Philadelphia Architectural Style Hike 5 of 6: Queen Anne Buildings

2-3 hours; 2-3 miles; brisk pace between stops; best examples of Queen Anne architecture in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood; possibility of late lunch afterward if there's interest.

Cape May is famed for its Victorian houses, but our region's most beautiful homes from this era are in Philadelphia. Many people refer to these homes — with elegant bay windows, gingerbread trim, and turrets with conical roofs — as Victorian, but they are more specifically in the Queen Anne style, which flourished in Philadelphia from about 1880 to 1910. AND most haunted houses are Queen Anne, which makes this the perfect architectural style to check out on Halloween!

We'll start by hiking through the area between Fitler Square and Rittenhouse Square, first visiting a former private home with one of the loveliest bay windows in the city. Then we'll travel into the heart of Rittenhouse to take in *Philadelphia's most beautiful intersection* (IMHO), which features incredible mansions on all 4 corners.

If you haven't been on previous architecture style hikes with us, I guarantee you'll see Philadelphia from a new perspective. For those who have joined previous hikes, this hike features ALL NEW buildings that we haven't visited before. Everyone is welcome!

As always, we will move quickly between buildings, but we'll also stop for enough time at each one to enjoy and discuss the wonderful craftsmanship. 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 30 min - 1 hr 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.