Philadelphia and its environs are chock full of hidden gems and great adventures.  Start by taking a walk or jog along Kelly Drive, which extends west starting from the Art Museum to the Twin Bridges, bordered by the Schuylkill River and Fairmount Park.  With sights along the way like Boathouse Row, and over 2 dozen displays of statues and art, it’s a great place to rollerblade, have a picnic, watch the rowing teams on the river, or just soak in the rays and the beauty.  Boathouse Row includes about a dozen boathouses built in the late 19th century, and presently is home to the local rowing clubs of Philadelphia.  An especially pretty sight to see at night, when the houses are all lit up gingerbread style, reflecting upon the Schuylkill and Bringo Rivers.  Best vantage point – at the refurbished Water Works, behind the Art Museum.

Fairmount Park , at 9200 acres, is one of the largest city park systems in the world.  Much natural beauty to explore, and historic sites and architecture, as well.  There are 215 miles of well-marked hiking paths through the park, with the most popular being Forbidden Drive (where no cars are allowed), which runs along Wissahickon Creek.  Bikes, strollers, dogs on leashes are all welcome. 

The Philadelphia Zoo, on 3400 West Girard Avenue, is America’s first zoo, and home to over 1600 animals, on 42 acres.

Eastern State Penitentiary, at 22nd Street & Fairmount Avenue, is a closed down prison that offers tours of its beautiful architecture and old rusting cells, including its death row cells.  During Halloween, it is turned into a massive haunted house.  Creepy.  Al Capone slept here.   

Speaking of creepy, the Mutter Museum, on 19 South 22nd Street, is a must-see for seekers of incredible medical anomalies.  Ever see the world’s largest colon?  Or Siamese twins joined at the liver? 

In Northeast Philadelphia, on 8046 Frankford Avenue, is the Insectarium, and, as its name implies, is all about insects.  Kids love this place, as do the adults. 

Attention all handicappers:  the thoroughbreds are racing at Philadelphia Park, in Bensalem, just north of Northeast Philly.  Open 7 days a week.

North of the city, on East Court Street in Doylestown, is an incredible, one-of-a-kind, fairytale-like concrete castle called Fonthill Museum.  Built in 1912, it was the home of Henry Mercer, a homegrown tile maker, historian, and collector.  A visit to the museum is a unique experience. 

Further north, about an hour outside of Philadelphia, is New Hope, in beautiful Bucks County.  A charming village along the Delaware Rive and Delaware Canal, with scores of cute shops, galleries, restaurants, inns, and the Bucks County Playhouse for theater.

Back in Philly, further west along the Schuylkill River, is the section of town known as Manayunk.  Full of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, it’s a fun place to spend some time.   

Historic Chestnut Hill, in northwest Philadelphia, along Germantown Avenue between 7600 and 8700, is very quaint, with much shopping, dining, historic buildings and homes, and cobblestone streets.  Morris Arboretum, on 100 East Northwest Avenue, includes over 90 acres of gardens and beautiful landscapes.

About an hour and a half ride west of Philly is Lancaster County, with lovely farms and backroads, and home to the Amish and Mennonites.  A half hour’s ride further west is the town of Hershey, the chocolate capitol of the world, and a resort destination. 

Also about an hour’s ride northwest is Reading, the “outlet capitol of the world.”

 South of Philadelphia, in southern Chester County is the Brandywine Valley, a beautiful area that includes many trails, wineries, and historic landmarks.  For nature and garden lovers, don’t miss Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, and Winterthur Estate. 

A trip to the Philadelphia area would not be complete without a visit to Valley Forge National Park, where George Washington and his army camped for 6 months through a brutal, harsh winter in 1788.  A national historic landmark.

Across the Delaware River from downtown Philadelphia lies the city of Camden, home of the Tweeter Center for concerts, the Aquarium, and Campbell Field, where the River Sharks minor league baseball team plays.  You can reach Camden over the Ben Franklin Bridge or on the RiverLink ferry. 

A trip to the Jersey shore from Philadelphia is as short as one hour to Atlantic City, for boardwalk and casino action, or as long as two and a half hours to Victorian Cape May.  There are dozens of beach towns, each with their own unique flavor.  Also in the area is the Brigantine Wildlife Preserve, for birdlovers everywhere.

A trip to Philadelphia and its peripheries can really be a trip of a lifetime.  Enjoy!