Philadelphia Architectural Style Bonus Hike: Greatest Hits from All Styles

3.5-4 hours, 6-7 miles, brisk pace between stops, greatest hits of Philadelphia architecture in and around Center City, possibility of late lunch afterward if there's interest.

Over the past couple of months we've hiked to see the best examples of Philadelphia architecture across 6 styles that are well-represented in the city. Now it's time to seek out the best of the best! For this hike I'll choose my favorite example from each of the 6 styles (Federal/Colonial Revival, Italianate, Renaissance Revival, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, and Beaux-Arts) plus 4 “wildcards.” We'll visit each of these 10 favorites, and at the end the group will get to choose the One Building to Rule Them All!

First we'll head up to the Spring Garden neighborhood to check out one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Philadelphia, which is now free of scaffolding (they were working on the tower when we dropped by on the Romanesque hike). While in the neighborhood we'll check out some of the most impressive mansions on Green Street. Next we'll head back into Center City and wrap around the east side of City Hall to appreciate the best of our city's truly awesome late-19th century buildings. The stone-carving on these buildings is truly world-class. Finally we'll hike into Rittenhouse to admire yet more incredible mansions, so you'll get to see how Philadelphia's elite lived over a century ago in two different neighborhoods!

We will move quickly between locations, while stopping for enough time to enjoy and discuss each one. As always, no knowledge of architecture is needed . . . just an interest in seeing beautiful places and a willingness to stay with the group.

GENERAL RULES: ••Hike at my pace. ••Hike lengths are approx.: allow 30min-1hr extra. ••Donation requested. All monies donated to recreational charities like Natural Lands and the Friends of Wissahickon. ••For ~360 events each year donate $20 (2025), $30 for 2 or family or donate $5 for each event. ••Pay in person or at Zelle (2152474459) or at mrbasketball.net/HIKEpay.html. Thanks.
Yearly donation $15 July-Aug; $10 Sept-Nov; Dec new year.