Fairmount Park
An endless adventure awaits your family in this urban oasis.
At a glance
- Price
- Free
- Ages
- 0-18 years
- Location
- Fairmount Park
- Setting
- outdoor
- Time
- ~2 hours
- Signup
- Drop-in
What to know
- •This is huge — don't try to "do Fairmount Park" in one trip.
- •Pick a destination: Smith Playground for little kids (free, 10 and under, Tue-Sun), the Zoo for a full day, or the Wissahickon trails for older kids who can hike.
- •Smith Playground is the crown jewel for families — the Giant Wooden Slide alone is worth the trip, and the indoor Playhouse is open year-round.
- •Free parking at Smith Playground.
- •The MLK Drive side is great for biking with kids on weekends when the road is closed to cars.
- •Treetop Quest is fun for school-age kids but costs extra.
- •Lloyd Hall near Boathouse Row has restrooms and is a good starting point for river trail walks.
More details
One of the largest urban parks in the country — 2,000+ acres of trails, playgrounds, and landmarks
Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban green spaces in the United States, spanning over 2,000 acres of trails, woodlands, wetlands, and rolling hills divided into East and West sections by the Schuylkill River. Family highlights include Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse (free, with the iconic 44-foot Giant Wooden Slide), the Philadelphia Zoo, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Treetop Quest aerial adventure course, historic Colonial-era mansions, Boathouse Row, and miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The park also hosts seasonal concerts, festivals, and outdoor events throughout the year.
