The bottom line: Parks on Tap is one of the best casual family outings in Philadelphia, especially on a weekday. The food is fine, the vibes are great, and your kids will entertain themselves for hours. Just sign up for the free membership beforehand, bring your own water and a picnic blanket, and leave the outside food at home.
We went to the Columbus Square stop on a Wednesday evening in late April with Charlotte (6) and Parker (1). This is our third year in a row doing Parks on Tap, and it keeps getting more family-friendly. Weekday evenings now feel like they belong to families more than anyone else.
The New Membership Requirement
The biggest change for 2026: Parks on Tap now requires a free membership signup before you can enter. It's essentially an RSVP, not a paid subscription, but it does take about five minutes to fill out the form. That membership then covers you for every Parks on Tap location for the rest of the season. You can sign up here.
Our advice? Do it before you leave the house. Standing at the entrance filling out a form on your phone while your kids are losing patience is not the move. Get it taken care of ahead of time and you'll walk right in.
Seating and Setup
You don't need to bring your own chairs. There are about a dozen picnic tables scattered throughout, plus a handful of hammocks. When we arrived around 5 PM on a Wednesday, roughly 70% of the seating was taken, but there was still plenty of open grass for blankets.
We brought our own portable picnic blanket, and it was clutch. Parker is at the age where he just needs space to crawl around and do his thing, and the blanket gave us a home base without worrying about snagging a table. It also means extra seating if it gets busy. And on weekdays, it will.
They provide the basics at the condiment station: hand sanitizer, wipes, napkins, plastic utensils, ketchup, and mustard. Nothing fancy, but everything you'd need.
The Food
Let's be real: the food at Parks on Tap is fine. It's park food with a slight Philly twist, not a destination dining experience. Adult entrees run $15 to $20. Kids' meals start at $8 for a hot dog and $10 for a cheeseburger.
We tried the cheeseburger and the cheesesteak. Both come with Cooper Sharp cheese, which is honestly the most elevated thing about either option. Charlotte rated them about even but gave the cheesesteak a slight edge. Parker, being one, was all about the cheeseburger bun. Softer, easier to gnaw on.
The cheesesteak bread was on the dry side and wasn't warm. Nothing wrong with it, just nothing memorable. If you're picking one, the cheeseburger is probably the better value. The bun holds up better and the kids will eat more of it.
Food service was quick. We had our order within about 15 minutes. The drink lines, however, were noticeably longer. Plan accordingly if you're trying to grab a beer before settling in.
What the Kids Actually Did
This is where Parks on Tap really shines for families. There's cornhole set up, and technically the kids played with the bean bags, but mostly they just took over the whole area and ran wild. Kids who'd never met each other were chasing each other around, playing tag with the bean bags, and just causing the kind of beautiful chaos that only happens when you put a bunch of little ones in a grassy park together.
The best part? The space feels contained enough that you don't need to hover. You can sit at your table, keep a casual eye on them, and actually have a conversation with another adult. That alone makes it worth the trip.
Charlotte, true to form, brought her own crafts. She found a rock to perch on and set up her own little station with stickers, scissors, and all. If your kid is more of a quiet creative type, there's plenty of space for that too.
The Weekday Family Takeover
We've done Parks on Tap two or three years running, and this is the most families we've ever seen. Wednesday at 5 PM was packed, but not with the happy hour crowd you might expect. It was strollers, blankets, and kids everywhere.
The vibe on weekdays has clearly shifted. It's become a family thing, and honestly, that makes it better. You're surrounded by people in the same mode as you: trying to enjoy the weather, let the kids run, and squeeze in a decent meal before bedtime. If you're debating between a weekday and a weekend, go weekday. You'll be among your people.
The Practical Stuff
Bathrooms: They have UltraLav portable restrooms, which are a big step up from your standard porta potty. Cleaner, more spacious, and way less terrifying for kids.
Security: Guards check bags at the entrance and they're thorough. No outside food is allowed. Our security guard was chill about it and gave us the benefit of the doubt, but he made it clear: if you get caught eating outside food inside, you could get kicked out. Just don't risk it.
Water: We made the mistake of not bringing water and had to buy it there. Parker was teething, it was warm, and he was miserable. Learn from us. Bring water bottles for the kids.
“Parks on Tap is a gentle reminder of the beauty that's already in your backyard. You don't appreciate the park and the city backdrop until there's an occasion to sit in it. Once you do, you realize how lucky you are to have this.”
Tips for Families
It takes about 5 minutes and covers you for every Parks on Tap location all season. Do it at home, not at the entrance.
Even if tables are available, a blanket gives your little ones space to spread out. It's especially clutch for crawlers and toddlers.
Seriously. The kids will need it and buying it there is an unnecessary expense when you're already paying $15+ for food.
Security checks bags and they will flag it. Not worth the hassle.
The family crowd is bigger and the vibe is better. Wednesday evenings are the sweet spot.
The park itself is the entertainment, but if your kid is more of a quiet creative type, a small craft kit goes a long way.
Better value, softer bun for little mouths, and the Cooper Sharp cheese still delivers.
The Verdict
Parks on Tap is one of our favorite low-effort family outings in Philadelphia. The food is serviceable, the space is safe and contained, and the kids will entertain themselves without you needing to orchestrate a single activity. Add in the city skyline, the community energy, and the fact that it rotates to different parks throughout the season, and you've got something that's genuinely worth making a regular thing.
We'll be back at the next stop. Blanket, water bottles, and all.
