The best place to see fall foliage in Philadelphia, across Pennsylvania, and nearby New Jersey this autumn.
Whether you call it a day out in nature , taking in pin ’s dish , or leaf peeping , the great outdoors are at their greatest when the leaves exchange hues . And even in a time of year with plenty of cozy pleasures , taking in the shade of autumn is at the top of our lean .
The chance to see the beautiful fall scene from mid - October to other November in and around Philadelphia abound both in Pennsylvania and across the Delaware in nearby New Jersey . Hop in a railroad car , snaffle a wheel , or lace up a pair of hiking boots — and consider grabbing a camera with a telephoto crystalline lens — because these are some not - to - be - missed locations for the most beautiful fall sentiment .
Fall foliage in Philly
Wissahickon Park Forbidden Drive
Wissahickon Valley , NorthwestSince driving is forbidden on Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Park , plan to search by fundament — or bike or knight ( just look on where you step!)—through this 7 - mile trail that ’s beginner - friendly if you stay along the river banks . While gaze up at the miles of treelines with beautiful changing leaves , disclose out the field glasses for a National Audubon Society Important Birding Area within the park : Wissahickon Gorge . verify to hit the Henry Avenue Bridge within the park , too , for some of the most spectacular foliation views . Nearby body process : TheValley Green Innlocated on the trail for lunch at the 1850s hostel that ’s the sole rest roadhouse on the movement that used to have many . seize an after - hike beer atWissahahicken Brewing Coand bites from one of the local food trucks that frequent the brewery .
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Chestnut Hill , NorthwestIf you want to experience the changing foliage of trees not easily found elsewhere , start here . With a orotund collection of trees , some date back to the late 1800s , Morris Arboretum & Gardens has maples , dogwoods , and oaks , of course . But it also has Weeping European beech , one of the largest Katsura - tree in the country , a Dawn - redwood , and other “ great ” trees that are beautiful in the fall . There are 92 Akko in all at the arboretum so plan to spend the daytime strolling through the garden . Nearby bodily process : Explore theWoodmere Art Museumwith its direction on local artists and stop for baked goods at the esteemedBaker Street Bread .
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Museum District , Center CityThis one - mile stretch between Center City ’s City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art is deserving a stroll any metre of year , but in the fall , this tree - lined avenue is at its most beautiful . It ’s well done on foot to take in all the semblance and also all the outdoor , public fine art along the way . Do n’t neglect walking all the way behind the artistic creation museum to get a glimpse of the banks of the Schuylkill River and all the beaut there . Nearby body process : Outside of Paris , no other museum has as many pieces by Auguste Rodin as theRodin Museum . For collections of African sculpture and works by Renoir , Cézanne , Matisse , Picasso , and Van Gogh , question toThe Barnes Foundation . And for any first - timers , there ’s always theRockystatue and steps of thePhiladelphia Museum of Artfor a selfie .
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
Adjacent to Philadelphia International Airport , SouthwestLocated by the Philadelphia International Airport is a wildlife refuge with more than 10 miles of trails . In the fall , the Tree turn beautiful shades , and one of the best spot to take it all in is along the boardwalk that goes over one of the waterways . Another splendid manner to regard it all ? From a canoe or kayak on the tidal Darby Creek . Nearby activities : See one of the mankind ’s corking collections of racing sports railway car at theSimeone Foundation Automotive Museum . Fort Mifflinfeatures one of the only intact Revolutionary War battlefields and the only fort in Philadelphia .
