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Wissahickon Valley Park
Located in the Northwest section of the city, the Wissahickon has been a hot spot for over a century and a half.
Long before it became a Park, this picturesque ravine inspired and rejuvenated tourists, painters, writers,
photographers and Philadelphians from all walks of life. Stretching for seven miles, this steep river gorge
encompasses 1,400 acres. Did you know that the Wissahickon was the first piece of publicly owned U.S. land to be
preserved mainly because of its scenic attributes? The likes of Edgar Allen Poe and the famous landscape painter,
Thomas Moran, were drawn to it and we bet you will too.
The Wissahickon offers the only red covered bridge in any major city. Seek out the modern weathering steel bridge
known as the Fingerspan. Wander the upper trails and see if you can find The Indian and Toleration
statues nestled into the craggy gorge walls. Dine creekside at the
Valley Green Inn - a welcoming spot since the
1850s. Join the locals on the 5.42 mile Forbidden Drive and discover the
WPA shelter buildings from the 1930s and
the city's first drinking fountain (for man and beast alike!). Hike to Lover's Leap, Mom Rinker's Rock and
Devil's Pool. Intrigued? The Wissahickon's legends and lore are waiting to be discovered. Sit beside one of
the creek's last remaining dams from the Wissahickon's important industrial past and be thankful the trees grew
back. Take in two of the valley's favorite pastimes - fishing in the stocked stream and climbing Livezey Rock.
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