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Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Canine Pleasant Philadelphia Strolling Tour — The Squares (Parks)


When William Penn laid out the Metropolis of Brotherly Love, he included 5 public squares, or parks, into the design. Right this moment, the squares stay a few of the most inviting – and canine pleasant – options of this contemporary, bustling metropolis. Exploring Philadelphia on a strolling tour of the squares is the proper solution to spend a day along with your finest furry buddy!

A Dog Friendly Walking Tour of Philadelphia's Squares

 

In 1682, William Penn sailed from England to the “New World” to examine the land he’d acquired from King Charles II. Fleeing persecution, he selected a slender two-mile swath of land between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers to determine his “Holy Experiment” – a tolerant political utopia.

Penn set about designing a colony the place his brethren, the Society of Pals, or Quakers, may reside in peace. His plan was to create a “Inexperienced Nation City,” abandoning the haphazard community of outdated horse tracks the English used as streets for a simple-to-navigate grid. It was the primary iteration of basic American avenue design. 

Map of Center City Philadelphia for walking tour
Credit score: VisitPhilly.com
Statue of William Penn. Philadelphia City Hall. William Penn is a bronze statue by Alexander Milne Calder of William Penn. It is located atop the Philadelphia City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bronze statue of William Penn by Alexander Milne Calder situated atop the Philadelphia’s Metropolis Corridor

 

Philadelphia – A Metropolis Of Squares

Hoping to create a metropolis free from the overcrowding, fireplace, and illness that plagued European cities, Penn included 5 public squares or parks within the metropolis plan. He positioned one in every quadrant of the town and one within the middle, giving all residents quick access to nature and a spot to benefit from the recent air.

He named his utopia Philadelphia, and people squares stay a few of the most inviting – and canine pleasant – options of this contemporary, bustling metropolis.

Taking a strolling tour to Philadelphia’s squares is the proper manner for you and your canine to spend a day attending to know the town and appreciating Penn’s imaginative and prescient. Choose a bench and hearken to the birds chirp. Watch the individuals (and squirrels) hustle by. And relish these tranquil areas within the midst of the town’s fixed movement.

We’ve laid out a route that may take you thru lovely neighborhoods, previous essential historic landmarks, and previous loads of locations with eats and drinks. So put in your strolling footwear, seize a leash, and let’s go!

Philadelphia Walking Tour - Love Park
Philadelphia, USA - May 4, 2015: Love Park with tourists and Philadelphia City Hall on background. Tourists in the park. Pennsylvania, USA.
Canine Pleasant Philadelphia Strolling Tour – Love Park

 

Franklin Sq.

We begin our canine pleasant Philadelphia strolling tour within the northeast part of Middle Metropolis at Franklin Sq.. That is primarily as a result of it’s one of many best locations to seek out parking! There are a number of parking garages close by, and on-street parking can also be accessible on many aspect streets.

Franklin Sq. sits on the crossroads of China City and Independence Nationwide Historic Park, giving it a singular and attention-grabbing ambiance. Throughout our go to have been delighted to seek out the park adorned for the Chinese language Lantern Pageant!

Franklin Square - Philadelphia, PA
Franklin Square - Philadelphia, PA

 

Even when the Franklin Sq. isn’t embellished for a pageant, you’ll discover a lot to maintain you entertained in these seven acres. The colourful Parx Liberty Carousel, historically-appropriate Philly Mini Golf course, and tempting SquareBurger, all encompass the fantastically restored fountain which was in-built 1838.

Franklin Square - Philadelphia, PA
Franklin Square - Philadelphia, PA

 

Washington Sq. (Through Independence Mall)

Leaving the southeast nook of Franklin Sq. and heading south on sixth Avenue brings you to Independence Mall. This stretch between Race Avenue and Walnut Avenue delivers a few of Philadelphia’s most notable historic sights.

The Nationwide Structure Middle, Independence Corridor, and Congress Corridor – the place the Declaration of Independence and the USA Structure have been drafted and signed – are all right here. America really was born on these grounds!

You may also catch a glimpse of the Liberty Bell. And don’t neglect to cease in at Independence Corridor Nationwide Park, the place your pup can earn his BARK Ranger badge!

READ MORE ⇒ 60 Nationwide Parks The place Your Canine Can Be A BARK Ranger

Independence Mall - Philadelphia, PA
Pet Friendly National Parks and the B.A.R.K Ranger Program | GoPetFriendly.com

 

After all, pets can’t go contained in the buildings and museums. However Independence Mall is a stunning, grassy place to stroll. And there are many locations to attend if somebody in your group desires to see the reveals or museum. It’s additionally a pleasant spot for some picture ops.

READ MORE ⇒ 6 Easy Steps To Get Your Canine Posing For Photographs

Independence Mall - Philadelphia, PA
Independence Mall - Philadelphia, PA

 

Following the mall south down sixth Avenue brings you to Walnut Avenue and the following cease on our Philadelphia strolling tour … Washington Sq.. That is the quietest and most peaceable of the Penn’s parks. Huge outdated timber stretch their branches and create tempting swimming pools of shade the place you and your pup can pull up a bench and funky your heals.

