LOVE Park (JFK Plaza)
Rating
Price
Free
Duration
15-30 minutes
Best Ages
All ages
About
LOVE Park — officially JFK Plaza — is a public plaza in Center City Philadelphia best known for Robert Indiana's iconic LOVE sculpture. The sculpture, with its tilted 'O,' has become the unofficial symbol of Philadelphia and one of the most photographed pieces of public art in the world.
The park was renovated in 2018 and now features a large granite fountain that operates as a splash pad in summer months. Kids run through the water jets while the LOVE sculpture and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway provide the backdrop. It's one of the few free splash pads in Center City.
For families, LOVE Park is a quick, free, Instagram-worthy stop rather than an extended activity. The photo with the LOVE sculpture takes 5 minutes. The splash pad can extend the visit to 30 minutes in summer. The park's location — at the intersection of the Parkway, City Hall, and the business district — makes it a natural starting or stopping point for a Center City walking tour.
The view down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from LOVE Park is the classic Philadelphia panorama: the tree-lined boulevard stretching toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with flags of world nations lining the median. City Hall, one block east, has a free observation deck at the top of its tower (the tallest masonry building in the world) with 360-degree views of the city.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Early morning for uncrowded photos; combine with other Center City activities
Wait Times
2-5 min for a clear photo with the LOVE sculpture during busy times
Nearby Food
["Reading Terminal Market (3 blocks east, the lunch destination)","Food trucks around City Hall (varied options, $8-12)","Comcast Center cafe (1 block, decent coffee and quick bites)"]
Why Kids Love It
LOVE Park is a quick stop, not a destination — but it's the kind of quick stop that defines a Philadelphia trip. The Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture is one of the most photographed pieces of public art in the world, and kids enjoy posing with the big colorful letters. The park was renovated in 2018 with a new fountain that doubles as a splash pad in summer — kids run through the water jets while parents take photos.
The park sits at the head of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, so the view down the Parkway toward the Art Museum (the Rocky Steps) is framed by the LOVE sculpture in the foreground. It's the classic Philly photo and takes 5 minutes to get.
For families, LOVE Park works best as a 15-minute stop between other activities. Take the photo, let kids splash in the fountain (summer), and walk to City Hall (1 block) for the free observation deck, or start walking down the Parkway toward the Franklin Institute. It's a hub, not a destination.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Go before 9 AM for a clear shot of the LOVE sculpture without crowds behind you
- The fountain is a splash pad in summer — bring a change of clothes if kids want to play
- City Hall's observation deck (free, top of the tower) is 1 block away and offers the best view in Philadelphia
- The park is at the start of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway — walk southwest toward the Franklin Institute and Art Museum
- Don't plan more than 15-30 minutes here — it's a photo op and splash pad, not a full activity
What to Bring
- Camera
- Change of clothes if using the splash pad in summer
Cost Info
Free Admission
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$0
Tips to Save
- ["Completely free — it's a public plaza","The fountain splash pad (seasonal) is free for kids to play in","Combine with City Hall observation deck (free!
Hours & Contact
Hours
- friday
- Open 24 hours
- monday
- Open 24 hours
- sunday
- Open 24 hours
- tuesday
- Open 24 hours
- saturday
- Open 24 hours
- thursday
- Open 24 hours
- wednesday
- Open 24 hours
