The seasons are changing and that means that leaf peeping season is finally here. To experience every ounce of outdoor beauty that the fall brings, here are some of the best spots for foliage in Philadelphia and beyond.
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is home to some of Philly’s most beloved attractions including the Philadelphia Zoo, historic mansions, the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, and the Shofuso Japanese House and Gardens. Spanning 2,050-acres, the historic park is home to over 50 miles worth of hiking trails where you can get the best views of the area’s fall foliage in 2025.
Historic Bethlehem museums and sites
Historic Bethlehem not only offers visitors the opportunity to check out three centuries of American history, it also is a prime leaf-peeping destination for travelers who want to head outside of the City of Brotherly Love. The area offers visitors the chance to check out its scenes through a self-guided tour featuring 19 historic buildings, 20 acres of land and two National Historic Landmarks. If that wasn’t enough to sell you on this destination, the area was also nominated to the U.S. Tentative List for World Heritage Designation just a few years ago.
505 Main St., Bethlehem, historicbethlehem.org
Morris Arboretum
Imagine walking through a gorgeous Victorian-era garden while admiring the colors, sights and sounds of fall. That is precisely the experience you get when you take a trip to Morris Arboretum. Known as the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the public garden and grounds offer its own take on the great outdoors to ultimately, “bridge an understanding of the relationship between plants, people and place through education, research and horticultural display.”
Everywhere you turn, you’re not quite sure what to expect, with floral arrangements, historic buildings on the ground, and unique fixtures (such as their own fernery). It is definitely a venue like you’ve never seen before. And that idea is made apparent when looking at perhaps the most eye-catching display on the venue, the Garden Railway.
100 E. Northwestern Ave., morrisarboretum.org
Independence Hall
It might be the cobblestone streets, old taverns, or revolutionary timed attractions, but being at the epicenter of our nation’s existence is the best place to be when you’re in the mood for some fall foliage.
520 Chestnut St., nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/independencehall
New Hope
Bucks County was dubbed the No. 1 Fall Foliage Destination in the U.S. for 2024 (by Priceline), and a great way to experience just that is by visiting the charming town of New Hope. Some outdoor activities span a historic covered bridge tour, a private hot air balloon ride, a scenic drive along River Road / Route 32, a ride through the countryside on the New Hope Railroad fall foliage excursion, a visit to Washington Crossing Historic Park, ways to jog, walk or bike along the tree-lined 60-mile towpath in Delaware Canal State Park, and more.
While there, Philadelphians can opt to make it an overnight stay by booking at the Ghost Light Inn or the Carriage House of New Hope. With the former, the 12-room boutique hotel offers a perfect stay for you and your furry friend (its fido friendly), and it’s also the home of the popular restaurant, Stella of New Hope. And with the latter, the venue boasts three suites total all with river-facing balconies for panoramic views of the fall foliage. The largest suite, Room 13, is two floors offering a fully functional in-room chef’s kitchen, plus a sitting room complete with a fireplace. All suites boast deluxe king beds and concierge service, a release notes.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain has plenty to see, and once here, visitors will get a charming view of the wild bird sanctuary located along the Appalachian flyway. Typically, the sanctuary is a hotspot for hikers, birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, and that sentiment is elevated even more in the fall season. The 8-mile trail system there is open for everyone through the new accessible trail through the South Lookout. The official trail map is also located on Discover Lehigh Valley’s website.
1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, discoverlehighvalley.com
Lehigh Valley Covered Bridge Tour
Lehigh Valley holds seven of the 200+ covered bridges in Pennsylvania built in the 1800s, all of which are welcoming visitors—especially during this picturesque season. This driveable tour covers 50 miles, but that’s not the only route that passengers can take when looking for some scenic fall scenes.
According to a release, Philadelphians can also cruise along Route 611 to explore the Slate Belt’s fall foliage covering dozens of small towns including Nazareth and Bangor. Then hike, bike or walk the four-mile John M. Mauser Nature Education Trail System in Lower Mount Bethel Township. To catch a picturesque fall sunset glistening against the foliage, leaf peepers can also traverse the rolling hills of Lookout Drive and Mountain Drive near Lehigh University. The downloadable brochure is available at discoverlehighvalley.com/things-to-do/tours/covered-bridge-tour.
