The 34 Best Spots to View Fall Foliage in Greater Philadelphia in 2024

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia’s answer to Paris’ Champs-Elysées, stretches diagonally for a mile from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, lined with oak, maple and plane trees that form a canopy of red, orange and yellow during the autumn months. Some of the world’s most renowned and picturesque museums — including the Rodin Museum, Barnes Foundation and The Franklin Institute — line both sides. Pro tip: Climb to the top of the Rocky Steps for the perfect tree-lined shot down the grand boulevard.

Constructed during the Great Depression, 12-story tall Bowman’s Hill Tower in New Hope commemorates the events that transpired within nearby Washington Crossing Historic Park and features a century-old 124-step spiral staircase to the top which offers stellar views of the surrounding fall foliage for 14 miles across the Bucks County countryside and into New Jersey. Also viewable from the tower is Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, which offers picturesque views of the seasonal shift across 134 acres of forests, meadows, hillsides and extensive wetlands.

What could be more apt for that perfect fall color shot than a castle in the background? Renowned archeologist and ceramist Henry Chapman Mercer’s former home Fonthill Castle is an elegant 115-year old residence-turned-museum displaying Mercer’s massive collection of prints, books, artifacts and handcrafted Moravian tiles. The ceramic pieces that fill the Bucks County castle — outfitted with 200 windows, 32 stairwells, 23 chimneys and 11 bathrooms — were produced at the historic TileWorks just across the property’s stunning 70 acres of countryside woodlands and grounds decked out in vibrant fall colors.

Another of William Penn’s original squares, Franklin Square park offers plenty of modern outdoor fun. Take a mini-tour of Philadelphia as you putt-putt through scale models of iconic landmarks at Philly Mini Golf, enjoy the large Rendell Family Fountain, grab a burger at the illuminated stand or take a nostalgic ride on the Parx Liberty Carousel — a tribute to Philadelphia’s carousel-making heritage. There’s also a picnic area and lots of open space, making the square a refreshing and photogenic spot to take in fall’s colors.

Name a more historic — and quintessentially Philly — pair than the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. We’ll wait. Independence National Historical Park, which houses these iconic landmarks (and many more), comes alive in autumn, a perfect time to capture stunning foliage surrounding the Revolutionary-era buildings and exciting museums of Philadelphia’s Historic District. Get schooled on the nation’s history amid a spectacular backdrop of red, yellow and orange. Bonus: Find the first of 76 “Spirit of 1776 Trees” being planted in the park by the Daughters of the American Revolution to honor the upcoming Semiquincentennial.

Bask in spooky season vibes and snap truly awesome fall photos at two-century-old Laurel Hill Cemetery. Not just a 74-acre garden burial ground, the site is also an accredited arboretum (separated into East and West by the Schuylkill River) boasting a collection of more than 6,000 trees and 700 species, even offering fall foliage tours. Pro tip: Take in the incredible 360-degree tree-filled views over Kelly Drive and across the river along the secluded cliffside overlook between Hunting Park Drive and Strawberry Mansion Bridge.

William Penn likely never imagined how popular his green space — or come fall, this red, orange and yellow space — would become among amblers, sunbathers, readers, families, dog-walkers, artists, produce vendors and people-watchers. To many, no stroll is more Philly than a rove through Rittenhouse Square park, centerpiece of the chic Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. On crisp autumn days, residents and visitors flock to the picturesque park’s wheel-and-spoke walkways, sculptures, fountains and reflecting pool to enjoy the gorgeous sycamore, maple, elm and oak foliage in the heart of Center City.

The Schuylkill River Trail — a 30-mile recreational path running along the Schuylkill River from Center City to Chester County — is a favorite for bicyclists, runners, hikers and strollers. The twisting, turning pathway is also a fantastic spot for a brisk fall amble, offering a slew of iconic Philly photo ops with spectacular views of thousands and thousands of color-changing trees from dozens of spots like Schuylkill Banks, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Treehouse in the Sky, Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Manayunk and the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education.

