Park · 3 blocks from Society Hill Hotel
Washington Square
Washington Square is one of the five public squares William Penn laid out in his 1682 plan for Philadelphia. It's a quiet, tree-shaded park — a good place to sit with a coffee — that happens to contain the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier and the remains of roughly 2,000 American soldiers and British prisoners who died in Philadelphia during the Revolution. Three blocks from Society Hill Hotel.
Walking distance
5 min on foot
3 blocks from 301 Chestnut
Address
210 W Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Hours
Always open.
Admission
Free.
Hours and admission change seasonally. For the authoritative schedule and any day-of closures, check the official site.
What to expect
What a visit actually looks like.
A full perimeter walk takes about 15 minutes. The Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, dedicated in 1957, anchors the center; it's a low granite marker flanked by a statue of Washington and an eternal flame. The park's dense tree canopy and benches make it a good pause point between Independence Hall and Society Hill. Historic houses line the square on the north and east sides.
A short history.
Originally laid out as 'Southeast Square' in Penn's 1682 city plan, the square served as a burial ground for yellow fever victims, Revolutionary War soldiers (both American and British), and Philadelphia's Black community in the 18th century. Renamed Washington Square in 1825 on the 50th anniversary of the Revolution's start, it was formally landscaped into a park. The Revolutionary War memorial was added in 1954–57.
Tips for visiting
- 01Free, open 24/7.
- 02Quiet — this is a working neighborhood park, not a tourist destination.
- 03Good midpoint on a walk from Independence Hall back toward Society Hill.
- 04The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, a 19th-century member library, is on the east side and occasionally opens exhibits to the public.
While you’re in the neighborhood
Three more within a few blocks.
Staying in Old City?
Society Hill Hotel is 3 blocks from Washington Square.
Twelve rooms in an 1832 building at 301 Chestnut, in the heart of Old City. Walk everywhere you came to Philadelphia to see — Washington Square is a 5-minute walk from our front door. Mobile keycode check-in. No front desk. Piccolina, a contemporary Italian restaurant, on the ground floor.
- · Walk to Independence Hall in 4 min
- · Restaurant downstairs
- · Mobile check-in, no desk
- · 1832 building, fully restored
Reserve a room
Mobile keycode check-in. No front desk.