Fairmount Park

Fairmount Park is Philadelphia’s large park system, with woodlands, meadows, waterways, historic sites and miles of trails. Follow Kelly Drive for Schuylkill River views, visit Boathouse Row, or head to Belmont Plateau for a view across the city. In spring, cherry blossoms draw visitors to the park; autumn brings foliage along the river. You can also picnic, hike or bike, explore historic mansions, and find playgrounds and gardens among the park’s many areas.

Trails, river views and open space

Fairmount Park spans woodlands, meadows and waterways, with recreational trails for walking, running and cycling. Kelly Drive follows the Schuylkill River and is a popular route for river views. The park system also connects with Schuylkill Banks, where a 2,000-foot pathway extends over the river.

Boxer’s Trail is a 4.5-mile route with historic views. Wissahickon Valley Park’s Forbidden Drive follows Wissahickon Creek. Cars were banned from this route in the 1920s; today, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians can use it.

Belmont Plateau and historic sites

Belmont Plateau has lawns, picnic areas and athletic fields, with a view over the city and Schuylkill River. It is in West Fairmount Park along Belmont Mansion Drive, about four miles northwest of Center City.

The park also includes historic mansions, among them Lemon Hill Mansion, and Smith Memorial Arch near Memorial Hall. At the arch, the curved stone Whispering Benches carry a quiet voice from one end to the other. Fairmount Park’s grounds also include Boathouse Row, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Zoo.