North America’s oldest botanical garden, the 50-acre Bartram’s Garden (dating back to 1728) first belonged to Quaker and self-taught botanist John Bartram Sr., who cultivated and sold the garden’s plant specimens to European aristocrats. Today the site in Southwest Philadelphia along the Schuylkill River Trail includes the Bartram family house, a 17-acre meadow, a greenhouse, a boathouse, and an array of naturalistic, woodland and formal gardens showing off its colorful autumn blooms and bright leaves. Bonus: Find crunchy fall leaves to peep (and step on) along scenic Bartram’s Mile Trail.

Bucolic Brandywine Museum of Art, housed in a renovated 1864 gristmill, showcases scores of works by lifelong Delaware County resident Andrew Wyeth alongside other beautifully detailed illustrations, paintings and installations. But the grounds of the museum are as breathtaking as the art within, surrounded by wildflower gardens, the meandering Brandywine River and the beautiful countryside that inspired Wyeth to paint his signature landscapes. Stroll across the street among the autumn views to the National Historic Landmark N.C. Wyeth House & Studio, the 1922 family home and workspace of Andrew’s father.

Spread across the grounds of the century-old 35-acre former Rosengarten manor in Delaware County, Chanticleer is an exquisite botanical “pleasure garden” featuring over 5,000 plants organized into a dozen collections, from perennials to agricultural crops, tended by in-house landscape artists who design their own installations. Adding to the beauty of the fall visages, no plants are labeled to not distract from the striking visuals. Instead, visitors are encouraged to engage in conversation with the gardeners themselves.

A favorite locale among birders in the know, the wetlands and marshes of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge provide sanctuary for a variety of wildlife — and make for the perfect pastoral setting to take in the changing of the seasons. Established in 1972 as America’s first urban wildlife refuge, the 1,000-acre space was created to protect the largest freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. Bring binoculars to glimpse rare feathered friends as you stroll along 10 miles of trails and five miles of tidal creek.

Opened in 2019, the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove museum and nature facility occupies the site of the famed ornithologist and environmentalist’s historic 18th-century home and farm where a teenage Audubon lived when he first arrived in America in 1803. Explore the galleries and exhibits on conservation and art, then head outside to 200 acres of nature trails, woods and history where each autumn the idyllic woodlands draw bird- and leaf-watchers alike. Pro tip: Visit the outdoor birdwatching area where some of 175 species perch upon color-changing trees.

When his wife Elisabeth Phillippe Jenkins passed in 1963, H. Lawrence Jenkins created a foundation to preserve their modest 20-acre property as a public park, arboretum and wildlife sanctuary to honor her passion for nature. When Lawrence died five years later, the foundation created Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens for the community. More than a mile of paved walkways run through the woods of this majestic botanical garden, making it a perfect spot for fall color lovers to peep fall foliage. Free self-guided tours of the property and nearby conservation woodlands are also available.

At over a thousand acres, Longwood Gardens in the Brandywine Valley is Greater Philadelphia’s largest floral park and one of the most ideal locations in the region to view fall foliage. The tranquil horticultural oasis showcases not only 47,000 flowers, but also 9,000-plus trees strutting with colors stunningly each fall. One notable grove is Peirce’s Trees, the original collection planted by the Peirce Brothers starting in 1798 from which the current gardens sprang. New for 2024: Nearly 30 new yellowwood trees along the Grand Promenade as part of the Longwood Reimagined project.

Designated Pennsylvania’s Official State Arboretum, Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a stunning 92-acre horticultural haven in beautiful Chestnut Hill, and a spectacular setting for autumn’s beautiful colors. Endless flowering meadows feature more than 13,000 labeled plants and trees of over 2,500 types, including some of the oldest and rarest in the region. A highlight is the institution’s Great Trees collection, which features redwoods, ginkgos, katsura and many others. Aside from gorgeous foliage, visitors can enjoy family-friendly fall fun like the scarecrow walk and the sprawling Garden Railway model train display.

