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Nestled in the rural Brandywine Valley between Philly and Delaware, West Chester just might catch you off guard.
Its 19th-century rowhomes and brick-lined sidewalks encircle an urbane town center with quaint boutiques and a vibrant nightlife. The campus of West Chester University is located within walking distance of downtown, and students’ energy feels palpable here. Visit Gay Street on any evening, however, and you’ll also see young families out for dinner, couples on cocktail dates and music aficionados out to hear live bands.
A short driving distance to Brandywine Battlefield Park, the seat of Chester County enjoys a reputation as one of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s most historic towns: More than two-thirds of its 6,000 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, among them its Greek Revival courthouse — designed by Thomas U. Walter, who also designed the U.S. Capitol building.
Read on for a guide to West Chester, curated with the help of the West Chester Business Improvement District.
Having revived its downtown commercial district in the early 2000s, West Chester’s community understands the value of supporting small local businesses. The result is great shopping for all visitors.
Pick up a box of handcrafted artisan truffles at the award-winning Éclat chocolatiers; load up on vintage Eagles jackets and other sports gear at Jawn Supply; pair your records with microbrewed beer at Hop Fidelity; and find rare and antiquarian books, maps and literary artifacts at Baldwin’s Book Barn.
— Photo courtesy Hop Fidelity
West Chester offers an impressive array of dining experiences.
Pick up a morning coffee and croissant at French patisserie La Baguette Magique, or a cinnamon bun from Yori’s Church Street Bakery.
For lunch, grab a floppy slice of pizza from Lorenzo and Son’s, or sit down for a relaxed platter of souvlaki at the sunny dining room at Opa Taverna. Then, for dinner, enjoy delicate handmade pastas at the James Beard award-winning Andiario, or the casual American walk-in fare (burgers and more) at Stove & Tap.
At the elegant — and award-winning — Turks Head Wines, you can order a tasting flight of reds alongside a charcuterie board, while Slow Hand, a craft cocktail emporium, offers fun and casual Southern bites.
The nation’s largest aviation museum dedicated to rotorcraft, the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center invites visitors to see a collection of over 40 planes, copters and autogyros.
Learn about the history of rotary wing aircraft, play with the Cobra helicopter simulator and climb into the real helicopters on display to get a glimpse of life in the cockpit.
Itself a historic establishment founded in 1893, the Chester County History Center holds an extensive collection of 80,000-plus artifacts from Southeastern Pennsylvania’s past.
These appear in its rotating exhibitions, while the library’s archive includes more than 500,000 manuscripts. You’ll also find traveling exhibitions in the galleries.
— Photo by Visit Philadelphia
The West Chester Railroad Company dominated local rail transport in the 19th century, making West Chester a major hub for travel and trade.
You can take a 90-minute round trip along the Chester Creek to Glen Mills, stopping at historic stations with scenic countryside views.
A Victorian mansion located a short drive outside the center of the town, The Bookhouse at Faunbrook charms with literary-themed guest suites. Closer to the epicenter, the Hotel Warner was built on the site of an Art Deco theater.
The Bookhouse at Faunbrook — Photo courtesy The Bookhouse at Faunbrook
Ready to experience the area firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:
Philadelphia is a city of vibrant neighborhoods bordered by a region of charming towns, with each area owning a distinctive personality. Explore the neighborhoods and towns in and around Philadelphia — their storied streets, interesting attractions, buzzed-about restaurants and year-round happenings.
Use the menu above to explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods
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