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Photo: Tony Webb/City of Philadelphia

East & West Fairmount Parks

The dividing line between East and West Fairmount Parks is the Schuylkill River. These parks run from the mouth of the Wissahickon Creek, south to Center City. Whether you're into history or are just looking for some scenic backdrops, come to East and West Fairmount Park for their extraordinary collection of 18th century historic houses, their scenic vistas, beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and cultural icons.

Participate in special events and recreational activities, admire the latest world-class art exhibits, or watch the antics of lions, polar bears and other residents of the Philadelphia Zoo. Your exercise options include cycling, walking and in-line skating along paved paths, hiking and horseback riding on dirt trails, athletic fields, recreational facilities, tennis and basketball courts and areas for picnicking. So, get geared up and come on out!

East Park

Looking for the fabled wooden slide at Smith Memorial Playground, legendary Boathouse Row, Frederick Remington's famed Cowboy statue or the world-renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art? You'll find them all in East Park. Check out these other points of interest too:

Academy of Natural Sciences
33rd Street Driving Range
Fairmount Water Works
Franklin Institute
Hatfield House
Laurel Hill Mansion
Lemon Hill Mansion
Lloyd Hall
Mount Pleasant Mansion
Ormiston Mansion
Robin Hood Dell East
Rockland Mansion
Rodin Museum
Strawberry Mansion
Woodford Mansion

West Park

In addition to many other "firsts", Philadelphia hosted our nation's first World Fair - the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 - in Fairmount Park's West Park. This celebration honoring our country's 100th birthday drew a quarter of the U.S. population. Major attractions included 249 buildings, 800 machinery exhibits, the arm of the Statute of Liberty, 2-1/2 miles of exhibited art and the unveiling of Alexander Graham Bell's telephone and Thomas Edison's telegraph.

Today, West Park's attractions include the legendary Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Memorial Hall (the Centennial's only major remaining building, city's first art museum and future home to the Please Touch Museum), the verdant Horticulture Center and the unique Japanese House and Garden. Remember to include the secret "whispering benches" and the breathtaking view from Belmont Plateau on your visit to West Park. These other points of interest are awaiting your discovery too!

Belmont Mansion
Cedar Grove Mansion
Chamounix Youth Hostel
Ohio House
Philadelphia Zoo
Recycling Center
Ridgeland Mansion
Solitude
Sweetbriar Mansion

   
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