Enjoying the Fall in Philly - The Great Outdoors in the City

With the Phillies one win away from another visit to the World Series it's easy to enjoy being in Philadelphia this fall. Making it even better are the numerous options for getting outside to enjoy the changing leaves and natural beauty. This online slideshow from Philadelphia Magazine highlights 9 local options for taking in the autumn beauty. Some of these hikes are within some of Philadelphia's most interesting urban neighborhoods, allowing for a day of hiking followed by a night out on the town all within the same zip code. My personal favorites from this list are:

• The Schuylkill River Trail - starting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this paved trail is great for biking or running and easily accessible from Center City, Fairmount, East Falls, and Manayunk. People-watching along this trail is almost as much fun as checking out its numerous sculpture gardens and skyline vistas (on the West side of the river).
• Forbidden Drive - easy to get to from Manayunk, East Falls, Mt. Airy, or Chestnut Hill, Forbidden Drive offers a great mix of natural beauty and local history. See where the Battle of Germantown was fought, explore historic Rittenhousetown, have brunch at the charming Valley Green Inn, or if you're brave go for a swim in Devil's Pool. For a more strenuous hike take one of the clearly marked trails leading up into the woods on either side of the Wissahickon creek.
• The Manayunk Towpath - located just behind bustling Main Street Manayunk is this historic towpath along the Manayunk Canal. You can follow the towpath from Manayunk through Roxborough and all the way into Montgomery County to Conshohocken and beyond. It's great on foot or on a bike, and you're likely to see fishermen, kayakers, and plenty of fall foliage along the way. If you're thirsty after a long hike Manayunk offers countless options for a refreshing drink, some such as the Manayunk Brewery have outdoor seating right along the canal.

One great place to see nature that isn't on this list is the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Philly. Even though it's just across I-95 from the airport this 1200 acre preserve can seem miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It offers ten miles of hiking and biking trails along with a nature center so that you can learn about the various wildlife you encounter (I've seen turkey, deer, osprey, blue heron, and even snakes). The lake is home to several species of fish as well although my efforts to catch them usually come up short. So, before it gets too much colder get out and enjoy the natural side of Philadelphia.