Nature At Noon
Event
Information
Dates
Thursday, May 14, 2026
12 p.m. — 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
12 p.m. — 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 28, 2026
12 p.m. — 1 p.m.
Location
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Take a break from your desk and reconnect with the natural world—right in the middle of your workday. Join us for Nature at Noon, a new series of accessible lunchtime nature outings in and around Center City Philadelphia.
Nature at Noon is designed to bring joy, inclusion and curiosity to your lunch hour. These one-hour outdoor gatherings center accessibility, biodiversity, safety and connection — with programming that bridges science, art and community. Inspired by the work of In Color Birding Club, Feminist Bird Club, Philly Queer Birders, PCAS Adaptive Birders and Disability Pride PA’s Outdoors for Everyone series, Nature at Noon is for everyone — no experience needed, just curiosity and a desire to step outside.
Everyone is welcome — come as you are! We invite people of all backgrounds and abilities to join us, including disabled and neurodivergent nature-lovers and their support people. We will move at a pace that honors the needs of the group and invite you to share any access needs in advance so we can make your experience as enjoyable as possible.
We’ll use apps like iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID to help identify the park’s biodiversity, and we encourage you to download the apps prior to the event, but it is not required. We will help you to navigate these tools if they are new for you. While we won’t explore every corner of the park or encounter every species, we will focus on some standout wildlife sure to spark your curiosity and wonder. Free Library birding backpacks and binoculars will be made available to everyone as supplies allow.
Page Section Links
May Events
Rittenhouse Square
May 14, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.
For this one-hour outing, we will meet at noon at the Rittenhouse Square entrance located at 19th and Walnut Streets, or you can plug this location into your map (39.9501253, -75.1723100). We expect to encounter an abundance of warblers, spring migrants and emerging insects.
Access Features
- Surface/Terrain: The park surface is composed of sidewalk, brick pathways, looser brick sections near the center of the square, and grassy areas. The area is level with no elevations or slopes.
- Public Bathroom: As there are no public bathrooms in the park, it is recommended that you use the bathroom before arrival.
- The area is shady and offers ample benches.
- Parking: 1845 Walnut St. (Philadelphia Parking Lot). Street parking is available.
- Public Transportation: Bus Routes 9, 12, 21, and 42
- Weather: If it is actively raining, we will postpone or cancel the event. Please check our Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on event day to confirm.
Fairmount Water Works and Boardwalk
May 21, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.
For this one-hour outing, we will meet at noon in front of Lloyd Hall public bathrooms located at 1 Boathouse Row, or you can plug this location into your map (39.968953, -75.184904).
Access Features
- Surface/Terrain: The park surface is composed of paved path, metal boardwalk, loose brick sections, and grassy areas.
- Facilities: Public bathrooms and water fountains are located at Lloyd Hall.
- Amenities: The area features some tree canopy shade and offers ample benches.
- Parking: Free two-hour parking is available along Water Works Drive. Two disability parking spots are available.
- Public Transportation: Bus Route 38 (0.3 miles from Art Museum to Lloyd Hall).
- Weather Policy: If it is actively raining, the event will be postponed or canceled. Please check the Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on the event day to confirm.
Calder Gardens & Rodin Museum
May 28, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.
For this one-hour outing, we will meet at Calder Gardens’ entrance at the southwest corner of 21st Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, or you can plug this location into your map (39.959797, -75.173912). We will observe the plantings and pollinators of this new space, exploring any biodiversity drawn to the new park before heading across the parkway to the Rodin Museum grounds.
Access Features
- Surface/Terrain: Paved sidewalk path; curb cuts at the parkway to park walkways
- Public Bathrooms: Not available
- Amenities: Tree canopy shade and ample benches
- Parking: Street meter parking on Ben Franklin Parkway outer street and along 21st St
- Public Transportation: Bus routes 7, 48, 38, 49, 32, 446, 448
- Weather Policy: If it is actively raining, the event will be postponed or canceled; check the Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on event day to confirm
