Top Spots For Fall Colors In Philadelphia

The fall season is one of the most beautiful experiences the East Coast has to offer. Every year the landscape becomes a splendid array of colors that can take one's breath away. This is a time when most people should stop and reflect on this precious gift. It's not hard to find a place to appreciate the beauty of nature in Philadelphia. The city is home to one of the largest parks in the nation. The following list consists of the best of the best places in the Philadelphia area to view the unbelievable beauty of fall foliage that is bestowed onto the world year after year.

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

Longwood Gardens is one of the most beautiful nature tourist attractions in the Philadelphia area. It's the perfect day trip for any time of the year, but autumn is truly exceptional. Stroll through the Meadow Garden and take in the breathtaking view of 86 acres of fall at its best. Autumn's Colors are on view at Longwood Gardens from Sept. 12 to Nov. 22.

Related: Best Fall Foliage In The USA

Valley Forge National Park
1000 First Ave. Suite 101
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 834-1550
www.valleyforge.org/nationalpark

Valley Forge National Park is 3,600 acres of open fields and a colorful forest in the fall. The view is fantastic with trails through the park that lead to historic landmarks such as Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Washington's Continental Army camped at Valley Forge, and replicas of their tiny log cabin living quarters can be found throughout the parks landscape.

The Wissahickon Gorge
206 Lincoln Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 247-0417
www.fow.org

There is more to the city than great restaurants, art, and culture. The city is also known for its amazing parks. Fairmount Park is over 9,200 acres and is home to 63 parks. One of the best parks for viewing fall foliage is The Wissahickon Gorge. The Gorge is over seven miles long and runs along the Wissahickon Creek. Forbidden Drive, which runs parallel to the creek, makes for a scenic walk through the beautiful wilderness found along the way.

Morris Arboretum
100 E. Northwestern Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-5777
www.business-services.upenn.edu

Morris Arboretum is 92 acres of extraordinary gardens which are especially breathtaking during the autumn months. The arboretum  was once the summer home, called "Compton," of  siblings John and Lydia Morris. John and Lydia were inspired to share their knowledge and land and turned their beloved gardens into a school and laboratory devoted to botany and horticulture. Compton became the Morris Arboretum of the University of Penn in 1932. Visit the arboretum this fall for the "Garden Discovery Series: Lead Wreath Fun." Kids learn how to identify the autumn leaves found throughout the garden. They will learn why leaves change color during the fall months and will get to create their own fall leaf wreath.

Schuylkill River Trail
140 College Drive
Pottstown, PA 19464
(484) 945-0200
www.schuylkillriver.org

It's no wonder that the Schuylkill River Trail was just named the "Best Urban Trail in America" by the readers of USA Today. There are almost 130 miles which include a finished trail that runs from Philadelphia to Phoenixville. Cyclists, runners, and walkers can enjoy the beautiful scenery and the spectacular change from summer to fall. The trail run along the Schuylkill River so everyone can take in the fall foliage that surrounds historical landmarks such as the Art Museum and Boathouse Row.

Related: Amtrak Offering Unique Fall Foliage-Centric Train Ride

Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She reports on various topics such as: Social Media, Local Events, Entertainment, Food and Drink and more. Her work can be found at http://firstsendmedia.com/