Rittenhouse Square

Parks · Rittenhouse

Rittenhouse Square

Parks · Rittenhouse

3

Philadelphia, PA

Photos

Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by MATADOR_NETWORK
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null
Rittenhouse Square by null

Highlights

Rittenhouse Square is a chic urban oasis, where luxurious dining and boutique shopping frame a vibrant park perfect for leisurely strolls, dog watching, and seasonal festivals.  

Placeholder
Placeholder
Placeholder

Philadelphia, PA Get directions

Information

Static Map

Philadelphia, PA Get directions

Features

parking bike
crowd family friendly

Last updated

Jul 29, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@matadornetwork

Rittenhouse Square

"One of William Penn’s five original open squares, Rittenhouse Square is the park that gives the surrounding upscale neighborhood its name. The park’s landscape of maple trees and carefully maintained flower beds surrounds a reflecting pool and plaza. It makes for a beautiful and relaxing place for locals and tourists to sunbathe, walk their dogs, and read. There’s a farmers market on Saturdays until 3:00 PM and several seasonal festivals, like the Fine Arts Show in warmer months (such as June and September) and the Halloween bar crawl." - MATADOR_NETWORK

https://matadornetwork.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/philadelphia-united-states/nature-parks/
View Postcard for Rittenhouse Square
@afar

"Enjoy elegant scenery in Rittenhouse Square One of the five original public squares in Philadelphia planned by William Penn, Rittenhouse Square was originally called Southwest Square and was later renamed after David Rittenhouse, a Philadelphia astronomer, inventor, and clockmaker. Although it is now one of the most popular public spaces in Center City, in the 18th century it served as a livestock pasture and later, brickyards surrounded the square. Not until the 1880s, when the city’s elite began moving into the area, did the park begin to take on its modern-day elegance. High-rise condos and luxury hotels have replaced many of the historic mansions that once surrounded the square. Many of Philly’s finest boutiques, hotels, and restaurants sit nearby, including Parc Restaurant Bistro & Café, a great spot for people watching and celebrity spotting. Rittenhouse Square hosts many events from spring through fall, including: A weekly farmers' market every Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm (May through November). The biannual Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show in the spring and fall. The next art show will be held June 6-8, 2014, when the area in and around the square displays original work by more than 140 artists. This event is the nation’s oldest outdoor original art show."

The Perfect Weekend in Philadelphia
View Postcard for Rittenhouse Square
@afar

"Enjoy elegant scenery in Rittenhouse Square One of the five original public squares in Philadelphia planned by William Penn, Rittenhouse Square was originally called Southwest Square and was later renamed after David Rittenhouse, a Philadelphia astronomer, inventor, and clockmaker. Although it is now one of the most popular public spaces in Center City, in the 18th century it served as a livestock pasture and later, brickyards surrounded the square. Not until the 1880s, when the city’s elite began moving into the area, did the park begin to take on its modern-day elegance. High-rise condos and luxury hotels have replaced many of the historic mansions that once surrounded the square. Many of Philly’s finest boutiques, hotels, and restaurants sit nearby, including Parc Restaurant Bistro & Café, a great spot for people watching and celebrity spotting. Rittenhouse Square hosts many events from spring through fall, including: A weekly farmers' market every Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm (May through November). The biannual Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show in the spring and fall. The next art show will be held June 6-8, 2014, when the area in and around the square displays original work by more than 140 artists. This event is the nation’s oldest outdoor original art show."

The Best Things to Do in Philadelphia
View Postcard for Rittenhouse Square
google avatar

Amy L.

Yelp
This is our go to park! You're sure to see lots of people walking their dogs or reading and eating on the park benches. I like that on most Saturday's and some Tuesday's there is a farmers market all around the boarder. It's a large park and festive with lights and fun! Good vibes typically. Every area of the park has a different vibe
google avatar

Doug B.

Yelp
Rittenhouse Park is located in a city square space in downtown Philadelphia. Great place to picnic or sit on a bench with a snack and people watch. It is big enough to block out the usual city noise. Even has some pretty plants and flowers to enhance your visit. The park has lots of shopping, restaurants, and cafes on the exterior and in the neighborhood. It is worth a walk across town to enjoy. Enjoy your visit!
google avatar

Vy N.

