Copied to Clipboard
Rittenhouse Row
Friends of Rittenhouse
Feeling fancy? Rittenhouse Square tends to have that effect on people.
Named for its centerpiece public park, the Center City neighborhood spans Market Street to South Street from north to south, and Broad Street to the Schuylkill River Banks from east to west.
Long considered one of Philly’s toniest locales, it is a prime destination for shopping, dining and culture, with countless boutiques, galleries, theaters and eateries, attracting out-of-towners and residents alike (roughly 10,000 daily!).
Events, like the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, the Rittenhouse Fine Craft Show and the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, showcase everything the neighborhood has to offer.
Read on for a guide to Rittenhouse Square, curated with help from the nonprofit organizations Rittenhouse Row and the Friends of Rittenhouse Square.
Rittenhouse Square’s stellar collection of upscale restaurants, local favorites, cozy coffee shops and warm-weather alfresco dining is a foodie paradise.
Two of the city’s most prolific restaurateurs — Stephen Starr and Michael Schulson — have left their mark with stylish spots like Parc, Borromini, Via Locusta and Dear Daphni.
The list of James Beard-honored fine dining is loooong: Friday Saturday Sunday, Vernick Food & Drink, a.kitchen + bar, My Loup and more.
Casual staples, like Dizengoff (hummus) and Huda (sandwiches), and cafes, like The Ground Coffee and vegan go-to P.S. & Co., shine just as bright.
Friday Saturday Sunday — Photo by D.Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
You can keep the good times rolling at charming watering holes, like Monk’s Cafe, Good Dog Bar, The Happy Rooster and Topside Tavern.
Or raise a glass to the champagne lifestyle at sophisticated cocktail lounges and bars, like Enswell, Andra Hem, The Library Bar, the Ranstead Room and Bar Lesieur.
With a mix of big names in Philly fashion (Boyds, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie), national brands, and independent boutiques, Rittenhouse Square — specifically Walnut Street and Chestnut Street — is a one-stop shop for all your wants and needs.
Chic apparel? Try Joan Shepp, Blue Sole Shoes, Head Start Shoes or Sophy Curson.
Gifts? Turn to Iffy Books for the readers in your life or Long in the Tooth for the music heads.
Party time? Swing by Cork or Di Bruno Bros. for a good bottle of wine and all the accoutrements.
Blue Sole Shoes — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
The one-square-block park that gave the neighborhood its name, Rittenhouse Square is more popular with sunbathers, artists, pet parents and puppers than city founder William Penn ever could have imagined.
The park’s shady canopy, manicured lawns, impressive sculptures, abundant seating, and lineup of events and farmers markets make it one of the best-known — and perhaps, most enjoyed — corners of the city.
Rittenhouse Square park — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
One of the city’s most enviable addresses, Rittenhouse Square has been a retreat for Philadelphians for the better part of two centuries.
Lined with historic homes and leafy trees, anyone can enjoy the beauty and charm of the neighborhood.
Wander the side streets, snapping photos of the Tudor-style countryside townhouses of Saint James Place, the Civil War-era brownstones of Delancey Street, fairylight-draped trees along Addison Street and more.
Addison Street — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
While the heavy hitters of Philly’s Museum District — like the Philadelphia Art Museum and Barnes Foundation — are just a short walk from the area, the curious can find some of the city’s more offbeat institutions here.
Explore the Mütter Museum, home to a (somewhat macabre) collection of antique medical artifacts, specimens and anatomical oddities, and The Rosenbach, a bibliophile’s paradise boasting one of the world’s great collections of manuscripts, literature and rare books.
The neighborhood’s glitzy theaters — including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre and the Tony Award-winning Wilma Theater — host traveling Broadway musicals, experimental theatrical productions, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Ballet.
Beyond the glamour of the Avenue of the Arts, audiences flock here for free concerts at the world-famous Curtis Institute and hilarious comedy and improv shows at Helium Comedy Club, CSz Philadelphia and SideQuest Theater.
The Wilma Theater — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Rittenhouse Square is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to outstanding hotels. Accommodations include luxury stays in the middle of the action, like The Rittenhouse and AKA Rittenhouse Square, upscale spots along Broad Street like the Ritz-Carlton and The Bellevue, and more.
The Bellevue Hotel — Photo courtesy R. McKendree
Ready to experience the area firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:
Philadelphia is a city of vibrant neighborhoods bordered by a region of charming towns, with each area owning a distinctive personality. Explore the neighborhoods and towns in and around Philadelphia — their storied streets, interesting attractions, buzzed-about restaurants and year-round happenings.
Use the menu above to explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods