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Pennsylvania (PA)
Philadelphia
Things to Do in Philadelphia
Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia: Address, Phone Number, Rittenhouse Square Reviews: 4.5/5

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Rittenhouse Square

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Rittenhouse Square
4.5
855
#40 of 479 things to do in Philadelphia
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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About
People-watching is the favorite pastime at this busting park, with loads of benches to accommodate weary pedestrians.
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

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The area
Address
Neighborhood: City Center West
How to get there
  • 19th St • 5 min walk
  • 15th St • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,866 within 3 miles
Vernick Food & Drink
825
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Gran Caffe L'Aquila
777
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Cafe • Tuscan
Lacroix at The Rittenhouse
437
0.1 mi$$$$ • French • Contemporary • Vegetarian Friendly
Butcher and Singer
855
0.3 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Gluten Free Options
Tria Cafe Rittenhouse
430
275 ft$$ - $$$ • Bar • Cafe • Mediterranean
The Dandelion
1,286
298 ft$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • British
Barclay Prime
491
0.1 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Gluten Free Options
Parc Brasserie
2,579
394 ft$$ - $$$ • French • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Oyster House
914
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse
296
513 ft$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Seafood
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Attractions
405 within 6 miles
One Liberty Observation Deck
1,248
0.2 miObservation Decks & Towers
St. Mark's Church
7
0.1 miReligious Sites
Philadelphia Art Alliance
8
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
The Church of the Holy Trinity Rittenhouse Square
2
0.1 miArchitectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
3
0.1 miHistoric Walking Areas • Architectural Buildings
John F. Collins Park
4
0.1 miParks
The Stotesbury Mansion
4
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Shops at Liberty Place
80
0.2 miArchitectural Buildings • Shopping Malls
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
771
0.4 miTheaters • Civic Centres
St Patrick's Catholic Church
8
0.2 miChurches & Cathedrals
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
855 reviews
Excellent
439
Very good
324
Average
77
Poor
10
Terrible
5
norskies
Charlottesville, VA1,167 contributions
Nice park
The square was a nice park, a good place to sit and watch people. There seemed to be people of all ages there and lots of dogs. Restaurants along the square had outdoor seating and looked kind of expensive
Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Commenter
Ambler, PA27 contributions
Lovely walk in this smallish central park.
This park is very doable in a single walk. Each area has its own feel. On a Monday afternoon and evening, it seemed filled with locals (children, teens, adults, dog-walkers). We felt like instant "insiders!"
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HoustonTexan90
The Woodlands, TX30 contributions
Beautiful Park!
Great park, very quiet and relaxing. There was always security there, so felt very safe. Plenty of places nearby to get food to go and eat in the park. Excellent place to relax and people watch. The Farmer's Market on Saturday morning is a must.
Written July 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Manrique G
19 contributions
Over rated part of Philadelphia that will punish you for daring to park there.
It's supposed to be a very posh part of Philadelphia, but pales if compared to any nice spot in NYC. I guess that in land of the blind, the one-eyed is king; so is Rittenhouse Square for lack of a better place in Philadelphia. But the Philadelphia Parking Vultures think this is the belly-bottom of the world, and will punish you dearly for parking in this sacred square.

I paid the maximum time possible one day I went for dinner, and had to wait one hour to be seated. When I finally went back to pay more under December's cold rain at 8:35 pm on a Sunday, I noticed I had a parking ticket written at 8:33 pm. My parking ticket had expired at 8:31 pm, so this means the Parking Vulture was actually stalking my car with watch in hand, and it took just two minutes to write the ticket.

Please do yourself a favor and stay out of Rittenhouse Square, it's not worth the trouble. Stick to the normal tourist traps that at least are honest about it. But if you must see it, just drive around it and leave; you will see it's no big deal.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
seanworc
New York City, NY676 contributions
Lovely Park in the City Center
Ritttenhouse Square is a lovely park in the center of the city in the neighborhood called Rittenhouse Square. Perfect for a midday or early evening stroll. There is luxury housing that surrounds the square. A great place for some rest and quiet time.
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
w x y
Philadelphia, PA65 contributions
Unhealthy Park
Rittenhouse is basically a large dog park and often overrun with people. It is cleaned up a few times a year and the grass turns green and the flowers bloom. But it is basically an unhealthy environment. Every summer after sitting in the park, for even a few minutes, shortly thereafter I find bulls-eye welts from no-see-um bites on my ankles and legs. There are usually a half dozen or more unwashed street people, leaving a stink in the air and stains on the wooden benches. Earlier this week as I was trying to enjoy lunch in the park I noticed a "street person" slumped on an opposite bench stir himself, lifting a shirt sleeve he revealed a syringe stuck in a bloody arm.
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ramblinggirl67
Atlanta, GA671 contributions
Great area to visit as a tourist
Friends
This is a great square to visit as a tourist. It’s beautiful, relaxed, and had a lot of people bustling around. We went on a Saturday and there was a market setup which was fun to browse. We had brunch at the nearby Parc restaurant which was delicious.
Written September 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BruSue1
Philadelphia, PA938 contributions
What a gem in Center City Philadelphia!
We are so fortunate to have this urban oasis. Such a gem in the middle of Center City Philadelphia. I recommend walking through any time of year. Twice a year it hosts a wonderful fine arts festival. Every Saturday year round the Farmers Market is there and also Wednesdays except during the winter months. There is a library branch adjacent to the square and many restaurants also border the square. During the holidays the park has beautiful lighting and during spring, summer and fall the plantings are just gorgeous!
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kelseybundra
151 contributions
Very nice and calm park
Friends
I love this park because it’s in the middle of all these sky scrapers. The greenery is so nice and they always put a Christmas tree in the middle for the holidays. Sometimes they have farmers markets and different activities. The area surrounding the park is nice but higher end.
Written July 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James M
Santorini, Greece12 contributions
Philly's people-watching place
Philadelphia's go-to spot for people watching. It's a gorgeous park surrounded by fine dining and luxury apartments. On the weekends, there's usually a farmers market, someone playing a violin and plenty of happy dogs out for a walk.
Written November 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Rittenhouse Square
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