Fairmount Water Works

Family Tour w/ Let's Go Outdoors
2016-09-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2016-10-01 13:00 - 14:00, 2016-10-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2016-10-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2016-10-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2016-10-29 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Join Let’s Go Outdoors for a general family-friendly tour of the Fairmount Water Works!
Learn about amazing grounds outside of the historic site, including the Fishway Dam, then head inside for a guided orientation to “Water in our World” and watch a 15-minute film about the building’s important role in Philadelphia’s history. Let’s Go Outdoors inspires an appreciation for the outdoors through education and recreation programming, especially among people of color and those that live in city communities.
After the tour, stick around for our weekly Science Saturday activity that starts at 2pm.
The tour is FREE, but registration is required, as space is limited.

GoPhillyGo Goes to the Fairmount Water Works
2017-04-19 18:00 - 21:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Join GoPhillyGo for a tour of the Fairmount Water Works followed by a happy hour and snacks.
Learn about this award-winning urban environmental education center that dates back to the 19th century and is noted as a National Historic Landmark, a Civil Engineering Landmark, and National Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The tour will also include the Mussel Hatchery Exhibition. This event is free, but space is limited. So, registration is recommended.
Following the tour, refreshments will be available (21+ to drink). Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
FWW is located on the east bank of the Schuylkill River between historic Boat House Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 640 Waterworks Dr. FWW is located on the east bank of the Schuylkill River between historic Boat House Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 640 Waterworks Dr. Don’t worry about parking! The Fairmount Water Works is easily accessible by public transit, bike and foot. Use GoPhillyGo.org to plan your car-free trip.

Watering Manayunk: Some Parks, a Canal, and a Tank
2017-05-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center, 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19127, United States
Watering Manayunk: Some Parks, a Canal, and a Tank
In partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Love Your Park Week, the Fairmount Water Works is offering this special tour!
This special park tour has two parts. Do just the first hour, or both.
We’ll visit the new Venice Island Recreation Center with its green-
roofed stormwater tank, river-themed art, and beautiful spray park. See the intact Lock 69 at the outlet of the Manayunk Canal, which was built in 1819 when Manayunk was barely a settlement, and the towpath linear park.
In the second hour we’ll walk uphill to the new Cynwyd Trail, just opened in 2015 atop the Manayunk Railroad Bridge, for a spectacular view of the canal and river. How did the canal take us almost 200 years later to the need for a stormwater tank? Hear the story from Manayunk resident Sandy Sorlien, a watershed educator and expert in the Schuylkill Navigation system. Optional: stick around for lunch or shopping on Main Street, or view the peregrine falcons of Pretzel Park.
Part I has about a mile of easy walking; add 2 miles round-trip for Part II.
Parking: lot at Venice Island
Train: SEPTA Norristown line to Manayunk Station
This is a FREE tour, but registration is required.

River Reimagined: A Land and Water Tour
2017-06-01 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-07-13 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-07-27 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-08-10 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-08-24 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-09-07 14:30 - 16:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Learn about the Fairmount Water Works, one of Philadelphia’s first tourist attractions, and cruise the Schuylkill for a new perspective on sites along this historic river. After a brief tour of the Fairmount Water Works, stroll through the beautifully landscaped South Garden, and along the Schuylkill Banks for a 1.5 mile walk to the Walnut Street dock to board one of Patriot Harbor Lines‘ boats for a 1-hour narrated cruise.
PLEASE NOTE: Comfortable and sturdy shoes are strongly recommended for the 1.5-mile walk. Transportation from the Walnut Street dock back to the Fairmount Water Works is available. In the event of inclement weather, we may have to cancel the tour. You will be notified by email if the tour must be cancelled.
Register here.

A Walk Along the Parkway
2017-09-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Philadelphia’s Parkway references the most beautiful cities of Old Europe. Discover the magnificent buildings along Philadelphia’s own Champs-Élysées and what lies beneath them.
Start at the Fairmount Water Works, where wheels once pumped the City’s drinking water, then embark on a mile-long stroll down the picturesque path to Logan Square and back again. Ideal for history buffs, cultural connoisseurs and architectural mavens.
PLEASE NOTE: Comfortable shoes strongly encouraged for this walking tour. Registrants will be contacted in the event of cancellation due to inclement weather.
THIS IS A FREE TOUR, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-walk-along-the-parkway-tickets-37425560860

Special River Days 2017 "We Drink the River" Drinking Water System Bus Tour
2017-10-14 13:00 - 16:30 | PA
As a part of River Days, the Fairmount Water Works will offer a special bus tour of the Philadelphia Water Department’s drinking water system and how it’s connected to our rivers, including past and present-day infrastructure that brings us clean and safe drinking water every day.
Adults only.
Registration is full!

