Every autumn, the trees around Philadelphia turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. If you love viewing these beautiful colors, you don’t have to leave the city to take in some of the best scenery. Instead, check out these top spots for fall foliage around Philadelphia.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Modeled after the Champs-Élysées, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is an amazing stretch of road in every season. However, in the fall it truly shines. Stately trees line the entire road, offering a lovely canopy of orange, red, and yellow above your head when autumn rolls around. As you’re taking a stroll along the sidewalk and enjoying the colors, consider stopping by some of the renowned museums along the way, including The Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is a public garden and official arboretum of the state. Here you’ll find over 12,000 plants and trees throughout its 92 acres, so you know this is a good spot to see some stunning colors. A few of the best self-guided tours to take in the fall include the 0.85-mile native trees tour and the 1.25-mile garden area tour. There are also regularly scheduled guided tours that can give you an even better glimpse of the plants and trees in the arboretum.
Schuylkill River Trail
To take in some incredible views of the city and enjoy the fall foliage while you’re at it, take a trip down the Schuylkill River Trail. While there are currently about 60 miles of completed pathways on this multi-use trail, the part in Philadelphia is around 10 miles long. The trail hugs the banks of the Schuylkill River and has a wide, paved surface that’s ideal for walking, running, bicycling, and rollerblading. If you have some free time and you’re feeling ambitious, you can take the Schuylkill River Trail all the way to Valley Forge National Park for more amazing views.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
Situated just southwest of the city and next to the Philadelphia International Airport, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum offers 1,000 acres of woods, meadows, ponds, and marshes that all offer beautiful spots to take in the fall shades. To see these colors, you can hike along the flat trails or take a canoe or kayak out on the waters.
Belmont Plateau
Although you can head nearly anywhere in the 2,052-acre Fairmount Park and see beautiful fall colors, for some of the best views, check out Belmont Plateau. From here, you’ll enjoy a unique look at the city skyline as it rises above the mosaic of red, yellow, and orange trees in the park. For a truly memorable afternoon, bring a blanket and picnic and stretch out on the open grass to savor the view and your food.
This fall, enjoy the beauty of the season by taking some time to check out these top spots around Philadelphia for fall foliage.
Image via Pixabay
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