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Visit Manayunk: A Small Town in the Big City 

ByBrittany Delgado Hours
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If you are planning on visiting Philadelphia, I highly recommend you spend some time in Manayunk. Manayunk gives me all the small town Gilmore Girls vibes with the little coffee shops, weekly farmers markets, and boutiques. Here is a helpful guide on things to do in Manayunk with your family. 

Where to Park When Visiting Manayunk

If you do decide to drive, be mindful of parking regulations. Manayunk has limited street parking, and some areas may require permits. Utilize public parking lots or garages, and check signs for any parking restrictions. There are over 700 spaces available in parking lots located throughout Manayunk:

  • Green Lane between Main Street and Cresson Street
  • Main and Levering Streets
  • Venice Island via Main and Lock Streets
  • Venice Island via Main and Cotton Streets
  • Venice Island via Carson Street (across from Post Office)
  • 4000 Main Street – Nighttime and weekend parking only
  • Valet parking is available at various locations on Main Street for evening diners and shoppers (after 6pm)

Where to Shop 

Manayunk is full of adorable little shops with fun themed window displays. I can spend a day strolling around window shopping and be perfectly content. 

Here are a few of our favorite stores: 

  • The Little Apple: the cutest gift shop filled with do-dads and the sweetest baby clothes and toys! 
  • LILA: a high end women’s clothing boutique. 
  • The Spiral Bookcase: a cute bookstore 

Where to Play

  • Pretzel Park: Have a picnic in the grassy area, visit the farmers market on Saturdays and play on the newly updated playground! Pretzel park is a staple in the Manayunk neighborhood. Have a dog? No worries, they also have a great dog park here! 
  • Venice Island: Visiting Manyunk in the summer? You have to check out Venice Island! They have a fabulous spray ground, pickleball courts, and basketball courts! 
  • Manayunk Towpath: take a stroll or a bike ride along the Schuylkill River! ​​It’s approximately 2 miles of a mixed trail of boardwalk and compacted gravel. The Towpath runs adjacent to the Manayunk business district progressing into a more scenic wooded trail in Shawmont, which leads to a juncture with the Montgomery County section of the Schuylkill River Trail that runs all the way to Valley Forge!
  • Manayunk Bridge Trail:  The Manayunk Bridge Trail, recently opened in 2016, is a trail that stretches across the iconic Manayunk bridge connecting Manayunk to Bala Cynwyd and the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. The trail entrance on the Manayunk side sits on Dupont Street and includes a free public parking lot for all trail access. Follow the map below to find your way to the Manayunk Bridge Trail entrance from Main Street. As you enter the Bala Cynwyd portion of the trail, you’ll find a great playground at the Bala Cynwyd Park. 
  • Rutabaga: A quick drive as this is in East Falls, but if you find your kids itching to play with some toys head on over to Rutabaga Toy Library! A toy library that also hosts open play time and sometimes kids classes like music and story time. 
  • Kids At Play: Also a quick drive up the hill and into Roxborough! But, this indoor playground is guaranteed to burn some of that energy on a rainy, wintery, or hot day!