playground

Copy Link

Chase your kids through this awesome park and you'll get to cool down as well! We would highly recommend water shoes. (Image: Germantown Parents)

Shissler Rec Center

Copy Link

It opened in 2013 and kids freakin' love this place. Take this kids' advice and where your boots/water shoes! (Image: Plan Philly)

Kelly Pool (Please Touch Museum)

Copy Link

Adjacent to the Please Touch Museum, Kelly Pool in Centennial Park is amazing. There's a great lawn to camp on as well. (Image: West Philly Local)

East Poplar Rec Pool

Copy Link

This picture from Patrick Midway sums it up. Bathe in the cool waters of East Poplar Rec's pool and bask in the glory of the Ukrainian Cathedral across the street. You might even catch a tan off of its golden dome. (Photo: Swimming Philadelphia)

NoLibs Rec Facility Pool

Copy Link

Located near 3rd and Fairmount, it's a close-knit pool nestled in a densely populated neighborhood. (Image: Swimming Philadelphia)

Swann Fountain, Logan Circle

Copy Link

While those these magnificent figures may represent the three major rivers of the Philly area, they're practically daring you to take a dip. So, go ahead and cool off. We've all done it! (Image: A View On Cities)

Franklin Square Fountain

Copy Link

Grab a refreshing drink at Square Burger and sit near the fountain to catch the lovely and misty breeze. Again, this may be a stretch, but it's worth a shot if you're hot enough and in Old City. (Image: Yelp)

LOVE Park Fountain

Copy Link

It's up to you whether you want to try and dip your feet in, but it's certainly worth a shot if it's hot and humid. Worst case scenario is you sit in some of the mist and cool off. (Image: Google Maps)

Wading Pool at SSHP

Copy Link

There's a little paved wading pool on the path that cuts through the seating area at SSHP (close to the giant chess pieces). It's cleaned often, and is deep enough for kids (and parents) to get refreshingly damp.

O'Conner Pool

Copy Link

O'Conner Pool is one of the best public pools in the city. It's near the Schuylkill River Park and all the fun on South Street West. (Swimming Philadelphia)

Headhouse Square Fountain

Copy Link

This one is fun. On extremely hot days, run through the fountain and then head into Wawa to stand in the A/C. We recommend only doing that a few times because there is nothing fun about pneumonia! (Image: uwishunu)

48th & Woodland Splash Park

Copy Link

We defy you to not have any fun running through a water shooting rainbow. It's impossible. (Image: Yelp)

Shot Tower Sprayground

Copy Link

This one is also pretty new as it debuted last year. It's small but gets the job done. It gets steamy down by the Delaware in Queen Village. (Image: Passyunk Post)

Herron Park Sprayground

Copy Link

With multiple areas to get your spray on, families from all over come to Herron Park to cool off at this jawn. (Image: Hipster Henry)

The Singing Fountain

Copy Link

While it's often crowded, you can get super close to the fountain to catch. Kids are fond of dancing in the fountain and we've even seen people dip their hand in to wash their face. *Shrugs* South Philly. (Image: Aversa PR)

Vare Rec Center Pool

Copy Link

Accoring to Swimming Philadelphia, this is one of the cleanest (and largest) public pools in Philadelphia. Apparently, it gets drained nightly and refilled the next morning. (Image Swimming Philadelphia)

Smith Playground

Copy Link

WE REPEAT: There is no way you're not going to have fun at a sprayground that has a rainbow tunnel. It's impossible. (Image: Germantown Avenue Parents)

Murphy Rec Center Pool

Copy Link

This pool is attached to a huge rec center that essentially separates Whitman Plaza from the neighborhood. It's always busy but enormous and roomy. (Image: Swimming Philadelphia)

Roberto Clemente Playground

This sprayground is incredible. Not only does it have water-shooting tropical trees, it also has this amazing view of the Philly skyline. (Image: Zora Plays)

Sister Cities Park

Sister Cities has two areas to relax and cool your jets. There is a "stream" fed pool to dip your feet in and there is the playful fountain at the main entrance. (Image: Center City District)

Mount Airy Playground

Chase your kids through this awesome park and you'll get to cool down as well! We would highly recommend water shoes. (Image: Germantown Parents)

Shissler Rec Center

It opened in 2013 and kids freakin' love this place. Take this kids' advice and where your boots/water shoes! (Image: Plan Philly)

Kelly Pool (Please Touch Museum)

Adjacent to the Please Touch Museum, Kelly Pool in Centennial Park is amazing. There's a great lawn to camp on as well. (Image: West Philly Local)

East Poplar Rec Pool

This picture from Patrick Midway sums it up. Bathe in the cool waters of East Poplar Rec's pool and bask in the glory of the Ukrainian Cathedral across the street. You might even catch a tan off of its golden dome. (Photo: Swimming Philadelphia)

NoLibs Rec Facility Pool

Located near 3rd and Fairmount, it's a close-knit pool nestled in a densely populated neighborhood. (Image: Swimming Philadelphia)

Swann Fountain, Logan Circle

While those these magnificent figures may represent the three major rivers of the Philly area, they're practically daring you to take a dip. So, go ahead and cool off. We've all done it! (Image: A View On Cities)

Franklin Square Fountain

Grab a refreshing drink at Square Burger and sit near the fountain to catch the lovely and misty breeze. Again, this may be a stretch, but it's worth a shot if you're hot enough and in Old City. (Image: Yelp)

LOVE Park Fountain

It's up to you whether you want to try and dip your feet in, but it's certainly worth a shot if it's hot and humid. Worst case scenario is you sit in some of the mist and cool off. (Image: Google Maps)

Wading Pool at SSHP

There's a little paved wading pool on the path that cuts through the seating area at SSHP (close to the giant chess pieces). It's cleaned often, and is deep enough for kids (and parents) to get refreshingly damp.

O'Conner Pool

O'Conner Pool is one of the best public pools in the city. It's near the Schuylkill River Park and all the fun on South Street West. (Swimming Philadelphia)

Headhouse Square Fountain

This one is fun. On extremely hot days, run through the fountain and then head into Wawa to stand in the A/C. We recommend only doing that a few times because there is nothing fun about pneumonia! (Image: uwishunu)

48th & Woodland Splash Park

We defy you to not have any fun running through a water shooting rainbow. It's impossible. (Image: Yelp)

Shot Tower Sprayground

This one is also pretty new as it debuted last year. It's small but gets the job done. It gets steamy down by the Delaware in Queen Village. (Image: Passyunk Post)

Herron Park Sprayground

With multiple areas to get your spray on, families from all over come to Herron Park to cool off at this jawn. (Image: Hipster Henry)

The Singing Fountain

While it's often crowded, you can get super close to the fountain to catch. Kids are fond of dancing in the fountain and we've even seen people dip their hand in to wash their face. *Shrugs* South Philly. (Image: Aversa PR)

Vare Rec Center Pool

Accoring to Swimming Philadelphia, this is one of the cleanest (and largest) public pools in Philadelphia. Apparently, it gets drained nightly and refilled the next morning. (Image Swimming Philadelphia)

Smith Playground

WE REPEAT: There is no way you're not going to have fun at a sprayground that has a rainbow tunnel. It's impossible. (Image: Germantown Avenue Parents)

Murphy Rec Center Pool

This pool is attached to a huge rec center that essentially separates Whitman Plaza from the neighborhood. It's always busy but enormous and roomy. (Image: Swimming Philadelphia)