Whenever I'm in Philly, my running route is from Queen Village to the Schuylkill River Park. I…read morealways break stride of my elite 9 minute mile pace, pause the Watch the Throne album blasting in my ears, and walk through this park. It is a great moment to just take in the peaceful energy. I love this place and parks like it in general. Everyone is just out enjoying life: Kids playing basketball, friends having picnics, people playing tennis, others reading a book or taking a calm walk with their airpods in, dogs running around the dog park while their owners watch from the sidelines, etc. The kids playing basketball always gets me a little emotional because that used to be me and my friends before the responsibilities of adulthood caused my cortisol levels to go through the roof. All we cared about was playing basketball and having fun. It's like a little time portal to the past. The FMC tower watches over the park, reflecting the sky. I always get fascinated with buildings like this and it makes me appreciate human beings. Like we just built that thing no problem. Wild. I can't close out this review without shouting out running. I could be spiraling into the abyss of negative thoughts and force myself to go for a run, and it completely alters my brain chemistry. I feel like I can do anything after a run. It has done more for me than any drug ever could. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews

I love walking along the Schuylkill River trail. It's nice to take a leisurely stroll up and down…read morethe path, especially on a nice day. It's a great opportunity to people watch as well. There are many stops along the path to sit at a bench, but I generally enjoy a continuous walk.

Stopped at Franklin Square during a Big Bus city holiday lights tour to see the PECO Light Show, a…read morelight show synchronized to seasonal music throughout the entire area. The park's carousel is illuminated with festive lights, and seemed to be a hit with the families present. Seasonal treats and warm beverages were available at the on-site SquareBurger, priced as one would expect at a tourist location like this. While the festive decorations and activities are lovely, the park was quite crowded, while we were there. Also, the bathroom trailer was absolutely disgusting, despite a small team of custodial employees on site, so plan on holding it while you're there if you can! All in all, Franklin Square was a pleasant diversion, I wouldn't make a special trip to visit.

I've been here a few times and this park is absolutely beautiful. The fountain is so relaxing to…read morewatch, the park is clean and full of people, the golf course is a cute little activity for the kids and the merry go round is a perfect addition to make the park feel more inviting. I'll definitely be back again and again.

I can't believe I've never written a review of Rittenhouse Square Park, because I like to stop by…read morealmost every time I'm in Philadelphia. Rittenhouse Square is the heart of the Rittenhouse neighborhood, and it's one of the original open-space parks planned by William Penn in the late 17th century. It's not large, but it has a few fountains and sculptures, great landscaping, and plenty of benches for sitting. It's a lovely place for sitting, reading a book, chatting with a friend, people watching... It's also home to a small farmers market year-round on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Stop by and relax a bit.

I enjoyed this park. Such an adorable fountain and oodles…read moreand oodles of seating and beat of all ... shade . Very well, taking care of Park and I felt safe.

Heinz Park is a wonderfully well managed clean environmentally friendly refuge area. It has well…read moremarked trails; strategically located observation platforms, bridges and marshlands throughout. The Heinz is suitable for biking. Jogging, hiking, dog waking, nature and bird watching. This community resource is multifaceted, providing options for all ages and interests, don't miss it when in the area.

Plenty of parking, upon entering, it feels like you are entering a National Park or something. The…read morevisitor center is very colorful, informative and clean. The trail signs are very clear. I struggle with the trash in the marshes, I am not sure if it is the wind picking it up but I hope there can be more effort cleaning up. It was also extremely sad to see the turtles covered in oil which seems like pollutants from the water. Nonetheless, the trails are nice to walk on. The trails have no elevation but are nicely graveled.

Fairmount Park is one of the biggest parks in the United States. It still has original houses from…read morethe 1700s. It has walking trails, ballfields and playgrounds. You can also drive through the park. Smith playground is a mansion with indoor activities and a big outdoor playground for kids. The best part about Smith playground is the giant wooden slide. The kids and adults can both go on the discovery center is in a former reservoir. It has walking trails and indoor activities to learn about the park. The horticultural center in Japanese teahouse are also located in the park. It's a great place to picnic!

Fairmount Park offers a wide range of activities, from exploring historical sites and gardens to…read moreenjoying outdoor recreation and attending events. You can stroll along the Trolley Trail, visit Boathouse Row, and marvel at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as opportunities for picnicking and boating on Concourse Lake. Fairmount Park is also home to the Please Touch Museum and the Philadelphia Zoo, making it a great destination for families. I am normally here for The roots picnic, but realized this park has so much to offer. If you are up for outdoor activities, make sure to come by and explore. One tidbit, make sure you make sure you are going to this park because there is another Fairmount park that is also in Philly. Enjoy!

