Graffiti Pier

This hidden gem is the perfect place to pretend you're a model or a photographer. A great, albeit dirty, place to snap some cool pictures. It's also a solid place to set up and fish or to get up to some general mischief. This based on the three types of people I saw in my visit here: photographers, fishermen, and shirtless parkour-ing teens. My best advice is to wear closed toed footwear. This place is littered with broken glass and other assorted garbage. I wore flip flops, and while I managed to avoid injury, my feet were stained with a layer of black dirt. It's kind of a sketchy area of town, but it's worth a visit to up your insta game.

This area is not closed. I was just there a couple days ago. Security drI've past as I was walking back to my car, slowed down and didn't say anything. There is a gap in the fence for you to walk through. Bring spray paint. Go in the daylight for best pictures. There were families there, photographers taken pictures and, in the back, a couple of swings that make for a great photo. There was little trash except for spray paint cans and no urine smell. I even went alone and felt safe.

The best view of the city is from here. It has come a long way in the past few years as volunteers have installed trashcans and cleaned up a lot of the trash that has been dumped here. Be mindful and whatever you bring, carry it out. I bring my two large dogs back here on walks to the end of the pier for the amazing view that shows the mix of nature taking over old industry against the new industry - the skyline of Philadelphia. Usually, you will see other urban explorers, fishermen, photographers, and artists. But be cautious, last time I was here kids were playing with dynamite and people have been mugged here. Just be smart and pay attention.

Well I finally made it to Graffiti Pier, yay! I was really impressed with what I saw. The vibrant colors strategically placed upon cemented pillars of an old coal pier. I actually learned that the pier at one time was a coal pier where trains and a crane loaded coal from ships docked there. You can actually see the remnants of a train bridge when you look a top the columns. Now because I said remnants after looking up I began to feel unsafe, lol. There are pieces of cemented bridge hanging on metal poles "Be careful and aware!" Bring cans of spray paint and paint your life away. I tried to find an area where there was some space to paint over. Once I found my area, it was on! Surprisingly there were a mixture of types of people there just kinda walking around or hanging out: couples, photographers, models, music bands (there were pretty good too), people doing graffiti, people fishing off the Delaware, a dad with three small children, lol. I met a guy who was fishing, he told me I could come fish with him and he'd even filet my fish right there on the tumbled column that once stood on the pier. It was a great experience. I even took my own 2 kids 11 and 13! Just remember: 1. Wear pants and sneakers (rocky terrain, bottles, glass) 2. Look up to check for falling debri. 3. Wear bug spray (the mosquitoes!) 4. Be aware of your surroundings. Oh, I only found this pace because I pulled into the parking lot at the same time as some other people and I followed them. Once you park you have to squeeze around the barrier and follow the path.

I had never been to Philadelphia prior to this visit. I wanted to explore the touristy sites and the not so touristy, off the beaten path, and possibly unknown even to locals kind of sites. Graffiti Pier, officially known as Pier 124, happened to be on the latter part of my tour that I wanted to see. I came across photos on Instagram simply by typing in a certain hashtag that brought me to this awesomeness. Two of my friends that I traveled with Kathleen D., and Sari A. came on this 'underground' outing with me. My GPS brought us right to the spot where we needed to park and find the place to the entrance. Luckily, Kathleen had been here on a previous excursion which helped a lot too. The area that it is located is sketchy. Particularly where we parked down from there was a sports/coop car outing of some sort that was disassembled not too long after by police when we returned to my car after the visit to the graffiti pier. It was pretty happening. They even had a food truck in tow which I found amusing. They dispersed, thankfully. We ventured down a beaten path that led us to a gate block that wouldn't allow car access down the road. Instead the foot path is only accessible via going through the gate that blocks the entrance. Once you walk down just a little ways you end up at the pier. Several people were down there. Decommissioned in 1991 due to Baltimore increasing their coal circulation; they closed down the pier and its activities is still It is still owned by the company who used to run the coal shipping here. It pretty much has remained unchanged and untouched since they left leaving it for street artists and graffiti enthusiasts to make their mark. When walking around, I saw some people climbing up a tree to get to the top of the pier. It had railroad spikes hammered pretty hard into the tree. My friends climbed it with a little trouble. I tried to at first, but with me wearing a dress; I wasn't about to show the world what I had nor was it worth the risk of me falling and breaking my neck. Others ascended it without much issue as if they had been there before. Instead of venturing from the top of the concrete pier, Sari, Kathleen and I wandered around on the bottom of it. It really is like a labyrinth where it keeps going and going with no end. Here, you see tons of graffiti, and trash. It made for a great photo op though. Several people were 'modeling' in front of the graffiti. I will be the first to admit I was one taking selfies too. I couldn't help it! It was such a cool chance to pull my best Kim K look. Oh wait... I'm cuter than her. Once you walk through the first concrete pier there is a big open space between it and another big concrete pier that eventually ends at the water. I saw a graffiti artist doing some repelling. He was creating a skull while hanging from his rope on the side of the first pier. It was incredibly intense as he sprayed with one hand and balanced himself on the wall with the other. I continued walking through the other pier only to find a fantastic view of Philadelphia once the second one ended. There were some people fishing over there, listening to music and smoking a substance of which I will not name. He was kind to get a photo of me and Kathleen together along with offering us a hit, but we rejected it. Bottom line -- this place was pretty chill on the second leg of the pier. We ventured back and gathered where we began rejoining my other 2 friends who had climbed on top of the first pier. Sari ended up getting bit by either chiggers or mosquitoes, but man it didn't look good what ever it was. They swarmed her. My biggest suggestions for visiting here are the following: * Wear tennis shoes * Wear long pants and if you can stand to -- long sleeves to avoid getting eaten alive. * Come with people. Don't come alone. * Visit while it is light out. No telling what kind of riffraff activity goes on here during the evening hours. * Leave valuables in the car unless you're bringing you spray cans... or camera. * Take it all in and enjoy it for what it is. There probably isn't many other places like this in the city, so enjoy it uniqueness and the views you are offered of both the graffiti art and view of the Delaware River and the cityscape of Philly. All in all, I loved it here. I found it incredibly fascinating and would love to come here when it is cooler outside to see what it looks like with the fall colors or even in the snow.

