As part of a wonderful birthday gift, Brit got me tickets to go see the Eagles beat Washington on a Thursday Night Football game, en route to winning the Super Bowl. As a result, we got to do something we have been meaning to do for a while, the City Hall Tower Tour, since it is only offered on weekdays.
Philadelphia City Hall is one of the grandest buildings ever built and it is the tallest structure ever built without a steel superstructure. 88 million bricks build up the tower, with the highest point being made of old ironwork. The initial city plan by William Penn himself stated that the land that city hall is located on must be a park. As part of an agreement to build this structure, they worked to maintain the land as a park. This special building is surrounded by a large amount of park space, and there are even corridors under the building and in its courtyards that are used specifically as park gathering spaces.
A carousel being set up in the main courtyard for holiday festivities.
The park area in and around City Hall is called Dilworth Park. This section of the park I particularly loved. It is currently set up as a small botanic garden. A "Winter Garden" with ample sitting space where people were taking in the scenery, sipping some hot chocolate, reading, and socializing. It is surrounded by holiday craft vendors and is just lovely. We did not have much time to linger, but I could totally see spending most of the day experiencing the holiday festivities.
Over the holidays they have an ice skating rink and holiday vendors around the building. In the summer there is a roller skating rink and more. It is one of my favorite places to hang out in Philly. The architecture is breathtaking and there is always something special about public gathering spaces in our great cities. Needless to say, I had really wanted to go up and do the tower tour up to the observation deck, but they only offer these tours on weekdays and to only four visitors per tour, since that is the capacity of the antique elevator that leads to the observation deck, 548 feet up.
From the observation deck, you can look straight up at the 37 foot tall statue of William Penn, and get stunning views in every direction of the city, looking straight up the seemingly endless Broad Street both north and south,
North up Broad Street, one of my favorite ways to drive into the city
South down Broad Street
......northwest up Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum, Fairmount Park, and the winding Schuylkill River, due west into the stunning Center City skyline, with the grandeur and elegance of the Liberty Place towers.....
........and east over the remainder of the older portions of the Center City skyline, over Chinatown, out to Independence Hall, the Ben Franklin Bridge, and over the Delaware River into Jersey.
The views are absolutely breathtaking. I have a soft spot for observation decks on towers, but this one is really special, and it is the only currently public spot that I know of in Philly that you can take in these views. We went up into the former Liberty Place Observation Deck a few years ago, which has since closed, which had a spectacular view, but I really enjoy seeing the 360 degree views from this spot, and it is quite an adventure getting up there as well. This tower is one-of-a-kind. We highly recommend checking out the tour. For more information on how to go on the tour, check out their website. Keep in mind that their hours are very specific, Monday thru Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:45 PM. Unfortunately, due to the size of the elevator, the tour is also not wheelchair accessible. Reservations must be made on their websites. The tours leave every 15 minutes and are capped at a maximum of four visitors due to the size constraints on the elevator and observation deck. I highly recommend carving out some time though for this tour, because it is truly spectacular. Our tour guide Shane did a terrific job.
It is pretty depressing learning of the news that the historic Wanamaker's Department Store, which is currently a Macy's, is set to be closed. We went to an Eagles game back in November and went to the store and ended up shopping. It was a lovely experience. I even commented that it was a really special experience getting to experience a downtown department store experience after having lost the former Kaufmann's in downtown Pittsburgh, which was also being operated by Macy's. The redevelopment of that building is complete now, which is something that is pretty disappointing as it currently stands. A Target store is in the center of the grand cosmetics hall that greeted shoppers and looked absolutely spectacular. They kept the floor but otherwise it looks like any old big box store now. No charm, nothing. I fear this happening to Wanamaker's, with spaces getting chopped out of the building with no regard for the aesthetics, which would really be a great loss for not just Philadelphia, but the entire country. These downtown department stores are getting rare. This is the last one left in Philadelphia, and one of the last remaining ones in the entire country. It is a gathering place and a national historic landmark. It adjoins City Hall and Dilworth Park, which is home to many seasonal events and activities.
It might be the end for one of America's last remaining grand department stores. Home to the world's largest operating musical instruments, and so much more. We are so glad to have gotten to visit the store in the wind up to what might have been its final holiday season after a run of a department store running at the site since 1868. Please save this treasure and ensure that it is preserved, Macy's and TF Cornerstone, the New York based real estate holdings company that own the building. This place is a national treasure and needs to be preserved.
It was really special stepping into the cosmetics area after not having done so in a really long time in a downtown department store. I wonder how interested a Ulta or Sephora would be in operating this area with minimal change.
The organ is the largest operating musical instrument in the world with 28,750 pipes stretching seven floors from the base of the giant 12 floor building. For more history and technical details on this organ, check out the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ. I hope that if the building ends up getting utilized by multiple retailers, that they work to keep the Grand Court and first floor completely intact in some way. Both the organ and the Eagle statue were related to the St. Louis Worlds Fair, with the organ having been originally built for the exhibition and the eagle being on display at it.
