Directions/Parking/Transit/Biking

We welcome you to explore each of the houses.  Make a day of it and see more than one home by using a Charms Pass - and explore other attractions the local area.  Some houses are close enough for a comfortable bike ride or walk to each other. Please refer to our maps to guide you.  Below are directions, maps and downloadable information to guide you towards each house and to plan your day.  Arriving by car is the preferred transportation --- all houses have FREE PARKING!  Fairmount Park is a lovely recreational area for walking, biking, jogging and other activities.

Note: Access to Kelly Drive is affected by special events in Fairmount Park, particularly Regattas.  Check this link for information from Fairmount Park regarding Kelly Drive planned closures for events.

Public Transit and Walking

East Fairmount Park Public Transit:
SEPTA Bus and Trolley Directions to Charms in East Fairmount Park
The Charms of Fairmount Park are accessible by public transit for visitors who are willing to do some easy to moderate walking through an urban park.  The three closest houses to the bus routes are less than a ¼ mile walk and include Woodford, Strawberry Mansion and Lemon Hill.  The houses that require the most walking include Mount Pleasant and Laurel Hill. In the directions below, you will see transit information noted.  Please visit www.septa.org for fare, schedule and route information. Detailed directions from your point of origin can be obtained using SEPTA’s Trip Planner, using the house addresses listed below.

Walking: If you would like to visit to most of the houses on one walk, the East Fairmount Park Houses Walking Route is a 3.8 mile route which follows the historic Boxers Trail, which is the trail that Joe Frazier ran while training to fight Muhammad Ali.  This trail connects you to all of the open houses on the east side of the river except for Lemon Hill.

Download Driving Directions for a tour of all Houses

Cedar Grove

GPS exact address:
1 Cedar Grove Drive 
Philadelphia PA 19131
(215) 878-2123

Learn more about Cedar Grove

Laurel Hill

GPS exact address:
7201 N Randolph Drive 
Philadelphia PA 19131
(215) 235-1776

To Laurel Hill via SEPTA transit from Center City
- Take SEPTA Bus 54 or 32 to 33rd and Dauphin St.
- The Boxer’s Trail Gateway is across the street in the park from the bus shelter. 
- Follow signs approximately .5 miles to Laurel Hill Mansion.

Learn more about Laurel Hill

Lemon Hill

GPS exact address:
Sedgeley & Lemon Hill Drives
Philadelphia PA 19131
(215) 232-4337

To Lemon Hill via SEPTA transit from Center City:
- Take SEPTA Bus Route 32
- Take the 32 to the intersection of Poplar St. and Poplar Dr.
- Walk left on Poplar Drive and follow to Lemon Hill Drive.  Turn right up Lemon Hill Drive.
- Lemon Hill is located at top of hill.
or
- Take SEPTA Trolley Route 15
- Take Trolley to intersection of Girard Ave. and Poplar Dr.
- Follow Poplar Drive to Lemon Hill Dr.  Follow Lemon Hill Drive to mansion.  Turn right up Lemon Hill Drive. 
- Lemon Hill is located at top of hill.

Learn more about Lemon Hill

Mount Pleasant

GPS exact address:
3800 Mount Pleasant Drive 
Philadelphia PA 19131
(215) 684-7926

Driving Directions from Kelly Drive (westbound from Center City):
- Take Kelly Drive from Eakins Oval
- One mile beyond the statue of Abraham Lincoln at Sedgeley Drive, make a right onto Fountain   Green Road (at the equestrian statue of General Grant
-Take the first left onto Mount Pleasant Drive and proceed to Mount Pleasant at the top of the hill
- Park to the left or right of the circle. If there is a parking attendant for regatta traffic, tell him you are there to tour Mount Pleasant. You should not have to pay to park.

To Mount Pleasant via SEPTA transit from Center City
- Take SEPTA Bus Route 54 and 32 to 33rd and Reservoir Dr.
- Follow Reservoir Drive to Mount Pleasant Drive approximately .5 miles. 
- You will pass the Frisbee golf course and Smith Memorial Playhouse on your left. 
- At the intersection of Reservoir Drive and Mt. Pleasant Drive turn slightly left.
- Follow Mount Pleasant Drive up the hill.

