Rittenhouse Square
An area known for its green spaces, upscale shopping, and alfresco dining.
Located in the heart of Center City, Rittenhouse Square is one of the city’s most elegant neighborhoods. With world-class dining establishments that are home to award-winning chefs, this is an area that is a must-visit for foodies.
What to Do
For the inquisitive traveler, Rittenhouse Square offers a variety of charming boutiques and attractions. The shops along Rittenhouse Row combine luxury with relaxation for an exclusively Philadelphian experience. Stop into Knit Wit for designer womenswear, then Lagos for a fine piece of jewelry. The Rosenbach Museum holds a private collection of rare books by noted book dealers, the Rosenbach brothers. Their collection includes the only surviving copy of Benjamin Franklin’s first Poor Richard’s Almanack and Bram Stoker’s notes for Dracula. Unlike any other museum, the Mütter Museum houses one of the country’s finest medical artifacts and specimens collections.
Dope Botanicals offers a curated selection of handcrafted tinctures, teas, and elixirs made in small batches with organic herbs, providing plant-powered solutions for holistic wellness and intentional healing.
Where to Dine
A European-like square, this neighborhood is plentiful with al fresco dining and high-concept restaurants. A Parisian brasserie experience awaits at Parc, complete with seating along the square. Gran Caffè L’Aquila is housed in a building built in and moved from Italy, serving food and drinks as authentic as its origin. Harp & Crown offers a new American menu, cocktails, and over 40 beers on tap in a stylish setting. The restaurant features an expansive 32-seat bar and a bowling alley speakeasy in the basement. For an intimate night out, The Love serves one-of-a-kind beverages and comforting cuisine. After hours, stop by Vinyl for live music in a retro setting that honors a time when Philadelphia was the epicenter of the nation’s music industry. A James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurant, Friday Saturday Sunday is an eclectic New American restaurant with an eight-course tasting menu.
Where to Stay
The many hotel options in the neighborhood include the sophisticated Rittenhouse Hotel, a luxury hotel located on the Square. Or stay at the elegant Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse, on the National Register of Historic Places. The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center is a luxury hotel on the top floors of Philadelphia’s tallest building, the Comcast Technology Center. Its dazzling sky lobby on the 60th floor is also home to the SkyHigh lounge and restaurant.
JG SkyHigh at The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center
The Bellevue Philadelphia, the city’s first luxury hotel, was constructed in 1904. Closer to City Hall, the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia offers 300 luxurious guest rooms and suites. The hotel’s rotunda building is a reproduction of the Pantheon in Rome.
Art lovers should consider a stay at the 439-room Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia. The hotel is home to the stylish ArtBar and a colorful 22-story mural on its façade. The Kimpton Hotel Palomar features work by local artists throughout the Art Deco building. Just across the street, the Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square adds a bit of French flair to its 306 elegantly appointed rooms and suites. The Westin Philadelphia houses 294 rooms adjacent to the Shops at Liberty Place.
Photo courtesy of the Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square.
The Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia features 332 stylish guest rooms, featuring local art. The Motto by Hilton Rittenhouse Square is a micro-hotel with 252 rooms averaging 180 square-feet. Rooms are equipped with space-efficient queen and bunk beds, barn doors, and built-in storage.
The 51-story W Hotel features an outdoor terrace with a year-round heated pool. The Element offers rooms designed for extended stays. Other nearby lodging options include The Inn at the Union League of Philadelphia.
