Washington Square

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4 months ago

Such a beautiful park in Old City/Society Hill. It is similar to Rittenhouse square but a little smaller. The grass was well kept. Lots of trees for shade, beautiful flowers and benches make it a perfect place to sit and relax! It also has one of the former Fairmount Park Guard Houses. I love to see these unique small structures being reused! The Eternal Flame monument is also in the park. Yeh park is not far from Independence Park. read more

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Rob C.

80

419

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11 months ago

Nice spot to stroll near the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. A few blocks away and you're away from the hustle and bustle. Nice tree lined park. Some history to read up on. Nice fountain. And, of course, the obligatory Washington statue. read more

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Andres A.

980

1836

12742

1 year ago

A beautiful green space in an urban setting. Dedicated to the contribution of one of our founding fathers. A nice place to stop and get a rest on a hot day. George Washington's statue is accompanied by an eternal flame which is appropriate. The center of the park has a water fountain as well. read more

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Gabriella L.

15

320

791

11 months ago

Such a cutie little spot in town. Centralized spot to hang out and have a picnic. The square is well maintained and has a lot of squirrel friends. read more

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Van D.

261

3212

22209

3 years ago

We walked through Washington Square a few times exploring Philly. As a key part of the city's civic architecture, this was 1 of 5 squares established as public green space. The square's walk ways are cut up into diagonals with tree lined pathways and a beautiful fountain in the center. There is a memorial to recognize Washington and the soldiers of the American revolution. It says, "Freedom is a light, for which many men have died in Darkness." It's a sobering feeling exploring the city and the rough pathways the founding fathers had to overcome for us to have the nation and freedoms we have today. read more

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Jordan C.

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3 years ago

A beautiful place to stop and take a rest while roaming through the historical sites nearby. There are places to sit in the shade for a break without being surrounded by people. It's also quiet. They have a monument to the Unknown Soldier and a few other small things to see while you enjoy the peace of this small park. In the nearby Curtis Center building you can get affordable food, water, and snacks at the deli in the back of the ground floor. read more

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Nico Samneil S.

8

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2 years ago

Pretty good place to relax after a visit from the independence hall national park. I did not see any homeless nor excess garbages when we visited. Calming especially during seasons except winter ofcourse. See images and videos for reference. read more

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Matthew U.

2450

4440

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5 years ago

This was a nice little detour while walking between places to visit while in the city. It was a great place to take a break from all the walking. Sit by the fountain and listen to the calming sounds of the water. Get some shade from the trees. Or just people watch, it's a good past time. Washington Square is one of the original greenspaces in the city and still remains to this day as a place for people to gather. Held within the park is a monument to George Washington and the unknown soldiers of the Revolutionary War. Does that make this Philadelphia's Tomb of the Unknown Solider? Not much else to say about this place. It is well taken care of and well used by the public. A true gathering place for all those within the area. read more

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Helen H.

180

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3 years ago

The park is one of the five original parks planned by William Penn, founder of Philadelphia. It's a block away from Independence Hall. During its early years, it served as a gravesite to the soldiers who died in the American Revolution among others. The "Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier" is a memorial to George Washington and the soldiers. read more

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Karlee B.

89

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2 years ago

Probably my favorite park in Philly. Perfect for taking a break on a nice day. Lots of benches. Plenty of shade. So much history. Tomb of the unknown soldier and mass burial ground during the revolutionary war. Also steps away from independence hall. read more

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Jonathan C.

Elite 24

40

902

2285

2 years ago

A small/medium park in central Philadelphia. There's a statue (Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier), a fountain, and many placards describing the history of the square (it was a mass grave for Revolutionary War soldiers and others). Plenty of benches. A nice place to rest or walk through. read more

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Jo L.

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4 years ago

A great, safe place to just enjoy the outside. I always see people walking about or having picnics (especially in nicer weather) in the mornings, and it's a great place to run laps around or take a loop by on a run. read more

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Emily R.

