The Most Romantic Attractions & Activities in Philadelphia

Like its LOVE Park counterpart (see below), AMOR serves as the perfect picture-snapping icon to add to a selfie of you and your sweetheart. Located in Sister Cities Park , the six-foot-tall sculpture translates to “love” in both Spanish and Latin.

The beautiful grounds of the Barnes Foundation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are worthy of a romantic stroll, but once inside, lovebirds are awestruck by one of the world’s most impressive collections of impressionist, post-impressionist and early modern paintings and African sculpture. As of January 2022, the attraction is open for in-person visitation Friday through Sunday.

Each winter, the Delaware River waterfront plays host to the adorable Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest . Starry-eyed ice skaters can find a romantic evening on the waterfront, or find a cute place to cozy up, including outdoor fire pits, warming private cabins, and the open-air Lodge (with spiked, hot beverages available!). Attractiongoers can reserve timed tickets for ice skating, cabin rentals and/or firepits.

Note: As of March 20, 2023, Boathouse Row’s iconic lights are undergoing maintenance, and will remain dark through the end of 2023. Read more here .

Partners can bike, blade or walk along the Schuylkill River on either Kelly Drive or Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Fairmount Park. Take in the views of iconic Boathouse Row (which is illuminated at night) or wave at the early-morning scullers as you travel along the nine-mile loop stretching from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Falls Bridge and back.

Perfect for a hike and a picnic lunch, Bucks County’s 134-acre Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve comprises nearly 1,000 species of native plants, a meadow, a pond and a creek. As of January 2022, the preserve is open to visitors daily, except for Tuesdays. Reservations are preferred.

Couples can take in the scenic views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Delaware River while visiting the mixed-used, innovatively designed Cherry Street Pier , a year-round attraction on the Delaware River Waterfront. The 55,000-square-foot space is home to a variety of food and drink vendors, as well as artist studios and exhibits. The tranquil open-air garden at the pier’s end provides plenty of room for romantic riverside relaxation.

Harvard-educated Henry Chapman Mercer built his storybook stone mansion with its turrets and balconies from the inside out without using any blueprints. Modeled after a 13th-century Rhenish castle, it has Gothic doorways, sudden stairways, dead ends and 44 rooms, each in a different shape — leaving plenty to explore with the one you love. As of January 2022, the attraction is open for visitation .

Sparks fly (no kite necessary!) at this museum dedicated to Benjamin Franklin’s spirit of inquiry and discovery, filled with interactive exhibits aimed at sparking curiosity about the world around us. No trip to the Franklin Institute is complete without a visit to The Giant Heart , a two-story replica of a human heart that guests can walk through to learn about one of the body’s most vital organs. What’s more romantic than that?

The James A. Michener Art Museum in Bucks County houses one of the finest public collections of Pennsylvania impressionist works, showcases regional artists and hosts nationally touring exhibitions. The outdoor Pfundt Sculpture Garden is a must-see for amorous couples in warm weather, with its welcoming reflecting pools, fountains and paths. As of January 2022, the attraction is open on select days .

Couples can walk hand-in-hand through more than 1,000 acres of beauty at Longwood Gardens . Guests also shouldn’t miss Longwood’s indoor paradise, complete with more than four acres of glass-enclosed conservatories with tropical gardens and waterfalls. As of January 2022, the attraction is open to guests with safety protocols in place. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.

A collection of 50 murals make up A Love Letter for You , a series by artist and West Philly native Steve Powers that illustrates expressions of love from one person to another, from an artist to his hometown, and from residents to a neighborhood. The murals — made up of phrases like “If you were here I’d be home now” and “Co-sign on our lifetime” — are scattered from 45th Street to 63rd Street along the Market Street corridor in West Philly and are best experienced from the Market/Frankford elevated train. Pro tip: Stop at 46th Street Station to check out Barbara Bullock’s stainless steel El Dancers installation along the way.

Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture — one of the city’s best-known landmarks — was restored, repainted and reinstalled in 2018, making it an even more alluring destination for couples to visit and snap the perfect Philly selfie. The iconic statue sits in Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Plaza, better known as LOVE Park .

A lavish Victorian garden, Morris Arboretum & Gardens occupies 92 acres in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. Visitors can stroll the garden, enjoy quiet moments in romantic settings such as the Springhouse and the Mercury Loggia Grotto, or relax in the arboretum’s Tree Adventure exhibit. As of January 2022, the attraction is open to visitors daily .

If visitors called its 15-ton Egyptian sphinx “one in a million,” they’d be right: It’s just one in a collection of nearly a million objects at the Penn Museum , one of the world’s finest archaeological and anthropological museums that’s also unveiled a number of exciting renovations in recent years. Share in its magnificence with the one you love. As of January 2022, the attraction is open for visitation . Booking timed admission tickets ahead online is encouraged.

Since 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) has counted impressionist Mary Cassatt, luminous painter and illustrator Maxfield Parrish, and romantic realist Daniel Garber, among others, as students. PAFA’s historic Victorian Gothic building, designed by Frank Furness, is ornamental and elegant, yet perfectly sized for a casual, hand-held stroll. Outside, art lovers can grab a seat at Lenfest Plaza, complete with Claes Oldenburg’s 51-foot Paint Torch . As of January 2022, the attraction is open on select days .

Do you believe in magic? You just might after visiting this quirky space on South Street with your loved one. Created by local artist Isaiah Zagar, the walls of the Magic Gardens are covered in intricate mosaics made out of everyday items like broken bottles, tiles, bicycle spokes and mirrors. A stroll through the grounds will have you finding beauty in new and unexpected places. Pro tip: Keep an eye out for several other Zagar works in the surrounding neighborhood. As of January 2022, the space is open for tours. Tickets must be reserved online in advance.

The iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art is a must-visit on Philly’s cultural circuit. Couples stroll hand-in-hand through the museum’s impressive collections and galleries. As of January 2022, the attraction is open to visitors .

Located in the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Race Street Pier offers a scenic view of the Delaware River and is a perfect spot for a romantic picnic, snowfall view or sunrise experience.

For the perfect outdoorsy date, partners can stroll hand-in-hand around trees and metalworks; take in city views; or cozy up on the swinging bench at the quarter-mile-long Rail Park . The park — opened in summer 2018 where the Reading Railroad once ran — is completely free and open to the public.

The picturesque, tree-lined Rittenhouse Square attracts residents and visitors alike all year round. Couples can stroll through the popular town square and observe the beloved sculptures or find a peaceful spot to sit and enjoy each other’s company.

During the winter, couples can lace up their skates for a few laps in the heart of the city at the Rothman Ice Rink in Dilworth Park. After all the fun on the ice, skaters warm up with a beverage and a bite at the open-air Rothman Cabin at the tip of the ice rink, or whisper sweet nothings in the nearby Wintergarden.

The region’s oldest and largest arboretum, Tyler Arboretum offers 650 acres of nature and history for couples to explore. Wander through more than 20 miles of trails, explore historic locations and take in the natural beauty of the grounds. As of January 2022, the attraction is open daily with safety protocols in place for guests. Note that tickets are required to visit.

Couples can proclaim their love in a cool way at Fairmount Park ’s Whispering Benches. One sweetheart takes a seat on the stone bench in the curve of the Smith Memorial Arch while the other sits on the opposite side. When they whisper into the monument, the bench carries the voice of one partner to the other.

For some peace and quiet, the outdoorsy types can take a hike on one of the many trails of the Wissahickon Valley Park , where rugged paths offer some seriously secluded space with picturesque views.