Yelp
Our favorite part of the city. My dog and I come here every weekend. I love all the significant buildings surrounding the park. I made new friends each time we came
google avatar

Amy P.

Yelp
Love this park. Lots of benches and grass space to sit and hang out. Surrounded by shops to grab a drink or snack to bring to the park. Street performers scattered around the center most days, especially good weather days. Occasional events, a while back there was an art fair, a farmer market on Tuesday and Saturday year round (?). SOOO MANY DOGS! If you want to see cute dogs then come here.
google avatar

Helen H.

Yelp
The park is one of the five original parks planned by William Penn, founder of Philadelphia. The main walkways are diagonal and meet at a central oval where there is a reflecting pool. There are also sculptures scattered about and plenty of benches.
google avatar

Megan C.

Yelp
I am pretty passionate about urban green spaces and Rittenhouse Square is, to me, a pinnacle of what they can be at their best. Being from Rochester, the Olmstead-designed park system is one of the things I miss most about my hometown day to day. A stroll down to this square quickly dissipates any homesickness thanks to the bustling environment, incredible people / puppy watching, ambling pathways, and city views. While really special in any season, I am excited to spend my first summer in Philly enjoying the park and see many days reading in the green spaces in my future. The Friends of Rittenhouse group has a great Instagram account that keeps neighbors and residents up to date on happenings throughout the park, and what goes into making it a true public square. There's a great and manageable Farmer's Market on Saturdays where I had an absolutely amazing apple donut back in January, but you can also get produce, fresh florals, and more. I enjoy reading all of the plaques throughout the park and finding a new favorite vantage point every time I go. Something magical in the air here, and no trip to Philly is complete without a walk through the square.
google avatar

Vince N.

Yelp
The spouse was on a business call in the hotel room so I Googled "what to do" and Rittenhouse Square Park popped up. Get me outta there! THE PARK: It's about the size of a city block, paved with brick paths and features mature trees, gardens, grassy areas, a dry fountain and lots of benches both shaded and not. The grounds are clean and up-kept with hardly a homeless in sight. The streets surrounding the park aren't super busy so it's fairly peaceful sans for the occasional loud mouth homo sapien and horn honking in the distance. It's very safe (during the day), filled with people walking dogs, workers on break, friends conversing and I guess curious travelers such as myself looking for something to explore. OVERALL: A nice green space in the City of Brotherly Love. I'd definitely like to see this place in the fall.
google avatar

John B.

Yelp
A verdant city park that offers plenty of benches (but no other facilities that I could see). It was much cleaner than most of the city that I went around, and was very much embedded in the heart of the city and a useful place to trade the urban jungle for a more appealing environment. Between the various fountains and sculptures, it definitely classes up the area.
google avatar

Roger H.

Yelp
Gorgeous park with flowers, flowering trees, kids at play and a few buskers. The Square is surrounded by restaurants, hotels, cafes And shops...the latter is high end retail. Amazing park.
google avatar

Kendall T.

Yelp
I love taking a break from shopping and enjoying the beautiful sculptures at the park. It's a great way to relax and appreciate art at the same time.
google avatar

Mr F G And Mrs M S.

Yelp
A nice little park in downtown, remind us of NYC Washington square park. We came here on Saturday afternoon and it is too crowded for its size.
google avatar

Mark M.

Yelp
Such a nice park with cross-crossing sidewalk paths throughout. It's nice to walk through and rest or have a snack at one of the many benches. This place always has people and pets hanging out within. There's also some nice buildings and hotels that surround it along with the 5 star Parc restaurant.
google avatar

Lauren K.