Elite 25

870

831

1388

4 years ago

Washington Square is a park about the same size at Rittenhouse, but not nearly as populated.. It had many statues of former presidents and Revolutionary War leaders. There was information for each person under their statue for those history buffs. It is practically across the way from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, it could easily fit into the overall theme of your day. When we went, it was a little dirty which may have taken away from an otherwise beautiful park. It wasn't particularly big, but you didn't need a ton of space to look at everything. read more

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Jenaya P.

312

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1427

7 years ago

I just love parks and nature! Their like my besties in the whole wide world lol. Some parks and most nature just bring peace and serenity to my being and Washington State Park is one of them. A great place to visit to get some steps in and to also just walk and explore. This park has many easy walking paths which connects to different streets amongst center city. They also have historical information about George Washington and the soldiers that fought in the revolutionary war as well. The park also offers benches to just either sit,each lunch or just relax and enjoy a beautiful day. I often like to sit in the bench and read a book that I got from the library nearby. Overall lots of trees and nature is here at Washington State Park! read more

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Vic C.

149

3992

18041

7 years ago

If you are walking to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell (which is across the street from each other), it is possible that you will walk through Washington Square Park, as it is across the street from Independence Hall. On a Friday afternoon, a little before 5 pm, my husband and I walked through here with our little girl dog. We saw plenty of other dog owners walking their 4 legged companions here too, which makes sense since there is so many open spaces of grass for your pooch to mark their territory, run around and have fun. But in addition to the large size of this park, there are a handful of historical landmarks around here that include the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier with George Washington's statue and an eternal flame and a moon tree. Not familiar with the moon tree? Well in 1971, Apollo 14 launched to the moon and took tree seeds into space. Then the seeds were distributed to numerous of states to plant them all around the world. There are moon trees all over the US and few selected countries like Italy and Brazil. In the middle of the park is a large fountain which is a great place to take photos, see my photo of our little girl dog. Isn't she just so photogenic? I like that this park does have benches, a lot of shade and just so lush in general. Definitely worth a stop on your adventures if you are visiting the city of brotherly love for the first time. read more

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Candace L.

3586

2843

10695

6 years ago

I walked through this park a handful of times on a recent visit since my hotel was nearby. Great space, always felt safe even after dark. Family vibes, peaceful and relaxing. read more

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Bonnie G.

376

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8 years ago

Come for the park, stay for the memorial, a beautiful memorial with an everlasting flame honoring the fallen soldiers in the Revolutionary War. There's a poignant phrase above it: "Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness." 5 stars. read more

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Jeremy J.

1817

6610

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4 years ago

Washington Square was a fun experience when we were in the city of Philadelphia. I like nature I like history I like statues and I like exploring things. And this had all of it in one. We visited in the summertime so it was nice weather out and the place was crowded and I did get a learn about some of Washington himself and some history on him. Overall we had a great time read more

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John J.

145

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7 years ago

A nice stop along the historic route in Philly. Well maintained, but nothing too special. read more

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Richa T.

633

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7 years ago

This is a simply stunnign park Pros: + Along such a historic root through Philly - definitely worth trying out + Great for a cute picnic - lots of shops nearby to grab some takeout + Plenty of easy/light walking paths + Nearby cafes + Fountains galore read more

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Jason V.

157

853

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7 years ago

Cool historical open-air park just a walk from Independence Hall. It is mostly for those who happen to be strolling that way, like a place for rest and relaxation. I didn't realize how much historical significance this spot had, besides just the markers. Like I wasn't aware the first human air flight took place there in 1793. The park is part of Independence National Historic Park, so you gotta check it out! Also, be sure to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier part. It's a very touching part, as you'll see a statue of George Washington and an eternal flame. It is not known at the moment how many soldiers are buried beneath the park, but the tomb is a reminder of those who gave up everything for the United States. read more

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Allie A.

125

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7 years ago

I love that I can walk here on a pleasant day on my lunch break. It's very user friendly with plenty of seating, beautiful greenery, and not much city noise. You can actually hear birds chirping! On a hot summer day, the breeze cooled by the fountain square is an added plus. There is a particular corner that I like to hang out in - I bring my lunch, my book and I can while away a pleasant 45 minutes here. People can bash Philly all they want, but I've encountered nothing but nice folks on my visit here - a little hello here or there, a half mile, all pleasantness so far. read more

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Bill M.

