Name: Philadelphia Architectural Style Hike 1 of 3: Italianate Buildings
Start: 2025-11-21T10:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-21T14:30:00-05:00
Location: Wawa at 150 S Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106

3-4 hours; 4.5-5.5 miles; brisk pace between stops; best examples of Italianate architecture in Philadelphia's Old City, Rittenhouse, and Washington Square West neighborhoods; late lunch afterward if there's interest.

We're closing out the year with a mini-cycle of 3 hikes devoted to the hidden gems of Philadelphia architecture. We'll get back to the heavy hitters in 2026, but for these hikes we'll focus on the smaller-scale jewel box buildings that pop up all over Center City. We'll start with gems in the Italianate style, built between about 1840 and 1885. These graceful buildings feature beautiful arches and tall windows and look almost like an Italian villa!

After we gather, we'll walk through Old City, home to the densest cluster of lovely Italianate townhomes and commercial buildings in the city. Then we'll hop over to Rittenhouse and finally back around to Washington Square West to check out several mansions in the Italianate style that are truly stunning.

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 previously. 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.

Robert Howard

Hiking Around Philly

Travel & Outdoor

Dining Out

Sports and Recreation

City Walks

Outdoor Fitness

Hiking

Urban Exploration

Walking

Exploring

Nature Walks

Nature

Outdoors

Adventure

Philadelphia

New In Town

Outdoor Adventures

Philadelphia Architectural Style Hike 1 of 3: Italianate Buildings

Architecture

History

Wawa at 150 S Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Share

Hiking Around Philly

Philadelphia Architectural Style Hike 1 of 3: Italianate Buildings

Hiking Around Philly

Details

Members are also interested in