Yelp
What a cool park. I caught Rittenhouse Square Park at the peak of the leaves changing and it was beautiful. I loved the abundant trees, ample seating and all the dogs walking with their owners. The park is very clean, felt safe during the day and had plenty of security checking in on the visitors. I admittedly didn't dig into any historical context of this park as I was just passing through while visiting a nearby business. But this is easily one of my favorite urban parks in the United States. Entering this park, you are immediately transformed into a green oasis. There's always street performers milling about it, couples taking photos and field trips. You'll see various garden areas, a small gazebo, historical statues, and a fountain that is probably active and maintained in warmer months. The whole park gives off great vibes and you should go out of your way to either pass through, schedule a walk or visit when they have a pop-up market. You won't regret it!
google avatar

Ilene S.

Yelp
Winter, summer, fall or spring Rittenhouse square is the place to be. Just sitting and watching people walk by or checking out the amazing buildings surrounding this square. It's a great place to spend the afternoon.
google avatar

Emily R.

Yelp
Rittenhouse Square is right by the downtown area of Philadelphia. It is a nice little park with some street performers and pretty statues. The plants appear to be well taken care of and are green and vibrant.  It was a little busy during the afternoon while everyone was taking a lunch break. If I am being honest, it was a little smaller than I was expecting, especially for such a big tourist destination. However, it was clean despite being busy in the afternoon.
google avatar

Jeremy J.

Yelp
This is an excellent park that my family and I visited while we were in Philadelphia. It had a lot of great walking trails of them have since had a lot of good statues and landmarks in memorials and things to see. We are an excellent time exploring the park and it was a great experience that I recommend for everyone to check out
google avatar

John D.

Yelp
"For the greater beauty of the instrument, the balls representing the planets are to be of considerable bigness; but so contrived, that they may be taken off at pleasure, and others, much smaller, and fitter for some purposes, put in their places."―David Rittenhouse Nice urban park located in the heart of downtown Philly. This isn't the kind of park you bring the kiddies to but a nice green space for the local residents that need a break from the hustle-and-bustle of big city life. The area is well-kept and has some interesting statues and lovely architecture surrounding it. We passed through as we ambled about (not-so) smartley thru DT Philly. I didn't know much about this place as we just saw it on a map and my girl and I have a tendency to head towards the green spaces on the map. So I did some research and found a few quick fun facts: -Formerly known as "The Square," it was named after David Rittenhouse in 1825. Rittenhouse was a American astronomer, inventor, clockmaker, mathematician, surveyor, scientific instrument craftsman, and public official. He also played a key role in the Revolutionary War. #Merica -It used to serve as grazing ground for livestock and a dumping ground for *ahem* "night soil." - There's a weekly farmers market that occurs here, as well. The dates and times change depending on the season, tho. -A building boom in the late 19th century filled this area with Victorian mansion; man of which still survive today. Overall a nice place to stop and rest, and makes for really interesting people watching. Please note there are no public restrooms in the park, which is probably good with all the Local Outdoor Enthusiasts just chillin'. Otherwise definitely worth a quick visit in the area to take in the surrounding architecture and culture.
google avatar

Joe S.

Yelp
This neat little park in the Rittenhouse/Center City area of Philadelphia. It's a neat square with foliage and pathways to navigate around. There are benches where you can chill for a while with coffee or ice cream. On the day we were there, there were street performers (magician, bad juggler, horn player) that can entertain you for a bit. It's good for photo opportunities and just hanging out. It's not that great for outdoor sports unless you count Hackey Sack or juggling.
google avatar

Matthew S.

Yelp
Pretty park right in Center City, the "nice" part of Philadelphia. It feels like the Gramercy of Philadelphia. Great place to go people watch and relax. I have been here in both the holiday season and in the offseason and it is still fun to watch how the locals and tourists act while you are just sitting there on one of the many benches. They also have a weekend farmer's market that always seems busy. Lastly, it is near a Barnes and Noble so there is also the option to go get a book and take in a few hours at the park afterwards if you so choose.
google avatar

Andrea R.