1439

1649

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19 years ago

You know that a park might just be haunted when it has a tomb of an unknown soldier smack dab in the middle of it. seriously though, one of the main things you'll instantly notice when you read all the historical signs in the park is how much war history took place in it. and for a place that has so much history, it's not always very clean or inviting. it has a lot more concrete then grass too. it's still a great place to sit back, relax with a good book, and take in some people watching. it's just that everything this park does, Rittenhouse Square does better. read more

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Michelle C.

Elite 21

4884

2256

4420

6 years ago

I much prefer the quiet peacefulness of Washington Square Park to our other famous Philly park. It's sprawling, with plenty of grass for a picnic, lots of trees for shade, and gorgeous scenery in every direction. You also can't beat being so close to Talula's Daily, in case you need a quick and easy lunch to go, or even just an afternoon pick-me-up in the form of a coffee or treat. read more

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Brad G.

509

823

5973

10 years ago

Our first day in Philly we didn't get to visit some of the historic buildings because we didn't make it there in time. We saved those for another day. In the meantime, we walked around to check out other things. Washington Square Park was one of those destinations. This place isn't as creepy as it should be. This square served as a burial ground for revolutionary soldiers and yellow fever victims. With the beauty that this park flaunts, you'd never guess that you're sitting, walking, running, walking your dog, having a picnic, or whatever else you're doing above dead people! The trees provide plenty of shade and this square didn't seem as crowded as other squares we visited. There is also a George Washington statue with an eternal flame commemorating an unknown soldier. If you visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, you have to take the short walk to this square. It's too close and peaceful not to. read more

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Maria C.

1876

3135

9889

12 years ago

Luckily Washington Square Park is located within walking distance from Independence Hall. In fact, a lot of the major touristy attractions are all within a few square miles and minutes from one another. Since I had time to spare, I decided to trek my way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There are several landmarks in the park, so take a few moments to read some of the art work and structures. Very serene and safe. I mostly saw people either reading on the benches, walking their pets, or running. read more

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Patrick L.

454

1712

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12 years ago

What a cool park. I wandered through on my way to lunch and made sure I returned later in the day. WSP has a really mellow vibe (void of homeless, panhandlers and rif-raf) and contains an awesome monument to George Washington and the unknown soldier. I enjoyed watching sightseers, dog walkers and kids playing. I enjoyed it so much, I may return tomorrow to relax on a bench. A great place to chill out and take in the sights and sounds. 4.5 stars. read more

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Owen R.

Elite 23

599

3088

14103

9 years ago

Nothing fancy. Great inner city park, lots of seating. Good for the dogs, kids. Grateful to sit and relax a bit. read more

Washington Square - Entrance - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Washington Square - Beautiful late November day - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Rita A.

Elite 19

27

72

57

8 years ago

This is my favorite park in Center City! There are of benches, trees, and space on the grass. It is usually pretty busy during the warmer months, but I wouldn't say it's crowded since I've never had trouble finding a bench or a spot in the grass under a tree. It's a great place to walk a dog or let kids play. There are a lot of nearby cafes and I love to get takeout and have a picnic on a blanket in the park when the weather is nice. read more

Washington Square - Timber! - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Abraham A.

15

313

169

6 years ago

This is such a beautiful park! It is so tranquil, people of all nationalities coming together to enjoy the park, all while surrounded by squirrels. Apparently George Washington's army who died in a battle, in Philadelphia, are buried nearby or are in the park, didn't understand it; I'm probably wrong, but I'll leave it to you to read up! This park is definitely worth the visit, loads of history in one city block. If you're planning on visiting, make sure to bring a bag of shelled peanuts, because you're going to run into some friendly squirrels who won't be afraid to approach you! read more

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Chris S.

