Philadelphia is home to one of the largest urban park systems in the nation, with over 100 parks, squares, and recreation sites totaling over 10,000 acres.
So, here we’ve collected a few essential parks, historic sites, and other outdoor experiences to seek out during your visit to Philadelphia.
Fairmount Park
Philadelphia’s East and West Fairmount Park offers visitors an abundance of biking, walking, and hiking trails as well as recreation fields to explore. The park system is also home to several museums and attractions (Philadelphia Zoo, Please Touch Museum), six historic mansions, a music venue (Mann Center for the Performing Arts), and a horticultural center.
Schuylkill River Trail
The Schuylkill River Trail serves as a recreation trail with paved lanes for biking, running, or walking, including a 2,000-foot-long Boardwalk that hovers over the river near the city’s Rittenhouse neighborhood.
Wissahickon Valley Park
Wissahickon Valley Park follows the Wissahickon Creek as it winds through northwest Philadelphia. The wooded park is home to 50 miles worth of trails, a quaint tavern and event space (Valley Green Inn), and Historic Rittenhouse Town.
A short drive west from Philadelphia will bring you to either Valley Forge or Brandywine Valley. And heading north from Philadelphia, you can visit the Andalusia Historic House, Gardens, and Arboretum
