The 25 Best Parks in Philadelphia

City Hall’s popular western-facing front yard is a modern and welcoming outdoor space, reestablishing William Penn’s original Center Square as a gathering place for all Philadelphians.

The multi-use space has tree groves, benches, cafes and a large programmable fountain that transforms into an ice rink in the winter and a roller skating rink in the summer.

A family haven in Old City, Franklin Square has attracted parkgoers of all ages for over two decades, with acres of green space, a carousel, playgrounds, a food stand and a Philly-themed mini-golf course.

Another major plus for the square: a seasonal daytime and nighttime water and light show starring its centerpiece, Franklin Square Fountain — one of the country’s oldest public fountains.

This original public square is now four parks in one, centered around Swann Memorial Fountain in what’s now called Logan Circle. Designed by Philadelphia-born sculptor Alexander Calder (of Calder Gardens fame) and accented by greenery, the majestic centerpiece fountain represents the region’s major waterways: the Delaware, Schuylkill and Wissahickon.

Beyond the circle, three parks encompass the larger square. The kid-friendly Sister Cities Park includes a Children’s Discovery Garden, boat pond, cafe and another fountain. Shakespeare Park, across from Parkway Central Library, is home to the Shakespeare Memorial (another Calder creation), while Aviator Park along 20th Street is home to the Aero Memorial World War I and the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers statues.

William Penn and his wife Hannah Callowhill Penn likely never imagined how popular this green space — with its walkways, sculptures, fountains and reflecting pool — would become among strollers, readers, children, artists, picnickers and dogs.

The namesake for one of Philly’s most popular neighborhoods, the park’s craft fairs, farmers markets and other events shine a spotlight on the picturesque location all year.

Originally named Southeast Square until 1825, Washington Square was originally a grazing pasture and a burial ground for African Americans, Revolutionary War soldiers and victims of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. It was also a gathering spot for colonial-era African Americans, who dubbed the park Congo Square.

Today, modern residences surround the green and lively park, now home to the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier.

Over 2,000 acres of quiet natural landscapes are within easy reach of Philly residents and visitors.

In addition to rolling hills and waterfront views, Fairmount Park offers miles of designated trails, dozens of sculptures, two performing arts centers and several historic mansions. Some of Philly’s favorite attractions — including the Philadelphia Zoo, Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, and museums like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the kid-centric Please Touch Museum — are also full-time residents of the park.

Pro-tip: Head to Belmont Plateau for awesome skyline views or to the Azalea Garden outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art for prime picnicking space.

FDR Park’s fields, trails, lagoon, creek and lakes are nestled among the industry and neighborhoods of South Philly.

The area is a bird-watcher’s paradise and boasts spaces for tennis, rugby and baseball. The park’s gazebo is a great place to set up a picnic lunch.

Of special note are the FDR Skate Park, a public spot designed and built by local volunteer skateboarding enthusiasts; two lakes open for guided kayak tours; and the Southeast Asian Market, a cultural hub for Southeast Asian vendors — from Laos to Thailand to Vietnam — selling traditional dishes, plus jewelry, clothing and more (early spring through early fall).

Before and during colonial times, city and kitchen gardens were planted alongside homes, while full-fledged farms thrived on the outskirts of the original city. Today, Philadelphia’s Historic District has pocket and large parks — most notably the great green expanse that is Independence Mall.

Independence National Historical Park invites visitors to its five gardens, each landscaped in the style of the day, including the 18th Century Garden (339 Walnut Street); the Rose Garden (422 Walnut Street); the Magnolia Garden (Locust Street between Fourth and Fifth streets); Franklin Court (322 Market Street); and the Rush Garden, home to the Bicentennial Bell (Third and Walnut streets).

With nearly 1,000 acres and many species of native wildlife and plants, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum protects the largest freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania.

The marsh, a key stop in the Atlantic flyway, is well-known among birdwatchers — 80-plus species nest here, and 300 have been recorded. As for recreation, the network of low-lying trails (10 miles in all) attracts joggers and cyclists. Plus, there’s a boat ramp for canoe and kayak access.

Featuring 20 acres of parks, The Navy Yard complex is both visually stunning and fun to explore.

The Central Green is a hub for recreation, featuring a social track, fitness station and sun lawn, while Crescent Park is designed for quiet strolls and picnics. Don’t miss the Riverfront Greenway, a mile-long path along Admiral Peary Way with great views of the Delaware River.

Named after the Lenni Lenape word for slow-moving water, Pennypack Park follows Pennypack Creek southeast as it runs from Montgomery County to the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

The landscape of this rambling city park — clocking in at a massive 1,600 acres — covers rolling hills, open meadows, and many miles of paved and unpaved trails that are great for hiking, biking, running and horseback riding. Visitors can also find numerous historic buildings, including Pennypack Bridge — one of the nation’s oldest stone bridges.

With more than 50 miles of rugged trails, Wissahickon Valley Park’s thousands of acres are great for hiking, cycling and exploring.

Wissahickon schist bedrock, sliced through centuries ago, has created steep hills punctuated by a creek, with paths for both climbers and horseback riders. Also on site: Philadelphia’s last covered bridge. Especially accessible is Forbidden Drive, a five-mile packed gravel trail with stunning views.

Everyone needs a little R&R — riverside recreation — from time to time. In the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the two-level Race Street Pier offers multi-tiered seating and waterfront views for miles.

