Ahh, summer in Philadelphia. The steamy sidewalks, cool water ice, abundant alfresco dining, brilliant beer gardens and general easygoing vibe make the City of Brotherly Love a spectacular spot to spend a summer day.

There are so many, many ways to enjoy summer in the city, and we want to be sure no one misses out on experiencing summer in Philadelphia to the fullest.

To help maximize the time that’s left in the season — summer officially ends when autumn begins on September 23 — we’ve rounded up our top picks for quintessential Philly fun. From hammock hopping and water ice slurping to outdoor movie-watching and music festival-going, these are the activities that should be on everyone’s to-do list as of right now.

Some of these picks are temporary, though, and only available for a limited-time! Get there before the season ends (we’re looking at you Spruce Street Harbor Park and The Oval).

Here, in no particular order, are our top 31 ways to enjoy summer in Philadelphia.

1. Play a giant board game or kubbspel at The Oval

After an awesome run in 2013, the open-air public space at Eakins Oval has once again converted an island of asphalt and surrounding lawns at 24th Street and the Parkway into an eight-acre public space devoted to summertime fun through August 17. With so many free on-site games — giant chess, mini golf, bocce ball, corn hole, kubbspel and more — game time is on at The Oval. MORE INFO

2. Lounge in a hammock at Spruce Street Harbor Park

Spruce Street Harbor Park on the the Delaware River Waterfront has been an absolutely amazing addition to Philadelphia’s alfresco summer scene. Open daily through August 31, the temporary park has transformed Penn’s Landing into a lush oasis right at Spruce Street and Columbus Boulevard. Around the Columbus Monument, more than 50 colorful hammocks have been strung between trees — and scoring time in one has become one of the most sought after things to do this summer in Philly. MORE INFO

3. Stand in line for ice cream at The Franklin Fountain

On any given summer night in Old City, a line filled with lovers of great ice cream is nearly guaranteed to sprawl down Market Street in front of The Franklin Fountain. Why are they waiting so patiently? Franklin Fountain’s decked out soda jerks serve up luscious handmade ice cream, sundaes, sodas, floats and more. It’s worth the wait. MORE INFO

4. Pack a picnic and hang out in Rittenhouse Square

One of the five green spaces in William Penn’s original design for Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square (or Washington Square or Franklin Square) makes an exemplary summer stop to pursue picnicking. Large planes of grass are prime picnic blanket real estate, and tons of area markets and restaurants make filling those blankets a cinch. MORE INFO

27 more summer essentials, below.

5. Cheer on the Union at PPL Park

The region’s Major League Soccer club, the Philadelphia Union have been thrilling soccer fans since their inaugural season in 2010 at PPL Park located along the scenic banks of the Delaware River in Chester. Catch a game this season as the Union make a push for the MLS playoffs — especially if you’re still experiencing World Cup withdrawal. MORE INFO

6. Snag summer produce at Headhouse Square

One of the city’s largest outdoor farmers’ markets, The Food Trust’s Headhouse Farmers’ Market hums with shoppers, vendors and a cheerful vibe every Sunday through the fall. Regional produce harvests ripened late in the season this year, so now is the time to scoop up tomatoes, peaches and more of summer’s bounty. MORE INFO

7. Stand in line at Jim’s Steaks on a Saturday

The crowds that flock to Jim’s Steaks on South Street can often mean an extra long wait before you actually get to taste one of the fine cheesesteak sandwiches; the line at Jim’s often stretches out the front door and around the corner onto 4th Street. However, the smell of the grill-cooked beef and sizzling onions will keep you patient and focused on the eventual reward. For those who seek other great sandwiches, Philadelphia is full of ’em. MORE INFO

8. Raise a pint to history at Independence Beer Garden

There’s a new place making history on Independence Mall. The 20,000 square-foot outdoor area of 100 South Independence Mall West is now home to the permanent full-service restaurant and bar Independence Beer Garden. It feels appropriate, too, that a freewheeling concept like a beer garden encircling an office building should be such a bona fide hit in the town of the Founding Fathers. MORE INFO