0

4

0

4 years ago

The park is nice but there's 1 major problem. Whoever runs the park needs to get rid of the Homeless taking up the new benches. The benches are brand new and they're filthy already. I also go to Rittenhouse Square Park and they have new benches with the same color wood and they still look new,that's because there are no homeless on the benches and in the park during the day. In Washington Square Park the homeless takes over the benches and people like me can't sit and relax and enjoy the atmosphere. The new benches are so dirty now that a person can ruin the clothes that they have on because off the stains. If this continues,Washington Square Park will lose it's longtime regulars like me who has been going to the park since the middle 1990's. read more

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Billy K.

Elite 14

137

477

840

7 years ago

I'm a big fan of this park and come often given I live just a block away. The park is large with lots of seating and far less noisy / busy vs. Rittenhouse park. Lots of trees provide shade on a warm summer day. A number of coffee and food options close by to enjoy in the park. Nice water fountain centered in the park. I find this park very peaceful and relaxing as it's rarely overcrowded and noisy. From what I can tell, the park appears very safe even at night. I noticed some people sleeping in the park late at night so be aware. The squirrels are very friendly and will jump up on the bench with you to and get some food if your eating. No washroom facilities. Highly recommended - a great spot to relax in the middle of the busy city. BK read more

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P H.

3

167

87

5 years ago

What a great park. Very well kept. Loved the history of the park. The park is very relaxing, very quiet. I went and got food, brought it back to the park and was able to sit, relax and enjoy a late lunch. Plenty of people in the park working out, walking their dogs and/or just enjoying the park. read more

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Ben N.

Elite 15

114

85

217

10 years ago

TL;DR - PokemonGo hot spot After you get done seeng the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, there's a park nearby where PokemonGo players can rest their feet and enjoy a slice of video game heaven. I hope you brought your battery pack because you can get stuck here all day catching Pokemon. There are no less than 10 Pokestops in this small park. Many of which constantly seem to have lures on them all the time. Minimal bums to bother you Plenty of benches and shady area A lot of pokemon nerds like myself read more

Washington Square - Washington square park is LIT - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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L. C.

3

6

20

13 years ago

This is a very nice park. My first time there, I ran into a man who was feeding the birds. He was very nice and told me a little history about the unknown soldier and other historical facts. Not sure how busy the park gets, but it wasn't loud or full of people when I visited (which I enjoyed). I noticed a lot of dog-walkers as well as a small group of people playing instruments for those strolling through the park. Nice walking distance to the Liberty Bell and to South Street. Definitely visiting here again! read more

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Rachel O.

Elite 19

253

124

2272

11 years ago

Good: I really love this park. It's the same size as Rittenhouse, yet feels more spacious and far more calm. It's a wonderful getaway from the city hustle and bustle - it's cooler by a few degrees in summer, a great snowball arena in winter, the city noises are slightly muffled, and if you're lucky - you catch the fragrance of some flowers in certain spots in the spring and early summer. There are plenty of benches and your choice of sunny/shady/dappled spots to sit in or spread a blanket. The center circle is relaxing with the fountain on (and the shrubbery blocks wind in the fall/winter). The historical aspect - though a bit heebie jeebie-y - with the park being a graveyard - provides a sense of calm and encourages some reflection and introspection. Definitely visit the eternal flame. The park is well patrolled by park rangers. Thank you! Eh: - The less fortunate folks tend to bed down here at night during the warmer months. They are mostly harmless, but always be aware of your surroundings. - Occasional dog poop in the grass. I've stepped in my share (less than5x in 3yrs), but considering how many dogs are at the park and how often I'm there with my dog - I'd say that most folks are responsible pet parents. :) read more

Washington Square - Fountain in center of park. - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Washington Square - Hot day! - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Annie H.

0

25

71

7 years ago

It's a nice place to relax and people watch. The park is clean and it has plenty of grassy areas for kids and dogs. read more

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Brian S.

Elite 24

298

439

3043

13 years ago

Great park. How do they keep the grass so green with all of the revolutionary soldiers and yellow fever victims buried beneath it? http://www.ushistory.org/districts/washingtonsquare/alltogether.htm read more

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Denny T.

