Love is in cold air in Center City on Valentine's Day

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Church-goers shielded their faces from the biting wind Sunday morning as they left the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City.

For some, it's one thing that could pull them from the warmth of home during this cold snap.

"I've been in the house pretty much all weekend long so I thought I'd come out, then go right back home and stay in for the rest of the day," said Regine Metallus of Center City.

Some tourists had to adjust their plans once they experienced the frigid conditions.

"Yeah we were not willing to wait in the line at Independence Hall," said Jennifer Behrens of Annapolis, Maryland. "I think the temperature was 17 at the time, but it felt like 4 (degrees)."

Along Kelly Drive the folks who did venture out enjoyed the view of the icy Schuylkill River, saying as long as you keep moving, the cold isn't so bad.

"This is a real winter experience. Seeing the ice on the river, you know, feeling that cold," said Dave Scheid, Philadelphia Trail Club.

"I'm going to be eating later so I might as well get some calories out," said Pamela Schade of Center City.

For some couples, Valentine's Day plans were already underway at Love Park, bundling up for a picture at the Love statue.

"It's freezing out. Especially in the shade with the buildings. It's cold," said Rick Ledermann of Dumont, New Jersey.

The rest of Love Park was packed with skate boarders. This is the last time they'll be able to use the park until it closes for renovations on Monday.

"I just got a propane fire pit right here I got for Christmas from my dad. Got to use it for the first couple times out here," said Patrick Heid of South Philadelphia. "Just trying to stay warm."

While the wind chill was almost unbearable for many, one visitor says it's all in what you're used to.

"I think for the United States it's cold, but for me it's not because in Ukraine and Russia it's the normal," said Myroslav Kotyk of Chicago, Illinois.