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Stock photo of outdoor yoga
Boston Globe via Getty Images

The best sunny workout spaces in Philly

These programs are hosted all around the city and—bonus— most of them are free.

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Stock photo of outdoor yoga
| Boston Globe via Getty Images

Note: This story was last published in the spring of 2016, but has been updated with the newest workout spaces this year—just in time for Curbed’s Play Week.

Summer in Philly is something else—gorgeous, sunny, blue skies, and also about as hot as it can get. Still, if you can brave the heat, Philly has some of the best outdoor spaces to let you appreciate the city in all its sunny glory. One of the best ways to take it all in is through some good, old-fashioned exercise, and Philly has you covered.

From the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Morris Arboretum, these nine stunning and iconic spaces in Philadelphia are hosting workouts this summer—and many of them are free. After all, how often can you say that you saluted the sun in front of City Hall or rolled out your yoga mat in the middle of the Curtis Center atrium?

Know of another workout in a stunning space? Leave a comment!

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Dilworth Park

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Dilworth Park is back with its free workout classes in front of the glorious City Hall. Head here for boot camp and yoga every week. The full calendar is right here. Post-class run through the plaza's fountain like a little kid or grab a drink or bite from one of the cafes nearby.

A post shared by Angie Copertino (@ayyy_tino) on

Race Street Pier

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Head to the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge and do sun salutations along the Delaware River waterfront weekdays at 7 a.m. and weekends at 9:30a.m. Aetna is the sponsor and they’ll be offering twilight yoga at 8:30 p.m. once a month.

A post shared by Suzanne Leona (@suzieqz07) on

Philadelphia Museum of Art

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Every Wednesday night you can do yoga in the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of the weekly pay-what-you-want after-hours program. All you have to do is bring your own mat. Class runs from 6 to 7 p.m.

Rocky Steps

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Just like in the winter, the November Project meets at the Rocky Steps (aka the Philadelphia Museum of Art) every Wednesday at 6:25 a.m. for a free workout—and lots of high-fives and hugs. Just show up!

Schuylkill River Trail

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The fifth season of Yoga on the Banks is back, with pay-what-you-wish classes taking place every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday (weather permitting, of course). You'll down dog while looking at Philly's skyline behind you and stare out toward the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk and the river in front.

Bartram's Garden

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Wind down with gentle yoga and meditation classes in the country's oldest botanical garden along the west banks of the Schuylkill River. Classes start at 10:30 a.m. and run every Friday through the beginning of September.

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Morris Arboretum

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The Morris Arboretum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, begins a series of daytime and nighttime yoga classes in the spring, and continue to run through the summer. All classes are held outside (weather permitting).

Atrium At Curtis Center

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So it may not be outdoors, but you’re sure to get plenty of sun with the Be Well Philly free Summer Yoga Flow program in the historic, sunny (and architecturally stunning) Curtis Center. The free yoga series is held Tuesdays at 6 p.m. through July in the Curtis Center atrium, and its followed by drinks.

A post shared by Carina Wulff (@_carinawulff_) on

Parks on Tap yoga

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Follow around the Parks on Tap for some free, outdoor yoga this summer. The classes are held by Roots2Rise, and pop up at 6 p.m. Thursdays wherever Parks on Tap are being held that week. Today it’s Burholme Parks, followed by Pastorius Park next week. Check out the full schedule here. It’s free, but if you do choose to donate, you’ll get a free drink ticket.

A post shared by Parks on Tap (@parksontap) on

Dilworth Park

Dilworth Park is back with its free workout classes in front of the glorious City Hall. Head here for boot camp and yoga every week. The full calendar is right here. Post-class run through the plaza's fountain like a little kid or grab a drink or bite from one of the cafes nearby.

A post shared by Angie Copertino (@ayyy_tino) on

Race Street Pier

Head to the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge and do sun salutations along the Delaware River waterfront weekdays at 7 a.m. and weekends at 9:30a.m. Aetna is the sponsor and they’ll be offering twilight yoga at 8:30 p.m. once a month.

A post shared by Suzanne Leona (@suzieqz07) on

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Every Wednesday night you can do yoga in the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of the weekly pay-what-you-want after-hours program. All you have to do is bring your own mat. Class runs from 6 to 7 p.m.

Rocky Steps

Just like in the winter, the November Project meets at the Rocky Steps (aka the Philadelphia Museum of Art) every Wednesday at 6:25 a.m. for a free workout—and lots of high-fives and hugs. Just show up!

Schuylkill River Trail

The fifth season of Yoga on the Banks is back, with pay-what-you-wish classes taking place every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday (weather permitting, of course). You'll down dog while looking at Philly's skyline behind you and stare out toward the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk and the river in front.

Bartram's Garden

Wind down with gentle yoga and meditation classes in the country's oldest botanical garden along the west banks of the Schuylkill River. Classes start at 10:30 a.m. and run every Friday through the beginning of September.

A post shared by @yogaatbartrams on

Morris Arboretum

The Morris Arboretum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, begins a series of daytime and nighttime yoga classes in the spring, and continue to run through the summer. All classes are held outside (weather permitting).

Atrium At Curtis Center

So it may not be outdoors, but you’re sure to get plenty of sun with the Be Well Philly free Summer Yoga Flow program in the historic, sunny (and architecturally stunning) Curtis Center. The free yoga series is held Tuesdays at 6 p.m. through July in the Curtis Center atrium, and its followed by drinks.

A post shared by Carina Wulff (@_carinawulff_) on

Parks on Tap yoga

Follow around the Parks on Tap for some free, outdoor yoga this summer. The classes are held by Roots2Rise, and pop up at 6 p.m. Thursdays wherever Parks on Tap are being held that week. Today it’s Burholme Parks, followed by Pastorius Park next week. Check out the full schedule here. It’s free, but if you do choose to donate, you’ll get a free drink ticket.

A post shared by Parks on Tap (@parksontap) on