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Fairmount Park
In 1876, more than 10 million people journeyed to Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park for the nation’s Centennial Exposition.
Today, the expanse remains a refuge from the bustling city, keeping quiet natural landscapes within close reach of all residents and visitors.
With more than 2,000 acres of rolling hills, gentle trails, relaxing waterfront and shaded woodlands, Fairmount Park keeps a wealth of natural landscapes in East and West sections of the park, divided by the Schuylkill River.
Take a stroll; head out for an afternoon of softball, organized Ultimate frisbee or pier-side fishing; or enjoy a relaxing family picnic.
Fairmount Park houses miles of trails for off-road cycling, horseback riding and deep-woods hiking, yet there are also tours of historic mansions, Japanese tea ceremonies and outdoor concerts.
Guests can take tours of the Colonial-era mansions that dot the landscape.
Two outdoor concert venues routinely feature some of the biggest names in music, and provide an intermittent summer home for the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra. The world-famous Philadelphia Museum of Art sits at the headway of the park and overlooks the row of Victorian-era boathouses that have become architectural landmarks unto themselves.
Fairmount Park houses miles and miles of trails for multiple outdoor activities. — Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
Fairmount Park boasts astounding examples of public art scattered throughout the grounds, including sculptures by masters including Cyrus E. Dallin, Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Randolph Rogers.
All areas of the park are open from sunrise to sunset.
Landmarks like the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Historic Strawberry Mansion and Fairmount Water Works create an opportunity to appreciate history amidst the verdant surroundings.
Kids love Smith Memorial Playground as well as the Philadelphia Zoo, America’s oldest zoo. The Treetop Quest aerial adventure and the Philly Pumptrack bike track provide guests with all-ages outdoor fun. Additionally, Lloyd Hall along Boathouse Row offers year-round indoor recreational activities.
Landmarks like the Shofuso Japanese House offer an opportunity to appreciate history while visiting the park. — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Bankruptcy and the quest for clean water were the two driving forces behind the creation of Fairmount Park.
When Robert Morris, financier of the Revolutionary War, went bankrupt, his country farm and gardens were purchased by another businessman who created gardens that were so lovely he charged admission to see them. The property changed hands again only to suffer from yet another economic downturn.
In 1843, a shrewd city councilman purchased property, which was situated above the municipal water works, and designated it as parkland.
The city was then able to end the industrial contamination of the river that had occurred downstream.
Over the next century, the city acquired additional lands and recruited landscape architects to develop a plan that would preserve the park’s natural features but maximize public accessibility and emphasize its lovely vistas.
Picnic facilities are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Because the wilderness trails for off-road biking require extra maintenance, using them requires a permit.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
Serenity and elegance in Fairmount Park...