The square was originally named 'Southwest Square' until it was renamed in 1825 to honor David Rittenhouse, a prominent American astronomer and clockmaker.
The 'Lion Crushing a Serpent' sculpture, located near the Walnut Street entrance, is a bronze replica of a piece by French sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye.
The park's signature Billy Goat statue, installed in 1914, was designed to provide a climbing feature for children.
During the 19th century, the park evolved from a pasture for livestock into one of Philadelphia's most exclusive residential addresses.
The square sits atop a slight geological rise compared to the rest of the original city plan, which led to its reputation as an elevated, healthy location in the colonial era.
The iron railings surrounding the square are original to the 1913 master plan by architect Paul Philippe Cret.
The reflecting pool originally featured a fountain that was later converted to its current simplified water feature format.
Rittenhouse Square is one of the original five urban open spaces planned by William Penn in the late 17th century. Located in the heart of Philadelphia's Rittenhouse neighborhood, the park features a central reflecting pool and an iconic sculpture of a goat by Albert Laessle. The grounds are maintained by the Friends of Rittenhouse Square, a non-profit organization that coordinates seasonal landscaping and preservation. It functions as a social hub for the surrounding residential and commercial districts, hosting regular farmers' markets and community art fairs. The park is surrounded by high-end apartment buildings, upscale hotels, and a dense concentration of dining establishments along Walnut and 18th Streets. Its landscape design emphasizes neoclassical symmetry with tree-lined walkways and diverse botanical plantings. The space is widely used for public gatherings and as a central meeting point for local events. It represents a focal point of urban planning and high-density living in Center City Philadelphia.
The central reflecting pool looking toward the Goat statue during the golden hour.
Bring a blanket if you plan to stay, as the benches fill up quickly during lunch hours and sunny weekends.
Visit the nearby grocery and bakery shops on 18th Street to assemble a picnic rather than relying solely on sit-down restaurants.
Respect the designated landscape zones to avoid damaging the meticulously maintained flower beds.
Do not leave personal belongings unattended on benches while using restrooms or visiting nearby vendors.
Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited; please remain on paved pathways to protect lawn areas.
