If you are visiting the Philadelphia area, a gorgeous place to check out on a nice day, and definitely worth a visit is Rittenhouse Square. This public park is located in an affluent neighborhood in Philadelphia, and highlights beautiful flowers, sculptures, and hiking paths as well. It is within walking distance of a variety of restaurants and shops which makes this an ideal location if you are planning a day trip.

Rittenhouse Square is a very important landmark of the area, and it was one of the original squares planned by William Penn in the late 17th century. It was crucial to William Penn to create these nature spots to bring a sense of country living into these expansive and ever growing city regions. Over the years, some of the more well known Philadelphians that have lived in this gorgeous area of Philly are Pennsylvania Railroad president Alexander Cassett, department store founder John Wanamaker, urban planner Edmund Bacon and his son actor Kevin Bacon.

My husband and I found ourselves meandering about the park several weeks ago after dining in the city. It was a beautiful early summer day, warm but slightly breezy. As we walking further into the park, we could hear music drifting through the air, and to our delight, we actually heard a local musician singing classic songs. He was very talented and had a little crowd gathering around him, eager to hear more.

As we strolled about the area, it was impressive to see the nice variety of flowers that filled the garden areas. We also spotted some interesting statues along the paths. One of the most famous to the area is the Lion Crushing A Serpent, which was created by the French Romantic sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye. The piece was originally created in 1832, and was his interpretation of the themes of good and evil within the French Revolution of 1830. The bronze cast that you will find in the park was made in 1890.

Another detailed sculpture that really jumped out to us was Cornelia Van A. Chapin’s Giant Frog, which is a large and sleek granite amphibian created in 1941. I really liked how it was surrounded by beautiful flowers in the garden.

One of the most adorable sculptures that captured my heart was Albert Laessle’s Billy, which was created in 1914. The goat stands at two feet tall (about .6 meters), and is made of bronze. The statue seems to almost move as it is in a walking stance with its head pushed forward.

These are just several of the many statues that you will find walking about Rittenhouse Square, and it is quite amazing to see these pieces of history, and the stories behind them.

In addition to being a delightful park that you can enjoy, this spot also hosts a variety of events throughout the year including a spring festival, a fine art show called “Circle the Square” which is typically held in autumn, and of course, during the holiday season the Rittenhouse Square Christmas Tree Lighting. This festive tree features more than 5,000 holiday lights on it! It really is a fantastic spot to visit any time of the year.

If you are traveling to Philly, or a local like me, you will want to visit the beautiful Rittenhouse Square. Let me know in the comments if you have ever traveled to this park before, and what you thought of it. I hope that you are having a wonderful day, and remember to click the like and subscribe button!

YouTube-

For a walking tour of Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, make sure that you check out the YouTube Channel! (Also make sure that you like and subscribe to it!)

If you are interested in learning more of the early history of Pennsylvania, one of the most detailed books that I have read so far is Pennsylvania: A History Of The Commonwealth. It takes you back to the colonial times of the Keystone State, and delves right into the cultural and societal impact that this state has had on the United States. It is a great read, and I highly recommend it.

For more information regarding this book, just click on the Amazon affiliate link below!

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Additional Related Articles-

https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/rittenhouse-square-park/

https://www.associationforpublicart.org/tours/around-rittenhouse-square/

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