Elite 21

228

697

539

11 years ago

Not far from other significant tourist spots Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, et. This was far less busier than the others. It's nestled in the small block sized park. It's a monument to symbolize not just the unknown soldier but good representation for those that went unidentified in early American history. Think Gettysburg with unknown tombs in a small single scale. Worth a visit. read more

Washington Square - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Paul K.

112

647

80

7 years ago

Don't forget, as you sit on a bench squirrel watching and eating a bagel (Knead is nearby) that beneath you feet rest the remains of thousands upon thousands of freed slaves, yellow fever and small pox victims, prisoners of war starved to death by the British and Revolutionary War soldiers who died for what we take for granted. read more

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More info about Washington Square

W Washington Sq
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Society Hill
Directions

Hours

What time does Washington Square open?

What time does Washington Square close?

Indoor Amenities

Does Washington Square allow dogs?

Yes, Washington Square allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Washington Square have bike parking?

Yes, Washington Square has bike parking.

Does Washington Square have parking?

Yes, Washington Square has parking options. Street Parking

Review Highlights - Washington Square

“But mostly, it's a beautiful park, quieter than Rittenhouse and a stone's throw from Independence Hall.”

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Schuylkill River Park

4.7

(42 reviews)

1.6 mi

Schuylkill River Park is a nice spot to get some fresh air and has plenty of grassy areas that are…read moreperfect for a picnic. I came here with some friends to have a picnic and watch the sunset, and it was a really nice place for it. You get great views of the Schuylkill River along with the Philly skyline, and the sunset was beautiful from here. There's also a basketball court and easy access to the riverwalk, which is perfect for biking, running, or just taking a walk along the water. Overall, it's a nice little outdoor spot in the city to relax, hang out with friends, or enjoy the views.

Such a cute and well maintained park! Sometimes going to the Squares just isn't the vibe, this park…read moreFEELS like a real park. Lots of benches, picnic tables, a small playground, basketball court, dog park and direct access to the water and river trail. Everything was clean and the park is really well kept!

Fall 2024 view. Autumnal colors

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Running / walking path

Franklin Square

4.3

(147 reviews)

0.6 mi

Great place to take kids or walk around on a nice day in Philly! Chinese Lantern festival is so…read morecool, both in day time (free) and night time (around $30 a person). So close to chinatown so you will be near great food options. Patco station right here so it's easy to get to! I love the activities they have to do here

Stopped at Franklin Square during a Big Bus city holiday lights tour to see the PECO Light Show, a…read morelight show synchronized to seasonal music throughout the entire area. The park's carousel is illuminated with festive lights, and seemed to be a hit with the families present. Seasonal treats and warm beverages were available at the on-site SquareBurger, priced as one would expect at a tourist location like this. While the festive decorations and activities are lovely, the park was quite crowded, while we were there. Also, the bathroom trailer was absolutely disgusting, despite a small team of custodial employees on site, so plan on holding it while you're there if you can! All in all, Franklin Square was a pleasant diversion, I wouldn't make a special trip to visit.

Classic carousel at the park

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Franklin Square fountain during the PECO holiday light show.

Rittenhouse Square Park

4.5

(273 reviews)

1.0 mi

There aren't many public parks in the U.S. built in the 17th century. Rittenhouse Square Park is…read moreone of them, and it's a good one. Visiting Philly for work on a weekend, every evening the park came to life with live music, people walking, reading, and playing. There are plenty of benches for sitting, statues to find, fountains, and more. If you want a slice of nature and community in the city, go here!

I can't believe I've never written a review of Rittenhouse Square Park, because I like to stop by…read morealmost every time I'm in Philadelphia. Rittenhouse Square is the heart of the Rittenhouse neighborhood, and it's one of the original open-space parks planned by William Penn in the late 17th century. It's not large, but it has a few fountains and sculptures, great landscaping, and plenty of benches for sitting. It's a lovely place for sitting, reading a book, chatting with a friend, people watching... It's also home to a small farmers market year-round on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Stop by and relax a bit.

