Escape the heat with a trip to a forest. No car required
Parks and trails provide a cool place to escape the summer heat. In fact, temperatures are significantly cooler in forests with thick tree canopies, even on the hottest days. Fortunately, Philly has greenspaces of all sizes, all over the city, and SEPTA gives you an air conditioned connection to these parks and many more. That means you’re just a short ride away from relaxing in nature, and GoPhillyGo can help you get there!
Just download the GoPhillyGo Android app or save the GoPhillyGo mobile site to your device to get easy walking, biking, and transit directions to parks, trails, and much more.
Here are a few of our favorite places to cool off in the shade and some fun events and tips for commuting sustainably. Make sure you visit www.gophillygo.org to find even more parks, trails, and family friendly events. Stay hydrated and remember to commute sustainably with GoPhillyGo.
Carpenter Woods
Take the Route 53 bus to the entrance at Sedgewick Street and Wayne Avenue, and explore this incredible greenspace. Carpenter’s Woods is an important bird habitat, and an excellent spot to see birds that live here all year and birds traveling along the Atlantic flyway.
Plan a trip to Carpenter's Woods
Cresheim Trail
Enter the trail where the creek crosses under Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill, and follow the creek as it winds through the forest before meeting up with the Wissahickon Creek. Find “The Grotto” and enjoy the view from the cliffs above the Cresheim Creek.
Plan a trip to the Cresheim Trail
Pennypack Park
Learn about the park at the nature center, then explore over 9 miles of paved trail in Northeast Philadelphia, and even more unpaved trail in Montgomery County. Visit fun destinations along the way including Lorimer Park and Pennypack on the Delaware.
John James Audubon Center
The Center has three nearby Circuit Trails connecting it to Philadelphia and towns all over Montgomery County. Explore this important bird sanctuary and relax under the trees by the Perkiomen Creek.
Plan a trip to the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove
Schuylkill Center
Take SEPTA or use the Schuylkill River Trail to get to the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Northwest Philadelphia. Hike along steep cliffs then enjoy a shaded walk through the forest along the center’s trails.
Plan a trip to the Schuylkill Center
Read our blog and watch our interview with Angie Wenger, Director of Southeast PA Centers at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove.
https://gophillygo.org/learn/watch-john-james-audubon-center/
Learn about ways to be active outdoors this Summer
https://gophillygo.org/learn/ride-indego-bike-local-park-or-trail/
https://gophillygo.org/learn/stay-cool-in-parks-and-forests-this-summer/
https://gophillygo.org/learn/gophillygo-can-help-you-plan-trip-jersey-shore/
