Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Education Center
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Education Center
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Education Center
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Discover. Connect. Act. Nation's first public water supply system. Global tourist attraction. Showing the public how to be better water resource stewards. Come downstairs to visit one of Philadelphia's hidden gems. Best of all, we are free and open to the public six days a week. The mission of Fairmount Water Works is to foster stewardship of our shared resources by encouraging informed decisions about the use of land and water.
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Neighbourhood: Fairmount Park
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4.5
69 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
26
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Michael I
Garnet Valley, PA8 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
I've lived around Philly my whole life and have always wanted to visit. Finally did when we were riding bikes on the Schuykill River Trail. I can't believe it took me so long. This place is really a hidden gem. Bonus that it is free too (with donations gladly accepted to help preserve its history)! My wife liked it for the history. I liked it for the history as well, but also learning about the engineering that went into this marvel. Plus the views from above the FWW and out near the dam are fantastic. I highly recommend a 60-90 minute visit to this place. They have a good short video as well, and the attendants were also quite friendly. GO!
Written 29 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lena H
Bowie, MD425 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We were strolling along the river and saw this pavilion -type glass structure. At first I thought it was for maintenance, but the sign on the door said that it was a visitor center, so we walked in, not expecting much. In all honesty, I loved it more that the Academy of Science museum that we had explored prior. It is definitely a unique place, not conventional, like the museum, they have a little theatre playing the movie in this stony little cave, which instantly reminded me of England. It was like we were touring the Tower of London again. This venter is underground, so there is no way to estimate how unexpectedly large it is. Very kid-friendly and have some hands on activities. The best part- it is completely free and the staff there was super friendly. This was the highlight of the day for me in Philadelphia.
Written 19 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elisabeth B
Philadelphia, PA1,249 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
After you have visited the Philadelphia Museum and would like to stretch your legs, wander down the imposing Museum steps and along the garden paths toward the Fairmount Water Works and learn how, in the 19th century, Philadelphia dealt with the need to supply safe water to the ever growing city and its environs. The first water works of the city were built in 1797 on the site where City Hall stand now. These works soon proved insufficient and were relocated between 1812 to 1815 to Fairmount, the highest point of the elevated banks of the Schuylkill River. From there drinking water was discharged via pipes to people and businesses as a municipal responsibility for most of the 19th century. Hydraulic technology advanced to the point that water pumping at the Fairmount Water Works ended in 1909. The Fairmount site then became and to this day remains the home of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. If you are curious about what materials were used, how the intricate designs were put into place and how amazed European visitors were to see such ingenuity in America, visit the fascinating interactive Water Works Interpretive Center on site.
If, by then, you are in need of a restorative meal, stop at the adjacent Water Works restaurant and, if you are lucky, you will be seated on the veranda with a splendid view of the river and its colorful Boat House Row to the right and an ever growing number of high rises to your left.
Water once was indeed Philadelphia’s world.
If, by then, you are in need of a restorative meal, stop at the adjacent Water Works restaurant and, if you are lucky, you will be seated on the veranda with a splendid view of the river and its colorful Boat House Row to the right and an ever growing number of high rises to your left.
Water once was indeed Philadelphia’s world.
Written 6 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wrldTraveler2012
Brussels, Belgium34 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
Our little group decided to walk the waterfront from the Art Museum to Boathouse row. Along the way we stopped in to see the Water Works facility. It was interesting and gave a decent view of the history of the facility and its importance to the local economy. I did think it was a bit child oriented though and probably not worth an extended stay for an adults only group. However, if you love history and want to know a bit about how Philly began developing its water system, then this is certainly the place to start. The staff are very friendly and were knowledgable, if you have questions they can answer them.
The architecture is great and the views of the river add to the whole experience. There are benches and little pavilions to sit at and people watch/day dream if you dont want to go into the building.
The architecture is great and the views of the river add to the whole experience. There are benches and little pavilions to sit at and people watch/day dream if you dont want to go into the building.
Written 30 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ghsthnr6
Meriden, CT13 contributions
Oct 2012
Interactive area is informative and interesting
Don't miss the fountain garden and boathouse row beautiful views of the schukyll and dam and sculptures relaxing and beautiful
Don't miss the fountain garden and boathouse row beautiful views of the schukyll and dam and sculptures relaxing and beautiful
Written 12 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ladydi518
Abington, PA57 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
I take my 3rd graders to the Water Works every spring as part of our study on water. But I would recommend everyone treat yourself to this experience. Seniors, couples, young adults, and children we'll all find something at the Water works. It's such a beautiful area in downtown Philadelphia, right on the water and full of history. It's right next door to the famous Boat House Row and beside the Phila. Art Museum. There is so much to see and learn about water. I especially like the short film they show on the early history of the waterworks. There are plenty of places to park and to picnic right there by the water. Then a walk up the ramp to the gazebo that looks down on the city is amazing.Plenty of picture opportunities. It's only $5 admission and everything else is free. There is a beautiful restaurant next door but very pricey. But I've heard good reviews from most who have eaten there.
Written 18 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon S
Philadelphia, PA135 contributions
This gem combines classical architecture, critical understanding of the life of a city, engineering brilliance and history in a most entertaining environment fit for young and old alike. Excellent view of the park and river. Can be seen in a relatively short visit.
Written 19 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anita T
Tel Aviv, Israel59 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
It's the "what is this building?" you see from the art museum. Seeing the river at "eye level," standing by they huge mechanisms that used to supply the city with water, and learning about natural water purification - all under one elegant roof. Lots of interactive exhibits of interest to all ages, hands-on experiences, and many friendly employees giving you snippets of information. A lovely way to learn about a city and the value of water.
Written 1 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary W
Lexington, VA15 contributions
May 2017
The water works structures are easy to see, but the interpretive center takes a little searching out. The day we visited there was a large party in the outdoor pavilion and they were not happy about our insistence that we weren't trying to crash their party but that we were determined to visit the center. If we hadn't known it was there, we would have missed something special. Once inside you have to work a bit and take some time to get the full experience, but the interpretive signage is interesting. Don't miss the short film, which provides a good overview of this unique attraction.
Written 20 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny0753
Allentown, PA53 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
We didn't have this stop planned on our trip. But due to the rain we were looking for an indoor activity. This is an EXCELLENT Movie & Self guided tour. It has a great hands on section for children, plus Tuck the Turtle.
We were quite surprised and very happy to stop here. It is a donation and well worth it.
We actually plan on going back when the weather is nice to take pictures & soak in the beauty.
We were quite surprised and very happy to stop here. It is a donation and well worth it.
We actually plan on going back when the weather is nice to take pictures & soak in the beauty.
Written 15 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Attending an event here. What do I wear?
Written 26 June 2017
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