I feel so fortunate to have enjoyed time in the store during its last wind up to the holiday season at the store, especially before the shadow of closure loomed over the store. With it also feeling especially amazing having seen the Eagles win during their Super Bowl winning season last year. In its next incarnation, please preserve the first floor as retail space, at least leaving the cosmetics area alone, and leaving the grand hall as an open space.
Elfreth's Alley dates back to 1703 and it is the oldest residential street in America, and it is a wonder that it has survived this long. The entire reason that this street exists was for quick and easy cart access for artisans toting their wares from their workshops to the trade based at the city's ports. Elfreth's Alley was named after local blacksmith Jeremiah Elfreth. The houses often had craftsmen do their work on the lower levels of their buildings, and they lived in the upper floors.
The area surrounding it was built up with factories in the 19th and 20th centuries, and by chance, it made it until the 1930s, when the city began to realize what they had in this spot. The waterfront of the Delaware River was within short reach of this spot, meaning that in that time period, this was an ideal spot for industry. Over the years, all of the surrounding residential area was scooped up by surrounding industry. Come the Interstate Highway Age of the 1950s, some initial plans for highway construction involved the removal of this street. Historical status was sought and won by local historians to preserve this street as plans for I-95 threatened the block.
This block not merely represents colonial history, with its origins dating back to 1703, within the life of William Penn himself, but it represents every generation of Philadelphians since, and every period of growth of this nation itself.
The challenges to preserve this street have been faced by most streets in Philadelphia and every other major city as a whole. Urban "Renewal" projects often leave areas like this in the dust. All of the green areas around Independence Hall that make up Independence Mall, were once residential and commercial streets. People that lived in and around these areas were often working class people that were kicked out to build whatever the next biggest thing was. Whether it be factories, railroad projects such as the old Pennsylvania Railroad's "Chinese Wall" which created the "on the other side of the tracks" or "on the wrong side of the tracks" expression, highway projects, public areas, park areas, shopping malls, or whatever, usually wherever the interests of the city areas had been, destruction of neighborhoods and gentrification has followed and swallowed up neighborhoods within its wake. These projects made refugees out of the residents that called these former neighborhoods home. This story has played out across almost every major city in the nation, but especially in Philadelphia. The fact that this street has been able to survive, almost exclusively because of its colonial origins, is both inspiring and depressing, knowing how many other great neighborhoods now have to be referred to in the past tense. The fact that this street was able to survive the demolish and displace cycle of urban renewal is impressive.
Today Elfreth's Alley stands as a prime example of a working class neighborhood in Philadelphia through every period of the city's history. While the mansions of Society Hill are all neatly preserved (and rightfully so) this street stands as a representation of a working class neighborhood in the 18th century. The houses were built primarily in Georgian and Federal Style. Walking around the old neighborhood is delightful, and the community organization that works for and advocates for the neighborhood, in addition to even running the Elfreth's Alley Museum. museum dedicated to the history of the neighborhood. Their advocacy has facilitated the neighborhood's rise into a tourist attraction that gives a little insight into life from the beginning of Philadelphia's colonial origins through today. They run annual events at Christmas, Halloween, Fourth of July, and Oktoberfest, though you can walk up and down the alley at any time. Remember though that this is also a residential neighborhood, so be sure to be respectful when you visit.
For more information on visiting Philadelphia's Elfreth's Alley in the city's Old City neighborhood, check out the website for its caretaker organization. It is centrally located within Old City, close to Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, Penn's Landing, and more. It is well worth checking out on any visit to Philadelphia.
Since 1776, Philadelphia has been at the forefront of the growth of democracy and the American way. From the dawn of our nation's founding, declared at Independence Hall, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Our nation has continually strived to become a "more perfect union" to achieve the ideals set forth in that all important document and the eventual writing of our Constitution within the city as well. If one needs a reminder of these ideals, they simply need to explore Philadelphia and see examples of every stage of our young democracy so far.
From the dawn of American history, Philadelphia has played a leading role in the push for the achievement of those ideals that were set out by our founding fathers from Philadelphia. The city has been home to a spirit of radical freedom, laid out right from the beginning of the city itself, with the radical and peaceful ideals of William Penn and his Quaker brethren. Pushback against those radical ideals has also shown itself within the city, but in the end, freedom has always seemed to cut through and find a way. Our nation's first black Christian denomination and church, Mother Bethel AME, was founded in this city, in the same year as the writing of the Constitution, and 78 years before the end of the institution of slavery. The seeds of abolition began in the city upon its creation, with groups of the Quakers being amongst the first to denounce it. The Underground Railroad and the abolition movement within this country is deeply rooted within the city. The Civil Rights movement roots itself within the city as well, with countless Civil Rights advocates based out of the city, and team efforts within the city including critical coordination with Martin Luther King Jr. through all of his efforts.
Philly's Navy Yard Mothballed Ship Fleet
Citizens of the city have participated in every war the country has ever fought, and the shipyards and ports in Philadelphia helped power the country to victory in World War I and World War II.
On our most recent visit, we spent the night at the Hotel Monaco, (skyscraper to the left in this shot) with views right out at beautiful Independence Hall. There is something just incredible about walking around Old City late at night, with hardly anyone around. It is a great way to quietly reflect upon the ideals of this nation that were embarked upon from this very spot.
Our view for the night. You can even hear the hourly chimes from the bell tower of Independence Hall.
CeCe taking in the sights of Independence Hall
The Declaration of Independence was written specifically with the concept of all people being created equal, and the country has steadily moved towards governing that takes that truth into account. Spending time within the Old City is a tremendous reminder of all of the sacrifice that has gone into creating and preserving a union that is for the people and by the people, through thick and thin, and how the system of a government by the people has prevailed, through all of the tough times throughout this nation's history. We can look to the words of our founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as the benchmark towards accomplishing the goals of creating a more equitable, just, and inclusive union in which all members of society can flourish.
Today, pretty much every cultural group in the country is represented within Philadelphia, and a wonderful illustration of this can be seen with all of the cultural vendors just up the street from Independence Hall at Reading Terminal Market. Everything that has come together to create this nation is represented in this city, a perfect cross-section of the tapestry of this nation.
Independence Hall was built to be a state house for Pennsylvania, with construction taking place between 1732 and 1753. Two blocks away, the first Continental Congress assembled at Carpenters' Hall in 1774. Then the Second Continental Congress convened at Independence Hall from 1775-1783. During that time, the Declaration of Independence was written nearby and finalized and signed in the building, and the American Revolution was fought. Then in 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened and wrote the bedrock of which our democratic system was built upon, the United States Constitution. Lincoln's It would be tough to find a place that has been more historically consequential than this location. Let the freedom and liberty initiated at this site ring forever as we work to fulfill the ideals that were laid out in this location. You can just feel the gravity of what occurred here and reflect on it as you walk around the grounds and tour the buildings at Independence Mall and Independence National Historic Park.
No matter how difficult things may seem right now, all we have to do is sit and reflect on the ideals that this country was founded upon, and the struggles of the past to look forward to how we can come together once again, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We need to move to a point of unity and look to the concepts of the visionaries that set us off on the voyage of democracy and engage in healthy debate when there are disagreements. The roadmap to unity is there and set out by our founding fathers whose ideas created a challenge for our nation to tackle over centuries. Their immortal words of liberty and freedom need to guide us along this journey. Petty differences and arguments should not divide us in achieving the democratic ideals that were so eloquently laid out in 1776 and 1789 in Philadelphia.
So March, April, and early May are the prime times of the year to see early wildflowers. As the leaves begin to grow on the trees, the red blooms begin on the maples, and the flowering trees show off their brilliance, the forest floor comes to life as well. From long fallen brown leaves on forest floors from autumn, new life sprouts up with beautiful wildflowers adding color back to what looked lifeless just weeks earlier.
Late May through autumn provide another spectacle as even more flower species bloom. This article will cover some of the finest places in the state to view wildflowers. Since we are based out of Pittsburgh and the time frame is so short with early spring wildflowers, the majority of our early spring wildflower photos will be from Western PA destinations, though we will also cover a some of the greats from central, eastern, and northeastern Pennsylvania as well, particularly when it comes to summer and fall wildflowers.
First, here are several pieces of rules and advice if you are going to visit these places.
Be sure to check with the property if you are a dog owner, for several of these places are not dog friendly and do not allow people that are exploring with their furry friends. The majority do allow you to take pets in, as long as they are leashed, kept on trail, and picked up after. Under no circumstances should your dog be left unleashed in these areas, for obvious safety reasons, but also to protect these sensitive, and often rare/endangered, wildflowers.
Because these are wetter areas, ticks are very common, so be sure to put on some bug spray and to comb through your dog's fur, and make sure they are up to date with their Nexgard and Lyme disease vaccines.
These are sensitive ecosystems and it is critical for you and your dogs to stay on trail to preserve the beautiful wildflowers. Many of these specimens of flowers are actually quite rare, so it is critical that you treat these ecosystems with the best care possible.
Additionally, the places that these wildflowers really flourish are areas with above average moisture. That means that you will certainly get muddy, though any trail in Pennsylvania is going to be a muddy mess at this time of the year. Make sure you wear a pair of boots that you do not mind getting dirty. I have a pair of waterproof Keens that have held up like iron, though have seen better days, that I wear specifically on most trails during this time of the year.
Now on to some of the spectacular places to visit for wildflowers. The top seven are our absolute favorite standouts, but the rest are worth a visit as well.
