Kelly Drive

There are so many statues, monuments and other works of art to see by the river. The park by the Rover is not well kept. The area looks worn down, but will peaceful and great for jogging or biking. Also home to the famous Boathouse Row.

Gorgeous scenic views, a fantastic public space, areas for picnicking, walking along the riverside, or renting bikes. There’s something for everyone here, and I think it really showcases much of what Philadelphia has to offer. I will say driving around here can be a pain, but there is a free parking lot nearby which is super helpful!

As a trotter/​jogger/​walker on Kelly drive, I always find myself keeping my eyes peeled. Kelly Drive is a beautiful scenery for walking/​running/​trotting/​jogging/​skating/​cycling/​parading your cute pet/​wasting your time/​enjoying your time with your family, fishing (with a license) as well as cheering for your boat or rowing team. You have to be careful and lower your music so you can hear those annoying but necessary «on your right» and «on your left» warnings from cyclists and skaters. Kelly Drive run from the SEPTA Wissahickon Transportation Center in Manayunk all the way down to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I think it is a little over 5 miles. Beware of Schuylkill River reggata attendees who blocks the roads for events on weekends in warm seasons. During these boat races it’s hard to run around the crowd. The best advice is to avoid the area all together and run on MLK drive instead. They have a bathroom and a place to grab a snack around Lloyd Hall. The best time to run on Kelly is weekday afternoon. The most busy time is weekend afternoon in warmer seasons. It is nice place to people watch while working out.

After a nice long walk on a finally warm night, I realized that Kelly Drive very nicely connects with the Schuylkill river trail. If you continue past the art museum for just a little, you will find a nice area with bathrooms, and during the day there is a café and a bike rental area. It’s an amazing place for a run, which can take you from NW philly all the way to west and center city philly. It’s well kept but not well lit, so it can be somewhat sketchy, although it’s very crowded.

Beautiful, gorgeous, peaceful walkway for a run/​stroll in the day. I love that it wasn’t hard to find free parking alongside it, and it’s so closely connected to the city (I lived northeast). Others come here with dogs, and as a biking route. I would love to check out the scenic view during spring/​fall times. If you’re driving, beware of the aggressive drivers on the road. Very curvy roads with drivers going at 40mph, which makes no sense to me.

My regular (and very censored) thoughts as I navigate Kelly Drive:
«Please remove yourself from my bumper. I am in the right lane. Go around me.»
«Thank you for sliding in front of me without a blinker. Fantastic considering all the curves. Woo-​hoo, go you! Driver Of The Year.»
«Don’t hit me. Oh my god, don’t hit me. Over the line. They’re over the line. Don’t. Hit. Me.»
As a city-​to-​burbs commuter who passionately hates driving, it’s unfortunate that this is really the only way I can avoid hangin’ out on 76 for a prolonged period and get to work at a reasonable time.
This road absolutely terrifies me. If you ever see someone clutching their steering wheel and driving precisely 35 mph while slowing down around the crazy curves, it’s likely me. I don’t know how some people can drive 55+ without careening into a car/​the river/​other objects.
Three stars for the pedestrian path, and… well, I suppose the views too, but I can’t say I ever take my eyes off the road.

Here’s a different perspective on Kelly Drive. As a (car) commuter and a cyclist, I don’t love it.
From a general athletic standpoint, it’s great. Who wouldn’t love to work out with this gorgeous scenery? As a matter of fact, a lot of people love it. It gets super crowded, especially during peak times like weekends and evenings when the weather is nice. As a cyclist, it involves dodging runners, walkers, rollerbladers and other cyclists. I find it to be a little dangerous and opt to talk West River Drive whenever possible. I know the tendency is to blame the cyclists, but we are (mostly) the ones paying attention. We aren’t screaming «on your left» because it’s fun to say. We don’t want to get hurt and we don’t want to hurt you. Additionally, I just find parts of the road on the trail aren’t in the best of shape anymore.
From a commuter’s standpoint, this route will take you on twists on turns. There are many more curves than its West River Drive counterpart. I’m sure many more accidents as well. Pay attention, stay in your lane and slow down! Drivers are whipping around these curves 20 MPH over the speed limit.
Beware of regattas. Some of them will cause partial shutdowns on the road and cause a lot of foot traffic.
What can I say? I’m a West River Drive type of gal.

One of the best spots to run in the city!!! There’s free parking behind the art museum weekday afternoons. I typically come here after work so by the time I get here it’s 6 – 7. There’s a decent amount of people here so I would say it’s pretty safe (Fall/Summer/Spring)…not sure about the winter or who is jogging out here in the snow.
I like stretching/​warming up behind the art museum (there’s a mini hill and some steps I like to run up and down on). Once I’m done warming up I’ll start jogging towards center city. The trail is pretty long I’ve never ran the whole trail. I usually run towards center city but you can also run the opposite way towards fairmount. The view is breath taking in the summer if you’re like into nature and scenic routes. People are typically friendly– joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, mothers walking their baby strollers, etc. Just be courteous and stay on the right– don’t be taking up the entire path. Sometimes I’ll walk my corgi here and bring him to the dog park (there’s a little path to the park once you pass 30^th station).

One of my favorite outdoor places to workout. Especially in the beautiful spring summer time, jogging up to the drive and enjoy the gorgeous sceneries. Just breath, relax and be happy :)

It’s beautiful no matter the season. Makes you really love this city. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is because you cannot bring your children. I tried to take my 2 kids who are 11 &12 bike riding and those cycling freaks damn near killed them. They don’t play smh lol. Now we just walk down and picnic. When i go running this is my go to place. It’s so peaceful which is weird being as though its mad traffic.

