Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park
| Type | Urban park |
|---|---|
| Address | Various entrances throughout the city |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Multiple neighborhoods |
| Phone | (215) 683-0200 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1855 |
| Hours | Dawn to dusk |
Fairmount Park is a vast urban park system in Philadelphia encompassing over 2,000 acres along the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek. One of the largest urban parks in the United States, it includes historic mansions, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, miles of trails, and natural areas within the city limits.[1]
Overview
Size and Scope
Fairmount Park is actually a system of parks:
- East Fairmount Park — Schuylkill River east bank
- West Fairmount Park — Schuylkill River west bank
- Wissahickon Valley Park — Natural gorge (separate article)
- Pennypack Park — Northeast Philadelphia
- Numerous neighborhood parks
Total acreage exceeds 2,000 acres within city limits.
What's Included
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Philadelphia Zoo
- Please Touch Museum (Memorial Hall)
- Historic mansions (Lemon Hill, Strawberry Mansion, etc.)
- Boathouse Row
- Japanese House and Garden (Shofuso)
- Mann Center for Performing Arts
- Smith Memorial Arch
- Miles of trails
History
Origins
- 1812 — Fairmount Water Works established
- 1855 — Land acquired to protect water supply
- 1867 — Park expanded significantly
- 1876 — Centennial Exposition held here
- Continued expansion through 20th century
The Centennial Exposition
The 1876 World's Fair was held in Fairmount Park:
- America's first official World's Fair
- Celebrated 100 years of independence
- Memorial Hall (now Please Touch Museum) remains
- Introduced many innovations to Americans
- Shaped the park's current layout
East Fairmount Park
Attractions
- Boathouse Row — Historic rowing clubs, lit at night
- Philadelphia Museum of Art — At the park's southern edge
- Lemon Hill Mansion — Federal-era mansion
- Mount Pleasant — John Adams called it "the most elegant seat in Pennsylvania"
- Rockland Mansion
- Ormiston Mansion
Activities
- Running and cycling (Kelly Drive)
- Rowing on the Schuylkill
- Picnicking
- Historic mansion tours
West Fairmount Park
Attractions
- Philadelphia Zoo — America's first zoo
- Please Touch Museum*** — In Memorial Hall
- Japanese House and Garden (Shofuso) — Traditional Japanese architecture
- Smith Memorial Arch — Civil War monument
- Cedar Grove — Relocated Quaker farmhouse
- Strawberry Mansion — Largest park mansion
- Horticultural Center
Activities
- Belmont Plateau views
- Picnic areas
- Cycling (Martin Luther King Jr. Drive)
- Playgrounds
Visiting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hours | Dawn to dusk |
| Admission | Park free; some attractions charge |
| Best for | Running, cycling, picnics, museums |
| Parking | Various lots throughout |
Tips
- The park is vast—focus on one section per visit
- Kelly Drive and MLK Drive are popular for exercise
- Mansion tours have limited hours—check schedules
- Boathouse Row is stunning at night
- The Zoo requires separate admission
Getting There
East Park
- SEPTA — Spring Garden Station (BSL)
- Car — Kelly Drive entrances
- Bike — Schuylkill River Trail
West Park
- SEPTA — Bus routes to Zoo, Memorial Hall
- Car — MLK Drive, Belmont Avenue entrances
- Bike — Schuylkill River Trail (west bank)
Frequently Asked Questions
See Also
- Wissahickon Valley Park
- Philadelphia Zoo
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Please Touch Museum
- Boathouse Row
References
- ↑ "Fairmount Park". Fairmount Park Conservancy. Retrieved December 23, 2025