Ohiopyle State Park - Western PA - Fayette County:
Wildflowers at Cucumber Falls
Ohiopyle State Park, as you can see from our waterfalls and overlooks guide, is wonderful to visit at any time of the year, but the Great Gorge Trail, Cucumber Falls, the Meadow Run Trail, and Great Allegheny Passage Trail near the Ramcat Raft Launch Area have wonderful and abundant spring wildflowers. My recommendation for seeing terrific wildflowers in Ohiopyle is to park at the Cucumber Falls lot, check out the falls and the abundant wildflowers on the slopes of the gorge, and then head back up, cross the bridge just above the falls, and pick up on the Great Gorge Trail.
Red Trillium
The most abundant wildflowers on that trail are found on the portion of the trail immediately to the right of the end of the bridge, up and down the slopes leading down to the Youghiogheny River. This trail is very well graded and easy to hike, though not quite to the point of ADA compliant. Towards the further end of the trail it has some moderate elevation change, but still nothing too challenging. The trail measures in at 2.6 miles, though this is one way and not a loop, meaning a roundtrip hike clocks in at 4.2 miles. The hike did not nearly feel this long.
White Trillium
This certainly is a great place for a little nature walk/hike for people of all skillsets. Additionally, rainy springs make the waterfalls really swell, and lots of new waterfalls appear that are usually dry. Spend some time hiking anywhere in the park and you will not regret it, especially in the spring. Make sure you have a pair of boots that you do not mind getting muddy, because you will get dirty.
Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail - Western Maryland and Western PA
Most of the length of the Great Allegheny Passage, throughout its 150 miles from Cumberland, MD to Pittsburgh, has wildflowers along it. It passes through two of the places that we mention in this article, Ohiopyle State Park, and Cedar Creek Park, and passes near Braddock's Trail Park. This is a hotspot for early spring wildflowers, in addition to summer and early fall specimens. For more information on this adventure, check out this article.
Otto and Magdaline Ackermann Reserve - Western PA - Westmoreland County
This place is a hidden treasure in North Huntingdon Township that offers some really nice short hikes at varying intensity. I have visited this place several times, but during my latest visit this spring, I was awestruck at just how many wildflowers covered the forest floor. It legitimately looked like there had been a dusting of snow with how much cover there was over the fallen brown leaves leftover from the fall.
This property has some easy and relatively level hikes, and some other hikes that are steeper and more challenging. There is even a little waterfall on the property. The property is conserved and is maintained through the Westmoreland Land Trust, though be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the entrance, since it is easy to miss and located in between the yards of two houses.
The woods are located about 200 feet from the road. Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Leashing is critical to preserve the sensitive ecosystem of the park.
Braddock's Trail Park - Western PA - Westmoreland County
Braddock's Trail Parkoffers a little bit of everything. It is a great little hiking/nature walking destination, with forest floors that are covered with wildflowers. There is even a little waterfall and some nice little scenic overlooks. Several dozen different species have been documented.
As far as being overwhelmed at the sheer amount of wildflowers in one spot, this and the Ackerman Reserve are the two places that I have truly been awestruck with spring wildflowers. Much of the development for visitors at the park was actually underdone as a project by the Boy Scouts. Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Leashing is critical to preserve the sensitive ecosystem of the park.
The following three Western PA destinations are bunched together since they are within minutes of each other.
Forbes State Forest - Spruce Flats Bog
Laurel Summit State Park and Forbes State Forest - Wolf Rocks Hike
Linn Run State Park - Grove Run Trail
This trifecta is fantastic for wildflowers, and all are located within minutes of each other in western PA's Laurel Highlands. Grove Run Trail in Linn Run State Park, and the Wolf Rocks Trail and Spruce Flats Bog in Laurel Summit State Park and Forbes State Forest. The latter two spots can be reached from the same trailhead in Laurel Summit State Park.
Spruce Flats Bog
I list these three spots as basically being in one location because they are all located almost adjacent to each other and you should spend at least an afternoon exploring all three if you really love wildflowers. As far as impressive wildflowers, Spruce Flats Bog is an absolute must see. The bog is home to some of the only carnivorous plants that are native to Pennsylvania. The bog is also a rare example of a higher elevation bog, which is located within a mountaintop depression. Bogs, like waterfalls, are geologically temporary. They initially start off as open water ponds and lakes, but over time, dirt fills them in and plants begin to grow within them. Eventually the dirt and plants overtake the bogs and meadows and forests grow. This occurred over millions of years and eventually a full forest grew.
Boardwalk over a part of Spruce Flats Bog
Around 1900, lumbermen cut down all of the Hemlocks in this spot, and with this, it ended up reverting this spot back into a bog again. They referred to this as "Spruce Flats" because lumber industry people referred to any short needle evergreen as a spruce, even though hemlocks are not spruces. Spruce Flats Bog was purchased as part of a greater restoration project by the state in 1909.
