Need an escape for some fresh air? Let GoPhillyGo and SEPTA get you there!
SEPTA gets us to many places we aren’t thrilled about going to like work, doctor’s visits, and grocery shopping. It’s easy to forget that Philadelphia has a very extensive network of buses and trains that will take you all over the city and suburbs. That means wherever you are, there is a SEPTA route that will get you out of the concrete jungle and into some green space. This is particularly true if you have access to a bike and use GoPhillyGo.org to help you combine modes.
The best part is that many of these trips can be done with little planning. A long lunch in Center City can easily be turned into a visit to the Gray’s Ferry Crescent Trail and Park or even down to FDR Park. GoPhillyGo wants you to know that you aren’t trapped, and at any instant, you can jump on a bus and be on your way to a relaxing outdoor visit.
We put together a list of some parks with easy connections to public transit. Click the links for more info and directions. These are only a few of the amazing destinations you can reach by SEPTA, so be sure to use GoPhillyGo to plan your trip and learn more about great destinations in Philadelphia and beyond!
Gray’s Ferry Crescent--Route 12 Bus
This somewhat hidden trail and park is tucked between the Gray’s Ferry Ave and 34th St bridges in South Philadelphia. The route 12 bus runs crosses center city heading west along Spruce, 7th and Walnut Streets. Once you get on it’s only a few minutes until you arrive at the entrance to the park at the foot of the Gray’s Ferry Bridge. The park is small, so you can explore the whole place in a short amount of time. Check out the metal pier that extends into the river for an amazing view of the skyline.
Wissahickon and Schuylkill Trails--Route 9 Bus
The 9 Bus is one of 11 routes that will get you to the Wissahickon Transportation Center located at the junction of the Schuylkill and Wissahickon Trails. The 9 bus crosses Center City along Walnut Street before getting on the Schuylkill expressway and heading to East Falls. Once you arrive, you can head West on the Schuylkill Trail through Manayunk and out to Montgomery County, or follow the creek into Wissahickon Valley Park to other exciting destinations like the Wissahickon Environmental Center and the statue of Tedyuscung.
Penn Treaty Park--Route 43 Bus
Penn Treaty Park is located on the spot historically accepted as the place William Penn signed a treaty of Peace with the Native Americans who called Fishtown and Northern Liberties home. Today it’s a well manicured waterfront park that the Route 43 bus drops you off right in front of. The large grass field is ideal for lounging on blankets, and access to to the Delaware River allows anglers to try their luck catching catfish and striped bass as they migrate through this part of the Delaware Estuary.
Cobbs Creek Trail--Market-Frankford Line
Take the MFL to 63rd Street, and you are at the northern trailhead of the 3.7 mile long Cobb’s Creek Trail. This paved greenway winds through Southwest Philadelphia and in and out of Delaware County before ending near 70th Street. Once you are on the trail you will pass forests, meadows, and the winding Cobb’s Creek. Check out the Cobb’s Creek Community Environmental Education Center, and learn more about the plants and animals that call this watershed home.
Silver Lake Nature Center--RR Trenton Line
Many suburban nature centers and parks aren’t as simple to get to as city parks. Silver Lake Park and Nature Center is one of the easier suburban parks to visit if you live in Philadelphia, You will find recreational areas, a nature center, and acres of preserved natural habitat just outside of Bristol Borough. Take the Trenton Regional Rail Line to the Bristol station, and the park is a short walk or even shorter bike ride from there. The park is home to many species of birds including great horned owls and great blue herons.