Yelp
Philly has several little pockets of green space, and Rittenhouse Square is my favorite. Smack in the middle of center city, surrounded by some of the most beautiful apartments, row homes, cafes, and restaurants, is the best place to enjoy a few minutes of peace on a sunny Philly day. There are few moments that bring me sanity in this chaotic world, but I never feel more refreshed than I do after time spent people watching, dog petting, and sipping my coffee on the benches of Rittenhouse Square Park. Not to mention, on a beautiful sunny day, there are some awesome photo ops of the Liberty Towers and various garden sculptures.
google avatar

Nina C.

Yelp
Rittenhouse square is one of my favorite parks in Philly. Although I have never spent a long time in it, I pass by it very frequently. The park is quite spacious and is beautiful, full of trees and decorations. Often, there are street performers and markets. Walking through the park is very relaxing. You get to see what people are doing in the city :) I also enjoy eating at Parc, which is right next to the park, and just sitting there looking at rittenhouse square park.
google avatar

Brittany S.

Yelp
I couldn't have had a more perfect day for visiting Rittenhouse Park - the sunshine, the temperature, and the energy of Philadelphians coming out from their winter hibernation was such a fun moment to experience. While there I strolled the plant marked, explored every corner of the park, popped into Barnes & Noble and grabbed a patio spot at Joe to soak in the views and get some work done. The parked was filled with people of all ages sprawled out on blankets, reading books, chowing on picnics and painting the scenery. The atmosphere was what urban planners dreams are made of. The magnolia trees were just starting to blossom along with other early spring flowers like daffodils. Overall, it was a special and memorable free experience that I highly recommend soaking in for a few hours.
google avatar

Sandy J.

Yelp
This is my favorite park in Philadelphia. There are many parks in Philly such as Love Park, Franklin Square, etc. I like Rittenhouse because it doesn't have one monument in the middle that everyone's crammed around to take pictures. It has the nice Central Park NYC feel - people sitting on benches and conversing. Small groups of skateboarders, artists, jugglers in the corner exchanging skills, and many locals cutting through with their dogs. It feels least touristy and I think it gives you the BEST view of the Liberty Tower. At night, they hung Christmas lights and balls of lights and it's super romantic to stroll through at night. My second favorite part about this park is that it is right by many cafes and bakeries! The Bakeshop on 20th is a good example of a good cookie shop and coffee place that one can venture to before sitting in the middle of the park to enjoy it with some friends. The park is also a perfect solace after a busy walk through Center City's City hall, shopping street, and other monuments around. Another fun part about this park is that cool events that take place once a month. For example, sometimes arts festivals and farmers markets take place on the square and you can see local artists' fare and produce. I love seeing fall produce, flowers, and art for the fall festivals. If you're a dog lover, you can probably sit here all afternoon and see the widest variety of dog breeds you've ever seen and they are all dog show quality.
google avatar

Amy B.

Yelp
I love this convenient, charming, quaint park! It's lovely to walk through and to spend time reading, knitting, with a pet or friend. I've had many lovely outings in this sweet Center City spot!! The park does feature a Farmer's Market, Arts Festival and other vendors. While I enjoy the cultural enrichment, I could do without all of the vendors. I've often wanted to spend more time at other parks and gardens throughout the city which are less busy and commercialized. I have questioned the safety of this park because there is often a pungent smell of weed, a constant police presence and I have heard multiple people strongly advise me against walking into this park past 9pm for safety reasons. Although Rittenhouse Square is one of the loveliest areas of the city, in my humble opinion, there are a lot of homeless in this park. There are beautiful residences surrounding the park, local businesses, coffee shops and fine dining. The park is an epi-center of multiple fun things to do and enjoy! If you enjoy Rittenhouse Square, check out the outdoor seating at Parc, Devon and Rouge overlooking this park, in addition to Joe Coffee Company across the street, and some of the real estate in Rittenhouse Square is some of the most expensive in the area because of this location! At Christmas, there is caroling, beautiful Christmas lighting and it's beautiful, like a winter wonderland! This is definitely a park not to be missed!!!
google avatar

Christine S.

Yelp
Surrounded by the busy-ness of the city life, Rittenhouse Square Park is a nice place to sit and relax. The grass is green, and there are tons of shade from the trees. Definitely a great place to chill at after grabbing a coffee from a coffee shop nearby or getting lunch with a friend.
google avatar

Angela H.