The bog currently consists of six to eight inches of peat on top, and two to three feet of mud on the lower layer. The peat is very acidic and not suitable for most vegetation that is native to Pennsylvania.
Some hardy evergreens have taken to the bog, cranberries, and several carnivorous plant species have flourished in this setting. The bright red plants and dark green evergreens really pop with the dark peat waters of the bog. A short boardwalk takes you out into the bog.
Trailhead for the Spruce Flats Bog and Wolf Rocks Trail
The Wolf Rocks Trail launches off from the same trailhead as the Bog Trail, and lots of wildflowers can be seen on the longer hike to the beautiful overlook.
The Grove Run Trail in Linn Run State Park is relatively easy loop trail with a mileage of 4 miles, with a little bit of moderate elevation change. It follows a small tributary to Linn Run, and wildflowers are seen along the trail, it grows in intensity as you follow the trail and it ascends the Grove Run Gorge, but I still rate the trail as easy to moderate.
A wildflower growing through a fern and the dead leaves from last autumn. These kinds of scenes of the cycle of life are a huge part of what really inspires me on these spring walks in the woods.
If you are into hiking, do the whole loop, but if you are just going for the wildflowers, launch off from either direction of the loop's trailhead for about a half mile to see the highest concentrations of wildflowers that the trail has to offer.
Trillium Trail - Western PA - Allegheny County, Fox Chapel:
Unfortunately, me and CeCe were unable to walk this short trail together since it does not allow access for dog owners with their dogs. The three of us went to go here a few weeks ago but had to turn around since dogs are not allowed.
Virginia Bluebells
Because of how close this is to Pittsburgh, I was able to take a quick jaunt to the park and check it out without my canine companion. With how short the trail was, it only took me about 25 minutes to do the whole thing. The statistics say it is roughly a mile, but it did not feel like that. It is a fun little nature walk, though not quite level enough to be ADA accessible. Pretty much any trail we mention in this article would be fine to do with children, but this trail is especially easy and close to Pittsburgh.
The trail's little dual waterfall
The Trillium Trail is just one of a series of trails and parks that are spread in a line across the affluent Pittsburgh suburb of Fox Chapel. Spring season with its wildflowers, and the autumn with delayed leaf color are some of the most easily visible natural demonstrations of urban heat islands, which are created from human activity such as the emission of greenhouse gases and the holding of heat from paved areas and buildings.
The flowers at this moment on the Trillium Trail in Fox Chapel are about 3 weeks ahead of where they are at Wolf Creek Narrows, about an hour's drive north of Pittsburgh. These flowers are really popping right now, thanks to the bubble of relative warmth within the Pittsburgh Metro Area. Additionally, a portion of the preserve has been fenced to keep foraging down from white tail deer populations. This section holds most of the preserve of Trillium.
This massive Hemlock caught my attention the most.
Virginia Bluebells are probably the second most dominant species at the preserve, with lots of them leading up to the small waterfall that is present at the preserve. Another nice option for seeing wildflowers is located nearby at the beautiful Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, but the flowers are not as plentiful there, and it too does not allow dogs 😕
Presque Isle State Park is best known for its beautiful sand beaches, but the peninsula is teeming with flora and fauna. The flora is well balanced, reaching from early spring through the fall. The wetlands are especially great, but the dunes leading up to the beaches are great for wildflowers as well. For more information on visiting, check out our myriad of articles on this fantastic place.
McConnells Mill State Park - Western PA - Lawrence County:
Awaiting blooms on the wildflowers at McConnells Mill State Park. My last recent visit had a quick morning snowfall come through
The Hell Run Trail at McConnells Mill comes to life with wildflowers in the spring. The hillsides and hollow valley leading to Hells Hollow Falls are a great place to check out spring blooms. Our last attempt to visit saw a random snow squall, but the flowers still managed to show through the dusting of snow. In late April, the flowers should hit peak.
Hells Hollow Falls in the midst of some spring snowfall
A huge added upside is in seeing beautiful Hells Hollow Falls. While this is the hotspot for wildflowers in the park, you will see them throughout the park as well. For more information on visiting, check out our guide to McConnells Mill State Park and the park's website.
Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area - Western PA - Butler County
Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area near Slippery Rock offers some fun hiking in a unique habitat. It is located along Wolf Creek, which is a stunning creek that is more like a small river this time of the year.
The sounds of the creek are just so relaxing. The hiking trail is short, but really rewarding at just over a mile loop. The first part of the hiking loop goes through the Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area proper, which is a wetland with many vernal pools.
One of the many vernal pools, with flourishing skunk cabbages
The same view, just three weeks later
This area and the slopes immediately around it are where the wildflowers flourish. The dominant wildflower is the skunk cabbage here, though in a few weeks, I can tell that this location will just be popping with color, for the plants that are covering the forest floor have not yet developed blooms.
