when i worked on the square, my favorite part of the day was my lunch hour where i would take to the park. unlike it's much more popular cousin, rittenhouse square, washington square is more low key and quiet. i hardly see any freaks trying to sneak a peek up girls' shorts or "artists" begging for change. you can even grab a bench and not have to share it with someone smoking cloves! one warning though: if you don't like children, avoid this park around 11-2... there are a ton of them left mostly unsupervised while their teachers, day care workers, nannies smoke cigarettes or talk on their cell phones. this park still has enough of the people watching that i love about rittenhouse square (there is a group of elderly people who do thai chi here in the mornings, so cute) but without the stench of overcrowding and creepies! read more

If you're not looking to people-watch, want some peace and quiet, and some space to sprawl out, Washington Square is your place. Way less crowded than Rittenhouse, I come here when I'm trying to get some reading or homework done. I find it cleaner and quieter, too. Wierdo count is waay higher at Rittenhouse, no one has ever approached me here ever. read more

Similar to Rittenhouse in terms of trees, shade, and places to sit. But there isn't much going around the park, so I don't happen to go there very often. The military shrines around it don't make it particularly welcoming to a man of peace, like myself. But I think it's OK. read more

This is where I decided I wanted to pursue my fiancee and its where I aksed her to marry me. This park has given me nothing but success. Cheers to this wonderful park. read more

A beautiful and historic location dating from the revolutionary war and getting better everyday. Soldiers from the revolution, slaves, a potters field and Philadelphians all buried in this sacred ground. read more

Don't tell Rittenhouse, but I think Washington Square is the prettiest park in Center City, with its lovely old sycamores and wide green lawns. It's quieter and more peaceful than Rittenhouse, and I love the eternal fire and the signs about the park's history, which help connect us to the city's rich past as we rush around thinking about work and what we need at the grocery store. read more

National park w natural beauty. A great spot to people watch, picnic with friends, or walk your dog ( lots of a scarce commodity in Philly, trash cans). I'm a fan of nature and neighbors, both of which you can enjoy in this locale. Check out the scupture of "the financiar of the American revolution," and other national landmarks, while munching on lunch al fresco, and chatting with your neighbors and tourists alike. read more

Clean and great location. The statues are pretty slick and represent the person their Memorializing pretty well. Stop by if you're ever in in it passing through Philadelphia. read more

Washington Square - Parks Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A beautiful park but sadly a short walk. If the walk was longer I wouldnt leave. I would recommend giving your respects to THE TOMB OF THE UKNOWN SOLDIER. Yes there is a tomb im not lying. read more

I jog through this park every night and I always pass other people either walking their dogs, hanging out, working out, etc. It is for sure a toned down version of Rittenhouse but I really do love this place. You'll never feel crowded and it is close to some wonderful restaurants. read more

A nice green space - which is sorely needed - in Center Ciyt. It may not be as well known as Rittenhouse Square - but it is a fine park and lots of cool stores and restaurants are in the surrounding area. read more

I work 4 blocks from WS and we walk here every day when it's nice to sit and eat lunch outside. This is a beautiful and sometimes, forgotten park. It really does not get as much hype or visibility as Rittenhouse, but it really is a good sized, beautiful park. I think the fact there's less hype makes it easier to get around because there are less people. Definitely a great destination for hanging out, bringing your dog, or just basking in the sun. Also, if you come at lunch time there is often a 'Boot Camp' style excercise class going on- and it is pretty hilarious to watch (it's also kinda inspires you to get up and do something too!) read more

We didn't have much time to spend here (I was mostly on a search for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), but from the twenty minutes or so we were able to tour the area, an impression was formed that Washington Square Park was plausible grounds for an afternoon of nature and relaxation. My brother and I played some Egyptian Ratslap on a bench by a large fountain, and two boys walked around and asked people to buy candy bars for their brother's basketball team (quite sketchy in hindsight). Some people napped in the grass. Nice place. read more

This is a beautiful park - look at the new paving. I think the trees are splendid and the brick wall surrounding it is beautiful. The homeless people here are some of the nicest in the city... read more

I love everything about this park. Plenty of green space to run around and do bootcamp exercises in (unfortunately I have had to do that before), sit and people/dog watch, or take in a little Philadelphia history. Grab a coffee and saunter over to the park on the next sunny day, you won't regret it! read more

everyday i feel pretty lucky to live in a great city, and within walking distance to some great parks. wash sq park is one of them -- benches and grass, fountains and freaks. all that you want out of a philly park ;) read more

Great park. Clean, calm and peaceful.

