Tips on local leaf-peeping for the prettiest autumn in years.
Now that summer is well in our rearview mirror, the road ahead is full of dazzling scenery. Axios reports that while unusually hot, dry conditions across much of the Northeast are likely to dull seasonal fireworks overall, here in southeastern PA we’ve enjoyed ample precipitation from storms coming up the coast. As a result, forecasters expect us to see some of the most exceptional fall foliage in recent history. 🙌🍂🍁✨ 👀
Indeed, weather is a big factor in how bright a tree’s leaves will be when they turn. Too wet, too dry, too hot, too cold – leaves will die and go brown, which makes for a very lackluster display. Brilliant fall colors depend on a gradual breakdown of green-pigmented chlorophyll, allowing the leaf’s natural red, yellow, and orange hues to shine through.
The magic formula for peak autumn splendor, according to those who know at the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum, is a mixture of sunny and rainy days with cool (but not freezing) nights. Experts are optimistic that factors are aligning perfectly! By late October/early November, our woods should be awash in stunning scarlets, golds, and auburns. Now’s the time to plan an autumn adventure, and the good news is we don’t even have to leave town.
Philly has some truly standout spots for fall foliage. Wissahickon Valley Park is a classic choice, with its rustic trails, historic architecture, and long, winding creek reflecting the fiery hues above. Drink it all in from Forbidden Drive, a wide road of packed, level gravel stretching a little over five miles from Germantown to Chestnut Hill through the Wissahickon’s famously beautiful scenery.
Walk, bike, ride a horse (!), the trail follows the creek where you’ll find old bridges, peaceful beaches, and stunning overlooks. Edgar Allen Poe once suggested that if anywhere in England was this lovely, all their poets would never shut up about it. 🤭 Convenient access points, parking, picnic areas (and even an iconic restaurant, too).
Fairmount Park is another favorite, offering acres of colorful leaves with sweeping city backdrops. Belmont Plateau at this time of year is downright magical: an unobstructed view of Philly’s glittering skyline framed in vivid autumn hues. Around Strawberry Mansion, it’s like walking into a painting! Vibrant, leafy patchwork along storybook paths through grand architecture from another era.
Nearby at the Discovery Center, an unexpected hidden sanctuary awaits, where a decommissioned reservoir is now a tranquil lake surrounded by nature and teeming with wildlife. Follow a gentle wood-chipped path that loops about a mile along the waterline, where fall’s showy colors shimmer in reflection. Free to the public, and open daily (except Monday). PRO TIP: Borrow a pair of binoculars for free from the Visitors Center, where you can learn about the incredible variety of birds seen here.
Head to the river for expansive, breathtaking views of the Art Museum, Boat House Row, and the Fairmount Water Works. To cover more ground, grab a set of wheels and explore the Schuylkill River Trail, which follows the path of the defunct Pennsylvania Railroad. This (mostly) flat, paved trail can take you all the way from Philly to Valley Forge National Park which is not just a fantastic destination for autumn scenery, but it’s also a unique historic site where you can walk in George Washington‘s footsteps. Check out the park’s popular 5.6 mile loop through rolling hills and Revolutionary War encampments!
Closer to home, the SRT has an entrance to Laurel Hill Cemetery, a sprawling, rustic necropolis dotted with fantastical monuments dating back to the 1830s. Cross over the Manayunk Bridge trail to Cynwyd Heritage trail, where you’ll find the entrance to 200+ more acres of Laurel Hill, a bona fide arboretum where every tree is tended to perfection (and seasonal spectacles can be most impressive).
What’s your perspective on Philly in the fall? Share your favorite photos on East Falls Images, a public Facebook group that celebrates this picturesque corner of NW Philly.
Farther Afield: Spice up your leaf peeping with true crime and local history here. 🕵️🍂🍁
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