Washington Square - Philadelphia, PA
Washington Square - Philadelphia, PA
Washington Square - Philadelphia, PA
Washington Square - Philadelphia, PA

 

Rittenhouse Sq. (Through Locust Avenue)

Locust Avenue is interrupted by the southern finish of Washington Sq., so it’s simple to seek out. That is our most popular path to Rittenhouse Sq. as a result of it gives some improbable examples of Philadelphia’s well-known row properties.

You’ll cross a number of eating places with sidewalk seating. When you’re getting peckish, stick your head in and ask if the surface seating is pet pleasant. One of many issues we love most about Philly is that just about each restaurant with tables outside welcomes canine!

READ MORE ⇒ Taking Your Canine To Pet Pleasant Eating places

Historic row houses at Elfreth's Alley, on a walking tour of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Historic row homes at Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia, PA
Outdoor Seating Restaurant - Philadelphia, PA
Canine pleasant sidewalk seating at a restaurant in Philadelphia, PA

 

Stroll a few mile west on Locust Avenue and also you’ll run proper into Rittenhouse Sq.. That is the town’s hottest sq. and will get fairly crowded on attractive afternoons.

Rittenhouse is Philadelphia’s entrance yard, and it’s surrounded by lodges, eating places (many with pet pleasant sidewalk seating), shops, and residential buildings. It’s a gathering place, a spot to learn a guide or newspaper, and the proper vacation spot for a picnic.

Rittenhouse Square - Philadelphia, PA

However earlier than you get comfy, minimize throughout to the south aspect of the Sq. at nineteenth Avenue. Metropolitan Bakery makes scrumptious treats for canine and people. Decide up a snack, then cross the road again into the park and take a look at the attractive mosaic fountain.

Rittenhouse Square - Philadelphia, PA
Rittenhouse Square - Philadelphia, PA

 

Skipping Logan Sq. In Favor Of Fitler Sq.

That is the place our canine pleasant Philadelphia strolling tour takes slightly detour. The following logical cease when visiting Penn’s unique squares is Logan Sq.. And although its fountain and views up and down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are improbable, we discover this park lacks a little bit of ambiance.

First, Logan Sq. is definitely a circle. And with 4 lanes of visitors whizzing across the exterior, it’s hardly tranquil. Logan is a fairly sq. to stroll by, however doesn’t make our listing of locations to hang around.

Logan Square - Philadelphia, PA

 

In its place, we advise a go to to Fitler Sq.. Although it wasn’t on Penn’s unique plans and is smaller than the opposite squares, it has its personal appeal.

To get to Fitler Sq., go away Rittenhouse heading south on nineteenth Avenue and switch west on Pine Avenue. Benefit from the stroll by one in every of Philadelphia’s quieter residential neighborhoods as much as twenty third Avenue.

Canines want to stay to the paved pathways in Fitler Sq., as a result of the park is on the small aspect and is shared by households with younger youngsters who wish to play within the grass. There may be one other fountain right here, and a number of other attention-grabbing sculptures across the park to take pleasure in.

Particular deal with: An extra benefite of visiting Fitler Sq. is that simply two blocks west is Schuylkill River Park with it’s off-leash canine park. Your pup can spend a while off-leash socializing and romping with the native pooches!

Fitlers Square - Philadelphia, PA
Fitlers Square - Philadelphia, PA

 

Metropolis Corridor And Dilworth Park

The fifth and ultimate sq. on our Philadelphia strolling tour is the guts of the Philadelphia. That is the middle sq. in Penn’s unique plan — Metropolis Corridor and Dilworth Park. To get there proceed north on both twenty third or twenty fifth (relying on whether or not you opted to go to the canine park) to Market Avenue. Then flip proper (east) and proceed to Metropolis Corridor.

Located in Philadelphia’s monetary district, Dilworth Park feels extra city than the opposite squares, however isn’t any much less attention-grabbing. Make your manner across the large Metropolis Corridor constructing to view a number of sculptures. Stroll by the arched stone passages to see the inside courtyard. After which get a desk on the café and watch the children splash within the dancing fountain.

City Hall and Dilworth Park - Philadelphia, PA
City Hall and Dilworth Park - Philadelphia, PA

 

BONUS: Love Park

No journey to Philadelphia can be full with no picture by the LOVE sculpture. And Love Park is simply steps from Metropolis Corridor!

Ty and Buster in Philadelphia, PA

From there it was time to move again to our automotive. The entire round-trip was 4.6 miles of simple strolling, with scads of alternatives to relaxation, snack, and rehydrate alongside the best way.

Many shops and eating places additionally present consuming water in your pup, however it’s a good suggestion to deliver water and a collapsable bowl anyway.

We hope you loved touring Philly with us, and we want you a good time seeing it for your self. Discover locations to remain, pet pleasant eating places, and extra enjoyable issues to do collectively on GoPetFriendly.com!

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