Outdoors with Kids Philadelphia: 100 Fun Places to Explore In and Around the City

by Susan Charkes

Overview

Getting the whole family outside and active is easy—as long as you know where to go. This new guide from the outdoor experts at the Appalachian Mountain Club features 100 great outdoor destinations in and around Philadelphia. This guide is packed with advice on how and where to plan successful day trips and outings, as well as tips on the best ages for each destination (including whether a location is stroller-friendly), and options for swimming, paddling, or camping. Each trip includes easy-to-follow driving and public transportation directions, parking details, and information on fees, snacks, bathrooms, and more. Including maps and photographs, and a helpful “Getting Started” chapter, this book is a must-have for local residents and visitors alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781934028742
Publisher:	Appalachian Mountain Club Books MA
Publication date:	03/19/2013
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	426,750
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Susan Charkes is a native of southeastern Pennsylvania where she writes about nature, outdoor recreation, the environment, and sustainability. She is a hike leader with the Appalachian Mountain Club and the author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes Near Philadelphia: Four-season Guide to 50 of the Best Trails in Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. She works in the nonprofit management and communications field.

Table of Contents

Regional Map iv

The "10 Best" Lists ix

At-a-Glance Trip Planner x

Preface xix

Acknowledgments xxi

Introduction xxiii

How to Use This Book xxv

Stewardship and Conservation xxvii

Getting Started xxix

Section 1 Philadelphia

1 Bartram's Garden 2

2 Awbury Arboretum 5

3 Cobbs Creek Park 7

4 John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge 9

5 West Fairmount Park 11

6 Morris Arboretum 14

7 Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse 18

8 Schuylkill Banks & East Fairmount Park 20

9 Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education 23

10 Wissahickon Valley Park 25

11 Pennypack Park 28

12 FDR Park 30

Section 2 Montgomery and Bucks Counties

13 Lorimer Park 34

14 Green Ribbon Trail 36

15 Fort Washington State Park 39

16 Riverbend Environmental Education Center 41

17 Green Lane Park 43

18 Pennypack Preserve 46

19 Curtis Arboretum 48

20 Briar Bush Nature Center 50

21 Schuylkill Canal Park/Lock 60 52

22 Norristown Farm Park 54

23 Evansburg State Park 56

24 John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove 58

25 Rolling Hill Park 61

26 Perkiomen Trail 63

27 Valley Forge National Historical Park 65

28 Silver Lake Nature Center 67

29 Churchville Nature Center 69

30 Peace Valley Park 71

31 Delaware Canal State Park 73

32 Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve 75

33 Core Creek Park 77

34 Five Mile Woods Nature Preserve 79

35 Tyler State Park 81

36 Delaware River 83

37 Tohickon Valley Park/Ralph Stover State Park (High Rocks) 85

38 Nockamixon State Park 88

39 Honey Hollow Environmental Education Center 91

40 Ringing Rocks Park 93

41 Giving Pond Recreation Area 95

Section 3 Lehigh and Northampton Counties

42 Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary 98

43 Lehigh Parkway 100

44 Pool Wildlife Sanctuary 102

45 Trexler Nature Preserve 104

46 Sand Island Park 107

47 Saucon Rail Trail and Lost River Caverns 109

48 Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center 111

Section 4 Berks County

40 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary 114

50 Daniel Boone Homestead 117

51 Blue Marsh Lake 119

52 Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center 121

53 Union Canal Towpath 123

Section 5 Delaware and Chester Counties

54 Newlin Grist Mill 126

55 Haverford College Arboretum 128

56 Taylor Memorial Arboretum 130

57 Ridley Creek State Park 132

58 Smedley Park 135

59 Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens 137

60 Scott Arboretum and Crum Woods 139

61 Marsh Creek State Park 141

62 Struble Trail and Uwchlan Trail 143

63 Harmony Hill Nature Area 145

64 French Creek State Park 147

65 Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site 150

66 Schuylkill River Trail 153

67 Hibernia County Park 155

68 Warwick County Park 157

69 Green Valleys Association at Welkinweir 159

70 Springton Manor Park 161

71 Myrick Conservation Center 163

72 Stroud Preserve 165

Section 6 Delaware

73 White Clay Creek State Park 168

74 Alapocas Run State Park 170

75 Bellevue State Park 172

76 Brandywine Creek State Park 174

77 DuPont Environmental Education Center 176

78 Lums Pond State Park 178

79 Winterthur 181

80 Ashland Nature Center 183

Section 7 New Jersey

81 The Wetlands Institute 186

82 Washington Crossing State Park 188

83 Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association Reserve 190

84 Rancocas Nature Center 193

85 Brendan T. Byrne State Forest/Pakim Pond 195

86 Palmyra Cove Nature Park 197

87 Parvin State Park 199

88 Historic Smithville Park 202

89 Howell Living History Farm 204

90 Glades Wildlife Refuge 206

91 Grounds For Sculpture 209

92 Island Beach State Park 211

93 Duke Farms 213

94 Abbott Marshlands (Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh) 215

95 D&R Canal State Park 218

96 Nature Center of Cape May 220

97 Cattus Island Park (Cooper Environmental Center) 222

98 Cooper River Park 224

99 Atsion Recreation Area and Batsto Village 226

100 Oswego River 229

Essays and Activities

Pick-Your-Own and CSA Farms 4

Naming Names 17

The Pennsylvania Highlands 45

The Original 'Tweet' 60

Rain Dates 87

Apps and Maps 116

Wintering Out 134

History Comes Naturally 152

Camping with Kids 180

Water Borne 201

Appendices

Safety Regulations and Permits 231

Outfitters 235

Index 237

About the Author 241

Appalachian Mountain Club 243

AMC in the Delaware Valley 242

AMC Book Updates 243