Absolutely love this venue ! Perfect for a date night or…read morefamily outing . Great food trucks and bars on the water and I love the random hammocks to lounge in ! I'm so glad we stumbled on this during our vacay

Spruce Street Harbor Park isn't a hidden gem, but perhaps an often forgotten. For many if you don't…read morelive near by, this isn't on your radar, but it should be! This park offers a large space with plenty of outdoor seating, right near the water. There's a variety of hammocks, beanbags and even a small area of sand to forgot your 10 feet away from 76 for a moment. In the summer, there are food and drink vendors and free public restrooms. The vendors are quite pricy, so I'd suggest brining a snack with you if you are going to spend time at the park. The park services team does a good job of keeping the area clean and well-lit all year round.

X-posting a review from the Wissahickon Park page. This park is so good it deserves two 5-star…read moreratings. Hard to rate an entire park this massive, but all things considered, after 5 years of traversing the trails here, this is an awesome park. Note that I live in U-City, so the fact that such a massive trail system exists in only a ~20 minute drive, depending on which part of the park I start in, is a blessing and keeps my sanity. Friends of Wissahickon does a great job maintaining trails and even expanding the system over the past few years. I don't think I've ever observed an unseemly part of the park. Definitely unseemly times of year like the snow thaw or the time between the trees dying and the snow falling, but otherwise, this park is beautiful all times of year. I've never had a hard time parking, never even had trouble with crowds even around the most popular trails (ex. Forbidden Drive). Even the bikers are friendly and patient here! Would strongly recommend not only visiting but coming back to keep exploring! I'm still finding new gems in this massive trail system.

Today I decided to switch things up and take a trip to Valley Green in Wissahickon Park, Philly…read more I've always heard about Devil's Pool but had never been, so when I saw the trailhead, I figured--why not check it out? What I've known about Devil's Pool is that it's been a popular hangout spot, especially for teens and young adults--swimming, drinking, smoking, etc. But I wasn't prepared for how disappointing the trail would be. At nearly every turn, there was trash--plastic bottles, wrappers, and even entire black garbage bags just left behind. The closer I got to Devil's Pool, the worse it got. There are clear signs asking visitors to take their trash with them, yet so many clearly don't. It's really disheartening to see such a beautiful natural space disrespected like that. Instead of feeling peaceful or connected to nature, it honestly felt a bit unsanitary and neglected. Wissahickon Park deserves better. If you visit, please respect the space and take out everything you bring in.

Such a beautiful park in Old City/Society Hill. It is similar to Rittenhouse square but a little…read moresmaller. The grass was well kept. Lots of trees for shade, beautiful flowers and benches make it a perfect place to sit and relax! It also has one of the former Fairmount Park Guard Houses. I love to see these unique small structures being reused! The Eternal Flame monument is also in the park. Yeh park is not far from Independence Park.

Nice spot to stroll near the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. A few blocks away and you're away…read morefrom the hustle and bustle. Nice tree lined park. Some history to read up on. Nice fountain. And, of course, the obligatory Washington statue.

We live in South Jersey; super close to Philadelphia…read more Why don't we go more? IDK! My son wanted to check out the city and get the gang if driving in it. We had fun doing both on this decent weather day. Of course we had to stop by LOVE PARK. Happy people strewn about, Girl Scouts selling cookies and pups walking about :)

Definitely a must visit photo op in Philly…read more There was a line for photos but it moved pretty quickly and people offered to take photos so everyone could get the photos needed. It was very vibrant and other statues in the area were available to take photos with too.

Came here for a 52 Firsts event during Spring Fest and it ended up being such a fun day. There was…read morea lot going on without feeling overwhelming. Live energy, little activity tables, and a small plant sale that was honestly very tempting. One of the coolest things I learned is that they have what's believed to be the oldest ginkgo tree in both North and South America. That alone made the visit feel a little special. I spent some time walking the trails and made my way around the water too. It's really pretty back there. Lots of flowers in bloom, open space, and quieter areas if you want a break from the crowd. I definitely liked the more shaded, tree-heavy sections the most. Some of the booths were set up fully in the sun and it got a bit intense after a while, so having those cooler, shaded areas made a big difference. Staff were very helpful and the trails are clearly marked, which made it easy to just wander without worrying about getting lost. Only downside is the location can be a little tricky to get to, especially if you're not driving. But once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. Overall just a really enjoyable, laid-back outdoor spot with a lot to explore. I'd come back, especially for another event.

Had a few hours before my flight and was looking for something to do. I came across this garden…read moreand it was beautiful. Well maintained and relaxing. Plenty of trails and benches. The flowers were gorgeous. You get a nice view of the city from the boat dock and parking area. I spent a few hours here. Great if you're solo or with people.