Once upon a time, Guild House Hotel , the boutique, historic hotel in Philadelphia, was the headquarters for the New Century Guild, a Philly-based club formed in 1882 for the growing number of working women in the city. It was an urban club by definition—created by city dwellers, for city dwellers, many of whom held down jobs that were, yes, in the city.
And yet, as urban-centric as the Guild was, the club’s founder, Eliza Sproat Turner, was also an ardent nature-lover, a woman who believed so deeply in the healing powers of the natural world that she actually founded the Children’s Country Week Association, wherein she and her friends who owned country homes outside the city invited impoverished Philly children for week-long visits, hoping to extend more access to the great outdoors. (At the hotel, you’ll notice that our Eliza suite pays tribute to her passion for the gardens and greenery of the country with lush botanical decor and a mural of the pastoral scenes she loved so much.)
Today, Eliza’s beliefs about nature and its role in people’s well-being feel relevant as ever. And the happy news for those of us without the benefit of a country retreat is that Philadelphia offers several beautiful public gardens and arboretums in and near the city. With fall and cooler weather on the horizon, there’s no better time to plan a visit to some of these most gorgeous outdoor spaces in Philadelphia, to take in the contours and the colors of the gardens and grounds around the city. Here, a list of 10 best bets for your fall outdoor outings in and around Philly… many of which are within a short walk or drive from our historic hotel.
West Philly (roughly 20 minutes by car from Guild House Hotel, our boutique Philly hotel)
Nestled just next to the Schuylkill River in West Philly, this 50-acre National Historic Landmark is named for John Bartram, an 18-century Quaker, friend to Ben Franklin, and plant obsessive who was King George III’s royal botanist here in the colonies. The royal links might have lost their luster over time, but his incredibly lush and beautiful estate remains, and it’s a wonderful place to spend an afternoon wandering the acreage, which features lush, wooded grounds, multiple flower gardens, a medicinal plant display, one of the oldest Ginkgo bilobas in North America, historic homes, a working community vegetable garden, meadows, a tree swing, a fish pond, boats, skyline views, tidal wetlands and more.
Bartram’s Garden: Photo by R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Germantown (roughly 30 minutes by car from Guild House)
Another National Historic Landmark, the Wyck is known for its roses: Roses from China, roses from Europe, roses as old as the 18th Century, something called “mystery roses.” From April through November is open season; grounds are open Tuesdays through Saturdays, and you can take a tour by appointment Thursdays through Saturdays. There’s also a collaboratively run home farm, and an annual fall Honey Festival.
Chestnut Hill (roughly 42 minutes by car from Guild House)
This massive, idyllic arboretum owned and run by Penn has a remarkable collection of trees, of course, but also a sky-high treehouse for kids, the beloved Garden Railway (a miniature train that runs around a quarter-mile track), a swan pond, a picturesque rose garden that’s more than a century old, multiple paths and trails, wildlife and birds, a stickwork sculpture from the famed artist Patrick Doughterty, more than 13,000 labeled plants and loads of wide open space perfect for frolicking, picnicking, napping … you name it. A magical gem worth the visit.
Morris Arboretum: Photo by M. Edlow for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Wayne (roughly 45 minutes by car from Guild House)
Located in a near suburb of Philadelphia, this lovely, 48-acre garden oasis feels straight out of a Jane Austen novel. The former home and estate of the Rosengarten family, the garden today offers visitors an ever-changing display of seasonal and tropical plants to take in. It’s elegant, historic and wildly accessible, with a main path that’s just under a mile in length. (But it’s a breathtaking mile.) The seven full-time horticulturalists are happy to chat and talk about any of the grounds’ plants … or not. You’re also welcome to simply stroll and admire.
Fairmount Park (roughly 20 minutes by car from Guild House)
This quiet stretch of West Fairmount Park includes acres of peaceful grounds, an arboretum and greenhouses. Highlights include Cherry Allée (a row of cherry trees that are pretty in all seasons, but obviously best in the spring), a reflecting pool, the Butterfly Garden, the Pavillion in the Trees, and the Japanese teahouse Shofuso, with a koi pond and beautiful surrounding garden.
Media (roughly 45 minutes by car from Guild House)
The 650-acre arboretum is a popular destination for Philadelphians, offering seasonally changing gardens, woodlands and trees, 17 miles of hiking trails, the requisite historic buildings (the place dates back to the 17th century!), and ample space to wander and breathe the fragrant air. The fall foliage here and goldenrod make for particularly glorious autumn walks.
Tyler Arboretum: Photo by R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Bensalem (roughly 30 minutes by car from Guild House)
This historic home and garden is centered around the Biddle family home—a giant Greek Revival mansion literally called “the Big House at Andalusia,” with breathtaking gardens surrounding it. Evergreens, juniper, wisteria, rose gardens, a peony walk, paperback maples, a stunning, renowned arboretum, and much, much more make for a colorful, elegant public garden and outdoor space with real history and an evolving grace.
Kennett Square (roughly an hour by car from Guild House)
Longwood isn’t just the most famous garden on this list; it’s one of the most famous gardens in America. And no wonder: The sprawling grounds, which were opened to the public in the early 1900s thanks to one of the du Ponts, are jaw-dropping, with forests and fountains (fountains that often feature light/water shows, it’s worth noting), wide open meadows, the palatial Conservatory brimming with greenery, trees, and exotic flowers, plus outdoor topiaries, greenhouses, a lake, a rose garden, peony garden, children’s garden, indoor gardens and outdoor gardens … the list just goes on and on. It’s a local and national treasure, very much worth the trip.
Longwood Gardens: Photo by B. Krist for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Winterthur, DE (roughly 55 minutes by car from Guild House)
Another famous garden brought to us by a du Pont, Winterthur also features a history museum and library. When it comes to the great outdoors, there’s plenty here: 1,000 acres of farm and meadow and stunning views. (Bonus: the Enchanted Woods children’s garden, which is magical!) You can wander the gardens on foot or hop on the narrated tram ride, which runs through December. It’s a fascinating, stunning place loaded with cool history: When H.F. du Pont won the Garden Club of America Medal of Honor in 1956, the Winterthur site notes, the club called him “one of the best, even the best, gardeners this country has ever produced.”
New Hope (roughly 52 minutes by car from Guild House)
This 134-acre preserve has something for everyone: Trails, trees, ponds, wetlands, woods, and, yes, wildflowers galore. It’s also the nation’s only living museum dedicated to native plants, and it makes for a beautiful place to hike or stroll, as well as a good spot to buy plants, as there’s an on-site seasonal nursery. Not surprisingly, this place really shines in the fall months, too.
