Philadelphia Architectural Style Hike 2 of 3: Renaissance Revival Buildings
Details
3-4 hours; 4-5 miles; brisk pace between stops; best examples of Renaissance Revival architecture in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square 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. This hike will showcase gems in the Renaissance Revival style, at its height in Philadelphia between about 1860 and 1890. While Philadelphia is not often compared to Venice, we'll be visiting buildings that look like they were plucked directly from a Venetian piazza!
First we'll hike through the area around Independence Square and Washington Square to check out one of the most beautiful old bank buildings in the city and a private home covered with intricate stone carvings of flowers, vases, and winged babies! Then we'll swing all of the way around Rittenhouse Square to admire a series of Renaissance Revival mansions that are straight out of The Gilded Age . . . the historical period and the HBO series!
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.