From first dates to anniversary celebrations, you’ll find countless romantic things to do in Philadelphia as a couple. Even residents who have lived in the city for years can find exciting new things to do in this ever-evolving city. We’ve got you covered for fresh date ideas in Philly.
We’ll detail how to plan a romantic date night in Philadelphia to send your significant other’s heart aflutter. Whether you’re looking for a historical trek, active adventure, or scenic stroll, there’s something for everyone in Philly.
10 Romantic Date Ideas in Philadelphia
Explore all the history, dining, culture, and natural beauty Philadelphia has to offer. Get inspired with 10 romantic things to do in the city that loves you back.
1. For the History Lovers
Plan your future with your partner as you stroll through the past. Philadelphia’s charming cobblestone streets and 1800s brick row houses add timeless romance to any date night.
Take a self-guided or bus tour to learn about “the birthplace of America” with your heartthrob. Experience the city’s historical significance and explore the heart of Philadelphia’s Historic District while taking in views of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
2. Playful Date Night
Feel young at heart on a fun and flirty Philly date. Enjoy a playful competition of bean bag toss, tetherball, and giant chess at The Oval at Fairmount Park Conservancy, or show off your axe-throwing skills at Urban Axes.
Plan a rollerskating date along the Delaware River waterfront, and take a ride on the Ferris wheel. If you’re looking for an indoor adventure, try one of the city’s renowned bowling-and-entertainment venues, complete with pizza, music, and beer.
3. Love Is a Mystery
Looking for a dark and mysterious evening with your beloved? Tour Laurel Hill Cemetery and experience the esoteric side of the city with the Dark Philly Night Tour, a wickedly romantic excursion filled with tales of vampires, ghosts, and haunted locations.
If you love true crime and fancy yourselves sleuths, wander the Fairmont Park self-guided scavenger hunt, or book an escape room to unlock puzzles and solve a mystery together before the clock runs out.
4. For the Nature Lovers
Stunning Valley Forge National Historical Park and the Schuylkill River Trail turn crimson and gold each fall. Traverse the Wissahickon Valley Park trail together until you reach the historic Valley Green Inn for dinner with a waterfront view.
Bring your hammers and curiosity to Ringing Rock Park in Upper Black Eddy for a date like no other. This seven-acre field is filled with unusual rocks that, when struck, ring like bells. Try replicating the tune of your favorite song!
5. Love Is in the Air
If you seek incredibly unique date ideas to sweep your partner off their feet, why not elevate your date — literally! Take to the skies with a romantic hot air balloon or book a helicopter ride to soar over the breathtaking Philadelphia skyline at sunset.
For a flightless adventure, the Philadelphia Treetop Quest boasts an incredible suspension bridge nestled high in the forest canopy, and those who dare can zip-line through the foliage.
6. For the Foodies
There’s no shortage of romantic restaurants in Philadelphia! With one of the best food cities in America at your fingertips, every Philly date night can include a delectable dining experience. Whether you’d like to get dressed up for a five-star restaurant or chow down on homestyle comfort food after a day walking the city, you’ll find any flavor you like.
To give you an idea, seafood lovers know sharing an appetizer of fresh oysters from Oyster House is always a good choice. Or, make a reservation well in advance to celebrate your anniversary at one of the city’s award-winning restaurants, like the intimate, multi-course tasting journey at Vetri Cucina, one of the best Italian restaurants in the Northeast.
7. Brews With Your Beloved
With a neighborhood dubbed Brewerytown, you know Philly is a great place for beer culture. Opportunities to sample artisan beers and craft brews are everywhere at the numerous taprooms along the Schuylkill River.
Book a romantic stay at Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, a 19th-century whiskey bottling factory that was converted to a boutique hotel and Italian restaurant. Or, get away from the city at Levante Stables — nothing is cozier than live music and sipping hard cider around the fire pit at this restored 1800s barn.
8. Love Is Sweet
Treat yourselves to Philly’s sweeter side at Termini Brothers Bakery, serving Italian cookies, cakes, confections, and cannoli to couples since 1921. Weckerly’s famous homemade ice cream is worth the wait, known for unique flavors like ginger hibiscus and lemon meringue pie.
Philadelphia’s long legacy in the candy industry continues at top-tier candy shops, from Mueller Chocolate Co.’s anatomically shaped dark chocolate hearts to award-winning French truffles at Éclat Chocolate.
9. For the Arts and Literature Lovers
Hold hands as you museum hop through the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. If you love the medical and the macabre, visit the Mütter Museum’s medical instruments and specimens collections.
Listen to a student concert at an intimate stage — for free! — at the Curtis Institute of Music, one of the top music conservatories in the world. Complete your evening with a private dinner and book-browsing experience for two at The Head & The Hand bookstore.
10. Old-Fashioned Romance
Channel your rockabilly romance with a retro date night. For a swingin’ good evening, visit the longest continuously operating jazz club in Philly, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, for a romantic dinner and live music by some of today’s greatest musicians.
Take your cool cat to the soda counter at Franklin Fountain for the best egg creams and old-timey milkshake flavors in Old City. Bring your own snacks and pull up to the Philadelphia Film Society’s Drive-In at the Navy Yard to watch new releases, cult classics, and indie hits with your sweetheart.
Tips for Planning a Romantic Date In Philly
Guarantee a stellar first impression or serenade your longtime love with a well-planned evening. After all, a little scheduling goes a long way to avoid potential dating hiccups:
- Coordinate schedules: Surprise your darling with a romantic rose bouquet and card invitation delivered right to their door. You can keep the details a surprise, but the day and time must work for each of you. Sharing an online calendar makes scheduling around employment, appointments, and pre-scheduled activities a breeze.
- Make and follow an itinerary: If you have more than one activity planned, plan the flow of the evening based on time and travel. Map out the start time and approximate duration of each activity — pre-dinner walks, travel, and specific stops along the way. Remember to factor in traffic and buffer time!
- Send a romantic reminder: Once you’ve set a date on the calendar, it’s common courtesy to send a reminder before your evening out. Elevate the standard text or phone call reminder and wow your date before meeting with a petite floral delivery showing how much you look forward to your time together.
- Avoid the crowds: You don’t want to show up at a restaurant and discover that you should’ve made a reservation. In a big city like Philly, certain attractions are full at specific times of the year. Skip the crowds by researching the busiest times for your potential date locations, and plan accordingly.
- Lavish your date with fresh flowers: Celebrate your special someone with a grand bouquet to show how much you care. Fragrant blossoms radiate love long after your evening concludes, and no one makes memorable arrangements like Ode à la Rose. Our exquisite flowers will take your date from good to great!
Dazzle Your Date With Flowers From Ode à la Rose
Whether you show up with roses in hand at the beginning of your date or end the night with a kiss and bouquet, flowers are the perfect way to show your date just how much they mean to you.
Ode à la Rose’s origin story begins in France, where flowers aren’t just something you send — they tell a story on your behalf. You can trust our dedicated artisans to craft gorgeous arrangements that showcase your heartfelt adoration, using only the best blooms from eco-friendly farms.
Share the love in Philadelphia. Discover the Ode difference and order a bouquet for your special person today!
