Nestled in northwest Philadelphia, the Chestnut Hill neighborhood offers a delightful blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and local charm. Last fall, my family and I visited this beautiful part of Philadelphia and found it to be one of the most charming and interesting places in the whole city.
If you’re planning a trip to the Philly area and you’re looking for an area to visit that you may not have thought of, here are some of my favorite things we did while visiting this area. Hopefully, this might help persuade you to visit this area and do some of the activities we did when we were in the area.
Morris Arboretum
The Morris Arboretum was possibly the highlight of our trip. These beautiful gardens, spread across 92 acres, are a great way to spend a fall day. Our favorite gardens in the Morris Arboretum were all very different, and that is what made them so special.
“Out on a Limb” is a 450-foot-long forest canopy walk suspended 50 feet above the ground that gives you a great perspective of the forest. There were overlooks to see the forest below, a climbing net, and lots of spots to learn about how the forest works. It was truly a big hit for me and my kids.
If I were traveling with younger kids, we would have spent more time at the Garden Railway. Multiple trains are running on tracks all over the garden, dotted with small Philadelphia buildings made out of natural materials. We also enjoyed the Fernery, which is in a beautiful glass greenhouse and is the oldest Victorian Fernery in the United States. It was filled with ferns of so many varieties that it was nearly bursting, and there were so many ferns I had never seen before.
The Arboretum offers lots of opportunities to learn about nature, including guided tours and fun activities for kids, making it a great stop for families visiting Philadelphia.
Wissahickon Valley Park
Just a short distance from Morris Arboretum, Wissahickon Valley Park is one of the larger parks in the city of Philadelphia, and people seem to really love exploring this park in the fall. Hikers, bikers, and walkers were everywhere, and we joined them as we hiked part of the 50 miles of trails to explore.
Inside the park, the Forbidden Drive is a wide, flat trail that follows Wissahickon Creek, perfect for leisurely walks or bike rides. This area was packed when we visited, and it was challenging to find parking, so go early in the day.
There is also the Valley Green Inn, which is a historic inn dating back to 1850, now serving as a charming creekside restaurant. Don’t forget to visit the covered bridge in the park as well. It’s one of the last remaining covered bridges in Philadelphia, beautiful and seemingly the spot for photos in the park.
Woodmere Art Museum
After immersing yourself in nature, head to the nearby Woodmere Art Museum. This 19th-century stone mansion houses the collections of Philadelphia’s artists.
There is a permanent collection that mostly consists of oil paintings from the 18th century, photography from newer artists, and a fun children’s play area. Unfortunately, when we visited, they were between collections, and there wasn’t too much to see.
While it won’t take up tons of your day, a 30-minute visit was perfect and about all my kids are ever up to handling.
Stagecrafters Theater
After a very busy day, you might want some evening entertainment, and for us, we checked out a performance at Stagecrafters Theater. This community theater has been entertaining audiences since 1929 with plays by well-known playwrights and contemporary writers.
While the theater is historic, the performances were only okay. The play we saw had some good actors and some very poor ones, making it feel very uneven. Nevertheless, it’s a great way to support local arts and enjoy a night out at the theater.
Germantown Avenue
Germantown Avenue is the main thoroughfare of Chestnut Hill. It is lined with charming stone buildings housing over 200 shops and businesses, as well as some pretty awesome restaurants.
It’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll and some retail therapy, grab a snack or get a pedicure.
Artisans on the Avenue is a local store showcasing work from local artists, from painters to jewelry makers to crafters. While my kids were not thrilled at the stop, I loved seeing local artists and all their beautiful creations.
If you’re visiting with children, make sure to stop by Jenks Playground. This recently renovated play space is perfect for younger kids, featuring modern equipment and a safe, enclosed area.
What to Eat While You Visit: McNally’s
While the food in Chestnut Hill didn’t wow us as a whole, a few spots stood out for flavor, atmosphere, and service.
No visit to Chestnut Hill is complete without trying the legendary “Schmitter” sandwich at McNally’s Tavern. This local institution has been serving comfort food and drinks since 1921.
The Schmitter is a unique twist on a cheesesteak, with sliced beef, extra cheese, grilled salami, tomatoes, fried onions, and a special sauce on a Kaiser roll. It’s a must-try for any food enthusiast.
Cake
For a delightful breakfast or lunch, head to Cake. This cozy eatery is famous for its creative pancakes and stuffed French toast. The menu changes seasonally but always serves fresh, local ingredients.
The best part of Cake is the scenery. It’s housed in an old greenhouse complete with plants and tables mingled among them. It all feels very European in the best way.
Adelinas
Adelinas is an Italian gem that is as good as Italian restaurants downtown. The restaurant transforms fresh, seasonal ingredients into delicious and humble Italian dishes. While you will find pasta and pizza, the best things we ate were the grilled octopus, which was tender and had a spectacular Calabrian chili oil, and the whole branzino.
The restaurant requires reservations for dinner, but you can likely get into lunch on the weekends without calling ahead.
A Visit to Chestnut Hill
We loved Chestnut Hill. It was a great blend of outdoor experiences, beautiful gardens, some culture, and good food. Its accessibility via public transportation makes it an easy day trip, but with so much to see and do, you might find yourself planning a return visit before you leave.