Learn more about Mount Pleasant

Strawberry Mansion

IMPORTANT NOTE: Strawberry Mansion is closed for Preservation Work from March 2012 – December 2012.  We look forward to your visit when this latest renovation is complete.

GPS exact address:
Strawberry Mansion Drive 
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 228-8364

To Strawberry Mansion via SEPTA transit from Center City:
- Take SEPTA Bus Routes 32, 54 or 61 to 33rd and Dauphin St.
- The Boxer’s Trail Gateway is across the street in the park from the bus shelter.
- Follow signs approximately .3 miles to Strawberry Mansion (just past Woodford).

Sweetbriar

GPS exact address:
1 Sweetbriar Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 222-1333

Learn more about Sweetbriar

Woodford

GPS address:
2300 N 33rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19132 


To Woodford via SEPTA transit from Center City:
- Take SEPTA Bus 54 or 32 to 33rd and Dauphin St.
- The Boxer’s Trail Gateway is across the street in the park from the bus shelter. 
 - Follow path ½ block to Woodford’s entry gate.

Learn more about Woodford

Biking

Biking Directions to the Charms in East Fairmount Park  
Download PDF of East Fairmount Park Biking Info Here

- Starting point Lloyd Hall (near Azalea garden, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art) at the intersection of Kelly Drive and Water Works Drive.  (Lloyd Hall offers many conveniences for bikers including public restrooms, a water fountain to fill up your bottles, the Cosmic Café and Bike Rentals from Wheel Fun Rentals.)
- Cross Kelly Drive to Sedgeley Dr. at lighted intersection.  Proceed north (approx .2 mile) to Lemon Hill Drive (first left).  Follow to Lemon Hill Mansion at top of hill.
- Return to Kelly Drive.  Follow 1.1 mile to Fountain Green Drive at lighted intersection.  (Look for landmark Grant equestrian statute.)
- Right on to Fountain Green Dr.  Follow up hill .3 miles to Mount Pleasant Dr
- Make left onto Mount Pleasant Dr. and follow to Mount Pleasant.
- To continue on to Laurel Hill Mansion follow Mount Pleasant Dr. loop out to Reservoir Dr.  (You will pass Rockland on your left.)
- Turn left on to Reservoir Dr.  Follow past approx. .4 miles to Randolph Dr. (You will pass Ormiston on your left.)
- Turn Left onto Randolph Dr.  Follow .2 miles to Laurel Hill Mansion.
- To Continue to Woodford Mansion from Laurel Hill Mansion turn left and choose to follow either Randolph Drive or the Boxers Trail (path adjacent to the road) out to the intersection at Strawberry Mansion Bridge Drive.
- Proceed straight across intersection (look for the landmark Indian equestrian statute) Woodford’s entrance is on left .3 miles) just prior to reaching the intersection at 33rd and Dauphin.
-  To continue to Strawberry Mansion turn left as you are exiting Woodford continue on street or paved Boxers Trail.  Proceed straight across intersection .4 miles to Strawberry Mansion located at the end of the lane.

Biking Directions to the Charms in West Fairmount Park  
Download PDF of West Fairmount Park Biking Info Here

Not for novice riders:
- Starting point Lloyd Hall (near Azalea garden, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art) at the intersection of Kelly Drive and Water Works Drive.  (Lloyd Hall offers many conveniences for bikers including public restrooms, a water fountain to fill up your bottles, the Cosmic Café and Bike Rentals from Wheel Fun Rentals.)
- Turn right from Lloyd Hall and proceed towards the Fairmount Water Works.  Follow Schuylkill River Trail bike path through the Fairmount Water Works site, under Spring Garden Street Bridge to intersection at MLK Drive.  Turn right onto sidewalk at MLK Drive.  Note this path is very narrow and not for inexperienced riders.
- Follow MLK bike path past lighted intersection at Sweetbriar Drive to Black Road.  (It will be your fist left beyond Sweetbriar Drive.  There is no stoplight).  Exit bike path and carefully cross MLK Drive. 
- Proceed up steep hill on Black Road.  Make first left and another quick left following signs to Cedar Grove. 
- To proceed to Sweetbriar return to intersection at Cedar Grove Drive and make left.  Sweetbriar will be on left.