Of all of the places we mention in this article, I believe this will be the last to peak, possibly into late April and into May, and possibly the most spectacular. Virginia bluebell, spring-beauty, trout-lily, and white trillium have all been documented in high abundance at the narrows, with many other species that are rare and threatened.
As far as it comes to the experts, Wolf Creek Narrows is home to one of the most diverse collections of wildflowers in the state, with multiple rare and threatened wildflower species. Since it is a little colder in this location, the flowers are a little behind in growing compared to the other locations, but should be popping in the next few weeks. The other portion of the preserve is filled with a beautiful second growth forest up a pretty steep embankment.
This location is with us and undeveloped today thanks to ownership and preservation by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the same organization that fought for and won preservation of natural gems like McConnells Mill, Moraine, and Ohiopyle State Parks. This property is a gem to visit for hiking and exploring nature.
Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Leashing is critical to preserve the sensitive ecosystem of the park.
Hoverter Box Huckleberry- Central PA - New Bloomfield, Perry County
The Hoverter & Sholl Box Huckleberry Colony in Central PA is not very well known and one of the overall oldest living organisms on the planet. This time of the year, its beautiful blue/purple blooms dominate the forest floor. This is a relatively small area, but it is definitely worth a stop if you are located in, or passing through, Central PA.
Latodami Nature Center at North Park - Western PA - Allegheny County:
Skunk Cabbages at the Latodami Nature Center
This place is a lovely gem on the northern edge of Allegheny County's North Park. The park is split into two halves by a road. One half primarily consists of an old farm with a pond, old barn, old farmhouse, picnic grounds, wetlands, a steeply banked forest, and a giant meadow that was once farmland. This half of the park does not have many spring wildflowers, except for some skunk cabbages near the pond area, but it will be vibrant in summer and into fall in the meadow area. The nature trails are just wonderful for some longer, but generally easy strolls through area teeming with birds and white tail deer. The meadow area just bursts with color once the late spring and summer wildflowers grow. The other half of the park goes into a nicely forested hollow with a lovely nature walk. Similar to Braddock's Trail Park, this portion of the park was also improved by the Boy Scouts, who built bridges, benches, trail grading, and even some manmade vernal pools for wildlife. The entire area is teeming with Skunk Cabbages.
The upper meadows section will come to life with wildflowers in the summer and early fall seasons. This is a noted location for birding.
The fact that they have even been able to preserve this significant chunk of land is pretty impressive when considering how much suburban development has just exploded around the park. The farm area was a strategic land conservation project and was consequential to the region. Countless other farms within a 10 mile radius of the park were snapped up and have been filled with cookie cutter suburban developments and McMansions. When I think of the effort that was made to preserve this pristine spot and keep it from being absorbed into suburbia, I think of one of my favorite episodes of The Wonder Years, "Whose Woods Are These" where the kids fight against a suburban developer who planned to, and succeeded in tearing down "Harper's Woods" a place where the kids all played when they grew up.
Instead of this pristine spot succumbing to suburban development it was saved and it is lovely to explore. When coupled with the rest of what the North Park area has to offer, this is just a lovely place to spend an afternoon, evening, or even a relaxing day. While Skunk Cabbages are the primary spring wildflower you can see at the nature center, summer wildflowers are just radiant at this location.
Fall Run Park in Shaler Township, just outside of Pittsburgh, is one of my favorite short nature walks/hikes in the immediate Pittsburgh area.
It is home to a nice creek, complete with a roughly 20 foot waterfall and some small cascades. Along the steep banks, and in the meadow above the main waterfall, spring wildflowers bloom and then summer flowers grow as well. This is a lovely small place really brings the community closer to nature. Species include bloodroot, trillium, jack-in-the pulpit, wild geranium, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauties, violets, and great bellwort.
Raccoon Creek State Park and the Raccoon Creek State Park Wildflower Preserve - Western PA - Beaver County
Raccoon Creek State Park's Wildflower Preserve is a nice place to hike at, but the wildflowers have never really overwhelmed me. Unfortunately, the Wildflower Preserve itself bans dogs with their owners. The upside is that you can still explore other areas, namely the actual highlights of the state park, with your furry friends and you will still be able to take in some wildflowers that are scattered throughout the state park.
Frankfort Mineral Springs. For more background information on this, and the other fun places the park has to offer, check out this article.
I was disappointed that the two of us were unable to go into the Wildflower Preserve, so CeCe and I had to "settle" and hike my favorite part of the state park, Frankfort Mineral Springs. No need to fret if you are a dog owner and want to see wildflowers because there are plenty throughout the state park as well, and they are just as prevalent in many parts as they are in the preserve itself. Even at peak times, in prior years, I was not overwhelmed by the flowers at the Wildflower Preserve like I've been at the locations that I have mentioned earlier in the article, though it is still worth visiting just as a fun hike.
