The City of Brotherly Love and our nation's first capital is home to an abundance of history and attractions. If touring Independence Hall or seeing the former residence of Betsy Ross is not what you have in mind, the city of Philadelphia has many recreation options, which include several park attractions.
Located across the street from City Hall in Philadelphia, Love Park at JFK Plaza was built in the 1960s and is used as a common area for city dwellers. In the late 1980s, Love Park became known as more than just a gathering place. Some skateboarding teenagers accidentally founded what would become one of the nation's premier skate parks. The unique design and curved architecture of the sidewalks and natural features of the park make for a far better skating area than anywhere with manufactured ramps and such. The place became so recognized for skating that ESPN eventually relocated their X Games here for two years. Despite loud outcries from skaters and supporters of the iconic skate park, the city banned skating in Love Park in 2002.
Franklin Square Park is a newer attraction in historic Philadelphia, but it only exists because of a design by one of its most famous historical citizens. Located at the corner of Sixth and Race streets, Franklin Square was part of William Penn's original design for the city. The square has undergone considerable changes over the years and is now a warm-weather attraction for families, hosting activities for children, according to VisitPhilly.com.
Visitors to this park, renamed for Benjamin Franklin in 1825, can take advantage of its newest additions, including a mini golf course, a carousel and automated benches that tell the history of the square and the surrounding community. In the center of the park is the Franklin Square Fountain, which has been there since its construction in 1838.
The Philadelphia Zoological Park is one of the city's major attractions. Not only does it appeal to the interests of animal lovers, but it is also historically significant. The Philadelphia Zoo was the nation's first zoological park. The facility opened in 1874, a decade after the Civil War. The original plan was to open in the 1850s, but delays and then the outbreak of the war delayed the process some 15 years.
Today, the zoo is a beautiful Victorian style garden that houses more than 1,300 animals, according to the zoo's website. Many of the zoo's residents are endangered species.
The zoo feature attractions include the cheetah, hippo and giraffe enclosures, which help make the Philadelphia Zoo the city's most visited family attraction with more than 1.2 million visitors walking through the gates annually.
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-243-1100
philadelphiazoo.org
Ten percent of the total land area of the City of Philadelphia is comprised of a massive park system known as Fairmount Park. This 9,200-acre green space within the urban sprawl of Philadelphia contains 63 neighborhood parks and includes such notable locations and Franklin D. Roosevelt Park, Pennypack Park and the historic Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River, where 15 boathouses of rowing clubs offer a unique historical tour. Fairmount Park is one of the nation's largest urban parks, according to the Fairmount Park System website. It is owned and operated by the City of Philadelphia.
In 1777 and 1778, the Continental Army made winter camp in Valley Forge and endured many hardships. Today, the area just outside of Philadelphia where the Army persevered is a national historic park open to the public. Visitors to Valley Forge can tour the park aboard the Revolutionary Shuttle, see a summer re-enactment by actors portraying the Continental Army troops or assist National Park Service archaeologists with a dig at the former headquarters of General George Washington.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
1400 North Outer Line Dr.
King of Prussia, PA 19406
nps.gov
