August 25, 2017
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
From left to right, James G. Kaskey Memorial Park: The Biopond and Biology Greenhouse at the University of Pennsylvania, the Moshulu, Eastern State Penitentiary, Laurel Hill Cemetery, The Dream Garden mosaic at the Curtis Center atrium.
We're guessing you found your way here because you either plan to propose, are doing the dirty work for someone who does, or have a vision and are prepared to drop notes for your current (or future) sweetie so that your memory is perfect. (No judgment on your type-A behavior with the latter option, btw.)
Either way, you rock – for the time and effort (even if it was a Google search that took all of less than five seconds of your life).
So, congratulations! You’re winning today!
Let’s get to the reason why you’re here, shall we?
Mental drum roll please…
The Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park.
Philadelphia's Magic Garden's, located at 1020 South Street.2.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
– And there’s nothing more magical than love (OK, wait, maybe
food—definitely food), right? The pieces of your love story will ultimately
create the mosaic of your marriage, so pop the question at a place that
believes in magic. (Disney World aside because, let’s be honest, practically
speaking, the wedding may turn out to be expensive enough. Save wherever
and however you can when it comes to the engagement.) 
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
The Dream Garden mosaic in the atrium of the Curtis Center.
Laurel Hill Cemetery in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia.4. With all of the breath-taking and heart stopping that accompanies a
marriage proposal, there is the option to really drive home the
vowel of "’til death do us part” via a…cemetery. Laurel Hill Cemetery to be
precise. Marketed as “more than just a cemetery,” it also features an
outdoor sculptural garden and offers an abundance of history to relive, so to speak. While this may not be the ideal proposal
location for all couples, we know better than anyone else that Philadelphia
is comprised of many voices so for those who seek a non-traditional pathway
to a life-long commitment: we hear you and this one is for you.
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
The Moshulu docked at the Penn's Landing Marina.5. Moshulu – From what I hear, the
staff over at Moshulu lives for special moments such as this and works
diligently to ensures yours is unforgettable. A Philadelphian I recently
spoke with bought multiple gifts for his special lady and had each one
accompany a meal course. His then soon-to-be-wife’s engagement ring was
served with a side of dessert (although the moment was nearly a total fail
because she didn’t want dessert). Five years later, and the sweetness
endures as they’ve just celebrated their anniversary…in Jamaica. Yeah,
mon’! 
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
Eastern State Penitentiary on Fairmount Avenue.
Cautionary notice: just be sure that you know your sweetie very well if you go with this option. Unfortunately, it
could easily be misconstrued as your subconscious view of being ready for
the “ball and chain.” BTW: This seems like the perfect time to plug a
hashtag that I’ve never really had use for so here we go: #ChainGaing
A cyclist rides along the Schuylkill River Trail near Girard Avenue and Kelly Drive.
The James G. Kaskey Memorial Park: The Biopond and Biology Greenhouse on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.