Besides for the rude dicks, the overly aggressive joggers, the angry cyclists, and the general lack of regard for your fellow man, Kelly Drive is really nice.
The scenery is so relaxing and taking a walk along Kelly Drive is a great way to get your exercise in while taking in the natural beauty of what’s just outside DT Philly.
There’s normally parking along the street that’s free but limited to time or tiny side lots. If you’re going to walk or jog, best not to take more than one friend with you to chat with because the pathways aren’t wide enough for more than 3 people walking side-​by-​side without taking over one side completely.
If the weather calls for some cool weather in the general area, walking along Kelly Drive will be cooler and there will be a breeze so best to wear a light windbreaker or long sleeve on a cool day.
Kelly Drive is long enough to walk for the whole afternoon and best of all, it’s connected to the Philadelphia Museum of Art so that’s pretty awesome. Also, there are a few cool places to eat at the end of the path (towards the art museum and Center City) and also the historic Philadelphia East Penitentiary that you could tour.
So in closing, there are plenty of overly aggressive assholes here but the natural beauty and historical structures make up for it.
Parking: Limited free street parking or tiny side lots

This is a great place to run. It’s scenic, easily accessible, and a friendly environment. It even has mile markers if you’re training for something that’s a longer distance. Dog friendly and in a safe area, I’ll definitely be running here more often!

So what can I say about Kelly Drive that many on Unilocal doesn’t already know! Y’all already know that this is a remarkable 4 miles stretch along the schuylkill river. IF you are training for the Broad Street 10 miler, half marathon or even the full marathon… this is perfect for training. You can do the 8 mile Loop along Kelly drive and Martin Luther King Drive! This is where I train for all of my runs including my first marathon!
There is also a bike rental area so you can bike ride along this scenic route! Many people bring their bike out for some good exercise and serene views along the river. There are also people who pick that special spot to fish and catch tonight’s dinner! I’m not one of those but it seems pretty cool to me. All around beautiful views and great for people watching or excercise! One of the top destination in Philly!

Kelly Dr. is definitely one of my favorite places in Philly!
Great for families, runners, walkers, lovers of fresh air, etc. When it’s sunny, there are always tons of people out and about! Philadelphia is such an active city, and Kelly Dr. is a great addition!
If you are a runner, it’s a pretty nice scene for a long run. I like to loop around, at the East Falls bridge and run back on MLK Dr. Finishing up at the art museum. I believe it’s around 8 miles total (don’t quote me on that).

Hands down one of my favorite places in Philadelphia. You can enjoy the parks scenery, feed ducks, take photos, take a cruise down the road on your motorcycle or in your car. If you park you can enjoy a nice job, run or work out then wander around the fair mount park area to the museums or food places. Always a relaxing joyous time! I love the rollerblading here as well!

Best place for a run in Philly that we have found so far. Park your car somewhere along the path and take a few mile jog next to the Boat Houses. Or, just bike all the way there and back. Fairly relaxing. Picnic in the park for the summertime!

The road that has been my training ground for my 2 Broad St. Runs, Half marathon and upcoming half marathon next week. I want to go off on how go it as a running trail. It is a very scenic trail that lets you see Boathouse Row, the Sculykill river, the Art Museum as well as the ducks. But what I also like is that the trails are marked by each ¼ mile, so you know how far you are going, not only by mile, but how far you are into each mile.
There are other uses besides the running. For couples, its offers a romantic stroll and plenty of grass to have a nice picnic. Speaking of picnics, there are plenty of tables for families and friends to join. Likewise, there is plenty of parking lots for people to park and is free to boot. Also, if 76 traffic is too bad, like it always is, there is an alternate route briefly to avoid traffic.

Perfect for a long walk or a refreshing run, Kelly Drive runs along one of the most scenic routes in the city. Back in my Navy days, it used to be a great route to march along, since it’s always teeming with people and is a fun place to be on the weekends. Even now, I love walking down past the Art Museum to the Waterworks area, and then past Boathouse Row.
On the typical summer weekend, you can find folks out there in droves, and it’s a great family environment. The path itself is well maintained and perfectly suited for bike riding and roller-​blading, so long as you avoid the rampant geese! :)
On the road-​based-​perspective of things, Kelly Drive is a great way to get off of 76 and have a slightly less jam-​prone route into the city. That being said, watch out for the people who treat it like an extension of 76 and drive at 60+ MPH. The curves are rather sharp, and it can be (as others have mentioned) quite intimidating at times. Nevertheless, between Kelly Drive and Belmont, you’ve got some good options! And oh yeah, the geese aren’t too bright, so be careful when driving, please!

I like driving this way to avoid 76, but it’s pretty intimidating, lots of narrow curves, and everyone drives pretty fast. If you are on the inner lane, looks like you are going to hit someone, it’s an adventure. Mostly I go here for running, biking, to get to the boats to row. It’s Philly’s version of lake shore drive and I like it.

Is indoor claustrophobia having a negative impact on your everyday life? Do you constantly feel lethargic, restless and confined?
Allow me to introduce: Kelly Drive.
Kelly Drive works quickly and effectively to combat symptoms of onset cabin fever, lassitude and type I stationariness. The path is uniquely designed to maximize your outdoor experience by providing easy access right from center city, with an entrance conveniently located at 25^th and Locust Streets. The paved path meanders past the art museum, along boathouse row, to downtown Manayunk and beyond — so no matter where you are, Kelly’s there, too.
Go ahead, escape the stale air of four-​wall detainment, frolic among the Canadian geese, and embrace the great outdoors. Kelly wants you to.
The fine print: side effects include but are not limited to: heavy breathing, sense of freedom, healthier lifestyle, an addiction to the path and/​or the activities associated with it.