Most Romantic Things to Do in Philadelphia

Whatever your interests may be, Philadelphia Urban Adventures has a walking tour that is sure to fit the bill. Follow in the footsteps of our Founding Fathers on one tour, or explore the 9th Street Italian Market on another, complete with delicious food and drink at every turn. Markets, Mosaics and Magic lets you experience some special highlights the city has offer that are perfect for sharing with a friend, loved one, or family member. Peruse their offerings to find the one that will be of most interest to that special someone you know, and let the staff here do the rest. These tours really bring the city to life and immerse you in the inner workings of some of the most interesting sites here.

This museum, located between the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Center City Philadelphia, is known mostly as a sculpture museum. It is solely devoted to the works of Auguste Rodin and is the largest collection of his works outside of Paris. It includes bronzes, plaster studies, drawings, and prints. There are 124 sculptures including bronze casts of "The Burghers of Calais," "Eternal Springtime," "The Gates of Hell," and Rodin's seminal work, "The Thinker." The museum is small but powerful, and tours run regularly. Being small, it doesn't get lots of crowds, making it a great place to slow down and enjoy the works.

Winter is no reason to stay cooped up inside. Winterfest at the Blue Cross River Rink lets everyone experience some fun this season. What is Winterfest? It's a wonderful park of fun that celebrates all that's winter and winter-themed. It's only around for the chilly season but then transforms into roller skating and warm-weather fun when things heat up. Bring in the holidays and enjoy light and video shows, holiday decor, fire pits, great food options, warm beverages, live entertainment and local shopping. It combines many of the fun parts of the season with the joy and beauty of the cityscape, culminating in a great place to get outside and play, eat, drink, shop and just have fun.

Boathouse Row is located on the east bank of the Schuylkill River, just north of the Fairmount Water Works and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It consists of a row of 15 boathouses housing social and rowing clubs and their racing shells. Each of the boathouses has its own history, and all have addresses on both Boathouse Row and Kelly Drive (named after famous Philadelphia oarsman John B. Kelly, Jr.). Boathouses #2 through #14 are part of a group known as the Schuylkill Navy, which encompasses several other boathouses along the river. Boathouse #1 is Lloyd Hall and is the only public boathouse facility on the Row.[2] Boathouse #15 houses the Sedgeley Club, which operates the Turtle Rock Lighthouse. The boathouses are all at least a century old, and some were built over 150 years ago.

When looking for the perfect romantic thing to do in Fairmount Park, nothing beats the Whispering Benches at the Smith Civil War Memorial Arch near Memorial Hall. A unique phenomenon, it works like this: simply sit at one end of the long, curved, stone bench and whisper something. The person at the other end of the wall should be able to clearly hear what has been said, making it the perfect spot to whisper sweet nothings to that special someone. The site is pretty and makes for a lovely place to sit and relax or picnic nearby. After exchanging confidences, feel free to stroll hand-in-hand along the scenic paths. Fairmount Park is also great to bike ride, walk, jog or take pictures. Depending on the interests of the individuals that come here, there's sure to be an activity that suits the day.

What better way to get to the heart of a loved one than through their stomach? Since everyone knows that chocolate is the food of love, what could be better than a private tasting event pairing luscious chocolates with three perfect wines for a three-hour journey into hedonistic pleasure? Not much. The sinfully delicious eats are from local purveyors of the sweetest treats. Savor different varieties, as well as cocoa beans and nibs. This culinary adventure is the quintessential aphrodisiac and a great activity for anyone looking to participate in something tasty and entertaining. Public chocolate tours are also available for lovers on a budget.

What is the Philadelphia Dream Garden? It's not an actual living garden but is a 15x49-foot mosaic of 100,000 pieces of handcrafted Favrile glass. This spectacular collaboration between Maxfield Parrish and Louis Comfort Tiffany is in the 12-story atrium of the Curtis Center. It's simply amazing to gaze at the 260 colors that make up the breathtaking mosaic as a burbling fountain creates a magical mood that's quite conducive to romance. It's a wonderful stop on the way to dinner, a show, shopping, or an activity, or simply to visit on its own. And if she says yes, you can hold the wedding here, too!

Spread out over half a city block, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a prized gem of South Street. A veritable "folk art environment" created by artist Isaiah Zagar, the fully mosaicked space is a captivating labyrinth of tunnels, grottos and intricate sculptures. Colorful tiles create intricate images as well as words along the walls of the outdoor installation. Visitors can enjoy leisurely, self-guided tours or weekend tours provided by Garden Guide interpreters. Be sure to stop to appreciate the many parts and pieces of this incredibly unique walk-through art exhibition. Artsy without being boring, this is a wonderful activity for any day.

Many of us get a little tongue-tied when it comes to expressing our love. Why not avoid the awkwardness and take that beloved person for a ride on the El with the Love Letter Tour? This 1.5-hour guided tour run by Mural Arts Philadelphia showcases 15 of 50 murals between 45th and 63rd streets in West Philly. The murals are literally a love letter from a guy to a gal and an artist to the city. While oozing with romance, the trip is also entertaining and will enthrall any appreciator of the arts. It's also a nice way to get out and see an often overlooked element of the cityscape with a friend, love interest or someone special. This year it will be held virtually on February 11th with hopes to have it return to in-person soon. Make this the year you open your heart to the magic of it all.

One of the most well-known and photographed places in Philadelphia is the famous Robert Indiana LOVE statue. Also called JFK Plaza, this park is wonderful in warmer weather when it's nice to sit and enjoy the day, people-watch or grab a snack. The park is also lovely around the holidays when it transforms into Christmas Village filled with shops modeled after the German holiday markets. Food and beverages are available and the smells and sounds are delicious and celebratory. Strike the perfect romantic or silly pose in front of the LOVE statue for a memorable photo from your time in Philly. Gaze at City Hall and Dilworth Park across the street or listen to the sounds of the fountain. This postage stamp park also features a striking view of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.