For the artists types among you, Graffiti art represents some kind of self-expression. For the rest of us ... it represents disgrace for art, and a punishable crime. Hold on a second, go to the "Graffiti Pier", aka, Graffiti Underground,aka, Graffiti mecca, and look around. You may like what you see. This past Saturday, Kathleen D, Mary Kate M. and I decided to venture and checkout Graffiti Pier. It was a 10 minutes drive from the city, and the GPS took us to a parking lot off Richmond Street, which was full of cars, and people. Why? Don't ask. We parked our car at the far left end, and walk down a " trail" for few minutes, and TA DA! We were at Graffiti Pier. I admit, I was a bit out of my comfort zone, but ironically, once I saw the abandoned pier that extend into the Delaware River, I started admiring the beautiful/ controversial, huge graffiti canvas. They were big, they were bold. Clarification: I am not trying to support Graffiti, but when a controversial art uses old/ abandoned spaces and transform it, then why not give it a shoutout. Advise: - It is beautiful, COOL/ RARE spot, but also sketchy. Don't go at night, and do NOT go alone. - Eek! I got stung by something all over my legs! So, If I were you, I won't wear shorts. Cover your legs. Enjoy Gra.philly. Just not too much. Four Yelps.

This place is definitely worth checking out if you haven't been. It's in a sort of empty area of philly and I'm not sure if it's completely legal to enter, but it's really neat if you can look past the empty cans. It's a fun place to take outsiders and there's a nice view of the city. There's some areas you can climb, for you more adventurous kids. There is a parking lot and an area to get dropped off, but you definitely can't walk here. I wouldn't go alone and I would only suggest going during the day.

It was kind of creepy going alone but I enjoyed it. When I first arrived, I didn't know where to go. I sat there long enough until a few guys came walking out of the woods. Coincidentally when I was leaving there were people asking me the same question.. "is the graffiti pier back there?" There's trash and glass to watch out for if you're not wearing decent shoes or boots. I mostly ran into other people taking pictures or fishing. Definitely got some nice shots though!

Also known as pier 124, several of my friends have done photoshoots here. Not too far from fishtown, great view of the city and fun to walk through.

My love.... I just wish you jerks would clean up your beer bottles. An overused location for Photography, but a great place just to come and get your head together.

If you're debating whether or not to go, definitely go! Graffiti park is a hidden treasure. Makes for great photos / sights. The signs make it seem like you'll have problems if you go but no one ever checks. Bring bug spray / long pants though unless you are okay with a few mosquito bites. There also aren't really places to sit so be okay with walking / standing the whole time. People sometimes bring their own spray paint to add to the art. One of my favorite hidden Philly gems!

Great place to take photos or even just explore. I've been many times however, the most recent time I went, my car was broken into (window smashed) even though I had nothing of value in the car. So definitely be careful and definitely bring a buddy!

What a serene place! A bunch of abandoned industrial cement cylinders cascade the front with seemingly endless spray tags in and on them. Head down the trail and find abandoned structures where the majority of the art lies. If you're a fan of nature hikes, you're in luck too! This is a really peaceful spot, that lies just beyond the hustle and bustle of Philly. At the edge of the pier, you're greeted with a calming silence that is rarely had in the city. I would totally encourage a visit with daylight and sunshine.