Yelp
Oh how I love this park ---during daylight time. It's so nice to lay around in the sun to do whatever you want. The ideas of things are endless: Grab ice cream to go and then take a scroll Go for a jog Bring a blanket and pic nic People watch on a bench Play a music instrument Walk a dog Take a nap Play ball/catch Have a smoke Read a book Do homework or work Draw artwork Do yoga Gossip with friends .....and so on.... It's right near the Patco 16/Locust stop for Jersey folks
google avatar

Michelle F.

Yelp
A very peaceful and quiet park in the morning mid week. A few babies being pushed in strollers. People walking dogs and getting some fresh air. Plenty of small birds flying around looking for people to throw them some bread or muffins from the nearby cafes. A really nice park to have a picnic or just enjoy people watching.
google avatar

Steff D.

Yelp
My most recent visit to Philadelphia is the one that helped me fall in love with the city. Staying in a charming 1750's townhouse nearby, the Rittenhouse Square Park was a beautiful green space I had to walk past or through multiple times a day. I didn't know then that it was one of the original Squares designed by William Penn in the late 17th century for locals to enjoy! Talk about history. The tree-filled park is a lovely oasis of nature set amongst high-rises and bustling urban life, it's incredibly well maintained with manicured lawns and beautiful garden beds, a reflecting pool, sculptures, and benches to relax and people watch from. It's no wonder this is such a great spot for picnics or relaxing with a good book, but also for bigger events like farmers' markets, art exhibitions, small concerts, seasonal festivals, etc. I can only imagine how lovely it is to sit outside at one of the nearby restaurants overlooking the park while drinking a cocktail! It's a thoughtfully designed park; for those of us who feel overwhelmed sensorially by big cities, it's nice to have somewhere natural to catch our breath in!
google avatar

Sarah G.

Yelp
The rittenhouse was both welcoming and classy. The best 16th birthday I could ask for. All of my friends enjoyed our time and the landscaping is beautiful. The food is quite spectacular and I would recommend it to anyone in a fancy mood!!
google avatar

Beth B.

Yelp
Love Rittenhouse Square Park! It's just such a cool space. There are all slices of life present! Millennials with their children, dogs, babies, singles, LGBT people, street people, seniors and all in betweeners. It's beautiful, in a fabulous location, near great stores and restaurants and just plain wonderful grass laying and people watching. We never miss the chance to enjoy whenever we are in town.
google avatar

Dave L.

Yelp
This is my favorite urban park in Philadelphia. It's uppity, yet people from all walks of life crowd in its every nook and cranny. If you're lucky enough to be there off-hours (it happens), sit by a fountain and enjoy a little bit of serenity in downtown Center City. Read, take photos, yoga, picnic, people watch, but please don't be creepy[1]. [1] A friend of mine was sunbathing, minding her own business, when she realized not one, but TWO guys were photographing her. Yes, she's hot, but that's still not the way to hit on someone.
google avatar

Bill T.

Yelp
What a beautiful little urban oasis. I love running through here on my way to the river trail. It's so lush and leafy, with charming paths and beautiful plantings. Great place to relax, sit and read a book, catch up with a friend or just sit and do nothing. I'm knocking it down a star because when I was there last weekend, the fountain wasn't working. That really adds to the charm. Once that's back up and running, five stars all the way, baby.
google avatar

Karla D.

Yelp
Located by tons of restaurants and cafes lends to the ambience of this park. I enjoy grabbing a pastry and beverage from one of any spots close by and taking to the park to people watch. All walks of life converge here and it's fun to see. I don't know what it is about this park but it's just so relaxing and pretty.
google avatar

Allie A.

Yelp
One of the many reasons I love this city ... little pockets of landscaped gardens with beautiful architecture, well preserved, safe, and easy to find. During a lovely fall weekend, you might find an arts and crafts festival, joggers, families picnicking, people painting or drawing, someone belting out opera, dogs, etc. If you're out and about, this is a good spot to find a little niche to sit down and rest your aching feet and people watch. It's a little piece of paradise set among the brownstones, shops and restaurants in Center City. Closest PATCO stop is 15th/16th and Locust.
google avatar

Naomi O.

