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Fall Foliage: Leaf Peeping in Philly

Philly is at its best in the Fall. From parks within the City limits to scenic destinations in adjacent counties, trees are ablaze with color, along with hiking, biking, and dining options. Peak foliage runs from mid-October through early November, but if you want to hit the sweet spot, we recommend hitting the foliage trail on the third week in October.

Where to See Fall Colors in Philadelphia

Photo by Cory J Popp. Philly Fall

Center City

Make it a point to have lunch in Rittenhouse Square when the Maple, Elm, and Oak trees will be in their full glory turning hues of red and orange before they start fluttering down. Pick up a picnic lunch at Di Bruno’s or dine at one of the Square’s sidewalk restaurants while admiring the fall colors. In nearby Washington Square, the leaves on Poplar, Black Locust, Maple, Redwood, and Birch trees are just starting to change color. For a nice stroll in the area, we recommend grabbing a tasty wrap or salad at  Talula’s Daily and visiting the breathtaking Maxfield Parrish class mosaic “Dream Garden” in the Curtis Building at 6th and Walnut.

Bikers and hikers can take to the Schuylkill River Trail, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and go down Kelly Drive for a veritable kaleidoscope of Fall color. Pack a lunch and make a day of it to enjoy the scenery and cool weather.

fallen leaves in philadelphia rowhome

South Philly

Another great place for leaf-peeping in the city is South Philly, where you can visit FDR Park‘s 40 acres of kayaking, fishing, and canoeing. Take a leisurely hike in the South Philly Meadow Trails and bring a camera to capture the landscape.

Southwest Philadelphia

Bartram’s Garden, part of the Schuylkill River Trail in southwest Philly is yet another local foliage paradise within the City limits. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is hosting free biking days through November!

Also, in southwest Philly, you’ll find The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum with 10 miles of trails and binoculars and fishing rods available for loan, free of charge. The refuge supports a diversity of habitats, including freshwater tidal marsh, open waters, mudflats, and woodlands that hundreds of species call home. 

On Saturday, October 21st Laurel Hill Cemetery East is hosting a Fall Fun Day from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. This family-friendly day of outdoor autumn festivities includes crafts, live children’s music performances, games, prizes, story times, mini cemetery tours, and more. Pre-Halloween costumes are encouraged. RSVP to attend this free event. Or take a ticketed Fall Foliage Tour of the cemetery led by its arboretum manager on Sunday, October 22, 10 am-12 pm.

Northwest Philadelphia

If you want to experience New England foliage without leaving town, head to the 1,800 wooded acres of Wissahickon Trail in the Northwest section of Fairmount Park. There, you will find 40,000 miles of trails for all levels of biking, hiking, dog walking (on leash only) or simply strolling along a pathway under a lush canopy of trees. Popular with artists and photographers, you can stroll through covered bridges, fish in Wissahickon Creek, and enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner at Valley Green Inn or the more casual Cedars House. Nearby attractions include Morris Arboretum and Woodmere Museum. 

Hit the Road: Buck’s County, Kennett Square, Media, and More

A short drive from Philadelphia is New Hope in Bucks County, a charming town on the Delaware River filled with shops, art galleries, and cafes. Experience an autumn journey by hopping on a historic train at the New Hope Railroad or walk across the river to Lambertville, an equally alluring little town lined with antique shops. On the way home, drive along Route 32 from New Hope to Washington Crossing for magnificent fall foliage. Or make it a weekend and stay in one of the area’s historic BnBs such as the Inn at Bowman’s Hill. For a scenic view of the county’s fall colors, climb to the top of Bowman’s Hill Tower.

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is one of the best places in the region to view fall foliage with over 1,000 acres of woodlands, meadows, and formal gardens. Nearby is the Brandywine River Museum containing works by local artist Andrew Wyeth. Birdwatchers will want to head to the John James Audubon Center in Audubon, PA for nature walks and a visit to their museum.

