Top Romantic Experiences in Philadelphia

Look no further than Philadelphia for an abundance of romantic experiences, including strolls and selfies in iconic LOVE Park and love-themed excursions to see dreamy murals in West Philadelphia. Journey into the clouds to sip well-crafted cocktails followed by a late-night couples massage, or treat your significant other to intimate dining experiences throughout the city.

Take in a romantic sunrise

Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Race Street Pier. Photo by B. Cress for Art in the Age.

A sunrise sets the mood for a romantic day ahead. Begin your love-filled journey by watching the sunrise from one of Philadelphia’s top vantage points. For scenic views of the Delaware River, Race Street Pier is an intimate spot for picnics and watching the sun rise, just under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Along Philadelphia’s other river, the Schuylkill, watch the sun ascend above the Center City skyscrapers from a picturesque perch on the South Street Bridge. Or, start the day with a breakfast picnic high atop Belmont Plateau in West Fairmount Park, which presents stunning views of the surrounding park space as the sun rises over the downtown skyline in the distance. These views are so beautiful, you may have trouble focusing on your amore.

A selfie and stroll around LOVE Park

LOVE Park, Blue Sky. Photo by M. Zugale for PHLCVB.

No visit to Philadelphia is complete without a stop at the famous LOVE Park, located in the heart of Center City just steps away from City Hall. Officially known as John F. Kennedy Plaza, the half-acre park is now affectionately referred to as LOVE Park thanks to Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE statue. The quintessential public art piece, which was placed in the park as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976, is one of the most photographed spots in the city. After snapping a selfie with your loved one at the LOVE statue, take a stroll along the scenic Benjamin Franklin Parkway — passing other inspiring sculptures and statues along the way — to eventually arrive at the green beginnings of Fairmount Park.

Admire love letters painted on buildings throughout West Philadelphia

Love Letters. Photo credit S. Weinik for Mural Arts Philadelphia.

Originally launched as an anti-graffiti program in 1984, Mural Arts Philadelphia has transformed some of Philadelphia’s most unassuming locations and now boasts over 4,000 works of community-based public art. The nation’s largest public art program, Mural Arts Philadelphia offers the opportunity to see some of these murals on guided and self-guided tours, including the two-hour Love Letter Train Tour, which takes visitors through A Love Letter for You by renowned street artist Steve ESPO Powers. In 2010, Powers collaborated with the West Philadelphia community to create a series of 50 murals that collectively form an open-ended love letter, perceived either as messages from a lover to their partner, or as odes to the city itself.

Treat your sweetheart to chocolate from a historic candy store

Shane Confectionery. Photo by J. Ryan for PHLCVB.

Found along Market Street in Old City, Shane Confectionery is the nation’s oldest continuously operating candy store, specializing in sweet treats made using traditional recipes and equipment. Owned by the same brothers behind neighboring soda fountain Franklin Fountain and Franklin Ice Cream Bar, Shane Confectionery follows in the footsteps of its sister shops by presenting its storefront and products in an authentic, turn-of-the-century fashion, with vintage cash registers, display cases, signage, and other antique elements throughout the space.

The treats themselves also call back to the early days of Philadelphia and include options such as clear toy candies (a Pennsylvania Dutch hard candy made by pouring molten sugar into playful molds), bean-to-bar chocolates, and seasonal confections available for Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas.

Walk through a dreamy garden in Philadelphia’s Countryside

Ruin Garden. Photo courtesy of Chanticleer.

Relax and explore lush courtyards along with a colorful cut-flower and vegetable garden at the 35-acre Chanticleer Garden. Chanticleer is just one of 37 public gardens, arboreta and historic landscapes within 30 miles of downtown Philadelphia that establish the region as America’s Garden Capital.

Other romantic garden destinations include the 1,000+ acre Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, home to the most significant fountain collection in North America, and Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arborteum along the Delaware River in Bucks County, which features over 800 trees throughout the property as well as a historic mansion that is considered one of the finest and earliest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the nation.

Whisper sweet nothings in West Philadelphia

Take a seat at one end of the Smith Memorial Arch in West Fairmount Park while your special someone sits on the opposite end. Whisper into the monument and the bench will carry your voice from one partner to the other. After, rent a bike from a nearby Indego station and explore more of the public art on view throughout Fairmount Park with the help of the Museum Without Walls Audio Tour offered by the Association for Public Art, the country’s first private entity dedicated to public art.

