Best Days To Get Outside This Week In Norristown

NORRISTOWN, PA — Some stormy days are ahead, but it looks like another week of balmy spring temperatures ahead in the local area.

Tuesday looks to be the clearest and the warmest, with the high going all the way up to 82 in the Norristown area, according to the National Weather Service.

The forecast calls for thunderstorms and rain on Wednesday, but clear and cooler weather is in the forecast for Thursday, with a more moderate high of 65. More rain could be coming Thursday, but Wednesday's mid-60s could be replicated again on Friday.

What to do outside around the Norristown area

The greater Norristown area has no shortage of opportunities for those looking to get outside and breathe in the spring air.

The Schuylkill River Trail parallels the river uninterrupted for miles in either direction. Some of the wildest and most scenic stretches of the trail are just outside of town, with expansive views off the top of the rising bank as it approaches Indian Lane. Trailside daffodils and perennials are a common sight, and the trees will be thickening with greenery over the coming month. From Norristown, a short ride, walk, or run to the east takes you to the Conshohocken Brewing Company, and to the west to Valley Forge National Historical Park's Betzwood trailhead. The trail was recently named one of the best riverwalks in America by USAToday.

Norristown Farm Park is one of the borough's crown jewels. With miles of paved and unpaved paths for bikers, runners, and hikers, as well as water access for fisherman, and historical and cultural resources like 18th century farmhouses, the park features a wide diversity of attractions.

According to the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, the park contains 173 species of birds, 89 species of trees, and 216 species of wildflowers. The Norristown Run Club frequently meets there for their free group runs, which invite all ages and skill levels. Elmwood Park and Elmwood Park Zoo offer residents another way to get outside and experience flora and fauna both local and exotic. The zoo offers free admission to Norristown residents after 2 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month. They also recently launched a dog-friendly initiative, making history as the first zoo in the nation to do so.

With access to the Schuylkill River and Trail, fishing boat and kayak ramps, pavilions, trails, and more, Riverfront Park is one of the municipality's most popular destinations. The park recently received a $202,000 grant from the state for a spread of improvements, and it recently hosted the popular Parks on Tap traveling beer garden, along with other events pre-pandemic.