Just 16 miles from Center City, Ridley Creek State Park in Media offers over 2,000 acres of lawn and forest including several formal gardens, horse stables, and trails, plus the historic 1789 Hunting Hill Mansion. Tyler State Park, located 33 miles from Center City in Newtown, PA offers nature fans hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Just a forty-minute drive from Philly, Valley Forge State Park provides 3,500 acres of rolling hills steeped in American history. 

As we head into the fall season, it’s the perfect time of year to check out our stories on how to be more sustainable this fall and Fall in Love with Philadelphia. If like us you’re also getting ready to prepare your home or urban garden for the winter ahead, we also have some Philly fall gardening tips for you.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

It’s officially the first day of fall –  the perfect time for pumpkin spice lattes, haunted hayrides, and fall home maintenance. While it might take a little more time for the weather to start cooling down, winter is just around the corner, and being prepared can save you time and money. We know managing the care and upkeep of a property is no easy task. Homes require ongoing supervision and maintenance to ensure that everything is working properly but there are some simple things you can do to prevent unexpected and costly repairs during the winter months. Our fall home maintenance checklist includes simple tips to ensure you’re prepared and your home runs smoothly during the winter months ahead.

 

Schedule Furnace or Boiler Maintenance

Schedule Furnace or Boiler Maintenance

Home heating systems involve many complex components. Just like you would change the oil or air filters in a car before a long trip across the country, homeowners should start the winter with a serviced heating system. We recommend contacting a certified heating contractor. An annual service visit usually runs around $100 in the Philadelphia area, while the peace of mind that comes with knowing that a trained professional has given one of your most expensive home mechanical systems a passing grade is priceless. However, for the intrepid DIY-er, we recommend at a minimum, changing the filters for a forced-air heating system, bleeding the radiators for a boiler system, and checking the batteries on your digital thermostat.

Apply Caulk and Weatherstripping to Prevent Drafts

Apply Caulk and Weatherstripping to Prevent Drafts

Keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside by checking to ensure that the weatherstripping around your doors is in good shape. Repair or replace damaged caulk or weatherstripping. Even small gaps can bring in a good amount of cold air. Installing door sweeps in your home this fall can also prevent chills from entering the home through the slim space beneath the door. If you have older windows in your home, you may want to consider picking up a window insulation kit and covering them with plastic insulation. The process takes about ten minutes, a pair of scissors, and a hairdryer, and can keep you feeling cozy all winter long.

Drain the Hose and Shut off the Water Line

Drain the Hose and Shut off the Water Line 

For homeowners with gardens, it’s important to prevent freezing the pipes which supply the hose line. Shut off the access to the hose (in Philadelphia, most water lines are accessed in the basement). Then drain the remaining water and disconnect the hose and bring it inside for the winter.

Empty Flower Pots and Prune Trees

Empty Flower Pots and Prune Trees 

While you’re outside, take some time to empty the soil from your ceramic pots. Rapidly cooling and rising temperatures, which are common during Philadelphia winters, can cause cracking in all sorts of things (roads especially). Protect your pots so you can use them for spring flowers by clearing out the soil and trimming your trees one last time before the winter months.

Clear Gutters and Drains

Clear Gutters and Drains 

For homeowners living in neighborhoods with even a moderate amount of tree cover, it’s important to make sure that gutters are cleared of leaves and debris. A buildup in your gutters can cause issues with the roof (flat roofs in particular) or cause water to spill over the gutter and freeze on the sidewalk, creating a tripping hazard. Also, for homeowners with drains in their front or back yards, it’s important to look and make sure they’re clear of debris. A blocked yard drain can turn your backyard into a skating rink and contribute to clogs in the drain line. You may also want to consider installing gutter guards. While it won’t completely eliminate the need to clean your gutters, they prevent larger items from falling in and can reduce the frequency in which you’ll need to clear them.

Inspect and Replace Winter Supplies

Inspect and Replace Winter Supplies 

Don’t forget to replace old snow shovels, ice scrapers and purchase ice melt before the snowy weather arrives. We recommend seeking out a pet-safe ice melt as some can cause irritation and other issues for our furry friends. If you use a snowblower during the winter, now is the perfect time to inspect it and make sure it’s running smoothly.