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John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

(116 reviews)

6.8 mi

Good spot, easy to forget it's still in the city…read more I've been here a handful of times, usually after work or on weekends when I need to get outside for a bit. Once you're on the trails it gets surprisingly quiet. Like, noticeably quieter than you'd expect from somewhere still technically inside Philadelphia. The paths are mostly flat gravel so it's not a hard walk at all. I tend to stop on the boardwalks and just look out over the marsh for a few minutes. Last time there were a few turtles lined up on a log, and I'm pretty sure I spotted a couple of herons near the water too. You do hear planes since the airport's close by, but it doesn't really bother me. Kind of adds to the strangeness of the place in a way I actually like. One thing worth knowing: the mosquitoes are no joke. I skipped bug spray once and regretted it pretty quickly. If you're going in summer, just bring some, especially if you're planning to hang around near the water.

Plenty of parking, upon entering, it feels like you are entering a National Park or something. The…read morevisitor center is very colorful, informative and clean. The trail signs are very clear. I struggle with the trash in the marshes, I am not sure if it is the wind picking it up but I hope there can be more effort cleaning up. It was also extremely sad to see the turtles covered in oil which seems like pollutants from the water. Nonetheless, the trails are nice to walk on. The trails have no elevation but are nicely graveled.

Heinz Wildlife Refuge -- AARK animal presentation early June 2025

Heinz Wildlife Refuge

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Heinz Wildlife Refuge -- Nov 2023

Fairmount Park

(64 reviews)

4.3 mi

Fairmount Park is one of the biggest parks in the United States. It still has original houses from…read morethe 1700s. It has walking trails, ballfields and playgrounds. You can also drive through the park. Smith playground is a mansion with indoor activities and a big outdoor playground for kids. The best part about Smith playground is the giant wooden slide. The kids and adults can both go on the discovery center is in a former reservoir. It has walking trails and indoor activities to learn about the park. The horticultural center in Japanese teahouse are also located in the park. It's a great place to picnic!

Fairmount Park offers a wide range of activities, from exploring historical sites and gardens to…read moreenjoying outdoor recreation and attending events. You can stroll along the Trolley Trail, visit Boathouse Row, and marvel at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as opportunities for picnicking and boating on Concourse Lake. Fairmount Park is also home to the Please Touch Museum and the Philadelphia Zoo, making it a great destination for families. I am normally here for The roots picnic, but realized this park has so much to offer. If you are up for outdoor activities, make sure to come by and explore. One tidbit, make sure you make sure you are going to this park because there is another Fairmount park that is also in Philly. Enjoy!

Fairmount Park

View of Schuykill River

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Spruce Street Harbor Park

4.2

(414 reviews)

0.6 mi

Absolutely love this venue ! Perfect for a date night or…read morefamily outing . Great food trucks and bars on the water and I love the random hammocks to lounge in ! I'm so glad we stumbled on this during our vacay

Very cool park along the water. The large, docked ships add a layer that other waterfront parks…read moredon't have. A lot of hammocks and "chill" spots in the shade. I visited the park largely to see one of their summer shows. The Lazy Hammock stage is walled in in its own section of the park. There is a bar at the back right corner of the area. There are lots of picnic benches and seating to the left of the walled in space. The middle is reserved for those that want to stand/dance. The sound quality was excellent. I found the stones on the ground to be annoying when trying to move to the music but there is a pit area at the front of the stage made from wood. This area was a lot more to my liking.

Me enjoying the evening vibes

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Wissahickon Valley Trail

4.7

(152 reviews)

10.4 mi

X-posting a review from the Wissahickon Park page. This park is so good it deserves two 5-star…read moreratings. Hard to rate an entire park this massive, but all things considered, after 5 years of traversing the trails here, this is an awesome park. Note that I live in U-City, so the fact that such a massive trail system exists in only a ~20 minute drive, depending on which part of the park I start in, is a blessing and keeps my sanity. Friends of Wissahickon does a great job maintaining trails and even expanding the system over the past few years. I don't think I've ever observed an unseemly part of the park. Definitely unseemly times of year like the snow thaw or the time between the trees dying and the snow falling, but otherwise, this park is beautiful all times of year. I've never had a hard time parking, never even had trouble with crowds even around the most popular trails (ex. Forbidden Drive). Even the bikers are friendly and patient here! Would strongly recommend not only visiting but coming back to keep exploring! I'm still finding new gems in this massive trail system.

