Philadelphia is a vibrant metropolis with loads of tradition, historical past, and leisure. However typically, you would possibly need to escape the city hustle and bustle and revel in some contemporary air and pure magnificence. Fortunately, there are various wonderful locations inside a brief drive from Philly that supply simply that. Whether or not you might be searching for climbing, biking, kayaking, wildlife watching, or just enjoyable in a scenic setting, one can find one thing to fit your style. Listed here are a number of the greatest day journeys from Philly for nature lovers, together with what makes them nice and what you possibly can count on to see and do there.
Ringing Rocks Park – Bucks County, PA
Distance from Philly: 60 miles, 1 hour and quarter-hour
Ringing Rocks Park is a singular geological surprise that can delight nature lovers of all ages. The park options a big subject of boulders that produce a metallic sound when struck with a hammer or one other rock. The rationale for this phenomenon remains to be a thriller, however it’s enjoyable to experiment with totally different rocks and listen to the totally different tones they make. The park additionally has a phenomenal waterfall, a climbing path, and a picnic space. You may convey your personal hammer or borrow one from the park workplace. Simply watch out to not harm the rocks or your self whereas exploring this fascinating place.
Marsh Creek State Park – Downingtown, PA
Distance from Philly: 35 miles, 45 minutes
Marsh Creek State Park is a superb vacation spot for water lovers, because it encompasses a 535-acre lake that gives boating, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing. You may lease a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or sailboat from the park’s concession stand, or convey your personal. The lake can be dwelling to a wide range of fish, resembling bass, walleye, catfish, and trout. In the event you want to remain on land, you possibly can benefit from the park’s 18 miles of trails that wind by way of forests, fields, and wetlands. You may also spot wildlife resembling deer, foxes, birds, and turtles. The park has a seashore, a playground, and a picnic space to your comfort.
Longwood Gardens – Kennett Sq., PA
Distance from Philly: 30 miles, 45 minutes
Longwood Gardens is a botanical paradise that showcases the sweetness and variety of vegetation from world wide. The gardens span over 1,000 acres and have greater than 11,000 varieties of vegetation, flowers, and bushes. You may admire the gorgeous shows of coloration, perfume, and texture within the out of doors gardens, the historic conservatory, the meadow backyard, and the water backyard. You may also benefit from the musical fountains, the kids’s backyard, the bonsai assortment, and the seasonal displays. The gardens additionally host occasions, lessons, and performances all year long. Longwood Gardens is a must-see for anybody who appreciates nature and artwork.
John Heinz Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
Distance from Philly: 10 miles, 20 minutes
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is the proper place to get pleasure from nature with out leaving the town. The refuge is situated close to the Philadelphia Worldwide Airport and protects the biggest freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. You may discover the refuge’s 10 miles of trails that supply views of the marsh, the Darby Creek, and the wildlife that inhabits them. You may also go fishing, boating, or birdwatching on the refuge. The refuge is dwelling to over 300 species of birds, in addition to mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. You may go to the customer middle to study extra concerning the refuge’s historical past, ecology, and conservation efforts.
Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space
Distance from Philly: 80 miles, 1 hour and half-hour
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a surprising pure space that spans the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The recreation space encompasses 70,000 acres of forests, mountains, rivers, and waterfalls alongside the Delaware River. You may get pleasure from a wide range of out of doors actions on the recreation space, resembling climbing, biking, tenting, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, swimming, fishing, and searching. You may also go to historic websites, resembling outdated villages, farms, mills, and bridges. Among the highlights of the recreation space embody the 40-mile Delaware Water Hole, the 100-foot Raymondskill Falls, and the 28-mile McDade Leisure Path.
Wissahickon Valley Park
Distance from Philly: 10 miles, 20 minutes
Wissahickon Valley Park is a hidden gem in Philadelphia that gives a peaceable escape from the town noise. The park covers 1,800 acres of woodlands, meadows, and streams alongside the Wissahickon Creek. You may hike, bike, or horseback trip on the park’s 50 miles of trails that vary from straightforward to difficult. You may also benefit from the scenic views of the creek, the cliffs, and the historic buildings, such because the lined bridge, the mill, and the statue of William Penn. The park can be an incredible place for birdwatching, because it hosts over 200 species of birds all year long.
The Brandywine River Museum of Artwork and Nature – Chadds Ford, PA
Distance from Philly: 25 miles, 40 minutes
The Brandywine River Museum of Art and Nature is a singular museum that celebrates the artwork and the atmosphere of the Brandywine Valley. The museum is housed in a transformed Nineteenth-century mill on the banks of the Brandywine River and encompasses a assortment of American artwork, with a concentrate on the works of the Wyeth household. You may also discover the museum’s nature trails, which provide views of the river, the wildlife, and the historic buildings. The museum additionally affords excursions of the close by studios and houses of N.C., Andrew, and Jamie Wyeth.
Tyler Arboretum – Media, PA
Distance from Philly: 20 miles, half-hour
Tyler Arboretum is among the oldest and largest arboreta in the US, with a historical past relationship again to 1681. The arboretum covers 650 acres of woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and gardens, and options over 1,000 species of vegetation and bushes. You may wander by way of the arboretum’s 17 miles of trails, which provide alternatives for climbing, biking, birdwatching, and images. You may also go to the arboretum’s historic buildings, such because the Painter Home, the Barn, and the Lachford Corridor. The arboretum additionally has a butterfly home, a tree home, and a fairy backyard for youngsters.
Valley Forge Nationwide Historic Park
Distance from Philly: 25 miles, half-hour
Valley Forge National Historical Park is a spot the place you possibly can study concerning the historical past and the heroism of the American Revolution. The park preserves the location the place George Washington and his military spent the winter of 1777-1778, enduring harsh circumstances and low morale. You may discover the park’s 3,500 acres of trails, monuments, and historic buildings, such because the Washington’s Headquarters, the Muhlenberg Brigade Huts, and the Nationwide Memorial Arch. You may also go to the customer middle, the museum, and the theater to study extra concerning the park’s significance and the tales of the individuals who fought for independence.
French Creek State Park
Distance from Philly: 50 miles, 1 hour
French Creek State Park is a pure oasis that gives a wide range of out of doors actions and recreation. The park options two lakes, Hopewell and Scotts Run, that are perfect for fishing, boating, and swimming. You may also hike, bike, or horseback trip on the park’s 35 miles of trails that traverse by way of forests, fields, and hills. You may also get pleasure from tenting, picnicking, disc {golfing}, and orienteering on the park. The park can be dwelling to numerous wildlife, resembling deer, foxes, beavers, and birds. You may also go to the close by Hopewell Furnace Nationwide Historic Website, which showcases the historical past of iron manufacturing within the area.