As a lover of green spaces and walking, Washington Square Park is my favorite park in center city. It's pretty similar to Rittenhouse Square, but WAY less crowded because it's not in the very center of the shopping district/city. There are tons of benches, a fountain, and lots of grass to lay out and read a book or picnic in. read more

Love this park. A go-to destination for anyone wishing to read a book, walk their pets, or sunbathe. Park rangers patrol this park on bicycle, which is probably why it's so clean and quiet whenever I stop by. Great place to escape the busyness of Center City for a few hours. read more

Beautiful park. Wonderful scenery. It was nice to walk around while I waited for my time slot for the Independence Hall tour. I was lucky to go on a day with nice weather. It was also cool to see the wall and read the history of the park. I enjoyed it. I wouldn't say that it was the top thing to do while in Philly, but something to do while waiting for Independence Hall Tour to start. Very close in proximity! read more

Yes, it's possible to have a more peaceful, mellow-er, and more historic spot in Philly than Rittenhouse Sq and that place is Washington Sq Park. The other draw of this park is that it is a welcome respite from the nearby crowds of tourists. read more

Nice walk, lots of shade and benches, not very stroller friendly had to lift and carry our stroller to enjoy this park. It was empty which way nice. read more

This park is right down the street from Jewelers row. This park is more about history then anytihng else especially with shrine of th unkonwn solider. It's good for kids and individuals alike. read more

My favorite park in all of Philly. Tons of green space to spread out a blanket, read, drink, chill with friends, play with your pup, sunbathe, daydream. Unbeatable people watching and dog watching. Less crowded and obnoxious than Rittenhouse Park. read more

The reason why I love this park so much is because it's just like Rittenhouse Square, but without the dirty hipsters!

This is a quiet park to reflect on the sacrifice of soldiers for the American Revolutionary War. There is not much else in the park besides the monuments so it might not be appreciated by young children or teens. The location is a short walk from the Founders Hall and is clearly marked on the map available from the Independence Visitor Center, but the staff do not include this in the description of attraction in that area. read more

My favorite Philly Square! A bit quieter than Rittenhouse and Franklin, which I like. I love to walk my pup, eat lunch, read a book, and people watch. I see the same people here often, and makes it feel like a true neighborhood. National Parks Service does a great job maintaining the landscape and benches. Always clean and beautiful! read more

Quiet and cozy, that probably more to describe this park. Far from crowded and busy town like Rittenhouse Square which already filled with homeless. Spent my lunch time here, so relaxing. read more

Beautiful park the flowers here were in full bloom and a wonderful place to take pictures! What a site after the long winter.

This is a beautiful square and park. Be sure to go look at the flags in front of the statue of George Washington--they're the ORIGINAL Colony flags, not the state flags we have today! There's also a tomb to the Unknown Revolutionary Soldiers, which I think is also important. This park used to be a potter's field. If you're not sure what a potter's field is, take one of the free tours and ask your guide! =) read more

its so cool with crazy history of bodies of soldiers burried and stacked on top of each other. it is a very peaceful spot. pretty. good people watching. not much activity here as the other parks. no performers or artists. but lots of cool dogs and people just relaxing getting a little nature in the middle of high rise buildings. its one of my "happy places" read more

Great monument for unknown soldiers. Beautiful park, and lets not forget the tree that was grown from a seed that was brought into space.

This was such a gorgeous park and such an awesome place to walk through. It is also a really historical place as well. With the tomb of the unknown solider in the middle and a nice monument to George Washington it is a very nice site to visit. There seems to be a lot of garbage cans therefore there is less litter than you would expect there isn't non but people can really be a**holes sometimes. There is more then enough seating everywhere they are clean and inviting as is the park. Another great part about this place is it isn't a place that you are going to walk through and run into homeless people and pan handlers. This sounds very callous I know but, when you run into them on every street it is sad but, also sometimes it is a really nice to just get away from the reality of the world as it is an enjoy nature kick back breathe in some fresh air and realize there are still nice things in this world to enjoy. It is not only important to have that but, when you have a place as gorgeous as this to do so you really want to come back and enjoy it. Bring friends a date hell go yourself and enjoy. read more

the often overlooked brother of rittenhouse, a good place to have a catch since there are less people. there's a starbucks a block west on walnut to get a water, coffee, or use the restroom. the sprinklers are fun to run through at night in the summer, but watch for ghosts. read more