The Best Spots to View Fall Foliage in Greater Philadelphia for 2025

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, the Barnes Foundation, the newly opened Calder Gardens 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, the 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 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.

While visiting the tower, enjoy the view below of 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 one with a castle in the background?

Renowned archeologist and ceramist Henry Chapman Mercer’s former home, Fonthill Castle, has been repurposed into an elegant museum displaying Mercer’s massive collection of prints, books, artifacts and handcrafted Moravian tiles, made at the nearby historic TileWorks.

Enjoy stunning fall views from one of the castle’s 200 windows or stroll the 70 acres of brilliantly hued countryside surrounding the estate.

One 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 dazzling fountain shows at the 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 brilliant backdrop of autumnal color. And don’t miss Washington Square park, one of Penn’s original five squares, brimming with more than 60 species of trees.

Before there were public parks, people would often gather at garden cemeteries to enjoy the outdoors. Laurel Hill became the second garden cemetery in the country, still stunning nearly two centuries later with its magnificent array of trees.

Laurel Hill East (Philadelphia) and Laurel Hill West (Bala Cynwyd) operate as one entity with arboretum status. The historic living collection includes more than 8,500 trees and shrubs of more than 1,000 different species and cultivars.

Pro tip: Don’t miss Laurel Hill East’s incredible 360-degree tree-filled views over Kelly Drive and across the Schuylkill 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.

Rittenhouse Square — the centerpiece of the chic neighborhood of the same name — explodes with color in the fall. 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.

Awbury Arboretum spans 56 acres in the heart of Germantown. Once the homestead of a prominent Quaker family, the arboretum has been free and open to the public for more than 100 years. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the arboretum, perfect for taking in the surrounding foliage as it changes colors.

Separated by Washington Lane, the park has two sides: one with a historic home, heritage trees, a pond, and meandering trails, the other with farms, gardens, honeybees, resident chickens and home to the Philly Goat Project.

Bonus: Take the littles to the Adventure Woods area to play in a natural, forested play space with fairy gardens and a woodlot with giant logs to scramble over.

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.

Don’t miss the historic cider mill Bartram himself carved into the bedrock along the river — and imagine how hundreds of apples would have been pressed into delicious cider.

Bucolic Brandywine Museum of Art, housed in a renovated 1864 gristmill, showcases scores of works by lifelong Delaware County resident Andrew Wyeth alongside other Wyeth-family illustrations, paintings and installations.

See 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.

Autumn sets the surrounding 15-acre campus ablaze with vibrant colors, perfect for an autumn amble or leaf-peeping stroll.

Spread across the grounds of the century-old 35-acre former Rosengarten manor in Delaware County, you’ll find Chanticleer, an exquisite “pleasure garden” featuring thousands of plants and trees artistically arranged into themed garden rooms and walking areas.

Immerse yourself in the beautiful natural space designed by in-house landscape artists; the site doesn’t include plant labels and instead encourages visitors with questions to chat with staff gardeners.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meander along the burbling Bell’s Run and check out the historic waterwheel, still in use.

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 protects the largest freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania and provides nourishment for migrating birds each fall and spring.

The Wetland Loop has two perfect spots for birdwatching and leaf peeping: the Wetland Loop Trail Observation Deck and the Observation Tower. Even better: The Visitor Center will loan you binoculars and fishing rods free of charge.

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 explore more than five miles of trails across the 200-acre property, where the idyllic woodlands draw bird- and leaf-watchers alike each autumn. Bring binoculars to spot some of the more than 175 species of birds flitting about the color-changing tree canopy.

Say hello to the resident bird ambassadors — all birds that have an injury that prevents them from being able to survive in the wild.

When his wife Elisabeth Phillippe Jenkins passed away 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. Bonus: Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens always offers free admission.

Longwood Gardens in the Brandywine Valley remains one of Greater Philadelphia’s most ideal locations to view fall foliage.

The tranquil horticultural oasis showcases hundreds of thousands of plants from more than 10,000 species and cultivars. Historic trees tower in Peirce’s Park, part of the original collection the Peirce Brothers planted starting in 1798, from which the current gardens sprang.