Laugh and lap at an ice rink

DRWC Winterfest Couple Ice. Photo credit M. Stanley.

If you’re looking to heat up during the cool months, lace up your skates and visit one of Philadelphia’s seasonal ice rinks. Open throughout the winter, the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at City Hall and the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest alongside the Delaware River welcome couples to hold hands while skating together. Both locations house cozy indoor lounges for pairs to cuddle up and share a hot beverage or cool cocktail after.

Relish in an evening of live music outdoors at the Mann Center

Philadelphia Orchestra at Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by J. Griffin.

Enjoy a romantic concert under the stars at the Mann Center, a 22-acre outdoor venue in Fairmount Park. The spacious hilltop venue offers plenty of lawn space perfect for picnics set to live music while also presenting one of the most impressive views of the Philadelphia skyline in the distance. The season typically lasts from May until September, making the ideal outdoor getaway. Upgrade to VIP Club with private and early entry, dedicated in-seat wait service, and private box seats with more legroom.

Enjoy cocktails and a couples massage in the clouds

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center.

Located on the 60th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center — Philadelphia’s first-and-only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel and recipient of its first AAA Five Diamond Hotel Designation — JG SkyHigh specializes in cocktail-hour experiences with unmatchable city views. Created by French-American chef Jean-Georges, the premier cocktail bar offers a range of wines, beers and cocktails by the glass, including Walnut Rye Boulevardiers, Ginger Margaritas and Spiced Pear Daiquiris. The sleek and minimalist-designed hotel occupies the top floors of the impressive new 60-story Comcast Technology Center, Philadelphia’s tallest tower offering unobstructed 360° views of the city. For those looking for multiple nights of cocktails, visit other romantic and signature hotel bars in Philadelphia.

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center.

After cocktails, head to the Four Seasons’ 57th floor Spa — which also achieved the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating — and settle in for a luxurious couples massage on the deck of the hotel’s infinity pool as part of the premier property’s new Night Spa experience. After hours, the infinity pool space becomes all yours for an hour-long massage followed by champagne and private pool access. To learn more about Night Spa, including booking the Spa, and for more Four Seasons couples experiences, click here.

Channel your love into a custom clay creation at The Clay Studio

Learning how to throw clay with The Clay Studio. Photo courtesy of The Clay Studio.

Book a fun date night at The Clay Studio as instructors guide you through an evening of couple’s pottery-making, complete with light food and champagne. After you’re finished, explore the rotating exhibitions of ceramic works in the Studio’s galleries and browse the gift shop to find an assortment of handmade items including mugs, artwork, gifts and more to commemorate your evening.

Dine at one of Philadelphia’s intimate restaurants

The Lovebird seasonal buttermilk fried chicken at The Love. Photo by K. Smith for Starr Restaurants.

Just steps away from charming Rittenhouse Square, The Love — rated one of the most romantic restaurants in America by Forbes — is an intimate restaurant that serves enticing cuisine across a main dining and bar area, plus outdoor seating along 18th Street and a cozy upper-level loft. Created by Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr, the restaurant offers modern American cuisine with indulgent meals including the “Lovebird” seasonal buttermilk fried chicken, a “Labor of Love” American artisan cheese board and a “Rapture Blondie Sundae.” For couples looking to rekindle their romance over a drink, The Love’s one-of-a-kind beverage program is inspired by personal travels to vineyards and breweries in the region.

Butcher and Singer. Photo by Neal Santos.

Other romantic dining destinations include Starr Restaurant concepts such as Barclay Prime, Butcher and Singer, Parc, and Talula’s Garden. Not to be missed are the cozy settings found at Schulson Collective’s Harp & Crown and Double Knot restaurants, with the latter serving a full range of Japanese cuisine including sushi, robatayaki meats, mochi and more in an underground, candlelit izakaya (or outdoors along the boutique-lined 13th Street).

Have a night cap at a Philadelphia winery

City Winery. Photo courtesy of City Winery.

If “where there is no wine there is no love,” then Philadelphia is filled to the glass with affection. At the end of your day, have a night cap at one of Philadelphia’s wineries. City Winery Philadelphia has nightly shows and entertainment to add sensation to your night out or stop by Mural City Cellars where you’ll fit it with the neighbors. For couples visiting the countryside, have a glass a Penns Wood Winery, where modern technology meets Old World traditions.

Looking to add other activities to your romantic getaway? Visit our Things to Do page for more Philadelphia experiences.