Visitors Guide: Parks & outdoors

Fairmount Park
Fairmount
Fairmount Park is one of Philadelphia's biggest public space. It's got 9,000 acres of trails, fields, waterways, and more. There's plenty of facilities to play baseball, go mountain biking, fishing, have a picnic, go hiking, or play a game of soccer.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park 
South Philadelphia
This park is a great place for all sorts of summer activities. The park is located across from the sports stadiums which makes it a magnet for Philly tailgaters.

Rittenhouse Square Park
Rittenhouse, Center City
The centrally located Philly park is perfect for people watching in any weather, but when the sun starts to shine it gets packed with picnic-ers, dog walkers, tanners, yogis, street performers and Frisbee throwers. If you're hungry for a bite there are plenty of delicious restaurants with outdoor seating that line the park – most notably French restaurant  Parc.

Penn Park 
University City
If exercising is your top priority, Penn Park is the premier place to go. Located in the western part of Philadelphia in University City (home to Penn and Drexel campuses), this green spot features tracks, sporting fields, and picnicking areas.

Dilworth Plaza
1 South 15th St. (Center City)
On the west side of City Hall sits Dilworth Plaza. This newly renovated park features places for people to dine (Philly chef Jose Garces' Rosa Blanca Café), read a book, cool off in the dancing water fountain and you can even ice skate during the winter time. There is also a calendar of fitness and entertainment activities that take place throughout the year.

Franklin Square
Center City, Callowhill
Visit one of Philadelphia's original squares and shoot some holes on their Philadelphia-themed mini golf course, take a ride on the carousel, or grab some lunch at Square Burger. Their milkshakes are the perfect cool off remedy – try their signature Cake Shake, which is made with Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets. Yum!

Penn Treaty Park
1341 N. Delaware Ave. (Delaware Waterfront, Fishtown)
This beautiful, medium-sized park lies next to the Delware River and is the perfect place to run your dog, play on the playground, or sit waterside and take in a beuatiful day.

Liberty Lands
926 N. American St. (Northern Liberties)
This isn't your typical manicured city park. Liberty Lands is overflowing with community spirit and lush greens that are kept up by locals. Warmer weather brings flea markets, festivals, outdoor performances, and plenty of kid-friendly events. There's a colorful playground, a community garden and plenty of room to throw a Frisbee with fido.

Schuylkill River Park 
Center City, University City
The park sits along the Schuylkill River and includes a playground for kids, a dog park, a community garden, basketball courts, and picnic areas for adventurous eaters.

Columbus Square Park 
1200 Wharton St. (Passyunk Square)
Free fenced in dog park allows pups to run wild. The park also features tree stumps for your pooch to play on.

Manayunk Dog Park of Pretzel Park 
4300 Silverwood St. (Manayunk)
A smaller space — still ample for numerous dogs of all sizes — with a newly repaired gate. The park also hosts dog-friendly events throughout the year.

Penn's Landing Dog Park
Between Delaware Ave. and the river at Market St. (Penn's Landing)
Divided into sections, separating dogs by size. Utilize the on-hand waste bags and water stations.

Orianna Hill Park
Poplar & N. Orianna Streets (Northern Liberties)
This privately owned park thrives on the memberships of people in the neighborhood. You cannot bring your pooch here if it's not registered with the park, no puppies younger than 4-months, no unneutered dogs under 8-months old, and no highly aggressive dogs.