Yelp
My first review of Rittenhouse was from a couple of years ago and to this very day, it's one of the most beautiful and quaint parks I've come across. There are now more security walking about and having a security officer walk around, rather than being in the office makes me feel safe -- especially when teenagers are let out of school. Center City after 3:00 PM is a headache and at times, dangerous due to rowdy schoolchildren who have nothing better to do than create chaos or simply disrespect police officers and/or bother those who are trying to take a break from work. I've been blessed with (sarcasm here) seeing a few fights at Rittenhouse or having people be obnoxious by smoking near that wall under the tree. Mind you, there are children about so having them exposed to cigarettes and the open use of marijuana doesn't sit well with me. Not everyone wants to inhale your smoke and hearing vulgar language is not something a parent want to expose their children to. They want to relax with their family without being concerned and having security at ones call is good. I enjoy people watching or walking my puppy. Autumn around Rittenhouse is beautiful and having it across the street from Joe's Coffee, Barnes and Noble, Anthropologie, Barney's New York; and Parc Restaurant where I frequently dine is the perfect touch to Philadelphia. In the warmer seasons, there are pop up farmers market or random festivals going on and during cooler seasons, seeing beautiful Christmas lights light up our park makes me happy that there's somewhere I can go to have coffee and relax.
google avatar

Linda M.

Yelp
Very popular spot on a summer afternoon. Simple in structure, classic in art and landscaping. I enjoyed the half hour I spent here people watching and taking in the fresh air. I have been here other times when events are happening and it is a nice centrally located spot. Good selection of eateries and businesses surrounding the square if you want to shop or eat.
google avatar

Michael F.

Yelp
What's not to like? Rittenhouse Square is an awesome outdoor area to enjoy in the heart of Philadelphia. It's surrounded by good eats and easy to get to from a few of Philly's various mass transit options. Yes, parking around the area can be difficult - as is most of Philly. While there might not be seats for everyone in the park, I rarely have trouble finding a bench to rest my feet. Finally, for (sober) people watching it cannot be beat and will always entertain.
google avatar

Dan M.

Yelp
This social Park is the expensive area of the city. Enjoy a small farmers market on Saturday, the lights in the trees during the holiday, and nice fountains in the summer.

Dina E.

Yelp
Day or night, holidays or regular days, it's a beautiful park year round. The leaves that change with season add to the texture of the built in decor of the park. Families bring their little ones to play around, or their dogs to have walks and meet other friendly dogs. I personally like to visit and reflect or bring my friends and catch up. There are a lot of benches throughout the park, so you can sit on those or you can sit on the grass area, totally up to your comfort and attire of the day. This is the perfect place to relax after a shopping day in the city or a busy work day. Make sure you bring your camera to take pictures of the beautiful sceneries !
google avatar

David T.

Yelp
This park is a nice break and stop from the busy city life of Philadelphia. It is fairly big and spacial. You have areas on the grass for a picnic to laying in a hammock. Just don't climb any trees. Aha. My friend and I got told that it was not allowed by the park attendant. Other than that incident, it was a nice time to hangout and chill with your friends and peeps. Check it out during the holidays. They sometimes light up the area to be a more festive environment.
google avatar

Kathleen D.

Yelp
A couple years ago, I would always take the train into the city for the sole purpose of reading in Rittenhouse. Today, though, the park seemed... different, in a way. For one, it was loud. Probably not the best reading conditions. For two, (not to sound too paranoid), I felt like I was being watched like a zoo animal as I read my book on the bench. The lady sitting across from me was sleeping with her tongue hanging out of her mouth (no worries, she was breathing), and people kept walking by looking for money (ok, it's Philadelphia, but STILL COME ON.) It just didn't have that "serene" factor that I remembered. For that, I'd probably choose Washington Square (or somewhere in South Jersey for that matter) in the future. BUT, it's still a gorgeous park in one of the best parts of the city. It's a good place to wait for friends, I'd say.
google avatar

Shannon N.

