Philadelphia is a city of many faces – downtown, an urban center with skyscrapers; the Old City, with its cobblestone streets and historic sites; or one of its many neighborhoods, such as Fairmount, Manayunk, or Germantown. For today’s backyard road trip, we’re heading out to Chestnut Hill, which resembles an affluent suburb rather than an area of the city. For our afternoon in Chestnut Hill, we’ll eat well, explore a few parks, check out a brewery, and more.
Germantown Avenue
The main bisector of the neighborhood is Germantown Avenue. Many of the stops along this route can be found on this road or just off of it. Notice the trolley tracks in the middle of the road and the exquisite architecture on both sides. The stone houses and commercial buildings never fail to amaze me. It’s a hilly road with much character. Now let’s dig into what we’ll do on our afternoon in Chestnut Hill.
Morris Arboretum
If it’s a nice day, try to visit one of these two parks. The first idea is a trip to the Morris Arboretum. The University of Pennsylvania owns this arboretum, and admission is charged. Make sure to check out the rose garden in season and notice the fountains and the well-manicured grounds. Check out their collection of rare trees and stop by the greenhouse.
Wissahickon Valley Park
Wissahickon Valley Park should be on your agenda if you’re interested in more of a wild park. Wissahickon Valley Creek passes through this wooded park. Its stonework is fantastic, and there’s even a covered bridge here. If you’re coming from the Main Line suburbs, you may have driven through part of the park on your way to Chestnut Hill. It’s a beloved visit for hikers and joggers, with an extensive trail system.
Chestnut Hill Brewing Company
In the center of the neighborhood is the Chestnut Hill Brewing Company. Not only do they serve great beer, but their food is a must-try. I like their pizza, especially the Forager, which is a white pie loaded with different types of mushrooms. The layout is funky with different rooms and a large bar. Also, next door, visit their market, which many consider to be a smaller version of Reading Terminal Market.
Char & Stave
This is such a cool spot! It’s a coffeehouse by day and a distillery tasting room by night. It’s the outpost of Bluebird Distilling and offers an array of spirits. My favorite drink, though, is on the coffee menu. Their motto is “coffee made by whiskey people.” The distillery itself is located in Phoenixville. Their Whiskey Smash Latte is one of the best warm drinks I’ve ever had. Although it has whiskey in the name, it’s non-alcoholic but instead uses barrel-aged espresso and salted whiskey caramel. Yum! The shop looks like an old-time cafe, and the menu fits the vibe precisely.
Woodmere Art Museum
This museum is housed in an impressive building, but the collection inside is just as impressive. The museum’s collection features mostly works by artists from the region: the Delaware Valley, the intersection of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Paintings by the likes of N.C. Wyeth, Mary Cassatt, and Benjamin West are on display. The Victorian mansion was the home of Charles Knox Smith, whose personal collection is the basis of the museum’s holdings.
Hideaway Records
Check out the ground-floor record shop, Hideaway Records. It features both new and used music with a great selection of vinyl and CDs, as well as audio equipment. It’s one of the many shopping areas in Chestnut Hill, but if a neighborhood has a record store, I definitely put it on my list.
Restaurants:
Chestnut Hill has a variety of highly acclaimed restaurants such as McNally’s, Tavern on the Hill, and Jansen. From bakeries to gastropubs, there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat since eating will most certainly be on your itinerary for your afternoon in Chestnut Hill.
This neighborhood is one of Philly’s most picturesque and includes a ton of things to do. From a museum to hiking, and craft beer to great food, make sure to put an afternoon in Chestnut Hill on your travel list.
