1. Invite your special someone on a dinner cruise (from USD 94.0)

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Upgrade your dinner date by surprising your special someone with a buffet dinner cruise. Departing from Penn’s Landing, this three-hour cruise includes a candlelit table, an all-you-can-eat dinner, DJ entertainment, dancing, and a chance to enjoy a view of Philly from the water. Savor delicious salads, entrees, and desserts while enjoying live entertainment and your date’s company.

Spirit of Philadelphia Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet

Duration: 3 hours

250 reviews

from USD

94.0

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2. Go on a tour of Philadelphia Museum of Art (from USD 25.0)

If you enjoy going on cultural dates in lieu of a typical dinner and a movie then invite your beau to Philadelphia Museum of Art. This museum is up there with the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, so it’s definitely worth checking out. Head to one of their most famous permanent exhibitions, Grand Salon of the Château de Draveil - everything in this room was made in France, and inside this French salon, you’ll definitely feel as if you’re on a romantic holiday in Paris. Other works by Duchamp, Monet, and van Gogh are also on display here.

Philadelphia Museum of Art General Admission Ticket

Duration: 2 to 10 hours

4 reviews

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25.0

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3. Enjoy a stunning view of Philadelphia from One Liberty Observation Deck

Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed

Here’s a romantic thing to do in Philly: grab dinner and drinks at one of the many neighborhood restaurants, stroll down the shopping district of Chestnut Street to One Liberty Place, and then take an elevator up 57 floors and soak up a spectacular view of the city with your loved one. While the daytime view is beautiful, up the romance by going at night, where the glittering lights of the city and stars illuminate the skyline. The Liberty Observation Deck is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm. Tickets start at 14 USD for adults and 9 USD for children age 3 to 11.

One Liberty Observation Deck

Address: 1650 Market St #5700, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Website: One Liberty Observation Deck

4. Look for the LOVE statue at Love Park

While visiting Philadelphia, be sure to snap a picture with your sweetie in front of the LOVE statue, one of Philadelphia’s most famous landmarks. Located in Love Park, situated in the middle of John F. Kennedy Boulevard, this spot gets a lot of traffic. For those wanting to add some diversity to the mix, take a picture in front of the AMOR statue in Sister Cities Park, a short walk from Love Park. If you’re looking for a more secluded area to take a picture, take a walk through the beautiful University of Pennsylvania campus, where you can find a lesser-known replica there. This is one of the best things to do in Philadelphia for couples, so be sure not to miss it!

Love Park

Address: Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Website: Love Park

5. Go on a picnic by the river at Boathouse Row

The subject of many photographs, the historic Boathouse Row is well-known for its beautiful Victorian Boathouses. Situated on the Schuykill River, this is the site where many local universities row out of, including University of Pennsylvania, Drexel, and La Salle. For some fun things to do over the weekend, rent bikes and head down the Schuykill River Trail at dusk, where the lights cast an ethereal glow onto the water. Bring a picnic dinner and situate yourself to look out over the beautiful river. This is definitely one of the most romantic places in Philadelphia.

Boathouse Row

Address: 1 Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Website: Boathouse Row

6. Check out the LED lights display at Spruce Street Harbor Park

A relative newcomer to the Philadelphia scene, the popularity of Spruce Street Harbor Park turned it from a temporary installation into a mainstay of the city. Enjoy delicious local food, get boozy in the beer garden, play games like pingpong and bocce, and lay in a hammock with your loved one. While this is a more a family-oriented place during the day, at night the park is illuminated with LED lights and often has live entertainment and special events. Please keep in mind this is a seasonal attraction and is generally open from May to October.

Spruce Street Harbor Park

Address: 301 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Website: Spruce Street Harbor Park

7. Go on the spookiest Halloween date at Eastern State Penitentiary

1/2 Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia - Pennsylvania - 11

2/2 Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary, main gate

While an old abandoned penitentiary might not seem like the most romantic activity, for those horror lovers, the creepy vibes at the Eastern Stat Penitentiary make it the perfect excuse to snuggle in together. Eastern State Penitentiary, open from 1829 to 1971, is now a US National Historic Landmark. Considered to be the first penitentiary, it is known for housing famous criminals such as gangster Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton.

Listen to the audio tour which is narrated by actor Steve Buscemi. Though it operates as a museum year-round, it’s worth a visit during around Halloween, when the terrifying haunted house, Terror Behind the Walls, will have you jumping into each other’s arms while being scared out of your wits. Tickets start at 14 USD for adults and 12 USD for children.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Address: 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Website: Eastern State Penitentiary

8. Sample fresh food and shop at Italian Market

Stroll hand in hand with your love through the bustling Italian Market section of the city. This market is quintessential Philly culture, and the open-air style is one of the only markets left of its kind in the United States. Grab a coffee from Anthony’s Italian Coffee House and walk through the crowded side walk while checking out the impressive merchandise. Sample cheeses from around the world at the original Di Bruno Brothers, pick out beautiful cheap produce to snack on, overwhelm your senses in the herb and spice shops, and gaze at the fresh meat and fish hanging in specialty butchers’ storefronts. In general, the market is open from 9am to 5pm, with most businesses remaining open at least until lunchtime on Sundays. However, most stores are closed Mondays.

Italian Market

Address: 1100 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Website: Italian Market

9. Take Instagram-worthy couple pictures at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

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2/2 Magic Garden-Philadelphia

Looking for fun things to do in Philadelphia for couples? Take your partner to this beautiful, interactive museum that houses mosaics created by owner Isaiah Zagar, as well as mosaics created by many international artists. Explore the outdoor labyrinth of art created from broken mirrors, ceramic pieces, and other nontraditional materials such as bicycle wheels and glass bottles. There are so many intricacies and subtle details that you can go again and again and never see the same thing twice. Magic Gardens is also host to tours, workshops, concerts, and other events that utilize the unique space. It truly is a one-of-a-kind experience that is worth sharing with someone special, and great for photo opportunities. Due to popularity, it is strongly recommended to purchase tickets ahead of time. Hours are 11am to 6pm, with the museum being closed on Tuesdays. Adult tickets start at 10 USD and children’s tickets 6 to 12 are 5 USD. Children 5 and under are free.

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Address: 1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Website: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

10. Check out the masterpieces at Rodin Museum Philadelphia

Whether you’re an art buff or not, you’ll definitely recognize Auguste Rodin’s sculptures. In front of the entrance sits his most iconic piece, The Thinker, and inside, the museum is home to the biggest collection of his work outside of Paris. One of the rooms contains the fourth copy of The Kiss, which was made for this museum by French sculptor Henri-Léon Greber. Besides the sculptures in marble, bronze, and plaster, there are also drawings and letters on display.

Rodin Museum Philadelphia

Address: East Fairmount Park: The Dell Music Center, 2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, United States

Opening hours: Tue, Thu, Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm; Wed, Fri: 10am - 8:45pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 7 - 10 USD

Think outside the box

A list of romantic things to do in Philadelphia, PA. From traditional places like Love Park, to less traditional like Eastern State Penitentiary, impress your date by bringing them to places they might not have thought of. Don’t forget about the cool fountains as well! After your tour, you could book a room in one of the best places to stay in Philly.