Yelp
I feel like I should state this review is about the park itself, and not the areas surrounding it (although I bring them up below). Looks like not much has changed with this place, and that is a good thing. RSP was my backyard for a short period of time, and I remember walking through here-even past midnight to get to my favorite WaWa (which is now gone-such a sin) and yet I always felt safe. This public area was like a private oasis within the busy streets of Center City. When I used to dabble in photography, this was a favorite location to shoot some subjects. It was especially beautiful in the fall/winter, where I would grab a fresh, hot waffle from Bonte (see other review) and walk on over to sit and people watch. Of course it was more crowded in the spring and summer, but that is to be expected. Since there are real four seasons out this way, all year round would bring a new image of beauty within this space, and it was always fascinating to watch. I'm sure by now it's over-hyped with all of the over-priced restaurants (is Rouge still there owned by Neil Stein? Didn't he go to jail?) and condos/hotels (eco-friendly Sheraton, The Rittenhouse Hotel where the BSBoys stayed, etc.) everywhere surrounding it, but Rittenhouse Square Park was a nice way to escape all of that. Definitely worth a stroll if you're in Center City area.
google avatar

Mike H.

Yelp
This is the perfect definition of an inner-city people watching park. The park is full of tall beautiful shady trees, beautiful landscaping with various statues, and walkways that form kind of a star with the center being a fountain (the fountain is slightly off-center but close enough). This isn't the type of park with jungle gyms for the kids to play on or a track for jogging. The sidewalks are lined with benches and the park has tons of foot traffic of commuters, dog-walkers, and lazy people like me just trying to relax. The park is surrounded by cool bars, restaurants and stores so it's a nice place to relax afterwards.
google avatar

Lina A.

Yelp
Beautiful park! Lots of people out on a Saturday. We just sat and enjoyed coffee and did some people watching. Clean and plenty of places to sit. They had a small farmers market on the sidewalk as well.
google avatar

Behnoush G.

Yelp
I love Rittenhouse Square park. We always grab a to-go food around the center city during the week and with my colleagues we go to the Rittenhouse Square park to have our lunch. Then we have a short walk in the park and hell yeah!! It's a perfect break from work every day at lunch time! This park is located in a very beautiful area in Philadelphia and I definitely recommend checking this This park is amazing in snow and also in rain specially for early morning work out!
google avatar

Cat H.

Yelp
This park was a great pit stop as my boyfriend and I explored the city. It was pretty crowded so all the benches were taken but we scored a seat by the fountain. Being the nerds that we are, we started Pokehunting. The Pokemons were pretty good and there were a few of stops there too. There were quite a few adults and children playing it so if you want to make friends it's a great conversation starter. People watching was fun also because everyone seems to stop by here for one reason or another. If you're like me you puppy watch and there is no lack of dogs here either!
google avatar

Tiffany H.

Yelp
Love this park! Such a nice place to go to take a break from the city life. Lots of dogs to look at, and people seem friendly and interesting. Things I've seen people do here: taking a nice stroll, reading a book, or playing a keyboard to make computer music.
google avatar

Vicky L.

Yelp
Cute park in the middle of a square block of charming apartment complexes and restaurants. Great place to live* if you are in Philadelphia. * not the park, the Rittenhouse area is a good place to live. Although, I think there are some ppl who do live in the park.
google avatar

Ade B.

Yelp
Best park in the city for relaxing, hanging out, and people watching. They don't sell food here but almost any food you would want is within a few block radius. I like to grab food to-go and eat it in the park. There are plenty of benches and open space for picnics. In Rittenhouse square you never know what you might see. You could see street performers, street musicians, sun bathers, kids playing in the fountain, flash mobs, wedding parties, movie nights, the naked bike ride, crazy people talking to themselves, or the occasional concert. That unpredictability is a part of the charm. Philly is a city of parks, but Rittenhouse square is at the top of the list.