Not the US, the World. That’s a pretty bold statement from Frommer’s, and a great one nonetheless.

If you’re from the Philadelphia area, it’s easy to take our park system for granted. Pennsylvania is a heavily wooded area with lots of rivers and streams, and we basically have green, scenic parks everywhere. I find it pretty amazing that hundreds of years ago William Penn had the foresight to protect areas of Philadelphia from development (and they’re still protected to this day).

If you’re not from the Philadelphia area (or the East Coast), Philadelphia looks like an urban jungle. Lots of mature trees, pocket parks, and the massive Fairmount Park system cutting through the city. At 9,200 total acres, it comprises 10% of the city’s land mass and houses golf courses, biking/hiking trails, and over 200 historic structures. If you go to sections of the park like the Wissahickon Valley, it almost feels like you’re not in a city at all. It provides great relief from the daily hustle and bustle in Philadelphia.

I’m not surprised that Philadelphia has received such a prestigious honor, and I’m glad that more people are starting to notice our natural assets.