No membership required: Philly"s best free workout spots
You made your New Year's resolution, shopped for new fitness gear, and now you're finally ready to take the first sneakered step toward a happier, healthier you. If you're not quite ready to commit to a gym membership, the Philadelphia area is host to a wealth of spots where athletes can feel the burn for free. Here are just five of the best.
You don't need to pay admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in order to score access to the museum's iconic steps—yep, the ones made famous by Sylvester Stallone in Rocky. A brisk jog up the museum's 72 steps is sure to leave you at least a little breathless, but not so winded that you can't reenact Rocky's famous victory jumps once at the top.
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130; (215) 763-8100More »
Runners, walkers, cyclists and rollerbladers frequent the Schuykill River Trail, a multi-use trail that, upon completion, will traverse nearly 130 miles in southeastern Pa.
More than 10 of its miles cut a path through Philadelphia, following the curves of the Schuykill River, passing Boathouse Row, and culminating with the new Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk. Distance runners, take note: The 8.45-mile Kelly Drive Loop can help you log those miles.More »
Known locally as "The Wiss," the 1,800-acre Wissahickon Valley Park is a popular destination for mountain bikers, equestrians, runners and walkers.
More than 50 miles of trails traverse the wooded park, but those seeking a simple scenic stroll can take to the pedestrian-friendly Forbidden Drive, which is relatively flat and closed to automobile traffic. The graveled thoroughfare follows the contours of Wissahickon Creek, offering views of the bubbling, babbling water with every step.
8708 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118; (215) 247-0417More »
For those who want to practice their sprints without having to dodge pedestrians, the storied Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania (home of the Penn Relays) is a dependable choice.
Runners can take to the regulation-sized, modern track during daylight hours, except when Penn's track team is using the track for practice. (Check Franklin Field's calendar under the "Sports/Rec" category to see if the track is closed for practice.)
235 S. 33rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104More »
Host to several softball fields, plus plenty of flat, grassy expanses, Belmont Plateau bustles with pick-up games of soccer, Frisbee, kickball and softball during Philly's warmer months. Runners, hikers and mountain bikers are known to meet at the Plateau before taking to the Fairmount Park trail system, which is easily accessed here. The stunning view of the city skyline is just icing on the cake.
Montgomery and Belmont Mansion drives, Philadelphia, PA 19131
1. Art Museum Steps
You don't need to pay admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in order to score access to the museum's iconic steps—yep, the ones made famous by Sylvester Stallone in Rocky. A brisk jog up the museum's 72 steps is sure to leave you at least a little breathless, but not so winded that you can't reenact Rocky's famous victory jumps once at the top.
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130; (215) 763-8100More »
2. Schuylkill River Trail
Runners, walkers, cyclists and rollerbladers frequent the Schuykill River Trail, a multi-use trail that, upon completion, will traverse nearly 130 miles in southeastern Pa.
More than 10 of its miles cut a path through Philadelphia, following the curves of the Schuykill River, passing Boathouse Row, and culminating with the new Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk. Distance runners, take note: The 8.45-mile Kelly Drive Loop can help you log those miles.More »
3. Wissahickon Valley Park
Known locally as "The Wiss," the 1,800-acre Wissahickon Valley Park is a popular destination for mountain bikers, equestrians, runners and walkers.
More than 50 miles of trails traverse the wooded park, but those seeking a simple scenic stroll can take to the pedestrian-friendly Forbidden Drive, which is relatively flat and closed to automobile traffic. The graveled thoroughfare follows the contours of Wissahickon Creek, offering views of the bubbling, babbling water with every step.
8708 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118; (215) 247-0417More »
4. Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania
For those who want to practice their sprints without having to dodge pedestrians, the storied Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania (home of the Penn Relays) is a dependable choice.
Runners can take to the regulation-sized, modern track during daylight hours, except when Penn's track team is using the track for practice. (Check Franklin Field's calendar under the "Sports/Rec" category to see if the track is closed for practice.)
235 S. 33rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104More »
5. Belmont Plateau in West Fairmount Park
Host to several softball fields, plus plenty of flat, grassy expanses, Belmont Plateau bustles with pick-up games of soccer, Frisbee, kickball and softball during Philly's warmer months. Runners, hikers and mountain bikers are known to meet at the Plateau before taking to the Fairmount Park trail system, which is easily accessed here. The stunning view of the city skyline is just icing on the cake.
Montgomery and Belmont Mansion drives, Philadelphia, PA 19131