Charming Bucks County play-shop-and-dine destination Peddler’s Village welcomes more than 1.6 million yearly visitors to enjoy 60-plus independent boutiques, specialty shops, wineries and restaurants ringing its 42 turn-of-the-century landscaped acres. Fall foliage lovers can soak in the autumn sights while strolling the winding brick pathways lined with colorful trees at the bucolic shopping oasis. Adding to the fall vibes: In the lead-up to Halloween, the meandering paths are dotted with over a hundred scarecrows handmade by local Philly crafters during the annual Scarecrows in the Village festival.

The 650 acres of Tyler Arboretum’s woodlands, meadows and flora have been a refuge for tree lovers in the Philadelphia region since the days of William Penn. Each autumn, its 17 miles of trails, woodlands and meadows come ablaze with seasonal color. Check out gold and apricot shaded maples, larches, magnolias and ginkgos at the Old Arboretum; purple and red stewartias and dogwoods along the path to the Butterfly House; and the scarlet and orange sumacs, hydrangea and chokeberry right in the main parking lot.

Philadelphia’s University City occupies the easternmost section of West Philadelphia directly across the Schuylkill River from Center City. True to its name, University City is known as home to the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and a few other smaller higher education institutions. Penn’s sylvan Ivy League campus is framed by stunning canopy trees, lawns and meadows, including the half-mile Locust Walk, the main thoroughfare across campus and a particularly beautiful site in the fall. The stately architecture throughout the property adds to the visual display.

At 1,200-acre Core Creek Park in Langhorne, Bucks County, visitors can enjoy observing the changing colors of fall during a day on the waters of the 1.5 mile-long Lake Luxembourg from a canoe, kayak or rowboat (available for rent). Or take the winding hiking trails through the autumnal woodlands, some of which accommodate bicycles and horses. While you’re strolling, watch for common wildlife like white-tailed deer, waterfowl, wading birds, songbirds and migrating birds roaming the grounds.

Revel in brilliant fall colors while strolling Delaware Canal State Park, a 60-mile-long linear park along the river from Easton to Bristol, once trod by mule teams pulling cargo-laden boats along the canal. Enjoy views from along the shoreline and nearly a dozen river islands or on the water from canoes and kayaks. For a special experience, head to Nockamixon Cliffs, a two-mile-long stretch of up-to-300-foot-high rock faces formed 250 million years ago that offers breathtaking vistas down at the colorful forests of the Delaware River valley and into New Jersey.

It’s a bevy of leaf-peeping options at Evansburg State Park, located about 30 miles northwest of Center City in central Montgomery County. Choose from meadows, forests, farmland or fields for a fall-foliage adventure. Explore the Skippack Creek Trail’s five-mile loop on the banks of the Skippack Creek, grab the reins and trot along 15 miles of horseback riding trails, or just relax on the links at 18-hole Skippack Golf Course located within the park … all perfect spots for catching some oranges, reds and yellows.

One of the nation’s largest urban parks, 2,052-acre Fairmount Park features enough spots to experience Philly fall foliage to fill a book. Peep the season’s colors from locations parkwide including historic sites (Park Charms and Laurel Hill Cemetery), educational opportunities (Fairmount Park Horticulture Center and The Discovery Center), entertainment venues (Dell Music and Mann Music centers) and outdoor recreation (Treetop Quest and Equestrian Center) plus Belmont Plateau, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center and 30 miles of trails.

Taking its name from the temporary fort built by Washington’s troops during a 1777 Revolutionary War encampment, Fort Washington State Park is a large expanse of forested, hilly terrain in Montgomery County, beloved by hikers, backpackers, bikers and especially birders, who know the park as a major flyway for all 16 species of raptors that migrate along the East Coast each September and October. Experience the bird flights and the lovely changing colors from the Hawk Watch Observation Deck, a 30-foot-high platform that sits at the high point of the 493-acre park.

About an hour from Center City, Chester County’s 7,730-acre French Creek State Park offers 35-plus miles of trails that make it an ideal getaway for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and foliage seekers. The park’s central feature is Hopewell Lake, which offers two-plus miles of coastline from which to observe fall scenery. Also within the park is historic Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, home to 14 restored structures which were part of a colonial-era iron-producing village that relied on the free labor of enslaved peoples.