Today I decided to switch things up and take a trip to Valley Green in Wissahickon Park, Philly…read more I've always heard about Devil's Pool but had never been, so when I saw the trailhead, I figured--why not check it out? What I've known about Devil's Pool is that it's been a popular hangout spot, especially for teens and young adults--swimming, drinking, smoking, etc. But I wasn't prepared for how disappointing the trail would be. At nearly every turn, there was trash--plastic bottles, wrappers, and even entire black garbage bags just left behind. The closer I got to Devil's Pool, the worse it got. There are clear signs asking visitors to take their trash with them, yet so many clearly don't. It's really disheartening to see such a beautiful natural space disrespected like that. Instead of feeling peaceful or connected to nature, it honestly felt a bit unsanitary and neglected. Wissahickon Park deserves better. If you visit, please respect the space and take out everything you bring in.

Me and my granddaughter and daughters!

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Morning glory at Bells Mills Road

Love Park

3.5

(248 reviews)

0.9 mi

SCW and I walked through Love Park and of course got our selfie in front of the Love sign. The park…read moreitself is across from the capitol building. It's fairly clean, has a visitors center (for the city not only the park) and a nice fountain that you can go in if you're adventurous or a kid. We did not, but on a warm day like it was the idea was tempting. Love Park isn't a huge park by any means, but a good place to take a walk, enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and share the time with someone you love. Love wins.

Right next to City Hall. A fun park to get a photo at with the Love sign and the rest of…read morePhiladelphia behind you. When we went around noon there wasn't a line for photos or anything. No homeless people either. Just us, a few tourists and lots of pics being taken. Fun spot for photos.

Watching the filming of Good Morning America

Love this

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LOVE Sculpture

Bartram's Garden

4.5

(66 reviews)

3.3 mi

Came here for a 52 Firsts event during Spring Fest and it ended up being such a fun day. There was…read morea lot going on without feeling overwhelming. Live energy, little activity tables, and a small plant sale that was honestly very tempting. One of the coolest things I learned is that they have what's believed to be the oldest ginkgo tree in both North and South America. That alone made the visit feel a little special. I spent some time walking the trails and made my way around the water too. It's really pretty back there. Lots of flowers in bloom, open space, and quieter areas if you want a break from the crowd. I definitely liked the more shaded, tree-heavy sections the most. Some of the booths were set up fully in the sun and it got a bit intense after a while, so having those cooler, shaded areas made a big difference. Staff were very helpful and the trails are clearly marked, which made it easy to just wander without worrying about getting lost. Only downside is the location can be a little tricky to get to, especially if you're not driving. But once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. Overall just a really enjoyable, laid-back outdoor spot with a lot to explore. I'd come back, especially for another event.

Seems like a really lovely and serene acres of gardens to wander thru. Sqirrrls flowers plants…read morepathways birds benches to sit Large fallen trees to sit and it's along the water but the view was blocked by trees. I saw a pond with Lilly pads in it too. There's supposed to be free fishing from 5-7pm and it's thru the back circular parking lot. The trees are labeled w gold dog tag info. Wear bug spray cuz I had sandals and my feet felt sting and maybe bit up

I am a contractor; I do all kinds of remodeling and construction work.

Bartram's Garden

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Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse

4.5

(126 reviews)

3.3 mi

Really good for kids 2 to 7 years I saw a lot of people with their babies. Beautiful place for kids…read moreclean people that work there very friendly.

I think we lost count of how many times we came here for kids birthday parties! We also celebrated…read morekidchella here as well. Each time the little ones are thoroughly entertained! The birthday parties usually start with the indoor play area and expanding the 3 floors with a plethora of toys and entertainment! Then headed outside with tons of free space and multiple playgrounds (for some reason we always end up at the potato sack slide for a million rounds lol). It's an amazing space for no charge (with donation opportunities at times). As with any outdoor space, after dusk the mosquitos feast!