9. Check out Frank Gehry’s master plan for the PMA

After nearly 90 years of use, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has revealed a comprehensive plan for the renovation, revitalization and expansion of the Parthenon on the Parkway, tapping celebrated architect Frank Gehry to design and now implement an ambitious multi-phase project. On view through September 1, Making a Classic Modern: Frank Gehry’s Master Plan for the Philadelphia Museum of Art pulls back the curtain on grand plans for the future of one of our city’s cultural treasures. MORE INFO

10. Bike or hike the Wissahickon

With more than 215 miles of meandering scenic trails featuring over two dozen historically significant sites scattered throughout, Fairmount Park is one of the largest metropolitan parks in the country, and a must-visit for any outdoor recreation enthusiast. Don’t know where to start the adventure? Head to the Valley Green Inn and take on Forbidden Drive, also known as the Wissakichon Valley Park Trail, a 7-mile stretch along the Wissahickon Creek with a wide and mostly flat, gravel path. MORE INFO

11. Gaze at the Benjamin Franklin Bridge from Morgan’s Pier

With its sweet Delaware River waterfront views, scores of alfresco tables, busy entertainment schedule and epicurean picnic fare, Morgan’s Pier makes an ideal summertime hangout, especially during the Summer of the Beer Garden. MORE INFO

12. Glide through the waters of the Brandywine River

Get beyond city limits and take in the beautiful, bucolic countryside of West Chester (or any of the Towns of the Countryside, for that matter!). Our pick? Outdoor recreation on the calm, meandering Brandywine River via a canoe trip with Northbrook Canoe Company. MORE INFO

13. Consider a Cézanne at The Barnes Foundation

The Barnes Foundation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway houses an awe-inspiring collection featuring 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes and 59 Matisses and so, so much more. This summer, though, visitors to the Barnes can also experience a curated view of the works of post-impressionist Paul Cézanne in The World Is an Apple: The Still Lifes of Paul Cézanne, on view through September 22. MORE INFO

14. Snack at the PHS Pop-Up Garden

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has outfitted a once-vacant lot on South Street with lounge-worthy seating, hammocks, a pop-up bar and a couple ways to dig in to tasty eats. Situated right next door to the Jamaican Jerk Hut, garden-goers at the 2014 PHS Pop-Up Garden can step up to a window to order spicy eats. Alternatively, food is dished from a rotating selection of Philadelphia’s food trucks, one of which pulls right in to the garden daily. MORE INFO

15. Check out the sweet skyline views from The Mann

Located in Fairmount Park, the Mann can seat more than 4,500 with room for nearly 10,000 more on the spacious lawn, making this alfresco venue ideal for blockbuster summer concert tours and BYOB Philadelphia Orchestra events alike. MORE INFO

16. Explore the world at a PECO Multicultural Series festival

Experience world cultures without ever leaving Penn’s Landing during one of the PECO Multicultural Series festivals, which run most weekends through September. The series of festivals celebrate the cultures that make up Philadelphia through family-friendly, free events all summer long. MORE INFO

17. Stroll beneath a tiger at the Philadelphia Zoo

As the country’s first zoo, Philadelphia Zoo is no stranger to introducing groundbreaking wildlife engagement to the animal-loving public. This summer season, the zoo debuted Big Cat Crossing, an overhead trail system extending for 330 feet from the popular Big Cat Falls area 11- to 17-feet above ground that’s allows for tigers to prowl right over the main visitor pathway. Awesome. MORE INFO

18. Enjoy the graffitied Jenga at Frankford Hall

Stephen Starr’s indoor-outdoor oasis in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, Frankford Hall, helped get the whole beer garden trend going in Philadelphia when it opened in 2011. This summer, make time to raise a stein and play a round of colorfully graffitied Jenga at this staple on the beer garden scene. MORE INFO

19. See a fireworks show at Longwood Gardens

Few spectacles sum up summertime more than huge fireworks displays, and the folks at Longwood Gardens oblige the season and illuminate the skies all summer long with Fireworks and Fountains, the gardens annual fireworks and concert series. Make plans to visit August 17 or August 31 for spectacles going off at 8:15 p.m. MORE INFO

