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Every season is the season for love in Philadelphia, one of the most romantic cities in the nation. And neighborhoods and towns across the City of Brotherly Love & Sisterly Affection and its Countryside offer a plethora of fun, dreamy and inventive date nights.
Couples (and potential couples) in Philly have plenty of options for special anniversaries, dating app get-to-know-yous, an intimate night out without the kids and everything in-between. Romantic dinner and drink spots like The Love. and The Olde Bar, couples activities including Balloon Rides in Chester County or a pamper day at The Spa at the Four Seasons, romantic getaways to Bucks County vineyards or a trip on the New Hope Railroad and more are ready to turn up the heat.
If you’re feeling the love, read on for inspiration for your next date night, starry-eyed reconnection or romantic weekend in Philly with these neighborhood, activity and seasonal-themed ideas for that special night out.
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 bae or your S.O. thanks to free hotel parking, worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia, and choose-your-own-adventure perks like free museum tickets. Or maybe you’d prefer to pay for two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the perfect-for-a-long-romantic weekend Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.
Where: Available at more than 40 hotels including The Logan, Philadelphia's Hotel, 1 Logan Square
Philadelphia is one of the most enticing food cities in the world, perfect for exciting, fun and romantic dates with no need for extravagance as long as it’s delicious, like these tasty walkable spots in charming Rittenhouse Square.
Where: Harp & Crown, 1525 Sansom Street
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The Love., 130 S. 18th Street
Andra Hem, 218 S. 16th Street
AKA Rittenhouse Square, 135 S. 18th Street
Get to know your date and a favorite Philly neighborhood. Philly’s dynamic and diverse communities offer endless fun, including these spots in Fishtown.
Where: Middle Child Clubhouse, 1232 N. Front Street
Cake Life Bake Shop, 1306 Frankford Avenue
Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel Street
Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, 1355 N. Front Street
Any season is perfect for a romantic ramble along the Delaware River waterfront with a bevy of attractions, eateries, pubs, historic sites and more all within a short walking distance for you and your date to explore hand-in-hand.
Where: Elfreth's Alley Museum, 126 Elfreth's Alley
Race Street Pier, Race Street & N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Royal Boucherie, 52 S. 2nd Street
Lokal Hotel Old City, 139 N. 3rd Street
Explore colonial Philly as a couple or on a group date while walking the charming alleys, historic sites and cobblestone streets of Philadelphia’s Historic District.
Where: The Franklin Fountain, 116 Market Street
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Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, 401 Chestnut Street
Sometimes, doing less is enjoying it more. Trade a hectic night out for a luxurious day of much-needed pampering, like this inclusive stay on the Comcast Center campus.
Where: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, 1 N. 19th Street
Vernick Fish, 1 N. 19th Street
The heart of gay Philly is the Gayborhood district, the perfect spot for a date day and night of shopping, history, dining and dancing.
Where: Winkel, 1119 Locust Street
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Duross & Langel, 240 S. 11th Street
Open House, 107 S. 13th Street
Verde, 108 S. 13th Street
Beyond the Bell Tours, 1315 Walnut Street
Bud & Marilyn's, 1234 Locust Street
Sampan, 124 S. 13th Street
El Vez, 121 S. 13th Street
Double Knot, 120 S. 13th Street
Barbuzzo, 110 S. 13th Street
Flambo, 205 S. 13th Street
Guild House Hotel, 1307 Locust Street
If you and your beloved are a little headier and maybe a bit nerdy, there are scores of options around Philadelphia for those looking for a quiet couple’s night of reading, gaming, comics, role playing, sci-fi and more, like this excursion through Queen Village.
Where: Mostly Books, 529 Bainbridge Street
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Black and Nobel, 422 South Street
Brickbat Books, 709 S. 4th Street
Head House Books, 619 S. 2nd Street
Queen & Rook Game Cafe, 607 S. 2nd Street
Marrakesh, 517 S. Leithgow Street
YOWIE, 226 South Street
Whether dancing the night away during singalong numbers or holding each other tight to a favorite love song plays, there are lots of options for date night concerts across Philadelphia including some great small venues in Callowhill.
Where: Prohibition Taproom, 501 N. 13th Street
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The Rail Park, 1150 Callowhill Street
Poison Heart, 931 Spring Garden Street
Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street
Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street
The Maj Hotel, 2225 Spring Garden Street
Whether a CEO or a contractor, suburban parent or city millennial, foodie or art lover, nearly everyone lives or dies with Philly’s pro sports teams. Bring that passion to a game (and post-game) on a great sports date in South Philly.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way
Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street
Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, 1100 Pattison Avenue
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, 900 Packer Avenue
Take a romantic day trip to the charming Upper Bucks shopping and dining hamlet of New Hope along the Delaware River, a long-time favored locale for lovers both new and old.
Where: New Hope Railroad, 32 W. Bridge Street, New Hope
Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main Street, New Hope
Stella, 50 S. Main Street, New Hope
River House at Odette's, 274 River Road, New Hope
Enjoy the charm and fresh air of Philadelphia’s Countryside, home to some of the best eats, good drink and exciting activities in the region, like these in Chester County.
