About Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is one of Philadelphia’s trendiest neighborhoods. Located in the heart of Center City, and just to the west of Old City, Rittenhouse Square is home to a vibrant eating and shopping scene. The neighborhood also features some of the city’s biggest cultural venues, such as the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts as well as Plays and Players, one of the oldest theater companies in the nation. Rittenhouse Square is actually a park as well as the neighborhood surrounding it in the small town of Center City in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1683, it was first known as Southwest Square, but was renamed in 1825 to honor David Rittenhouse, who was an astronomer and one of the leaders of the American Revolution.
The park itself was one of five planned by William Penn, a famous politician, writer, and proprietor of the city at the time. You’ll find many sculptures in the park, including the Duck Girl by Paul Manship from 1911, a two-foot-tall billy goat of bronze made by Albert Laessle, and the lion and serpent created by Antoine-Louis Barye in 1832. This is a great place to get a selfie with one of the many art pieces in the park.
Surrounding the park is a busy city of retail shops, boutiques, and small markets, as well as restaurants, bistros, and cafés to enjoy. Take a walk along part of the 120-mile Schuylkill River Trail to enjoy the peacefulness of the river and the interesting landscapes. For those who want a little culture, you can find galleries, monuments, and museums to explore and enjoy within the neighborhood.
Fun Fact: President Washington was there to witness the first hot air balloon in the country take off at Washington Square in 1793.

Things to do in Rittenhouse Square
- Enjoy a day in the park and spend some time under the trees in Rittenhouse Square
- Visit the One Liberty Observation Deck and get a birds eye view of the city
- Walk over to Dilworth Park and soak up some sun by the fountains or enjoy the ice skating rink set up during the winter
- See what’s on stage this season and catch a performance at the Kimmel Center
- An aspiring doctor with you? Visit the Mütter Museum to see some medical oddities
- Take a selfie with the 45-foot-tall clothespin on Market Street
- Check out the Liberty Bell and other landmarks on South 3rd Street at Independence National Historical Park
- Stop by the Museum of the American Revolution at Independence National Historical Park
- Visit some animals at the Adventure Aquarium on Riverside Drive
Transit Options
- SEPTA: Market-Frankford Line to 15th Street
- Regional Rail to Jefferson or Suburban
- Trolley Routes: 11, 13, 34, 36
- Bus Routes: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, and more
Luggage Storage in Rittenhouse Square
It is no fun having to bring your suitcases with you while you are in town, though, so be sure to download our Bounce app. We have locations all over the Philadelphia area where you can leave your things to keep them safe while you enjoy the city. All of our partners are vetted and you are protected for each booking, so you don’t have to worry. Locals can use our app as well if you have bags to store while you head out for the evening.
Luggage Storage Options Near Rittenhouse Square
From museums to galleries, zoos, and aquariums, you will have no trouble finding something to keep you busy at Rittenhouse Square. For the shoppers who need souvenirs and the partiers who want to play, you can head out for some fun after dropping off your things with one of our Bounce affiliates.
Luggage Storage Near the Philadelphia Museum of Art
On Benjamin Franklin Parkway, less than 10 minutes from the square, you can find the majestic Philadelphia Museum of Art. You’ll see more than 240,000 paintings and other works of art from over 2,000 years if you have enough time to enjoy it all. From the Renaissance, medieval times, and even the ancient world, they have Picasso, van Gogh, and Renoir as well as a Buddhist temple from the 14th century and a collection of suits of armor. The art museum opened in 1876 but moved to its current location in 1928, where it is a group of three Greek temples linked together. One of the oldest and most treasured paintings is the Crucifixion Diptych from 1460 by Rogier van der Weyden. Take your camera out of your suitcase before you drop it off with one of our Bounce partners so you can get some pics to share.
Luggage Storage Near Sea Life Center Aquarium
You may not want to go to jail while you are in Philadelphia, but visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary is a must-do for historians. Only 10 minutes from the square on Fairmount Avenue, the jail is actually a museum now, but it was used as a prison from 1829 to 1971. See where famous bad guys like Al Capone and “Slick” Willie Sutton were held and get some selfies at the barber shop. Take an audio tour with the provided mp3 player as your guide to learn about the history of the penitentiary and some of the major events. If you want to learn more, get a guided tour to find out about escape attempts, murders, and more behind-the-scenes facts. They even have art exhibits of photos, paintings, and statuary by local and international artists. Just do not bring along your luggage unless you plan on staying because they are not allowed inside the prison. One of our Bounce partners will be happy to hang onto them for you.
Luggage Storage Near the Philadelphia Zoo
Animal lovers should head over to the Philadelphia Zoo on West Girard Avenue about 13 minutes from Rittenhouse Square. Located on the banks of the Schuylkill River, this historic place was the very first zoo in the United States. It opened in 1874 with 200 animals and now has over 1,300. The 42 acres hold more than just animals, though. You can also enjoy a serene boat ride on the paddle boat lake, take a ride on the carousel, and learn about many of their endangered species. The park has 14 features from the African Plains rhinos and hippos to the birds at the Wings of Asia. While you are there, grab a bite at one of the five eateries and get some souvenirs from one of the gift shops before you leave. But don’t bring your bags. Take them to one of our Bounce affiliates nearby.