20. Dine at a new restaurant in Philadelphia

Summer in Philadelphia means way more than beer and games: It also means a wave of brand-new restaurants on the regional dining scene. Some of the newest additions to Philadelphia’s restaurant array — Volvér, Charlie was a sinner., Petruce et al, Townsend (just to name a few!) — are too hot to miss trying out this summer. MORE INFO

21. Rock out at the Made in America Music Festival

Jay Z’s Made in America Music Festival returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for Labor Day Weekend 2014, and the third year of the epic music fest is going bicoastal, with simultaneous concerts here in Philadelphia and in Los Angeles on August 30 and 31. MORE INFO

22. Score a prime spot for an Awesome Fest outdoor movie

The Awesome Fest is, well, awesome. With free outdoor movie screenings through August 17 at three different parks around town — Clark Park on Thursdays, The Oval on Fridays and Liberty Lands Park on Saturdays — the folks behind the films bring the silver-screen fun into the great outdoors. MORE INFO

23. Practice yoga for free on Race Street Pier

Sun salutations under the morning sun? Yes, please. Race Street Pier on the Delaware River waterfront hosts free morning yoga sessions six-days-a-week taught by a collective group of yoga teachers called Yogis United along with a number of assistants. Stop by every day, except Wednesdays, for an hour-long free yoga session. MORE INFO

24. Cheer for the home team at a Phillies game

Few outings say summer like a trip to the ballpark. This city’s boys of summer, the Philadelphia Phillies, play home games at Citizens Bank Park, where excellent eats keep fans happy and awesome sight lines mean there’s not a bad seat in the house. MORE INFO

25. Paddle on the Delaware at Penn’s Landing

Take the fun out on the water. While hanging out at Spruce Street Harbor Park, boating enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels can explore Penn’s Landing by renting a swan boat or a kayak. Boats launch just south of the Independence Seaport Museum at the Penn’s Landing Marina and both swan boats and kayaks are available through September 6. MORE INFO

26. Shop in a schoolyard at the Franklin Flea outdoor market

The marvelous Philadelphia-centric Franklin Flea market sets up shop alfresco in the McCall School’s yard on 7th Street in Society Hill this August for a day-long market. Shopping for vintage and handmade goods in the great outdoors is a worthy way to spend a summer Saturday; look for other weekly markets from Art Star at Spruce Street Harbor Park and PHAIR at Headhouse Square. MORE INFO

27. Climb through Your Brain at The Franklin Institute

Since 1824, The Franklin Institute has honored inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin with remarkable exhibitions, programs and events made to live up to the Founding Father’s image. This summer, the museum opened the doors to a brand-new 53,000-square-foot expansion and an amazing new permanent exhibition, Your Brain, the museum’s largest display to date. MORE INFO

28. Hit Night Market Philadelphia on Lancaster Avenue

Looking for a hot festival to get you through the dog days of summer? Look towards Thursday, August 14 when Night Market Lancaster Avenue hits the streets of West Philly. The sensational Night Market Philadelphia is midway through its fourth year of recurring street food festivals, and has already hosted blowout events in Old City and West Oak Lane, each of which brought out tens of thousands of attendees and dozens of vendors dishing excellent edibles.MORE INFO

29. Score a happy hour deal during Center City Sips

Everyone knows and loves Center City Sips. The weekly happy hour series is one of the most popular events of the summer. And for good reason: $5 cocktails, $4 wine, $3 beer and half-priced appetizers at more than 80 participating restaurants and bars from 5 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday is a pretty solid deal. MORE INFO

30. Catch a show at the new and improved Festival Pier

For the 2014 summer concert season, Festival Pier has a completely new look after renovations by Groundswell Design Group, the folks behind the design at Morgan’s Pier, Spruce Street Harbor Park at Penn’s Landing and more. The new Festival Pier brings the beach to Penn’s Landing as it promises a boardwalk, a sandy beach and beachy plants. MORE INFO

31. Slurp water ice from John’s in South Philly

Since 1945, this warm-weather to-go spot has been transforming fruit, sugar and frozen water into water ice — known elsewhere as “Italian ice” — and a sweet refresher from John’s Water Ice is the consummate Philadelphia summertime treat. MORE INFO