11 Romantic Date Ideas in Greater Philadelphia

Enjoy the charm and fresh air of Philadelphia’s Countryside, home to some of the best eats and exciting activities in the region.

• Get a scenic view from way up above on a private hot air balloon ride as the sun rises, and toast with a complimentary glass of champagne upon landing.
• Grab pizza and craft beer at Sly Fox Brewing Company , whose Pottstown headquarters offers up brick-oven specialties to pair with pours.
• Share a cocktail with your sweetie at Manatawny Still Works , located next door to Sly Fox.
• Head back toward Philly (and hopefully more adventures tomorrow) for your stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Valley Forge/Collegeville .

Get to know a neighborhood while you get to know your date. Philly’s dynamic and diverse communities offer endless fun, including these spots in Fishtown and Kensington:

• Enjoy a relaxed meal at Martha for high-end hoagies and corner-deli prices.
• Save room for homemade ice cream to-go from Weckerly’s , known to draw lines for flavors like creme fraiche cranberry and meadow mint.
• Love to laugh? Catch a show at Punch Line Philly where some of the country’s most beloved comedians have been known to grace the stage.
• Marvel at your well-appointed room above Fishtown’s acclaimed Wm. Mulherin’s Sons restaurant, carved out of a 19th-century whiskey bottling factory. If you’re staying there during the weekend, be sure to hit up the restaurant for a brunch of bacon and egg Stromboli and other glorious delights.

Make a plan to explore Philly while you reconnect with your partner (or escape the pressure of awkward first-date small talk). The city’s charming alleys, historic sites and cobblestone streets add a little romance to the mood.

• Experience the city by foot, bus, Segway or more on a guided or self-guided tour that highlights Philadelphia’s long list of culinary accomplishments, its revered attractions and its history as the nation’s birthplace.
• Treat your date to handmade ice cream, an egg cream or a milkshake in an old-timey flavor at Franklin Fountain, a beloved year-round shop , where the antique equipment offers a sweet history lesson.
• Take in views of Independence Hall amid a prime location in the heart of Philadelphia’s Historic District while staying at Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown , boasting modern, elegant luxury and convenience to some of the city’s most iconic historic attractions.

Sometimes, doing less is more. Trade a hectic night out for a luxurious day of much-needed pampering.

• Book a serene afternoon at the spa at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center for a rejuvenating massage and cleansing facial, as well as energizing crystal treatments.
• Make a reservation (well in advance) at Vetri Cucina , widely considered one of the best Italian restaurants in the country, for the multi-course tasting menu in the intimate dining room. The food is only part of the experience; the wine cellar offers more than 2,500 bottles and an on-site sommelier to help with pairings.
• Head on back to your luxurious accommodations at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center — and make sure to check out that jaw-dropping pool overlooking the city.

It just so happens that the Philadelphia region’s climate and topography are perfect for producing wine. The wineries and vineyards in the five-county area host tastings and events to help couples dial up the romance.

• Kick off a countryside date at a Bucks County vineyard . Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Newtown makes restrained European-style wines at its 200-year-old estate, and nearby Rose Bank Winery makes specialty blends like chocolate orange port and coffee-like Cappavino.
• Pop into the independently owned shops at Peddler’s Village (there are more than 60) and continue the wine-themed date with a visit to the Nissley Vineyards .
• Following a meal at one of the shopping destination’s restaurants, “wine” down at the on-site Golden Plough Inn .

When you’re in one of the most exciting food cities in the world , your date plan had better include palate-pleasers. A romantic dinner doesn’t need to be fancy as long as it’s delicious. Here’s just one example of a delicious date night with minimal walking and maximum flavors:

• An appetizer of fresh oysters from Oyster House — a quintessential Philly seafood spot — is a classic romance move.
• Best way to go at Abe Fisher : order everything. The menu from James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Michael Solomonov features flavors from Budapest, Montreal and more destinations of the Jewish Diaspora.
• Double Knot ’s inventive cocktails — preferably enjoyed in the spot’s intimate underground space — make for a great nightcap. Still hungry? Pair with sushi.
• Settle in for a night at AKA Rittenhouse Square , a 12-story historic landmark that balances the style and hospitality of an intimate boutique hotel with the comfort and elegance of a luxurious residence. (Plus, it’s right at the entrance of Rittenhouse Square and above AKA’s critically acclaimed restaurant a.kitchen + bar .)

It doesn’t matter what the date ideas are — plan on packing light for a big getaway in Philadelphia. The Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — makes it easy to start a city stay with your beloved thanks to free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia) and choose-your-own-adventure perks. Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.

Impress your date (or, if you’re like us, make them giggle) with your skating “skills” on the Olympic-size ice rink at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest , typically open from late November through early March. When you’re ready to get warm, cozy up in a private cabin or alongside a toasty fire pit. Winterfest is situated on the Delaware River waterfront, offering captivating views of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The nearby Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing , the city’s only waterfront hotel, boasts an indoor swimming pool, on-site dining at Keating’s Rope & Anchor Bar + Kitchen, a fitness room and more. Pro tip: Bring a lock to add (with a message to your beloved) to the Philadelphia Hope Fence , which runs along the exterior of the hotel.

Escape to the edge of the city when the weather warms up for a delightful day at this 92-acre verdant Victorian arboretum in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood. Great for all ages but ideal for a get-to-know-you date, Morris Arboretum & Gardens is home to a rose garden, plants from many continents and the 450-foot-long Tree Adventure canopy walk situated 50 feet above the ground. Have a picnic, schedule a tour or check the calendar for events. A stroll on Germantown Avenue and a night or two at the Chestnut Hill Hotel round out a quintessential Northwest Philly experience.

Nothing says summer — or romance — quite like a ride on a Ferris wheel. Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront is transformed every summer into a colorful boardwalk experience at Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest and the Midway . Tasty treats perfect for sharing sit beside an outdoor roller rink and the brightly lit Ferris wheel, visible up and down the waterfront, welcoming couples ready to make summer memories. Bonus points if you score your crush a plush animal from one of the on-site carnival games. Post up at the nearby Philadelphia Marriott Old City after a fun night.

Philly might be a bustling city, but the city and surrounding region are also home to gobsmackingly spectacular foliage views each autumn. The trees start to show their best reds and golds around mid-fall, giving couples ample opportunity to take in the serene beauty of the city and the countryside from their chosen perch. Wissahickon Valley Park, Longwood Gardens, the Schuylkill River Trail and Valley Forge National Historical Park are just a few of the viewing spots for the region’s seasonal colors. Add more fun to your foliage by embarking on one (or more!) of our fall foliage road trips throughout the region, complete with accommodation recommendations for each excursion.