Cedar Creek Park, on the edge of Westmoreland County near Belle Vernon, is a place that is noted for having a great collection of wildflowers. I was not overwhelmed by the wildflowers here, but the location is worth a visit nonetheless as a short hike if you are in the area. Cedar Creek Gorge is filled with a nice second growth forest and has a trail that leads up to it from the Youghiogheny River and the Great Allegheny Passage bicycle trail. It is a great community gathering place. For more information on visiting, check out the park's website.
Schenley Park - Western PA - Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's Schenley Park offers a little bit of everything. While there are not too many early spring wildflowers at the park, summer and early fall are wonderful for seeing wildflowers, especially within the Panther Hollow Section of the park. Schenley Park is also home to Phipps Conservatory, which is home to world class botanical gardens. For more information on visiting Schenley Park, check out this article.
Moraine State Park to Jennings Environmental Education Center: Glacier Ridge Hike - Western PA
The Moraine State Park to Jennings Environmental Education Center Glacier Ridge Trail takes you across a glacial ridge that has been covered with sediment, dirt, and forest over the years. The conditions are perfect for growing wildflowers and the hike is long, but pretty. As far as hikes go when compared to the others that we have talked about, this is about 13-14 miles from one end to the other, so If you are into doing a slow marathon, park on one end and do it as an out and back. If 13 miles is about your limit, maybe go with a partner and have them park at one end and then park and start at the other, or go part way in and then turn around. Jennings Environmental Education Center is a rare example of a prairie in Pennsylvania and it begins to come to life in early spring, and peaks with summer wildflowers.
Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve - Central PA - Pequea, Lancaster County
Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve Map, Courtesy of the Lancaster Conservancy
Shenks Ferry is home to one of the most noted collections of wildflowers in the state and it is an absolutely lovely place to hike. Between here and the surrounding nature areas on the western boundary of Lancaster County on the banks of the Susquehanna River, you will be sure to have a great time. More than a hundred different species of wildflowers have been documented on this tract. They have really done an impressive job with conservation in this area of Lancaster County. The topography and geology of this specific location of the Susquehanna River is breathtaking and looks unlike any other area in the state. Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve is dog friendly as long as they are leashed. For more information on visiting, check out the park's website with the Lancaster Conservancy.
Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area - Central PA - Dauphin County
The Old Field area of Boyd Big Tree Preserve is noted for great summer wildflowers. Map courtesy of DCNR.
People in the Harrisburg area have a really great option to hike in the forest really close by at Boyd Big Tree Park. Wildflowers abound in this tract, which was spared from development, similar to many of these places throughout our list. Instead of it succumbing to suburban sprawl with housing developments, retail, and industry, this tract was saved in 1999 by a developer and ownership transferred to the state. It is a great property to hike around if you are in the area and it is home to a decent collection of wildflowers, though it is more of a summer and early fall blooming centric location. This location is dog friendly as long as they are leashed. For more information on visiting, check out the preserve's website.
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania - Eastern PA - Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Morris Arboretum
The Morris Arboretum in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia is a gem for relaxing outdoor recreation in Philadelphia. It is the state's official arboretum and it is home to 2500 varieties within 13,000 labeled specimens. This is another place that trends towards more summer wildflowers, though the flowering trees and some spring wildflowers make this a place that you need to check out in the spring, especially the cherry trees in the Japanese section of the park. For more information on visiting, check out the arboretum's website. Unlike most of the places we have listed, there is an admission fee and it is not dog friendly. Unfortunately, the Arboretum is closed to visitors due to the Covid 19 situation.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area - Central PA
While the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is best known for its late winter bird migration, in which hundreds of thousands of birds have been counted, it is also a great place to check out wildflower specimens. It has a balanced selection of spring and summer wildflowers and is worth a stop if you are in the area. For more information on visiting check out the area's website.
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve - Eastern PA - New Hope, Bucks County
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Map
New Hope is an absolutely beautiful and historic suburb of Philadelphia. Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve is located just off the banks of the Delaware River and near Washington's Crossing State Park. It offers a wild variety of wildflowers that range from early spring all the way through the fall. It was specially cultivated by experts in the Philadelphia region over the better part of the last century to be an excellent preserve for wildflowers. This is a lovely place to visit, though the grounds are closed to the public as a result of Covid-19. For more information on visiting, check out the park's website. They are also not dog friendly and they charge an admission fee.
Greenland Tract - Weiser State Forest - Central PA - Dauphin County
The Greenland Tract of Weiser State Forest in Northeastern Dauphin County near Tower City is appreciated as a decent place for wildflower viewing. This spot is particularly brilliant in mid summer-fall, though the short hikes are wonderful year round. For more information on visiting, check out the DCNR page.
