Where do people in Philadelphia feel the happiest? A team of psychology students at Drexel University set out to answer that question, and the result is a unique map of the city’s most joyful spots. Their work, guided by Drexel’s Happiness Lab, shows that happiness often comes from everyday places right in the neighborhood.
The study gathered insights from 243 students who pinpointed where they feel the strongest sense of joy, connection, or peace in Philadelphia. The results highlight parks, cultural landmarks, and even hidden corners that might go unnoticed. Let’s look at what the Happiness Map revealed and highlight the places that bring most joy to Philadelphians.
What the happiness map revealed
The Happiness Lab at Drexel, led by Professor Eric Zillmer, focuses on studying how joy works and where people experience it most strongly. The lab’s project collected and analyzed local perspectives to create a map of 28 spots across Philadelphia tied to positive feelings.
The findings reflect what science already shows: health, safety, nature, and social connections are at the core of human happiness. According to Zillmer, “being outside is gold, actually, it’s worth more than gold”. The map underscores this point, with many of the top places being outdoor spaces like Rittenhouse Square, the Schuylkill River Trail, and Franklin Square.
But the results also remind us that happiness is personal and varied. Some participants named cultural institutions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where creativity and history come together. Others mentioned intimate spots such as John F. Collins Park or the Cat Park in Powelton Village, places that invite quiet reflection and play.
Zillmer explained that while money creates stability, it doesn’t guarantee joy. What stands out in the Happiness Map is the importance of connection, whether that’s time with friends, love, or a sense of belonging to the city’s history. Even something as simple as climbing the historic Wood Street Steps, first built under William Penn, can spark that feeling of being part of something larger.
The happiest places in Philadelphia
The map highlights a mix of well-known attractions and hidden gems scattered throughout the city. Together, they show the many ways Philadelphians connect with their environment and each other.
- Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
- Cat park.
- Cira Green.
- Drexel Park.
- Franklin Square.
- The Fillmore Philadelphia.
- The Happiness Lab.
- James G. Kaskey Memorial Park.
- John F. Collins Park.
- Johnny Brenda’s.
- Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
- Lancaster Walk.
- Logan Square.
- Maison Sweet.
- Mango Mango Dessert.
- The Mütter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
- Penn’s Landing.
- Philadelphia Film Society.
- Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- Philadelphia Zoo.
- Rittenhouse Square.
- Schuylkill River Trail.
- Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center.
- Temple University Outdoor Track.
- T-Swirl Crêpe.
- The Treehouse in the Sky.
- Washington Square.
- Wood Street Steps.
Each location has a different draw, from outdoor exercise to cultural immersion to peaceful green spaces. Together, they show that happiness in Philadelphia can be found in both grand institutions and everyday hangouts, in the places where we feel connected, inspired, or at ease. For Philadelphians, those spots are woven across the city, waiting to be visited, remembered, and enjoyed.