Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square is a public park and neighborhood plaza in Center City Philadelphia, one of the five public squares laid out in William Penn’s original plan for the city in 1682.

The square functions as a compact urban park with paved paths, lawns, trees and benches and is a focal point for the surrounding neighborhood of shops, restaurants and galleries. People come for short visits, lunch breaks, dog walking and neighborhood events and there is a seasonal farmers market on site on weekends.

Originally laid out as Southwest Square in the colonial plan, it was later renamed for the American astronomer David Rittenhouse in the 19th century; the park and surrounding district developed as a residential and cultural enclave through the 1800s and 1900s.

The park sits in Center City Philadelphia in the Rittenhouse neighborhood, surrounded by dense urban blocks and short walking distance from commercial corridors and transit connections.

• Best time to visit: The small landscaped square hosts a year-round mix of park users, local events, and a seasonal farmers market on weekends.
• Access note: Located in a dense commercial and residential district, on-street parking is limited so public transit or walking is often easier.