Philadelphia's Fairmount Park Neighborhood

In a city full of statues, this equestrian portrayal of the young French saint in her armor is one of the most eye-catching and memorable. The statue is bronze and gilded a bright gold, catching the eye of most visitors to the Philadelphia Art Museum, which it faces.

The statue, designed by artist Emmanuel Fremiet, was originally commissioned in 1874 by Napolean III. It was a gift from France to America in 1890. Ironically, the statue in Philadelphia is the original. The sculptor, who was unhappy with the proportions of the first, created a not-quite-to-scale copy and sent the original here.

TIP: The Joan of Arc statue sits on an island. Feel free to cross the street and check it out up close.
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Address
25th Street and Kelly Drive (facing the Art Museum)

Rounding the corner and heading toward the front of the Art Museum, the statue of "hometown hero" Rocky Balboa will be on the left. Of course, Balboa was the fictional boxer played by native son Sylvester Stallone in the movie, "Rocky," which won the 1976 Academy Award for Best Picture.

Yes, we know he's a fictional character. Yes, we get the irony of not having a statue of heavyweight champ (and Philly boy) Joe Frazier, yet having this one. But Rocky (especially the original) sort of embodies the way most Philadelphians think of themselves and their town. And tourists consider it a "must see photo op."

A bit of trivia: the statue was originally created for the movie "Rocky III" (the same movie that gave us Mr. T) by old Sly himself. The work of A. Thomas Schomberg, the statue stands 12 feet, 8 inches tall (or more than twice the size of Stallone). The statue was originally placed at the top of the Art Museum steps, but spurred a debate over appropriateness as people ask whether it was really art, or just a movie prop? It was later moved to the front of the Spectrum until that building was razed. Now it's tucked away by the Art Museum, but still one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city.

More trivia: The statue appeared in two of the Rocky series (III and V) as well as in "Trading Places" with Eddie Murphy, "Mannequin," with Kim Cattrell, and "Philadelphia" with Tom Hanks.

After getting the mandatory fists over head shots at the Rocky statue, head across the street to Eakins Oval. The loop of road that gives the Oval its name sits at the top of the Ben Franklin Parkway and connects Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The annual end of the Thanksgiving Day Parade, with its finale of stars, tap dancers, singers and Santa Claus is televised from this spot every year.

Named for Philadelphia painter Thomas Eakins, the oval plays host to municipal events. Inside the oval is a series of fountains. The center and largest is the Washington Monument Fountain, designed by sculptor Rudolf Siemering and dedicated in 1897. It was moved from Fairmount Park to its present location in 1928.

The statue on top of the fountain features a bronze and granite Washington posed on top of his horse. The cast for the statue was made when the first president was still alive. Surrounding the equestrian general are life-sized statues of moose, elk and other animals native to America. The four pools at the base of the fountain represent the country's four great waterways - the Delaware, Mississippi, Potomac and Hudson Rivers.

The fountain is a favorite rest stop for those walking down the parkway, as well as a cooling off area for local school children. Sit on the edge and rest your feet here while getting ready for your next step, perhaps the most active of the tour!

Got moves like Rocky? Well, now is the time to show them off. The Philadelphia Art Museum is, of course, a destination in and of itself, but many tourists never even enter the building. Instead, they flock here to take their turn at following in the footsteps of Rocky Balboa by and running up the front steps of the Art Museum.

Helpful locals have been known to play "Gonna Fly Now" on their iPods while visitors scale the 72-step marble staircase. The Rocky Steps have been called the most famous steps in the country, and have even been the subject of a book (1996's "Rocky Stories: Tales of Love, Hope, and Happiness at America's Most Famous Steps"). The steps were even named the Second Most Famous Movie Location in the World by ScreenJunkies.com. (No. 1 is Grand Central Station in "Armageddon.")

If you reach the top of the steps, you'll find the bronze soles of Sly Stallone's Converses set in cement. Turn around and you'll be treated to a breathtaking view of the Ben Franklin Parkway.
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Address
26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia PA

Philadelphia is known as a city of firsts, but few people realize that Philly was the first large American city to take its water seriously. The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Education Center celebrates the city's long history of responsibility regarding the delivery of safe water.

