Free beginner sunset kayak paddle on the Delaware River from Cherry Street Pier, with a $5-10 refundable donation to hold a spot.
Riverways is running guided sunset paddles from Cherry Street Pier every Thursday in October—October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29—with each trip launching at 4:30 PM. They're partnering with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation on these, and they're built for beginners: each trip covers two to three miles and takes in the city from the water as the sun goes down, with the history of the Delaware River and Philadelphia unspooling along the way.
If you've never been out on the river, this is a low-stakes way to start. The organizers provide basic guidance, safety, and all the necessary gear, including the life jacket you're required to wear. You just need to be at least 12 years old and register in advance to get a spot. The trips are free, though they ask for a $5 to $10 donation to hold your place, which is refunded when you arrive.
The starting point, Cherry Street Pier, is a 65,000-square-foot year-round public space built into the shell of a century-old municipal pier on the central Delaware River waterfront. It opened in 1919 as Shipping Pier 9 and was a vibrant part of Philadelphia's shipping industry; it was later repurposed to preserve its original railroad tracks, steel-trussed roof, and masonry headhouses. These days it houses artist studios, ever-changing markets, a river-edge garden, and a stage for exhibitions and performances.
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So, if you're looking for something to do on a Thursday afternoon this October, you can spend a couple of hours on the water and then hang around the pier afterward. Just remember to register ahead of time. The paddles launch at 4:30 PM from Cherry Street Pier, and the trips are free with a $5 to $10 refundable donation to hold your spot.
