Things to Do in Philly

Fairmount Park is Philadelphia’s choose-your-own-adventure across more than 2,050 acres, complete with river views, wooded trails, historic mansions, gardens, museums, playgrounds, and one skyline-ready picnic spot. It is not one tidy rectangle waiting politely behind a gate. The Schuylkill River divides the park into East and West, so a little planning keeps your relaxing park day from becoming an accidental endurance event.

After your outdoor adventure, trade the trails for the taverns on Philly Crawling’s Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl. The adults-only crawl visits four local bars in Old City, runs daily at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., and lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes. Drinks are available for purchase at each stop. Fairmount Park by day and rebellious Philadelphia stories by night is a very respectable use of vacation time.

First, Choose East or West Fairmount Park

Today’s Fairmount Park covers more than 2,050 acres, with the Schuylkill River separating its two main sections. East Fairmount Park stretches behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art and along Kelly Drive. West Fairmount Park holds the Centennial District, Belmont Plateau, Shofuso, the Horticulture Center, and several major family attractions.

The park took shape partly to protect Philadelphia’s water supply from industrial development along the Schuylkill. The city purchased the Lemon Hill estate as its first park property, and Fairmount Park was formally established in 1855. In other words, Philadelphians have been using green space to defend their drinking water and improve their weekends for a very long time.

Six Ways to Experience Fairmount Park

You could spend several days exploring every corner. For a first visit, build your outing around two or three of these experiences.

1. Follow the river past Boathouse Row. Start near the Philadelphia Museum of Art or Fairmount Water Works and continue along Kelly Drive. The route delivers Schuylkill River views, public art, and the famous line of 19th-century rowing clubs. Visit during daylight to watch rowers on the water, or return after dark when Boathouse Row glows along the riverbank.
2. Visit the mansion that helped launch the park. Lemon Hill Mansion was built in 1800 for wealthy Philadelphia merchant Henry Pratt. Its hilltop grounds offer river and skyline views, while the Federal-style house contains distinctive oval rooms. Lemon Hill became the first property purchased by the city while assembling Fairmount Park. Check the current tour calendar before arriving, since public access to the historic houses follows specific schedules.
3. Walk in the footsteps of Philadelphia fighters. The 3.8-mile Boxers’ Trail winds through East Fairmount Park on paved and wooded sections. Philadelphia boxing great Joe Frazier trained here, giving your leisurely nature walk a slightly intimidating workout partner. The trail also connects visitors with historic houses, Smith Memorial Playground, and Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course.
4. Find Japan in West Philadelphia. Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center features a 17th-century-style Japanese house, a koi pond, a tiered waterfall, and carefully designed gardens. The house was built in Japan in 1953, displayed at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, and moved to West Fairmount Park in 1958. Shofuso operates seasonally and uses timed admission, so reserve before your visit. Socks are required inside the house, giving you one excellent reason not to wear the pair with the mysterious hole.
5. Take in the skyline from Belmont Plateau. Pack a picnic and head to Belmont Plateau for one of the park’s signature views of Center City. Nearby, the soft-surface Trolley Trail follows the route of a trolley line that once carried visitors through West Fairmount Park. The completed four-mile loop welcomes walkers, runners, bicyclists, and equestrians.
6. Let the kids make the itinerary. West Fairmount Park contains a formidable lineup of family attractions. Meet the animals at the Philadelphia Zoo, encourage enthusiastic button-pushing at the Please Touch Museum, or tackle the giant wooden slide at Smith Memorial Playground. These destinations keep separate hours and admission policies, so treat each as the main event rather than an unplanned five-minute detour.

How to Plan a Fairmount Park Visit

Choose a specific destination before requesting directions. Typing only “Fairmount Park” into a map app is a bold strategy for a place larger than many Philadelphia neighborhoods. For East Park, Lemon Hill, Lloyd Hall, or the Boxers’ Trail make useful starting points. In West Park, start with Shofuso, the Centennial District, Belmont Plateau, or the Trolley Trail.

General park access is free, while attractions such as Shofuso, the zoo, and the Please Touch Museum charge admission. City park trails are open from dawn to dusk. Check the Fairmount Park Conservancy calendar for guided hikes, runs, volunteer days, and seasonal programs.

Wear comfortable shoes, carry water, and check the forecast before heading out. Restrooms, food, and parking cluster around specific attractions rather than appearing evenly throughout the park. Drivers can consult the city’s Fairmount Park parking information, while transit riders should plan around their chosen destination instead of searching for one universal park stop.

Give Your Philadelphia Day a Spirited Finish

Fairmount Park can be a riverside stroll, a trail workout, a garden visit, a family outing, or a picnic with a skyline attached. Pick a section, leave room to wander, and resist the urge to cover all 2,050 acres before lunch.

Then head to Old City for a different kind of Philadelphia exploration. Book the Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl and follow an expert guide through the hidden, hilarious, and occasionally boozy side of the American Revolution. Your hiking shoes have already done the hard part.