5 Best Gardens to Explore in the Fall in Philadelphia

Whether you’re looking to take in the blazing fall foliage or want to learn about native plants and flowers, there is no lack of gardens to explore in and around Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is America’s Garden Capital, after all! And with a Passport, explore 37 local gardens and collect stamps, stickers, code words and more.

Read on to learn about the five best gardens in the fall in Philadelphia.

1. Morris Arboretum

The University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum boasts over 11,000 varieties of plants.

During your visit, walk among the trees on their 50-foot-high canopy walk or enjoy the magic of the Holiday Garden Railway. The Railway features over a quarter-mile of model railroad tracks set up in the winter garden of the Arboretum.

Morris Arboretum also offers several classes and events throughout the fall, including guided tours, story time for children, and celebrations of history and heritage.

2. Bartram’s Garden

Bartram’s Garden is situated on 50 acres in Southwest Philadelphia on the Schuylkill River. It is home to America’s oldest preserved botanic garden.

They feature several celebrations throughout the fall, including Indigenous People’s Day and Harvest Fest, as well as classes and guided walks on their Mile Trail.

Bartram’s Garden is also a great place to go bird-watching! More than 100 species of birds live in the gardens.

3. Longwood Gardens

Perhaps the largest and most well-known garden in this list is Longwood Gardens. People come from around the region and surrounding states to visit nearly 400 acres of flowers, trees, and shrubs.

During the fall, join in their Chrysanthemum Festival and celebrate this quintessential fall flower. See the multitude of varieties, colors, and shapes that the Longwood gardeners have nurtured into bloom.

You can also visit the Garden Railway for some family fun. These are made up of 500 feet of model train tracks that are surrounded by stunning foliage and flowers.

4. Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens

This garden offers a multitude of classes and programs throughout the fall. They also have a Garden Shop where you can browse and buy fall-blooming flowers and plants.

As fall winds down and the holidays start approaching, join Jenkins Arboretum for its annual Winter Luminary Nights. Bundle up and walk through the lantern-lit gardens while enjoying a hot chocolate.

5. Tyler Arboretum

This arboretum offers 17 miles of hiking trails on 650 acres of protected woodland. Just a 30-minute drive west of Philadelphia, these gardens date back all the way to 1681!

You can walk among the fall blooms in their seasonally-changing gardens, take a guided tour, or relax with an outdoor yoga class.

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to get outdoors as the leaves change color and the weather gets a little chillier. Explore one or all of these Philadelphia gardens and enjoy what nature has to offer this fall.

Cover photo: Morris Arboretum. Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

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