Most Instagram Worthy Locations Near Philadelphia
Bartram's Garden
5400 Lindbergh Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 729-5281
www.bartramsgarden.org
For flowers and other nature photographs, head to Bartram's Garden near the Schuylkill River. As a 45-acre National Historic Landmark, Bartram's Garden is a living laboratory filled with pretty flowers, trees and grassy areas. The landmark has many buildings and trails on-site perfect for exploring, learning and photographing. Visit to discover plants collected by the Bartram family and John Bartram, America's first botanist, from 1728 to 1850, including the Franklinia, discovered in 1765, and the Yellowwood, a tree planted in the early 19th Century.
Belmont Plateau
2000 Belmont Mansion Dr.
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Belmont Plateau is located in Fairmount Park, a more than 10,000 acre park in the municipality of Philadelphia. Mentioned in Will Smith's 1991 hit "Summertime" as "a place called the plateau is where everybody goes," the Belmont Plateau offers the best view of the Philadelphia skyline, perfect for snapping a few photos for your Instagram page. The plateau is a grassy and serene escape from city life and is easy to get to by foot or car. There are many trails around the plateau that offer even more picturesque scenes.
Lancaster County
www.discoverlancaster.com
A step back in time, Lancaster County is a home to Amish communities and features farmland, gorgeous landscapes and intriguing culture. Horse and buggies, windmills and rolling hills are just a few of the treats you'll encounter in Lancaster County that your Instagram followers are sure to like. The county is a reminder of simpler times and you'll discover edible goods, hiking trails, museums and shopping that'll make your Instagram followers wish they were spending the day with you. Make sure to discover some of the 25 covered bridges, perfect for photo shoots or stand-alone shots.
Related: Top Spots To See Spring Flowers
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19132
(215) 228-8200
www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org
Laurel Hill Cemetery isn't just a cemetery. It's also a sculptural garden seeped with history and designated a National Historic Landmark, one of the few cemeteries in the country with that title. Admission is free to explore the site, where you'll see graves with prominent Philly names such as Rittenhouse and Strawbridge, as well as Civil War-era generals and six Titanic passengers. The historic cemetery is further enhanced by art, architecture and sculpture and beautiful views of the Schuylkill River. Historically, it has been prominently enjoyed as a recreational and quiet retreat from the city.
Ricketts Glen State Park
695 State Route 487
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 477-5675
Ricketts Glen State Park is over 13,000 acres including a 245 acre lake, Lake Jean, and 22 named waterfalls with the largest one standing at 94 feet tall. The falls trail is incredibly scenic and photogenic, and you can see the majority of the waterfalls (ranging in heights from 11 feet to 94 feet) in a 3.2 mile-hike, snapping photographs along the way. The terrain is rocky and steep at times, but you'll be glad you made the trip, as the scenery, trees and water are breathtaking. The glens are a national natural landmark.
Kelly Neilson is a freelance writer living and working in Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
