Whenever I’m in Philly and have a little extra time, I love to escape with my kayak to Cooper River in Pennsauken. It’s convenient, peaceful, and always gives me a fresh perspective on the city. Even a short paddle is restorative. Always nice to feel the open water beneath me and see the skyline in the distance.
Sometimes, I hear birds calling above or spot a turtle sunning itself on a log. It’s nice to find a little dose of nature so close to Philly’s rush.
Missed the moonlight but caught the (tail end of) the sunset
I went out last night hoping to catch both the sunset and the full moon. The night before, the moon had been massive and glowing, but this time it was nowhere to be found. Maybe it was hiding behind some clouds.
No matter. I was happy to watch the sun slide away behind Philadelphia’s cityscape. I didn’t get a shot of the bright red ball itself, but the sky lit up in deep reds and golds that framed the skyline beautifully. It reminded me to slow down and appreciate small moments. I snapped a few quick shots on my iPhone 16 Pro (a May upgrade).
There’s something magical about city kayaking—gliding across the water as the city lights start to twinkle, hearing the faint sounds of traffic far away, and feeling all the day’s stress float off.
Pre-kayaking tip
Before you head out, make sure the local rowing crews are finished for the day. I’ve shown up and found the waterway busy with practice, leaving no room for a leisurely paddle. Once, someone let me launch, but within ten minutes, I was told to get off the water.
Learn from my mistake!
Have you ever kayaked on the Cooper River—or maybe on the Schuylkill?
Got any favorite spots around Philly for paddling or sunset-watching? I love discovering new places, even if they’re a bit further out. Let me know in the comments (and if so, please include directions to parking; always helpful).
