Watch CBS News

Top Parks In Philadelphia For A Winter Nature Walk

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't leave the house at all. When the weather is milder and the sun is shining, all you really need are warm clothes, good footwear, a nice park to walk through and a can-do attitude. Here are the top five parks to visit in Philly this winter for a nature walk.

Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road
Kennett Square, PA. 19348
(610) 388-1000
www.longwoodgardens.org

Longwood Gardens is a beautiful place all year, and if you have a little money to spend, you can enjoy its 1000+ acres of beautiful woodlands, meadows and gardens. In January, they are still lit and decorated with seasonal plants, bulbs and various holiday themes, including a 15 ft. Frasier fur, outdoor lighted display and indoor decorated trees and ornaments. You can still catch a Longwood Christmas the first two weeks of the year. Later in January, there is still plenty to enjoy in the park, and spring comes early in their indoor greenhouses.

Schuylkill River Trail
1 Boathouse Row
Philadelphia, PA 19130
www.schuylkillrivertrail.com

The Schuylkill River Trail is 60 miles long currently, so there is a lot to choose from for a winter nature walk. There are numerous access points for those just looking for a stroll, some family fun or a more intense journey for hikers to take on. If you enter between Kelly Drive and the river, you have access to areas in Valley Forge and along Boat House Row. There is an abundance of scenery including Boathouse Row. Boathouse Row may still be decorated from the holiday. The boathouses along the Schuylkill River have been getting into the holiday spirit since 1979. Many of their lights make them look like gingerbread houses. It is chilly by the river, so be sure to pack your cocoa.

Rittenhouse Square Park
18th & Walnut
Philadelphia, PA 19195

Rittenhouse Square Park is a beautiful place, thanks to the many trees, but still gets plenty of sunshine. People come here to picnic most of the year; there are often street performers around, playing music or doing magic. This is also an ideal place to not just enjoy a winter stroll but also grab a bite to eat and enjoy some shopping if you need to warm up a bit.

Related: Top Spots For A Picnic In Philadelphia

Liberty Lands Park
913-961 N 3rd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215)627-6562
www.philaplace.org

Liberty Lands Park is lovingly maintained by the community and is cared for year round. In the winter, this is a great place to do snow activities, such as building a snowman or watching others have a snowball fight, if you want to just take in the scenery. This park has over 180 trees and several gardens. There are two playgrounds for kids and numerous benches and tables. Liberty Lands is also dog friendly and one of the few parks in the area to walk your dog.

Franklin Square
200 N. 6th St.
Philadelphia, PA.19106
(215)629-4026
www.historicphiladelphia.org

Franklin Square is one of the original parks planned by William Penn and consists of approximately eight acres. If you are looking to spend some time with nature and have a nice walk or day outdoors, this is a centrally located park that also has activities year round. Franklin Square offers all of the ambiance of a park from its plants and trees, but it also has other amenities for a full day spent there. There are a carousel, mini golf course and eateries for you to warm up yourself and your belly. The park is open daily from 10-7.

Related: Top Places For Outdoor Winter Activities In Philly

Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.