WATCH: The Wissahickon Looks Beautiful in the Fall

A video by Cory and Lauren Popp.



The videomakers write:

Truth is, the park may be, as the Friends of the Wissahickon say, a “magnet for all types of outdoor enthusiasts,” but the attraction I have to the Wissahickon is its accessibility, and the quiet that I find once I’m there. Living in 4 different neighborhoods of the city has not stopped me from finding my way to the park. Personally, biking down Kelly Drive, passing Boathouse Row, and riding alongside the Schuylkill River is my favorite route, but the possibilities are endless. Using City Hall as a starting point, the southernmost end of the park is 6.5 miles away, just a 16-minute scenic drive on Kelly Drive. The park is also accessible by multiple buses. Or, if you’re really adventurous, you and your companion for the day could rent a tandem bike or a modern surrey to peddle your way there.

No matter how you arrive at the park, there’s no contest—it is the quietest place in all of Philadelphia. It may be the perfect place for outdoor activities, but it is also ideal for journaling, taking photos, resting, or just thinking. Once you’ve walked deep into the woods on your favorite trail, having convinced yourself no one else knows about it, or you‘ve biked as far as you can go on Forbidden Drive, take a seat and rest amongst the trees or beside the babbling creek and I guarantee you will never want to leave. The sounds of Wissahickon Valley Park are tranquil enough to drown out the noise of city life, leaving you with just enough room to process the beauty all around.