Ann Rudd Saxman Nature Park- Western PA, Greensburg - Westmoreland County:
While not a huge spring wildflower hotspot, this is a really nice place to go for a nice walk in the woods. There are some spring wildflowers, but this place trends towards summer and early fall blooms.
We did see some skunk cabbages and thoroughly enjoyed our time here. This place will really pop in the summer through fall months. While I would not go from a far distance to visit, I certainly recommend checking it out if you are in the area. It is a really nice local conservation project. For details on visiting, check out the Nature Park's website.
Hawk Mountain - Eastern PA - Orwigsburg, Berks and Schuylkill Counties
Map courtesy of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
While Hawk Mountain is best known for its world renowned raptor migration observation and fantastic scenic vistas, it is also home to a multitude of wildflower species that range from early spring all the way through fall. Unfortunately though, due to the Covid 19 situation, the sanctuary is currently closed to the public. They also charge an admission fee and are not dog friendly. For more information on visiting, check out their website.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - Northeast, PA - Pocono Mountains
Hornbeck's Creek Trail
Dingman's Falls and Silverthread Falls Boardwalk Trail
Raymondskill Falls
Silverthread Falls on the Dingmans Falls Boardwalk Trail
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a wonderful place to check out wildflowers. This is a terrific destination for people who love hiking, and waterfalls, with the added bonus of beautiful wildflowers. The Delaware Water Gap offers the finest, and tallest, waterfalls that the state has to offer. Hornbeck's Creek Trail offers a plethora of wildflowers with about seventy different species, and beautiful Hornbecks Creek/Indian Ladder Falls. It is a 3.7 mile out and back hike and the most difficult hike of the three places mentioned here in the Delaware Water Gap when compared to Dingman's Falls trail largely consisting of an ADA compliant flat boardwalk, and Raymondskill Falls having a really short hike. I have seen wildflowers at the latter two, but Hornbeck's is the ultimate place to go to see wildflowers in the Delaware Water Gap and the greater Pocono region.
For more information on the Hornbeck's Creek Trail, Dingman's Falls Trail, and Raymondskill Falls, check out this listing from the National Park Service. You can also read more from our articles on Raymondskill Falls and Dingman's/Silverthread Falls.
Ricketts Glen State Park - Northeast, PA - Endless Mountains Region
Summer Wildflowers on the Falls Trail
While I have not seen Ricketts Glen in early spring, I can vouch for the park being filled with terrific summer and early fall wildflowers, especially in the meadows on the northern edge of the park and within the glens.
Wildflowers in the Hayfields meadows on the northern boundary of the park in summer.
The park is also known for having decent spring wildflowers throughout the park's many glens, slopes, and wet areas. For more information on visiting, check out our guide to Ricketts Glen State Park.
Worlds End State Park - Northeast PA - Endless Mountains Region
Canyon Vista at Worlds End State Park
The region surrounding Ricketts Glen State Park, including State Game Lands and State Forests, are home to endless adventure and perfect habitats for wildflowers. Heading up to both Canyon Vista within Worlds End State Park, and up to the nearby High Knob Overlook, the forest floors have so many spring wildflowers.
Hickory Run State Park - Northeast PA - Pocono Mountains
Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run State Park in the Poconos is a wonderful hiking and outdoor adventure destination. The Hickory Run Trail is particularly noted as being great for wildflowers. For more information on visiting, check out our guide at this link.
Erie National Wildlife Refuge - Western PA - Crawford County
Erie National Wildlife Refuge in Crawford County is a wonderful birding destination and place to observe wetland habitats. The wildflowers in the summer and fall are just beautiful, especially when the Lilly Pads bloom.
Summer and Fall wildflowers are abundant throughout the refuge. For more information on visiting, check out this article.
Winslow Hill/PA Elk Region - Western PA - Pennsylvania Wilds - PA Great Outdoors Region
PA's Elk Herd is majestic to see in any season, but for wildflowers it is fantastic towards late spring through the summer. Winslow Hill Is a prime grazing pasture for the elk. It is one of the greatest environmental reclamation projects that has ever been undertaken by the state. It was once stripped barren and scarred with strip mines. Restoration projects converted the land rolling hills and meadows, filled with wildflowers and grasses that the state's elk herd and deer thrive on. Late spring and summer as it comes into bloom is simply incredible. For more information on visiting, check out this article.
Raystown Lake - Central PA - Raystown Lake Region
Seven Points Recreation Area
The area around Raystown Lake trends towards late spring and summer wildflowers, and they are particularly vibrant around the Seven Points Recreation Area. This area is also especially lovely to camp at, so for any of you that are into camping, this is a wonderfully well rounded place to visit.
By no means is this a complete list. There are many great places to check out wildflowers across the state, but these are some really decent hotspots. As always, when it comes to our suggestions to see natural beauty, our best suggestion is to look outside your front door. With how much natural beauty is within our state, it is likely that you will run into some great spots for wildflowers.
We have included a map with the locations mentioned within this article.