Fall foliage across Pennsylvania
Bowman’s Hill Tower
New HopeThe observation deck of the 1931 Bowman ’s Tower in Washington Crossing Historic Park offers a view of the fall foliage that ’s stunning . To hit access to the 360 ° prospect that ’s visible up to 14 naut mi , purchase ticket and walk the 125 step up to the deck . Nearby bodily function : The park itself has other draws including a historical small town , garden , a soldier ’s cemetery , and a visitant ’s essence with historic display . New Hope’swalkable trendy humanistic discipline , restaurant , and shopping dominion is just a few miles up the route andNew Hope Wineryoffers savoring , hot medicine , and more . By car from Philadelphia : About 40 minutes
Longwood Gardens
Kennett SquareNo list of where to view fall foliage in the Philly region would be perfect with Longwood Gardens . alike to Morris Arboretum , there are Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree on the place that you wo n’t easily find elsewhere such as the Nipponese stewartia with their signature hues of orange and talk . Most days , Longwood host glare walk and in the fall , the beautiful colour are sure to be collapse during the walk . Nearby activities : plunge yourself in all thing mushroom ( Kennett Square dubs itself the “ Mushroom Capital of the World ” ) at the free Mushroom Museum atThe Woodlands at Phillips;Downtown West Chesterhas plenty of shops , dining , and account to explore . By car from Philadelphia : About 1 hour
Ralph Stover State Park
PipersvilleThis state car park in Bucks County has several well-heeled walk trails to view the changing folio , but the most awe - inspire is at the top of the High Rocks vista with its stunning view of the shoe flex in Tohickon Creek Gorge and the forest that surrounds it . There are two way to get to High Rocks : hiking or climb up the 150 - foot sheer stone face , which is an option for experienced rock climbers . Nearby activities : For covered bridge lovers , the 1874Loux Covered Bridgeis a must - confab . Hewn Spiritsuses local grains to distill its flavour and is a local deary . By car from Philadelphia : About 1 hour and 15 minutes
Jim Thorpe
Jim ThorpeThere ’s almost no bad place to regard the convert leaves in the Pocono Mountains , but Jim Thorpe may be one of the good . The town hosts aFall Foliage Festivalevery weekend in October with train rides on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway , kids ’ activeness , touch tours , and more . Nearby action : Take in more nature atLehigh Gorge State Park . Learn about the ember mining history of the realm at theNo . 9 Coal Mine and Museum . Dine atStone Row Pub & Eatery , bed for being friendly to most dietary restrictions . By automobile from Philadelphia : About 2 hours
Northern Central Railway
New FreedomThe Northern Central Railway passes through the history - rich hills and fields of Southern York County . Sit back and relax in passenger cars that are replica of the power train that traveled along the Northern Central during the Civil War . The railway offers 1 hr , 1.5 hour , 2.5 hr , or 3 time of day Fall Foliage Excursions on either a steam locomotive engine or diesel engine . Nearby Activities : Dine ( and stay ) at the historicGlen Rock Mill Inn . For a alive concert or show , head to thePullo Centerin York . By auto from Philadelphia : About 2 hours and 15 minutes
Fall foliage in New Jersey
Amico Island Park
DelranView the foliage in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania on this peninsula on the Jersey side at the confluence of the Rancocas Creek and Delaware River . The parking lot has several overlook expanse utterly positioned to capture the opinion surrounding the park and all of the flora as the season change . Nearby activities : Funzillaoffers kinsfolk fun with destitute - roam practical realness , laser tag , obstacle courses , and more . Dine atSweet Water Restaurant Bar & Grillwhere the Burger are conceive some of the best in South Jersey . By car from Philadelphia : About 30 minutes
Parvin State Park
PittsgroveCamp in the park or jaw just for the daylight to view all the beautiful changing trees in this state park . View the foliage from the 15 miles of hiking trails or from the water on Parvin Lake in a canoe or kayak . The park is on the sharpness of New Jersey ’s famed Pine Barrens but contains plenty of trees that are n’t true pine include dogwood tree , laurel , holly , and magnolia . Nearby activity : Delsea Drive - Inoffers films through the end of October and often into November . StrollLandis Avein Vineland with one mil of entertainment , shopping , and dining . For pint , head toGlasstown Brewing . By car from Philadelphia : About 50 instant
Philadelphia Museum of Art|Photo credit: R. Rabena, photo courtesy of VISIT PHILADELPHIA® / VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
The Fernery at Morris Arboretum & Gardens|Photo credit: Paul W. Meyer, photo courtesy of Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Town of West Chester|Photo credit: J. Fusco, photo courtesy of VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Jim Thorpe|PT Hamilton/Shutterstock
