Within the large Philadelphia metropolitan area there are many places to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and experience nature.

Difficulty Level: Easy      Time Required: An hour to a full day

1. Visit Fairmount Park, the world’s largest landscaped city park with over 8700 acres of creeks, meadows, paths and trails.
2. Spend a day at the Philadelphia Zoo, America’s first zoo and a great way to see animals in natural habitats. The zoo is well landscaped so you get the feeling of walking through a park.
3. The New Jersey State Aquarium features displays of fish and other marine creatures native to the Delaware Valley area.
4. The Academy of Natural Sciences, although indoors, is one the best museums for the study of natural history in the world. Don’t miss their dinosaur display.
5. Take a walk along the Kelly Drive on the east side of the Schuylkill River. Experience boat house row and watch the crews on the river.
6. Take a walk along Penn’s Landing along the Delaware River waterfront. You’ll see great views of the river as well as many types of birds.
7. Walk through Rittenhouse Square between 18^th and Walnut Streets. The park has wonderful curving paths, fountains and decorative pools.
8. If you’re in Philadelphia in March be sure to catch the Philadelphia Flower Show, America’s oldest and largest indoor flower show.
9. Visit Valley Forge National Park in Montgomery County. This is where General George Washington spent the winter of 1777-78. Don’t miss the amazing display of dogwoods which bloom in late April and early May.
10. Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Delaware County, is the region’s premier horticultural garden with acres of seasonable displays and a wonderful conservatory. Don’t miss the summer fountain displays or the special Christmas shows.
11. Chanticeer in Wayne, PA offers a 30-acre pleasure garden featuring tropicals, perennials, containers, a vegetable garden, woodlands and wildflowers from April to October.
12. The Tyler Arboretum in Delaware County offers miles of marked trails, a greenhouse and extensive museum collections.  

1. Many of these places offer seasonal displays, so a visit during a different season is well worth the trip.
2. If you go to the Flower Show, the best times are 3-6 pm or early in the morning on Saturday or Sunday. Avoid Monday when there are many tour buses.
3. Be careful of your valuables when exploring any of the city parks. Remember you are still in the city.
   

Related Features:

• Philadelphia Zoo - Peco Primate Reserve
• Philadelphia Flower Show photos

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