A Guide to Philadelphia in the Fall

Now that I've taken my last trip down the shore for the summer, it's time to break out the cozy sweaters and brace myself for the first bout of chilled air. There is something so comforting to me about the smell of decomposing leaves and the way they crunch under your boots as you walk along the cobblestones. It's the miniature gourds and pumpkins of varying sizes that sit on stoops of the rowhouses throughout Philadelphia that mark the first signs of the fall season.

Fall is glorious in the City of Brotherly Love. Suddenly students are back in school and everything is pumpkin spice. Fall means the Philadelphia Phillies are still playing games just about every night and the beloved Eagles step out onto the field for what always is an emotional season for the fans.

If you identify as an indoorsy or an outdoorsy person, there is something for you to enjoy in Philly in the fall. Because the city is so flat, walking through the various neighborhoods is quite pleasant. Stop by a local café and enjoy your favorite warm fall beverage while taking in the historical sites all over Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States. If you're paying close enough attention, you will find blue plaques around the city identifying these various sites.

In Old City, you will find a plaque dedicated to A.J. Drexel. The sign reads, "Anthony J. Drexel (1826–1893). Entrepreneur and philanthropist, Drexel created the world's first trans-Atlantic banking network from an office first located here [3rd and Chestnut]. It financed many U.S. railroads and businesses of the industrial era. Founder of Drexel University."

Philadelphia is home to Fairmount Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. There are over 2,000 acres of green space where you can hike, bike, horseback ride, picnic, fish, and even attend a concert with a view of the city skyline.

There is nothing like being outside in the crisp autumn air. Philadelphia is home to Fairmount Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. There are over 2,000 acres of green space where you can hike, bike, horseback ride, picnic, fish, and even attend a concert with a view of the city skyline. An outdoor concert in the park is a perfect way to spend a Friday evening in the fall!

For the indoorsy people out there, the city has loads to offer. If you are a foodie, the Philadelphia restaurant scene is diverse and eclectic. With Lancaster County less than 100 miles away, chefs across the city take advantage of the fresh, seasonal produce that comes from the farms across central Pennsylvania. The farm-to-table movement has come to life here. A trip through Reading Terminal Market is always an adventure too. There are vendors of all kinds varying from the famous Philadelphia Bassett's Ice Cream, which has been around since 1861, to some of the best cheesesteaks you'll find in the city. Tasting your way through Philly is my recommendation!

Regardless of the season there is always something fun to do in Philadelphia. However, the fall has a particular excitement when it arrives because a new school year begins. With over 250,000 college students living in Philadelphia, there is a pulse of energy through the city when the students get back to campus. The best study break for students in Philadelphia is a new adventure in the city!