That may sound boring, but it's anything but at the Education Center. After descending the Rocky Steps, walk around the left side of the Art Museum. Take note of the many statues along your path, which depict significant historical people and events.

As you near the back, you'll glimpse the area known as the Water Works, anchored to the falling waters of the Schuylkill River in the background. These are the country's first municipal water works. To learn more about them (and to take a break from all the walking you've done), enter the Education Center, which is located in front of the falls next to the Water Works Restaurant.

Inside, visitors learn about the process of making water drinkable through hands-on exhibits and multidimensional presentations. You can "make rain," explore a water main and operate a watershed flight controller - all in a single short visit.
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Admission: Free

Hours
Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun: 1-5pm

Address
640 Waterworks Drive
Philadelphia PA 19130

Phone: 215-685-0723

Here's the part of the tour when you can choose just how much you'd like to walk. You can see and get pictures of Boathouse Row from the heights of the Water Works, or you can follow the path down and walk the Row to get an up-close view of the boat houses and check out what is going on (something usually is).

Boathouse Row, a National Historic Landmark, is a row (or series) of boat houses and their shells (the garage in which boats are parked). The boat houses are home bases for 15 social and rowing clubs, each with its own unique history and events calendar. (Think "Fraternity Row on the River.")

The houses themselves range in age from 100 to 150 years old. Houses #2 through #14 are part of the Schuylkill Navy, an association of amateur rowing clubs founded in 1858 (making it another Philly first). The Navy governs the rules of racing on the river.

Boathouse Row plays host to numerous regattas throughout the year, including the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta, the country's largest intercollegiate rowing competition, held each spring.

Strolling down Boathouse Row allows a close look at the Schuylkill. You may also catch some of the college crews practicing. Check it out - rowing is a lot tougher than you may think.

At night, the houses light up with an outline of white lights, creating a fantasy gingerbread effect on the water.

After visiting (or viewing) Boathouse Row, head back to your car to drive to Lemon Hill. Although this is walkable, it includes crossing many busy roadways, so it's safest to travel by car. Free parking is available at the back of the mansion.

The mansion itself, which is in the heart of East Fairmount Park (just follow the signs), is a lasting example of the lifestyle of a genteel Philadelphian in the early 19th century. Built in 1800 by merchant Henry Pratt as a summer retreat, Lemon Hill mansion will delight those interested in architecture with its distinguished Federal style. Yet the structure is unique in that it consists of a stack of three oval rooms connected to each other by a curving staircase.

Fun Fact: The land where the mansion sits was originally purchased at a sheriff's sale. Pratt purchased 43 acres of ground, a large greenhouse, several hot houses and gardens in the center of the city for the grand total of $14,654.

Now owned by the city, Lemon Hill mansion has served as a personal home, a restaurant and a beer garden. It is open for tours seasonally from April through December.
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Admission
Adults: $5
Students and seniors: $3

Hours
April-mid-December: Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm
January-March: By appointment only.
Closed on all legal holidays, Mother's Day, for the Dad Vail Regatta (May), the Head of Schuylkill Regatta (October), and when Kelly Drive is completely closed to traffic.

Address
Kelly Drive
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Phone: 215-232-4337

Head back to your cars to drive to the last stop on the tour, the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse.

Although not as "immediately accessible" as the other Points of Interest on this tour, the Playground is a great last stop as it provides the kids with a way to burn off energy while the grownups discuss the day's highlights. If you're hungry, this is a great place to share a picnic lunch.

The playground includes 6.5 acres of open field (the size of six football fields), dotted with interesting and innovative playground equipment. There's a giant wooden slide and 50 unique pieces of equipment that encourage exercise, exploration and play. The 24,000 square foot playhouse on site also provides a variety of interactive play opportunities.

Free parking is available in front of the playground. Bring your bag lunches, as no food is sold on site.
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Admission: Free, although donations are encouraged

Hours
Tues-Sun: 10am-6pm
Closed Mondays, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Address
East Fairmount Park just above Kelly Drive near 33rd and Oxford Streets.

Phone: 215-765-4325