Where: Lancaster Balloon Rides, 1205 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore
Sly Fox Brewing Company, 331 Circle of Progress Drive, Pottstown
Angry Jacks Axe Throwing Club, 420 Bridge Street, Phoenixville
Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Valley Forge/Collegeville, 600 Campus Drive, Collegeville
There is so much for couples to do in the corner of southwestern Montgomery County, home to locales like Valley Forge and King of Prussia where you can both get outdoors in history and nature together and explore a vast indoor shoppers’ paradise.
Where: Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia
Evansburg Vineyards, 3857 Germantown Pike, Collegeville
Cardinal Hollow Winery, 1830 W. Point Pike, West Point
Karamoor Estate Vineyard & Winery, 6118 Butler Pike, Blue Bell
King of Prussia, 160 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia
Element Valley Forge King of Prussia, 110 Goddard Boulevard, King of Prussia
Fun fact: The Philadelphia region’s climate and topography are ideal for wine production. Wineries and vineyards throughout the Countryside host tastings, tours and events to help couples dial up the romance, which can be enjoyed at spots such as these in beautiful Bucks County.
Where: Buckingham Valley Vineyards, 1521 Durham Road, Buckingham
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Crossing Vineyards and Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Newtown
Peddler's Village, 100 Peddlers Village, Lahaska
Nissley Vineyards Wine Shop & Tasting Room, 20 Peddlers Village, Lahaska
Golden Plough Inn, 5886 Lower York Road, New Hope
A world all its own, Delaware County — better known as Delco — has an interesting history, interesting landmarks and an interesting accent … plus plenty of romantic spots both indoors and out for interesting dates across its many charming towns and boroughs.
Where: Lancaster County Farmers Market, 389 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne
The Escape Room At Sproul Lanes, 745 W. Sproul Road, Springfield
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, 1260 E. Woodland Avenue, Springfield
Natural Lands' Hildacy Preserve, 1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media
Marple Sports Arena, 611 Parkway Drive, Broomall
118 North, 118 N. Wayne Avenue, Wayne
The Inn at Villanova University, 601 County Line Road, Wayne
Just because the weather outside is chilly, there’s plenty of love in Philly in winter to warm your heart. Ignite those romantic fires (or keep them burning) with a late lunch of comfort food at The Plough & the Stars while enjoying the cozy 40-foot glass-enclosed wood-burning fireplace roaring by the bar before bundling up for a chilly stroll along the outskirts of Independence National Historical Park to either the eminently Instagrammable and zany Museum of Illusions or the unique Museum for Art in Wood and its 1,200 wood art-related works. Warm back up with a cocktail and a plate from the raw bar at Jose Garces’ The Olde Bar until you’re ready to turn in up the street at the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District.
Where: The Plough & the Stars, 123 Chestnut Street
Independence National Historical Park, 1 N. Independence Mall
Museum of Illusions, 401 Market Street
Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd Street
The Olde Bar, 125 Walnut Street
Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District, 400 Arch Street
Escape to leafy Chestnut Hill (as Philadelphians have been doing since the 1700s) as spring springs all around. Celebrate the warm weather with flora lovers’ mecca Morris Arboretum & Gardens, a 92-acre Victorian arboretum for a get-to-know-you date as you stroll through the 135-year-old Rose Garden and 13,000 other plants and trees, tackle the 450-foot-long Tree Adventure canopy walk 50 feet above the ground or just have a romantic picnic.
Finish with dinner and drinks at one of the dozens of restaurants and pubs along cobblestoned Germantown Avenue before turning in to a quaint room at the Chestnut Hill Hotel.
Where: Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue
Chestnut Hill Hotel, 8229 Germantown Avenue
There’s no reason to hide from the thermometer when there’s so many cool things to do outdoors in the summer in Philadelphia. Have a full date afternoon at Spruce Street Harbor Park (SSHP) on the Delaware River challenging your date to bocce or shuffleboard, grabbing lunch and a drink or two at one of SSHP’s concession stands and food trucks (many from popular Philly restaurants), and either stretching out on romantic floating barges with over-the-water seating or in one of the tree-slung hammocks among colorful LED lights.
Haven’t had enough outdoor fun? Head to Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest at Penn’s Landing for sunset skating at the roller rink, a ride on the illuminated Ferris wheel or scoring your crush a plush animal on the Midway. Rest up from your full day of urban park fun at the nearby Philadelphia Marriott Old City.
Where: Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
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Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia Marriott Old City, One Dock Street
There are few better locales in the Northeast to experience the beauty of fall’s colors than Greater Philadelphia’s gobsmackingly spectacular autumn foliage views. Join in some incredible leaf-peeping in the city at spots like Wissahickon Valley Park, Pennypack Park and throughout Fairmount Park, out in the countryside along the upper Schuylkill River Trail, around Valley Forge National Historical Park or at stunning Longwood Gardens. Trees show off their best reds and golds around mid-fall, ample opportunity for couples to take in the serenity of the city and the countryside from their chosen perch.
Add more foliage fun by embarking on one (or more!) of Visit Philly’s Fall Foliage Road Trips Through Philadelphia, complete with accommodation recommendations for each excursion.
Where: Various locations including Wissahickon Valley Park, Valley Green Road
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.
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.
Which will you choose?