Rittenhouse Town in the Wissahickon Valley
the arts, theater, and other attractions
parks and beautiful places
schools and education in Germantown
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helpful information about Germantown
A Place of Natural Beauty
Germantown is a neighborhood of Victorian houses, shade trees, and hidden gardens. It includes the lower reaches of the Wissahickon Valley, the only Alpine valley in the world located entirely within a city boundaries. Its gardens are home to a variety of birds and other wildlife, including raccoons and possums, and at twilight on some streets near the Wissahickon you will see an occasional white-tailed deer. A ramble through the Tulpehocken Station Historic District or along the Wissahickon trails will revive the body and refresh the spirit.
Visit Germantown United CDC's Directory of Businesses and Other Germantown Highlights
A Partial List of Beautiful Places and Park Preservation Groups in Germantown
| Contact Information | Notes |
| Vernon Park 5818 Germantown Avenue (North of Chelten) Philadelphia, PA 19144 |
Located between Germantown Avenue and Greene Street in West Central Germantown, Vernon Park is the site of Vernon, the mansion of John Wister. It is the site of the Center in the Park, a rain garden, a playground for children, and many trees and plantings. |
| Friends of Vernon Park 215-843-5007 |
Neighborhood support group for Vernon Park. |
| Tulpehocken Station Historic District Tulpehocken-Walnut Sts. Philadelphia, PA 19144 |
Bordered by Tulpehocken Street, Wayne Avenue, Germantown Avenue, and Walnut Lane, "the Tulpehocken Station Historic District … provides a unique case study on the rise of the American suburb." (livingplaces.com) |
| Wissahickon Valley Fairmount Park Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-247-0417 |
Wonderful hiking and nature walks in the only urban Alpine-type valley in the world. Trail maps and information available by calling the listed number. |
| RittenhouseTown Off Lincoln Drive Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-438-5711 |
Located near the entrance to the Wissahickon Valley, this is the site of the first hand paper mill in America. Many workshops, especially on hand papermaking, available. |
| Friends of the Wissahickon 8708 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118-2717 Phone: 215-247-0417 Email: office@fow.org |
The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) is a 1,600 member, non-profit organization founded in 1924 "to preserve the natural beauty and wildness of the Wissahickon Valley and stimulate public interest therein." |
| Awbury Arboretum Chew Street, east of Washington Lane Philadelphia, PA 19138 215-849-2855 |
57 Acres of gardens, lawns, and woodlands designed along the English landscape model. Special emphasis on educational programs for children. |
| Wister Woods Park Belfield Ave & Wister St Philadelphia PA 19144 |
Part of the Fairmount Park system. Located in Southwest Germantown. Map |