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Downstairs play area

Spruce Street Harbor Park

4.2

(414 reviews)

0.6 mi

Absolutely love this venue ! Perfect for a date night or…read morefamily outing . Great food trucks and bars on the water and I love the random hammocks to lounge in ! I'm so glad we stumbled on this during our vacay

Very cool park along the water. The large, docked ships add a layer that other waterfront parks…read moredon't have. A lot of hammocks and "chill" spots in the shade. I visited the park largely to see one of their summer shows. The Lazy Hammock stage is walled in in its own section of the park. There is a bar at the back right corner of the area. There are lots of picnic benches and seating to the left of the walled in space. The middle is reserved for those that want to stand/dance. The sound quality was excellent. I found the stones on the ground to be annoying when trying to move to the music but there is a pit area at the front of the stage made from wood. This area was a lot more to my liking.

Me enjoying the evening vibes

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O'Connor Pool

(19 reviews)

1.6 mi

water was the perfect temp not too cold not too warm and the whole place was super clean plenty of…read moreloungers too lifeguards were chillin but kept an eye out best swim ever ‍

first time trying out a philly public pool! we did have to wait outside for about ten minutes to be…read morelet in and then an additional five for the life guards to get to their stations, which was a bit disappointing because we only have 50 minutes to swim before they kicked us out again! there's small bathrooms, and no changing rooms but they do have a place to rinse off your feet? (very odd as there is no sand but y'know...) i wish there was a place to change out of my wet bathing suit and into dry clothes, but other than that it was worth trying out on a really hot day! really clean pool and life guards are posted at every side :) unfortunately did not get any pics!

Always so nice + clean and the staff is so friendly

10 minutes of tranquility (break time).

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Wet N Wild Waverunner Rentals

(42 reviews)

55.1 mi

What a FUN experience! Extremely easy to book and plan. The staff were super friendly and helpful…read more They got us a setup quickly and we were on our way on the beautiful bay! Highly recommend planning a unique day date for you and your boo!

Felt nice getting out of the house to actually do something entertaining for once.(This covid bs is…read morea drag) This was my 6th time coming here over the years. Like previous visits, the staff was great. Easy check in. Easy instructions on how to use the ski. Clean and sanitary life vests. Clean and sanitary port o potties. Decent ski's (fast and reliable) A couple negatives - They really did crack down a lot on just how far you can go on the ski's. They also added a lot more staff out there with you (That's good from a safety stand point but they keep you contained to a specific area and enforce rules haha) Previous visits we were able to ride from bridge to bridge ... It felt alot more open and free. This time around it was 1/4 the riding area and basically a large circle. Bummer, but what can ya do ? Safety is in these days. Btw my review from 5 years ago mentions the price as $85 for an hour with a passenger... this year was $118 ! Paying a lot more for a lesser experience. (inflations a bitch) Negatives aside, I still really enjoyed the experience and I look forward to stopping here again soon. It was a great time.

View of the docks and the Wave Runners.

Riding in the Back Bay of OCNJ!

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College Settlement Camp

5.0

(4 reviews)

16.1 mi

College Settlement is the best! Initially, I was extremely nervous about sending my children at…read moreages 8 and 11 to their first 2-week overnight camp. However, when registering them for summers following, they insisted on participating in the full 2-week overnight camp, no shorter. CS offers a variety of experiences and activities and keep the kids engaged. They look forward to going back each year and always seem to return home more independent than when they left.

Best place for you kids. My two learned to ride bikes and swim there. They sign up for the same…read moresession each summer to meet their friends from camp again. The staff are very good and handle any situations very well. As a teacher myself I am very impressed at the professionalism of the staff. The camp does bring in kids from many backgrounds and has many kids that come from tougher areas and the staff do a great job of creating a safe space and bringing kids together. This is one of the main reasons my kids have attended for years. I needed financial assistance for a couple of years and the camp was there for us. The staff are from all over the world, and many were campers there too. The senior have been there for many years and are always so friendly and know my kids! I can't say enough about this place. Both my kids loved being junior staff there and can't imagine a summer without College Settlement.