Explore all of the newest parts of the garden’s Longwood Reimagined spaces. If you’re also a lover of fall flowers, be sure to time your fall foliage visit with the Chrysanthemum Festival (October 24 to November 16, 2025).

Designated Pennsylvania’s official state arboretum, Morris Arboretum & Gardens spans 92 stunning acres in the beautiful Chestnut Hill neighborhood, and offers a spectacular setting for autumn’s beautiful colors.

The arboretum has more than 11,000 labeled plants and trees representing 2,500 types, including some of the oldest and rarest trees in the region. Be sure to check out the institution’s Great Trees collection, which includes dawn redwoods, ginkgos that turn gold in autumn and the iconic state champion katsura tree. Pro tip: The katsura leaves smell like toasted marshmallows in the fall, so when you find the katsura, grab a handful of fallen leaves and take a hearty whiff.

Aside from gorgeous foliage, visitors can also 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 about 2 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 dozens of scarecrows handmade by local Philly crafters during the annual Scarecrows in the Village festival.

The Schuylkill River Trail — a favorite recreational path for bicyclists, runners, hikers and strollers — stretches 30 miles along the Schuylkill River from Center City to Chester County.

See thousands of color-changing trees along the now-iconic trail, providing perfect photo ops around every twist and turn, from Schuylkill Banks, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Treehouse in the Sky, Boathouse Row and Kelly Drive up to Manayunk in Northwest Philly.

While out on the trail, be sure to also check out the river views from the stunning newest addition to the Schuylkill River Trail: the Christian to Crescent connector bridge.

The 650 acres of Tyler Arboretum’s woodlands, meadows and gardens have been a refuge for tree lovers in the Philadelphia region since the days of William Penn. Each autumn, the landscape comes 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.

And don’t miss Tyler Arboretum’s numerous historic trees, including the state champion Giant Sequoia, an evergreen stunner year-round.

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 the home of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

Penn’s sylvan Ivy League campus contains 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.

Grab a to-go lunch at Manakeesh or Vietnam Cafe and enjoy it in nearby Clark Park or stroll the revived Woodlands Cemetery with numerous historic old trees.

One of the last remaining forested areas in Delaware County, Crum Woods of Swarthmore College offers hiking trails amid hundreds of forested acres.

Part of the college’s Scott Arboretum, Crum Woods surrounds tranquil Crum Creek. Don’t be surprised if you see college students using the land as a classroom as you trek through the woods.

Along with the brilliant fall foliage, Crum Woods contains a stunning collection of enormous native witch hazel trees that open their delicate yellow blooms in autumn.

At 1,200-acre Core Creek Park in Langhorne, Bucks County, visitors can enjoy the changing colors of fall from a canoe, kayak or rowboat (available for rent) during a leisurely paddle on the 1.5-mile-long Lake Luxembourg.

Or take the pet-friendly winding hiking trails through the autumnal woodlands, some of which accommodate bicycles and horses, too. Keep an eye out for migrating birds like ducks and warblers when the trees surrounding Lake Luxemburg begin to glow in colorful fall splendor.

Revel in brilliant fall colors while strolling through Delaware Canal State Park, a 60-mile-long linear park along the river from Easton to Bristol that was once trod by mule teams pulling cargo-laden boats along the canal. The trail is also part of the longer Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, running from northeastern PA to Bristol.

The relatively flat trail makes for a beautiful stroll along the river’s tree-lined shoreline. 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. Note: This park allows hunting, so check the park website for updates and use caution while visiting.

The sprawling green space in central Montgomery County’s Evansburg State Park turns into a fall-foliage wonderland each autumn. Located about 30 miles northwest of Center City, Evansburg offers a tree-lined golf course, meadows, forests, farmland and fields.

Hike the Skippack Creek Trail’s five-mile loop along the rolling ridgeline of the Skippack Creek, 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. Note: This park allows hunting, so check the park website for updates and use caution while visiting.

