Is Awbury Arboretum free?

Yes — admission is completely free. It's one of Philadelphia's best free family outdoor destinations.

What are the hours at Awbury Arboretum?

Monday through Friday 10AM-4PM. Saturday and Sunday 10AM-2PM. Weekend hours close early, so plan to arrive in the morning.

What should I bring to Awbury Arboretum?

Pack a picnic — there's no food on site. Bring a blanket, water, comfortable shoes, and something for kids to play with in the open meadow (ball, frisbee). Binoculars for bird watching are a nice addition.

Is Awbury Arboretum stroller-friendly?

Mostly yes — the main paths are paved or well-maintained gravel. Some woodland trails may be uneven, but you can cover most of the highlights with a stroller.

What is Awbury Arboretum best for?

Picnics, nature walks, bird watching, and letting kids run in open spaces. It's best in spring and fall when the landscape is at its most beautiful.

Awbury Arboretum

Name: Awbury Arboretum
Address: 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA, 19138, US
Telephone: +1 215-849-2855
Rating: 4.7

1 / 5

Rating

4.7(374)

Price

Free

Duration

1-2 hours

Best Ages

All ages

About

Awbury Arboretum in East Germantown is one of Philadelphia's best-kept family secrets — a free, 55-acre Victorian landscape with old-growth trees, open meadows, woodland paths, and historic grounds that offers a genuinely peaceful alternative to the busier parts of Fairmount Park or Wissahickon.

For families, Awbury is ideal for a bring-your-own-picnic outing. The open meadow areas are large enough for kids to run, kick a ball, or fly a kite without being near roads. Ponds and woodland sections provide natural exploration opportunities and excellent bird watching.

The historic Francis Cope House (1849) and its surrounding Victorian landscape give the property an old-world character that feels different from any other Philadelphia park.

Admission is completely free. The grounds are open most days, though weekend hours close at 2PM — plan your arrival in the morning for a full experience. No food on site, so packing a picnic is the right approach.

Awbury is in East Germantown, a neighborhood that's a short drive from Chestnut Hill, Germantown Ave's historic corridor, and the Wissahickon Valley Park trails. It pairs well with a visit to those areas for a full northwest Philadelphia day.

The arboretum also runs seasonal and summer nature education programs — worth checking if you have school-age kids interested in outdoor education.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Yes

Nursing / Changing

Not Available

Kid Meals

N/A

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Spring and fall for optimal walking; weekend mornings before 2PM closing

Wait Times

No wait

Nearby Food

No food on site. Germantown Ave nearby has local cafes and restaurants. Chelten Ave in Germantown has additional options.

Why Kids Love It

Awbury Arboretum in East Germantown is a peaceful 55-acre historic Victorian landscape with meadows, ponds, old-growth trees, and winding paths that kids can run through freely. The open meadow areas are perfect for picnics and games, and the historic Francis Cope House grounds give the whole property a storybook quality. It's an uncrowded alternative to busier Philly parks.

Pro Tips from Parents

Completely free admission — bring a picnic for the best Awbury experience.
Weekend hours close at 2PM — arrive in the morning for maximum time.
The ponds and woodland sections are excellent for bird watching.
Less visited than Wissahickon or Fairmount Park — great for a quiet family outing.
Summer camps run here — check if your school-age kids would enjoy a nature-focused week.