A perfect picnic spot, the pier is equipped with a spacious lawn and more than three-dozen trees overlooking the Delaware River. At high tide, the river comes just 4.5 feet from the lower level of the pier, bringing you right up to the water’s edge.

According to legend, Pennsylvania founder William Penn signed his peace treaty with the local Lenape tribe under an elm tree just off the Delaware River in 1683. Though the tree fell in a storm in 1810, the city officially opened Penn Treaty Park on the surrounding land in 1894.

Today, a statue of William Penn greets local picnickers and dog walkers, and throughout the year, people from all over the city come for special events and festivals.

Riverside trails, a playground and a boat launch keep this 35-acre area of Philadelphia’s northern Delaware River bustling, while an expansive lawn on the waterfront makes a serene picnic spot.

But the must-see part of Pleasant Hill Park is the Fish Hatchery, a 20th-century water feature where local fish species were once cultivated. The hatchery’s two ponds now serve as a space where young visitors can learn to fish.

This spring-to-fall destination attracts crowds with bocce and lawn games; tree-slung hammocks and colorful lights, and floating barges with over-the-water seating.

The waterfront destination for rest and relaxation also serves up tasty al fresco eats. You can find a variety of food options along the boardwalk and hit up its beer gardens and bars for craft brews, draft cocktails and frozen beverages.

Next to Washington Avenue Pier is a mile-long hidden gem offering panoramic views of the waterfront and city skyline. Herons, turtles, beavers and other fauna make their homes among the park’s plant life and you can walk the rocky shores all the way to the river’s edge.

The most striking part? At the end of the elevated boardwalk and the gravel trails stands Land Buoy, a public art piece by Jody Pinto made up of a climbable spiral staircase circling a lit 55-foot spire. The sculpture memorializes the site’s history as the nation’s first navy yard and as the immigration station that welcomed over one million people to the United States.

Before Longwood Gardens and even the Philadelphia Flower Show, there was this  Southwest Philadelphia natural oasis.

Located on 50 acres along the Schuylkill River, Bartram’s Garden is a free public park, National Historic Landmark and America’s first botanic garden, not to mention a local favorite for boating, fishing and picnicking.

Named for Quaker farmer and botanist John Bartram (1699–1777), Bartram’s features an 18th-century estate, along with fragrant gardens, a reclaimed meadow, riverfront recreation trail, urban farm, natural tidal wetlands, a public dock for fishing and boating, and significant historic trees — including the oldest ginkgo tree in North America.

Sandwiched between the University of Pennsylvania campus and the Schuylkill River waterfront, Penn Park attracts Philadelphians of all ages and athletic levels looking for an outdoor escape.

An awesome balance of open space and athletic facilities, the 24-acre urban recreational area includes bike trails, walkways, courts and fields for formal and informal athletics, and plenty of lawns and meadows to relax and unwind in.

Spanning eight miles of riverfront winding through the heart of Philadelphia, Schuylkill Banks is open year-round for walking, jogging, cycling, picnics and dog-walking.

Part of the Schuylkill River Trail, the park stretches along the Schuylkill River and links the western edge of Center City to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fairmount Park and Kelly Drive.

Schuylkill Banks offers outdoor movie screenings in the summer, while scenic cruises and kayak tours on the river take in various historic sites. Also available: fishing, kayaking and boating.

Cira Green, which debuted in 2015, sits 95 feet above the street and wows guests with skyline views and cool breezes.

Visitors can grab burgers, fries, desserts and more from onsite restaurant Sunset Social (open seasonally), and elevators across from the entrance to the AKA University City hotel make the park easily accessible.

This elevated park is open year-round and hosts seasonal events.

Let your inner kid out to play at Clark Park, the beating heart of Spruce Hill. In addition to tall trees, playgrounds and basketball courts, the nine-acre park maintains a busy events schedule with festivals, flea markets, theatrical performances, concerts and a year-round farmers’ market.

If food trucks, soccer leagues and cute dogs aren’t your jam, stick around for the LARPers (live-action role players) whacking each other with foam weaponry.

Bonus: In addition to Clark Park, West Philly boasts an enviable collection of outdoor spaces. The Woodlands — the area’s largest green space — is a historic cemetery and mansion set atop 54 acres of pastoral wonder. Family-friendly hotspot Malcolm X Memorial Park features a vibrant playground, a picnic pavilion and plenty of seating.

The grand entrance to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, John F. Kennedy Plaza — better known as LOVE Park — brings together world travelers, lunchtime snackers, sunbathers and fitness buffs for warm-weather fun in the heart of the city.

Lovely greenery, a splashy fountain, abundant seating and the park’s namesake centerpiece set the scene for the perfect Philly photo op, with Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture serving as the backdrop for countless pics each day.

Benches shaded beneath broadleaf evergreens. The fresh scent of flowering shrubs. Ducks and turtles splashing around the fountain-aerated pond.

Locals love this 16-acre park for its picturesque landscape and walking trails — perfect for pups and picnics. Plus, each summer, the amphitheater springs to life with outdoor concerts and community events.

A quarter-mile stretch of elevated tracks of the former Reading Railroad features plantings, artwork, seating areas and giant wooden swings.

The Rail Park is the first phase of a plan to transform a three-mile section of abandoned elevated and below-street-level rail lines into green spaces where people can walk, bike, sit and admire the urban views. It’s part of an international movement to transform unused infrastructure into functional, beautiful and accessible public spaces.