The 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake inside Downingtown’s Marsh Creek State Park is a well-known destination for boaters, but the surrounding forests, fields and wetlands are packed with also fantastic trails which provide excellent opportunities for visitors to enjoy vibrant autumn colors reflected in the lake. The park, about 40 miles from Center City, is a popular spot for hiking, photography, nature observation and fall foliage excursions.

As the leaves turn to hues of crimson and gold, Bucks County residents and visitors can’t get enough of the fall foliage along the more than 25 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails at 5,000-acre Nockamixon State Park. A great leaf-peep observation spot is from either the shoreline or upon the surface of 1,450 acre, seven-mile-long Lake Nockamixon — the largest lake in southeastern Pennsylvania — which is a popular site for boating and outdoor activities of all kinds, including motorboating, paddle boating, canoeing and fishing.

You are almost certain to catch a stunning fall foliage show in Pennypack Park with its 1,600 acres of rolling hills, meadows, woodlands and wetlands in Northeast Philadelphia. Named after the Lenni Lenape word for slow-moving water, the park follows the Pennypack Creek southeast as it runs from Upper Moreland in Montgomery County to the Delaware River in Holmesburg. The colorful fall landscape of this rambling city park can best be experienced along the many miles of paved and unpaved trails great for hiking, biking, running and horseback riding.

Delaware County’s Ridley Creek State Park, located a few miles from downtown Media, is a haven for nature lovers seeking a spot tailor-made for autumnal exploration. Take a walk, run or guided horseback ride through the color-changing trees along 12 miles of wooded trails. Hit up the five-mile paved trail perfect for cycling or cross-country skiing. Grab a picnic basket and enjoy lunch at one of 14 picnic areas throughout the park among canopies of yellow, orange and red. Or peep the leaves while fly fishing in the well-stocked creek.

Meaning “deer bone creek” in Lenape, the eponymous creek in Bucks County’s Tohickon Valley Park is great for fishing, rafting, rock climbing and enjoying the splendor of fall. But for out-of-this-world views of color-changing forest, check out the High Rocks region — donated by author James A. Michener — and its High Rocks Vista overlooking Tohickon Creek Gorge and the horseshoe valley below (shared by Tohickon Valley Park and adjacent Ralph Stover State Park) ,where 200 feet of shale rise above the creek to offer a gorgeous scenic lookout over miles of fall foliage.

Take in the fall sights at Tyler State Park, where more than 1,700 acres of parkland occupy an area that was originally farmland. Nature fans can hike, bike and horseback ride on miles of trails in the midst of changing trees. Want to add some exercise to your foliage excursion? The park’s massive 36-hole Upper Plantation Picnic Area Disc Golf Course ranks in the top 150 best in the nation among over 10,000 courses.

Once headquarters of General Washington’s Revolutionary Army, Valley Forge National Historical Park honors those who encamped here with monuments, statues and landmarks like the National Memorial Arch. But the famous site is also a wonderful nature park, with 20 miles of trails across 3,500 acres of rolling hills and scenic overlooks, while the surrounding forest displays 110 different types of trees covering over a third of the park. Pro tip: Hike or ride the nine-mile paved loop of Joseph Plumb Martin Trail, which connects a number of the park’s historic sites.

George Washington and his troops turned the tide of the American Revolution by crossing the Delaware River in what’s now Washington Crossing Historic Park on Christmas night 1776. But in addition to the park’s historic significance, Washington Crossing is also a preserved historic site and nature area known for its wonderful leafy outdoor trails, walking paths, picnic pavilions, fishing areas and wildlife habitat. An easier commute than the one made by Washington and his men, the park is just a 40-minute drive from Center City.

Enjoy the autumn foliage and breathe in the sweet smells of fall at Wissahickon Valley Park, one of Philadelphia’s natural treasures. Bordering Chestnut Hill and Germantown to the south, the 1,800 wooded acres include the lovely Wissahickon Creek flowing past over 50 miles of hiking and walking trails. For one of the city’s most picturesque fall foliage strolls, head down secluded Forbidden Drive — a wide, no-cars-allowed seven-mile trail running the spine of the park — towards Thomas Mill Covered Bridge, the only intact covered bridge remaining in any major American city.