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Fairmount Water Works
2017-10-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Eye-level with the Schuylkill, you’ll walk the same underground paths as a royal family and Olympic swimmers during a behind-the-scenes look at one of Philadelphia’s first tourist destinations. Hear about this landmark that pioneered engineering, tourism, and environmental awareness in Philadelphia.
This is a hard-hat tour, and may not be accessible for all of our visitors. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended.
Registration is free, but space is limited.

The Quiet Circus: River Charrette 4
2017-11-04 16:00 - 18:00 | PA
Philadelphia Contemporary and Headlong are revisiting the path of the city’s watershed, urban expansion and cultural heritage. Join a silent Walk into Fairmount Water Works’ hidden, underground natatorium and witness a Performance and post performance Conversation. We will explore the correlations between society and its environment and will rethink topics around diversity, sustainability and consciousness, and you! Register here…
After the conversation, audience members are invited to a gathering with hot drinks, celebrating the fourth River Charrette.

Fairmount Water Works: Inside & Out
2017-11-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Tour the Fairmount Water Works – a National Historic Landmark, Civil Engineering Landmark, and National Mechanical Engineering Landmark – beginning outdoors on the grounds (weather permitting). FWW’s tour guide extraordinaire, Ken Hinde, will then take you inside the Revival buildings for a journey into today’s interpretive center, connecting the Water Works’ past and present purpose.
Attendees also have the opportunity to sit in the intimate Engine House Theater and see an award-winning 15-minute film on the site’s important role in Philadelphia’s history before touring exhibit areas on their own.
Space is limited, so register today.

The Historic Fairmount Water Works: Inside & Out
2017-12-14 16:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States

The Historic Fairmount Water Works: Inside & Out
2018-03-08 16:00 - 17:00, 2018-03-11 14:00 - 15:00, 2018-04-22 14:00 - 14:30, 2018-05-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Tour the Fairmount Water Works – a National Historic Landmark, Civil Engineering Landmark, and National Mechanical Engineering Landmark – beginning outdoors on the grounds (weather permitting). FWW’s tour guide extraordinaire, Ken Hinde, will then take you inside the Revival buildings for a journey into today’s interpretive center, connecting the Water Works’ past and present purpose.
Attendees also have the opportunity to sit in the intimate Engine House Theater and see an award-winning 15-minute film on the site’s important role in Philadelphia’s history before touring exhibit areas on their own.
Be sure to register for this free tour today… space is limited.

A Walk Along the Parkway Tour
2018-04-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Philadelphia’s Parkway references the most beautiful cities of Old Europe. Discover the magnificent buildings along Philadelphia’s own Champs-Élysées and what lies beneath them.
Start at the Fairmount Water Works, where wheels once pumped the City’s drinking water, then embark on a mile-long stroll down the picturesque path to Logan Square and back again. Ideal for history buffs, cultural connoisseurs and architectural mavens.
PLEASE NOTE: Comfortable shoes strongly encouraged for this walking tour. Registrants will be contacted in the event of cancellation due to inclement weather.

A Walk Along the Parkway
2018-05-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States

We Drink the River
2018-05-19 13:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center is offering a special bus tour of the Philadelphia Water Department’s drinking water system. Learn how it’s connected to our rivers, including past and present-day infrastructure that brings us clean and safe drinking water every day. Enjoy a special tasting afterwards!
Register here.

River Reimagined: A Land & Water Tour
2018-06-07 14:00 - 16:30, 2018-06-21 14:00 - 16:30, 2018-07-12 14:00 - 16:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Learn about the Fairmount Water Works, one of Philadelphia’s first tourist attractions, and cruise the Schuylkill for a new perspective on sites along this historic river. After a brief tour of the Fairmount Water Works, stroll through the beautifully landscaped South Garden, and along the Schuylkill Banks for a 1.5 mile walk to the Walnut Street dock to board a boat for a 1-hour narrated cruise.
PLEASE NOTE: Comfortable and sturdy shoes are strongly recommended for the 1.5-mile walk. Transportation from the Walnut Street dock back to the Fairmount Water Works is available. In the event of inclement weather, we may have to cancel the tour. You will be notified by email if the tour must be cancelled.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. No at-the-door sales.
Register here.