One of the nation’s largest urban parks, the 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), educational opportunities (Fairmount Park Horticulture Center and The Discovery Center), entertainment venues (Dell Music Center and Mann Music Center) 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 spans 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 a bird’s-eye view and the lovely changing colors from the ADA-accessible Hawk Watch Observation Deck, a platform that sits high above 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.

Enjoy lakeside leaf peeping at the park’s central feature, Hopewell Lake, which offers two-plus miles of coastline. The 848-acre Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site — home to 14 restored structures once part of a colonial-era iron-producing village that relied on the free labor of enslaved peoples — shares space with the park.

This park allows hunting, so check the park website for updates and use caution while visiting.

While boaters already flock to the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake inside Downingtown’s Marsh Creek State Park, the surrounding forests, fields and wetlands are also packed with fantastic trails with excellent opportunities to enjoy vibrant autumn colors reflected in the lake.

Located about 40 miles from Center City, the park offers about 20 miles of trails perfect for photography, nature observation and fall foliage excursions. The White and Yellow trails hug much of the lake’s shoreline, creating an autumnal amble where you’ll likely see sailboats on the lake framed by fall foliage. Note: This park allows hunting, so check the park website for updates and use caution while visiting.

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 40 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails at 5,000-acre Nockamixon State Park.

Located in upper Bucks County, about an hour’s drive from Center City, the seven-mile-long Lake Nockamixon holds the title of the largest lake in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Old Mill Trail takes users along the lake’s treelined shoreline, perfect for watching sailboats float by a fall-hued red and orange backdrop.

Pro tip: If you love mountain biking, head to the Tower Road entrance to the park to ride the 10 miles of mountain-bike-only trails with stunning glimpses of the fiery autumn shoreline. Note: This park allows hunting, so check the park website for updates and use caution while visiting.

No need to leave the city for the 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 Pine Road entrance to the park has a huge parking area, making for the perfect starting spot to explore the park’s rolling hills along the paved, winding path that follows the creek’s shoreline.

For out-of-this-world views of surrounding color-changing forest, check out the High Rocks Vista in Bucks County — donated for public enjoyment by author James A. Michener.

High Rocks overlooks the Tohickon Creek Gorge and the horseshoe valley below (shared by Tohickon Valley Park), rising high above the creek to offer a gorgeous panoramic view of fall foliage as far as the eye can see.

Popular among rock climbers, the 150-foot sheer rock face of the vista offers quite a challenge. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the park’s numerous pavilions and picnic tables.

Take a walk, run or guided horseback ride through the color-changing trees along 12 miles of wooded trails at Delaware County’s Ridley Creek State Park, located a few miles from downtown Media.

Hit up the five-mile, paved Sycamore Mills Road Trail that circles the forested park or grab a picnic basket and enjoy lunch at one of 14 picnic areas among canopies of yellow, orange and red. Or peep the leaves while fly fishing in the well-stocked creek. Note: This park allows hunting, so check the park website for updates and use caution while visiting.

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.

Head to the Covered Bridge Trail to see one of Bucks County’s many charming covered bridges, the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge, adorned in colorful fall splendor.

If you want to add some exercise to your foliage excursion, check out the park’s massive 36-hole Upper Plantation Picnic Area Disc Golf Course, which ranks in the top 150 best in the nation.

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.

The rolling hills across 3,500 acres of the park make for splendid leaf-peeping opportunities perfect for leisurely strolls with scenic overlooks or heart-pumping hiking up Mount Misery.

The surrounding forest displays 110 different types of trees covering over a third of the park. If you want to visit one of the oldest trees in the state, head to the Pawling Sycamore tree, a tree historians believe to have been alive during Washington’s encampment.

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 has 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 the Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy and Germantown neighborhoods across northwest Philadelphia, the 1,800 wooded acres surround the lovely Wissahickon Creek flowing past more than 50 miles of hiking and walking trails.

For one of the city’s most picturesque fall foliage strolls, head to Forbidden Drive — a wide, no-cars-allowed, seven-mile gravel trail running the spine of the park — toward the Thomas Mill Covered Bridge, the only intact covered bridge remaining in any major American city. In fall, yellow-leaved trees frame the red bridge for stunning photo ops.